Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!amdahl!ames!yee
From: yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 09/19/88 (Forwarded)
Message-ID: <15140@ames.arc.nasa.gov>
Date: 19 Sep 88 18:18:45 GMT
Reply-To: yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Lines: 74


            KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Mon. Sept. 19, 1988

                     STS-26  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  PAD 39-B

               Over the weekend, workers successfully completed the helium
          signature leak test of the main propulsion system and three main
          engines. After careful analysis of the data collected concerning
          the small leak in the liquid hydrogen system, engineers
          determined that it is within the allowable specifications.

               Saturday night, during a countdown simulation of Inertial
          Upper Stage (IUS) - 7, one of five internal gyros in a Redundant
          Inertial Measurement Unit (RIMU) drifted beyond acceptable
          limits. The unit is part of the IUS guidance system. Based on
          analysis, a decision was made to change out the RIMU. The
          changeout operation is now underway and there will be no impact
          to the launch date.

               Today, workers are scheduled to install and check out the
          extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), or space suits. Although
          there are no plans for a space walk during the STS-26 mission,
          EMUs are always stowed onboard in case an unplanned space walk
          becomes necessary.

               Other activities planned today include preparing the
          hydraulics system for the frequency response test of the valves
          in the main engines and checkout of the orbiter's aerosurfaces.
          The test is planned for early tomorrow.

               Orbiter aft closeouts and inspections and thermal protection
          system operations are active today. The power reactant storage
          and distribution system will be purged on Wednesday and later
          this week, ordnance devices on the vehicle will be tested for
          flight.

               On Wednesday, technicians will begin preparations for
          picking up the launch countdown on Mon. Sept. 26 at 12:01 a.m.
          EDT. The count will pick up at the T-43 hour mark and will
          proceed down to the planned T-zero, currently targeted for 9:59
          a.m. Thurs., Sept. 29.

                     STS-27  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

               The third and last main engine, number 2030, was installed
          in the number two slot on Friday, and today electrical
          connections will be tested. Activities planned today include
          installation of heat shields, leak checks of the main propulsion
          system, work on the new gaseous oxygen manifold and thermal
          protection system operations. All the flight tires have been
          installed on the vehicle. Atlantis is scheduled to be transferred
          to the VAB next month for mating with the tank and boosters.


                     STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 1

               Technicians are preparing the freon coolant loops and water
          coolant loops for power up operations. Power up is planned for
          Friday at 10 a.m. The freon and water loops are needed to keep
          various systems at required temperatures during power up
          operations. Orbiter modifications and inspections are continuing.


                        STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  VAB

               Closeouts of the solid rocket booster joints are almost
          completed. The external tank is being loaded on its transporter
          today in preparation for mating to the boosters tomorrow.


                         STS-29 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - RPSF

               Technicians are preparing to mate the nozzle to the left aft
          skirt in the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility.