Xref: utzoo sci.space:14515 sci.space.shuttle:3741 sci.astro:5439 Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ginosko!usc!henry.jpl.nasa.gov!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov!baalke From: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,sci.astro Subject: Galileo Update Message-ID: <1883@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> Date: 10 Oct 89 00:10:29 GMT Sender: news@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov Reply-To: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Distribution: usa Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. Lines: 92 GALILEO DAILY REPORT 9 OCTOBER 1989 NOTE: This report covers the activities of 6-9 October General Spacecraft The RTGs were installed on 7 and 8 October. Spacecraft Launch Conditioning was subsequently performed and completed successfully. Final spacecraft closeouts have been performed. The spacecraft is now in a complete ready state for launch; the discrete from the IUS at L-20 min. is the only remaining prelaunch command to be sent. STS IUS: The only scheduled operation was the open circuit voltage checks on the flight batteries. This was completed successfully on 7 October. The PLBD (payload bay doors) were closed at approximately 12:45 p.m. on 9 October. Details Spacecraft At 0200 hours on 7 October, JPL performed the final preparations for RTG installations at Launch Complex 39B. During the removal of the end-blocks (used for testing the cooling loop when the RTGs are not installed) from the ACS (Airborne Cooling System), a JPL technician alertly detected a foreign object in the supply side to the RTG cooling line. Approximately 40 psi of nitrogen pressure was used in an unsuccessful attempt to clear the line. The pressure was subsequently reduced to approximately 20 psi and hemostats were used to remove the debris which was later identified as a piece of foam porous pad. The foam pads are used to temporarily seal the lines from contamination any time a joint of the system plumbing is broken. This is the same type of material previously reported as the cause of the earlier RTG cooling loop problem (see Report #78). Meetings were held between JPL and Lockheed engineers/managers. It was decided to perform a boroscope examination of the sharp bends of the cooling system immediate interface to the RTG. Test results showed the bends to be clean. Based on these results and the fact that approximately equal nitrogen flow was obtained through each RTG branch with a nitrogen flow, it was decided to proceed with the installation of the RTGs without any additional action. The RTGs were delivered to the base of the launch pad at approximately 6:30 p.m. 7 October. The first RTG was hoisted to the PCR (Payload Changeout Room) but operations were then interrupted for approximately 1 1/2 hours by lightning storms. The -x RTG was then installed without any problems except during the mating of the PRD (pressure release devices) to the RTGs; the screw lengths were too long and two additional washers had to be installed on each of the two screws. The second RTG was then hoisted and installed without any problems; washers were also installed on the PRD screws. The operation was completed at approximately 2:30 a.m. on 8 October. At 0400 hours on 8 October, during the process of applying the planned short to the -x RTG by an external S.E. box, it was discovered that the meter went to approximately 25 volts instead of near zero. The spare shorting box was then used and the appropriate reading obtained. The problem was later found to be in the meter. The process for applying RTG power to the spacecraft continued without any further problems. At the conclusion of powering the spacecraft from the RTGs, at approximately 0610 hours on 8 October, the conditioning of the spacecraft for launch commenced. Launch conditioning was completed at approximtely 6:00 p.m. on 8 October. Memory compares of the spacecraft memory contents to the memory load have been completed and it has been reported as being successful at approximately 0300 hours on 9 October. The PRD safe pins have been removed on 9 October and the carry-on umbilicals disconnected. The spacecraft portion of the carry-on umbilical connectors have been capped and the related thermal blanket installed. The PGHM and RTG installation platforms have been placed in a configuration that allowed the orbiter PLBD (payload bay doors) to be closed; the PLBDs were closed at approximately 12:30 p.m. on 9 October. Schedule Discussion and Assessment Launch is still scheduled for 12 October at 1:29 p.m. EDT.