%

KHR - 15

March 1991

Chronology Of KSC And

KSC Related Events For 1990

%, Li_ ....

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center

NASA

KS(: FORM 18--12 (RlrV. 8/761

CHRONOLOGY OF KSC

AND KSC RELATED EVENTS

FOR 1990

BY KEN NAIL, JR.

KSC LIBRARY ARCHIVIST

FOREWORD

This 1990 Chronology is published to fulfill the requirements of KMI 2700.1 (as

revised) to describe and document KSC's role in NASA progress.

Materials for this Chronology were selected from a number of published sources. The

document records KSC events of interest to historians and other researchers.

Arrangement is by date of occurrence, though the source cited may be dated one or

more days after the event.

Materials were researched and prepared for publication by Historian-Archivist Ken

Nail, Jr., of New World Services, Inc., EG&G subcontractor for KSC Library Services.

An index (p. 254) has been included for added convenience to researchers, and each

entry has been headlined.

Comment on the Chronology should be directed to the John F. Kennedy Space Center,

NWSI-E, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 32899.

Center Services

CONTENTS

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

INDEX

1

13

27

42

58

75

101

128

146

178

205

232

254

JANUARY

January 2: COUNTDOWN STARTS "[AN. 4

Countdown for the January 8 launch of Columbia begins January 4 at 7:40

a.m. and includes an extra 16 hours to allow Kennedy Space Center

workers to complete prelaunch activities at pad 39A. Workers needed

extra time to ensure that launch pad plumbing problems, if they occur, can

be solved in time to launch as scheduled. A fuel line problem discovered

in December has since been corrected. An updated Flight Readiness

Review will be held by top Shuttle managers to close out any outstanding

problems. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 3, 1990.]

January 3: LAUNCH GO, AFTER REVIEW

A second, one-day flight readiness review pronounced Columbia ready for

flight January 8, though the launch time was revised to between 8:10 and

9:04 a.m. to accommodate new information about the exact location of the

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) which will be retrieved on this

mission. Workers at Kennedy Space Center also filled launch pad storage

tanks with propellants to be loaded aboard Columbia. The Shuttle's crew

is expected to arrive at KSC on January 4. Forecast for the January 8

launch looks promising with 60 degree temperature and moderate winds

of 12 mph. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Jan. 4, 1990, Merzer, THE

MIAMI HERALD, p. 1A +, Jan. 8, 1990.]

January 5: COLUMBIA'S CREW ARRIVES

"This is where people come to go fly in space and I'm real, real happy to

finally be here. We're looking forward to a great flight and getting this

new year off to a great start," said rookie Mission Specialist David Low on

his arrival at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for Columbia's launch

on January 8. Daniel Brandenstein, Commander of the Shuttle, said,

"We're all ready. The pad's ready and the vehicle is just about ready, so

all we've got to do is wait another day or so and we're out of here."

Brandenstein and Low arrived this afternoon with fellow crew members

Pilot James Wetherbee and Mission Specialists Marsha Ivins and Bonnie

Dunbar. Weather forecasts put the chances for launch January 8 at 40

percent favorable with an 80 percent chance on Tuesday. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Jan. 6, 1990.]
D UTSMAN PROMOTED TO D.C.

Thomas Utsman, Kennedy Space Center's Deputy Director since August 1985, was

named today a Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA

Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In his new post, Utsman will assist Associate

Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir in the day-to-day oversight of

space programs. Since December 1986, Utsman also served as Director of Space

Transportation System Management and Operations at Kennedy Space Center.

["KSC Deputy Director Boosted to D.C. Job," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 6,

1990.]

January 8: WEATHER SCRUBS COLUMBIA

"We're not going to make it," Johnson Space Center Flight Director Lee Briscoe

told Kennedy Space Center's Launch Director Robert Sieck just before 9:00 a.m.

