Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!usenet
From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 04/24/91 (Forwarded)
Message-ID: <1991Apr26.090427.18188@news.arc.nasa.gov>
Date: 26 Apr 91 09:04:27 GMT
Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov (USENET Administration)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Lines: 77


          KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APRil 24, 1991 - 11:30 AM

                     STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-A
                          LAUNCH - NO EARLIER THAN APRIL 28


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Replacement of a failed high pressure oxidizer turbopump  pres-
          sure transducer and its electrical harness for the no. 3 main en-
          gine.
          - Preparations for payload servicing operations.
          - Opening payload bay doors.
          - Establishing access to the aft compartment.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Boiloff of liquid hydrogen propellant.
          - Draining onboard propellants from the fuel cell storage tanks.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          -  Closing the aft compartment for flight,  targeted for tomorrow
          afternoon.
          - Start of launch countdown tentatively  scheduled  for  tomorrow
          morning at 8:45 a.m at the T-43 hour mark.
          - Launch no earlier than Sunday,  April, 28 pending completion of
          planned work.


           STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
                                    LAUNCH - MAY


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Weight and center of gravity determinations.
          - Attaching the orbiter to the transporter tonight.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for 9 a.m. tomor-
          row.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Aft compartment and crew cabin closed out for the transfer.
          - Landing gear functional test.
          - Main engine rollover preparations.



                       STS-43 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Preparations to drain residual hypergolic propellants from  the
          onboard storage tanks.
          - Removal of ferry flight fixtures.
          - Inspections of the cabin air recirculation system.
          - Removal of heat shields from around the main engines.
          - Preparations to remove the no. 3 fuel cell.
          - Auxiliary power unit lube oil service.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Preparations to drain the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
          - Carrier panels have been removed from the main engine area.
          - Initial engine inspections.
          - Tires removed.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Tests of the orbiter's electrical system.


                         STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Preparations to mate the orbiter to the external tank.
          -  Routing  cables between the tank and boosters and launch plat-
          form.
          - Closing out the solid rocket booster field joints for flight.