Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!ucsd!pacbell.com!ames!trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee
From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 09/19/90 (Forwarded)
Message-ID: <1990Sep20.192923.5119@news.arc.nasa.gov>
Date: 20 Sep 90 19:29:23 GMT
Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov (USENET Administration)
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Lines: 63


            Wednesday September 19, 1990                   11:00 a.m. EDT


                     KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT

          -----------------------------------------------------------------

                     STS-35  --  Columbia (OV 102)  -  Pad 39-A


               The orbiter Columbia's Power Reactant and Storage
          Distribution System tanks have been drained of their liquid
          hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. A purge of the system is
          complete and the pad is open for extended scrub turn-around
          operations.

               Work is currently underway to gain access to the aft
          compartment. Aft inspections will be halted later this afternoon
          for pad clear operations to off load hypergolics from the shuttle
          vehicle OMS/RCS system. This will be followed by vehicle ordnance
          disconnect operations.

               The payload bay doors are scheduled to be opened shortly
          after 12:00 noon today. Payload standdown operations will begin
          once the pad is reopened for general work tomorrow morning.

               Engineers continue to make preparations for a liquid
          hydrogen tanking test on Columbia, however, no specific date has
          been established for the exercise.



                      STS-41 -- Discovery (OV 103)  -  Pad 39-B


               Work at pad B is underway for a planned main engine flight
          readiness test. Call to stations for the test will occur at 8:00
          a.m. Thursday. This operation will allow technicians an
          opportunity to test the main propulsion system aerosurfaces and
          cycle the main engines in the manner used for flight.

               Today at the pad, workers are in the process of removing the
          high pressure fuel duct and bleed valve on main engine number 2.
          Operations should be complete by end of shift tonight in time for
          the flight readiness test tomorrow.

               Engineers are currently planning a helium signature test on
          the shuttle's liquid fuel feed lines on Saturday.

               The Launch Readiness Review is on going this morning at KSC
          to discuss the readiness of the STS-41 launch team. The Flight
          Readiness Review is scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday.
          Following this review, release of a specific launch date is
          expected.


                      STS-38 -- Atlantis (OV-104)  -  OPF Bay 2


               Freon coolant loop number 1 vacuum and moisture checks are
          in work today. The orbiter is scheduled to be transported to the
          Vehicle Assembly Building at the end of this month.