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From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 03/11/89 PM (Forwarded)
Message-ID: <22706@ames.arc.nasa.gov>
Date: 13 Mar 89 13:34:24 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: 54


           KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1989
                                  AFTERNOON STATUS
                     STS-29  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  PAD 39-B
               Everything in the countdown is going smoothly at this time.
          The power reactant storage and distribution system tanks were
          loaded with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants today.
               The countdown went into a planned one-hour built-in hold
          from 3-4 p.m. today. That hold was originally planned for eight
          hours, but the count was held up about seven hours earlier this
          morning while the aft compartment was closed out. At 4 p.m., the
          count picked up at the T minus 19 hour mark.

               The test team is activating the orbiter's communications
          systems, removing handrails from the mobile launcher platform,
          installing film in cameras and warming up the orbiter's Inertial
          Measurement Units. Later tonight, the stowable seats for the
          three mission specialists will be installed in the crew cabin.

               At midnight, the countdown will enter another planned built-
          in hold at the T minus 11 hour mark. This hold will last for 17
          hours, 50 minutes, and when the count resumes at 5:50 p.m.
          tomorrow, the Rotating Service Structure will be retracted away
          from the vehicle in preparation for launch.

               Launch remains scheduled for Monday, March 13, at 8:07 a.m.
          EST. The window extends for two and a half hours or until 10:37
          a.m. EST.

               The weather forecast at KSC for launch day is favorable with
          scattered clouds predicted at the 4,000 foot level. There is a
          possibility of early morning fog with temperatures expected in
          the low 60s. Light and variable to southerly winds are forecast.
          There is only 10 percent chance of violating weather criteria on
          launch day. Forecasters are predicting good weather on launch day
          at Ben Guerir, Morocco, the primary Trans Atlantic Abort site for
          this mission.

               Earlier today, Commander Michael Coats and Pilot John Blaha
          flew in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The STA cockpit is
          configured like that of the space shuttle. Later today, all crew
          members, including Mission Specialists James Buchli, James Bagian
          and Robert Springer, flew in the T-38 jets and performed fit
          checks of the flight equipment. Tomorrow, the crew will receive
          the standard launch- minus-one-day status briefing on the vehicle
          and payload.

               The Mission Management Team headed by Robert Crippen,
          Director of NSTS Operations, held the standard Launch minus two-
          day review meeting to discuss the status of events that have
          occurred since the Flight Readiness Review held last week. At
          this time the team is not tracking any significant issues that
          would prevent launch on Monday. The team will hold a status
          meeting in the morning.