Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!rex!ames!trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee
From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 08/13/90 (Forwarded)
Message-ID: <56012@ames.arc.nasa.gov>
Date: 13 Aug 90 20:03:03 GMT
Sender: usenet@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Lines: 50


            KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1990  11 A.M.

                        STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A

               The Shuttle Interface Test, which began early Saturday morn-
          ing, will continue through tomorrow.  Launch pad  validations  are
          also  scheduled to continue through tomorrow.  A leak test,  with
          gaseous helium, of the external tank flange this weekend revealed
          some leakage,  however,  engineers have determined it  is  within
          specifications.

               Servicing  of  the Broad Band X-ray Telescope with argon was
          completed on Saturday.  Gaseous oxygen flow control  valves  were
          installed in the vehicle's main propulsion system this weekend.

               Routine  tests  of the main propulsion system are continuing
          this week.  Preparations are underway to conduct a helium  signa-
          ture leak check of the three main engines on Thursday.

               The Flight Readiness Review,  where shuttle managers set the
          official launch date, is scheduled for Aug. 20-21 here at Kennedy
          Space Center.

                     STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - VAB HIGH BAY 3

               Operations to demate the shuttle Atlantis from the  external
          tank  began this weekend but were temporarily halted this morning
          when a valve in the VAB firex system failed causing water to drip
          onto power transformers.  The power in VAB high bay  3  has  been
          cut  off  to avoid electrical shorts.  The water has been cleaned
          up. Officials are determining if that part of the firex system is
          necessary to continue with demate operations.  There was no water
          on flight hardware.

               Atlantis will be towed to the OPF after demate where work to
          ready it for the STS-38 mission will commence including replacing
          seals  in  the  17-inch  disconnect  assembly  and for repairs to
          tiles.

                       STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1

               The freon cooling system was serviced this weekend and  sam-
          pling and adjusting is planned  in the next few days. The payload
          bay  doors  were closed for thermal protection system operations.
          Closeouts are underway on all areas of the  vehicle.  Pyrotechnic
          devices  for  the  robot arm and the RTG system will be installed
          after the RTG system is serviced with water.  The date of Aug. 18
          for rolling the vehicle over to the VAB is being  evaluated.  The
          routine rollover review meeting will be held Friday.