"Given that, we're going to have to call it a day. Nice try," Sieck told his launch

team, informing them of the scrub of Columbia's launch. A nearly perfect

countdown ended at the last possible minute when uncooperative weather made

a Return to Launch Site (RTLS) unsafe and forced the postponement of today's

launch to January 9. The crew left the Shuttle about an hour after the scrubbing

and returned to rest at the Astronaut Crew Quarters. Meanwhile, pad crews

drained 500,000 gallons of fuel from the external tank and prepared to reload the

tank for a try the next day. [Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1AZA, Jan. 9, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Jan. 7, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Jan. 9,1990, "Columbia Gets Second Shot

Today," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Jan. 9, 1990, Merzer, THE MIAMI HERALD, Jan.

9, 1990, Wilford, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 24, Jan. 9, 1990.]

January 9: COLUMBIA'S LAUNCH STARTS DECADE

"A new decade of spaceflight begins," was what Launch Commentator Lisa

Malone said this morning at 7:35 a.m. when Columbia lifted off launch pad 39A

right on schedule. NASA Administrator RIchard Truly said, "I never saw a

prettier one [launch]. I don't know how many flights we'll fly this decade, but

my objective is to fly them all the way we've flown the last seven - safely."

Frederick "Rick" Hauck, commander of the first post-Challenger flight in

September 1988, was on hand at Kennedy Space Center for the launch. "It was

wonderful," he said. "My knees got weak just watching it. I had good friends on

board, so it was wonderful to see it happen safely."Launch Director Bob Sieck

said, "We had advertised that the new mobile launch platform and launch pad A

were operational, and we believe we proved that Tuesday. We christened it with

a safe and successful launch."

2
"We've waited a long time for someone to go after LDEF, and we're

relieved they're on their way," said William Kinard, NASA's chief LDEF

scientist. "Our biggest relief will come when we know it's secured in the

cargo bay." The retrieval of LDEF will begin at 9:44 a.m. on January 12.

Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar will use the Shuttle's robot arm to hook and

reel in the bus-sized laboratory.

At launch, there were scattered clouds at 9,500 and 30,000 feet, winds at

7 mph to the northwest and ten miles of visibility. "Looks like today's the

day. Columbia, go get 'em," Sieck told both his launch team and

Columbia's five-member crew. The countdown proceeded smoothly

despite the presence of two technical problems which were solved during

the count. A liquid hydrogen valve inside the newly modified MLP was

leaking following the hydrogen tanking. A special team of workers went

into the pad area and tightened the valve which stopped the leak. A

circuit breaker inside the Shuttle cockpit was open when it should have

been closed. Pilot James Wetherbee was asked to test the breaker and he

did so, successfully, closing the breaker. Problems with ice forming near

the top of the external tank during the countdown the previous day were

solved by launch day.

All systems worked well during Columbia's 8 1/2-minute ascent into

space and the Shuttle's solid rocket boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean

about 13 miles from the recovery ships. An hour later the recovery teams

began preparing to tow the boosters back to Port Canaveral where they are

expected to arrive early on January 10. [Higginbotham, Banke, Halvorson,

Klotz and Amster, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, Jan. 10, 1990, Wilford,

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 11. Jan. 10, 1990, G1isch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-I & A-10, Jan. 10, 1990, Lebowitz, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-10, Jan. 10, 1990, Hoversten, USA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

Jan. 10, 1990.]

MCCARTNEY SPEECH

"KSC is a major source of employment, revenue and tourism to the local

community," Forrest McCartney, Space Center Director, told 75 business

leaders in a speech at the Cocoa Beach Hilton today. "If KSC and the

missile space business weren't here, you wouldn't see nearly the growth

that we have in this area. All we have to do is keep supporting each

other." McCarmey also expressed confidence in Kennedy Space Center's

ability to achieve this year's launch schedule of ten Shuttle flights.

