Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!decwrl!sun-barr!ames!trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Shuttle Status for 10/05/90 (Forwarded) Message-ID: <1990Oct9.024332.20867@news.arc.nasa.gov> Date: 9 Oct 90 02:43:32 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: 103 KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, OCT. 5, 1990 10 A.M. STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B Launch countdown preparations are continuing smoothly today. The launch team is making preparations to move the Rotating Serv- ice Structure back to the launch position at 11:30 a.m. today. The orbiter's three inertial measurement units, part of the navigation system, are being activated. Time critical items are being installed in the crew cabin. Later today, the team will complete final alignment of the gaseous oxygen vent arm. Another task on tap for today is to fill the water tower beside the launch pad with water for the sound suppression system. Because of the beam found in Atlantis' aft compartment, documentation and closeout photos taken of Discovery's aft com- partment have been reviewed and all parts and equipment used in the aft have been accounted for. There are no concerns in this area. Discovery's communications systems were activated and the navigation aids were tested. Overnight, the tail service masts on the mobile launcher platform were closed out for flight. The countdown entered the third built-in hold at the T-11 hour mark at 3:30 a.m. today. The countdown will resume at 5:15 p.m. today. All but Commander Richards flew in T-38 aircraft this morn- ing as part of pre-launch activities. The STS-41 five-member flight crew will be briefed this morning on the status of the vehicle, payload and weather. Tomorrow morning, the crew will be awakened at 2:40 a.m., have breakfast at 3:10 a.m. and will receive a weather briefing at 3:40. They will don flight clothing at 3:40 a.m. and depart for the launch pad at 4:20 a.m. The crew will arrive at the white room at 4:50 a.m. and begin entering Discovery's crew cabin. The orbiter's crew hatch will be closed for flight about 6:05 a.m. A one-hour built-in hold is planned at the T-6 hour mark or at 10:15 p.m. tonight. The mission management team will hold a pre-tanking weather briefing during this hold to make sure the conditions are right for loading the propellants in the external tank. The launch team will begin loading the external tank with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants at 11:15 p.m. EDT Friday. The process takes about 3 hours and should be complete by 2:15 a.m. Saturday. At the T minus 3 hour mark, or at 2:15 a.m., the countdown will enter the standard two-hour built-in hold. During this hold, the ice inspection team will begin their inspections of the vehicle and pad and the closeout crew will prepare the crew cabin for the flight crew's entry. Two 10-minute built-holds remain in the countdown, one at the T-20 minute mark, or at 6:55 a.m., and at the T-9 minute mark, or at 7:16 a.m. Weather predictions for launch time on Saturday indicate there is a 60 percent chance of meeting the criteria to launch. There is a chance of rainshowers and cloud cover in the area. Winds are expected to be out of the east at 10 knots with pos- sible gusts to 18 knots. The predicted temperature is 80 degrees. Weather is not expected to be a factor in loading the external tank for flight. Discovery and the Ulysses spacecraft are being prepared for liftoff at 7:35 a.m. EDT, Saturday, Oct. 6. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A Technicians are continuing to install special baggies on various joints and valves in the main propulsion system. This weekend, the system will be pressurized with gaseous helium. Any leakage will be monitored. Columbia is scheduled to be moved to Launch Pad 39-B Monday, Oct. 8, with first motion at 4 a.m. Details and requirements are being identified for a tanking test. STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - VAB An investigation is continuing to assess damage cause by a 9 ft. long support beam that was left in the aft compartment. Preliminary inspections indicate that the damage is minor. A broken purge duct and a small portion of a manifold relief line in the main propulsion system will be replaced. Minor abrasions to the surface coating of a strut and scuff marks on freon lines were noted. Technicians are installing access platforms for fur- ther inspections. While the inspections are underway, mate operations are con- tinuing. Overnight, the tail service masts were connected to At- lantis. Today, electrical connections between the vehicle ele- ments are planned. Atlantis is scheduled to be powered up Sunday for testing of connections and rolled to Launch Pad 39-A on Tuesday.