From: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Subject: Shuttle Status for 12/15/92 (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Originator: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov
Reply-To: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 21:59:12 GMT

                             SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
                             Kennedy Space Center, Florida

                             December 15, 1992


          George H. Diller
          407/867-2468

          Vehicle: OV-105/Endeavour   Mission Number: STS-54
          Location: Launch Pad 39-B
          Primary Payload: TDRS-F/IUS-13 + Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS)
          Launch Timeframe: NET January 13   Mission Duration: 6 Days
          Inclination: 28.45 degrees   Crew Size: 5
          Nominal Landing Site: KSC


          IN WORK TODAY:

          - Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test
          - astronaut Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) flights
          - astronaut Pad B emergency egress training
          - astronaut inspection of TDRS/IUS in payload bay
          - delivery of liquid hydrogen to Pad B storage spheres
          - orbiter/external tank cavity purge leak check
          - preparation of orbiter hydraulics for Flight Readiness Test
          - calibration of inertial measurement units
          - solid rocket booster flight battery installation
          - crew cabin and aft compartment cleaning

          SCHEDULED:

          - complete TCDT at 11 a.m. Wednesday
          - TDRS/IUS launch simulation exercise Wednesday
          - SRB parachute camera installation Wednesday
          - begin IUS Flight Readiness Checks Wednesday


          STS-54 WORK SHEDULED continued:

          - KSC Launch Readiness Review (LRR) Thursday
          - main engine flight readiness test on Thursday
          - install IUS flight batteries on Friday
          - Flight Readiness Review (FRR) on Dec. 22


          WORK COMPLETED:

          - TDRS/IUS payload End-to-End communications test
          - DXS  compatability test
          - delivery of liquid oxygen to Pad 39-B
          - orbiter/external tank quick disconnect purges
          - astronaut M113 orientation and driver training
          - astronaut fit check of launch/re-entry suits


          SPECIAL TOPICS:

          Discovery Ferry Flight: At NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility
          at Edwards Air Force Base, mating Discovery to the 747 Shuttle
          Carrier Aircraft is in work.  Difficulty retracting the orbiter's
          landing gear has delayed departure until no earlier than 1 p.m.
          PST.  If departure occurs today, the destination will be Biggs
          Army Air Field in El Paso, Texas for an overnight stop.
          Regardless, weather continues to be poor in east Texas and
          Louisiana which likely will extend the ferry flight.  The arrival
          of Discovery at KSC is expected to occur on approximately Friday.

          STS-55 Solid Rocket Booster stacking activity:  In the Vehicle
          Assembly Building, the left forward center segment was destacked
          yesterday and a new set of seals are being installed today.
          Restacking is scheduled for Thursday.  While the mating of the
          external tank to the solid rocket booster stack has been
          rescheduled to after the Christmas holidays, there continues to
          be no STS-55 rollout or launch date impact.