"We have 10 launches scheduled this year," he said. "If we don't think

we'll do it, we won't. If there's anything we're uncomfortable with, we

3
won't go. We aren't going to push ourselves knowingly. But I'm looking

forward to a very prosperous year." ["McCartney Touts Shuttle

Economics," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Jan. 10, 1990, (Dates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Jan. 10, 1990.]

January 10: BOOSTERS RETURN HOME

At 7:30 this morning, Columbia's solid rocket boosters arrived at Port

Canaveral. The leftbooster was picked up and returned by the recovery

ship Freedom Star;the right SRB was retrieved and brought home by the

Liberty Star. After arrivalat Port Canaveral, the boosters were towed up

the Banana River to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,where

they were unloaded for preliminary inspections. The boosters will be

disassembled and returned to Thiokol production facilities in Brigham City,

Utah, for refurbishment and future Shuttle flights.[Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, Jan. 11, 1990.]

January 11: DELTA LAUNCH DELAYED

A Delta rocket launch scheduled for January 12 has been delayed to no

earlierthan January 22 so workers can replace equipment in the rocket's

navigation system. The Delta will carry the sixth of 21 Navstar Global

Positioning System satellites.The network of satellitesenables U. S. and

alliedmilitary to determine their positions anywhere in the world within

50 feet and in any kind of weather conditions. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, Jan. 11, 1990.]

a MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT KSC

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest McCartney today announced

several management changes at the Center. Named as Director of Safety,

Reliability and Quality Assurance is Director of Ground Engineering Alan

Parrish, who succeeds Gene Thomas in the slot. Thomas was earlier

named to replace Tom Utsman as Deputy Director of the Space Center

when Utsman was promoted to NASA headquarters. [See January 5:

Utsman Promoted to D. C.] John Lang and Jackie Smith, meanwhile, have

switched jobs. Lang will become Director of Vehicle Engineering for the

Shuttle Management and Operations Directorate at KSC. Smith will

become Director of Safety and Reliability. ["KSC Announces Management

Changes," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Jan. 11, 1990.]

4
January 18: ATLANTIS PREPPED FOR MOVE

Final preparations were made today for the move of Atlantis from the

Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will

be mated with its solid rocket boosters and its external tank. Rollout to

launch pad 39B is scheduled for January 24 with liftoff no earlier than

February 16. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 19, 1990.]

January 19: BOOSTER PROBLEM DELAYS DISCOVERY

A potential problem with a solid rocket booster will delay the launch of

Discovery from March 26 until at least April 19. Engineers became

concerned about one of five joints inside the exhaust nozzle of Discovery's

fight booster which has been partially assembled at Kennedy Space Center.

The joint had been checked several weeks ago at its Thiokol Corp.

manufacturing site, according to Royce Mitchell, SRB Program Manager

at Marshall Space Flight Center. An engineering analysis of the test data,

which had been inadvertently delayed till this week, raised questions about

the joint's soundness, Mitchell said. The joint cannot be further tested

without disassembling the booster. Mitchell said, "In all likelihood, the

joint is good, but we're going to do the safe and proper thing which is to

change out the segment." A booster segment originally slated for a

Columbia mission will be swapped for the suspect segment; the changeout

will require at least two weeks in addition to the five to six days of travel

time from the Thiokol plant in Brigham, Utah, to Kennedy Space Center.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 20, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-3, Jan. 20, 1990.]

[] KSC CONSTRUCTION PLANS

Approximately 450 managers attended a briefing today to learn what is on

Kennedy Space Center's $1 billion shopping list. Patrick Air Force Base

and KSC contractors also outlined contracts that will be up for grabs this

year. Lockheed Space Operations Co. will spend about $20 million to

upgrade a third Orbiter Processing hangar and to buy about $1.3 million

worth of computers, printers, scanners and terminals for the Shuttle data

processing system. EG&G Inc. will hire firms to pave roads, repair

buildings and supply equipment and services.

Other projects include: building a new space station processing facility at

a cost of between $1 million and $1.5 million; building a new complex

between launch pads 39A and 39B to house fire fighting and emergency

medical equipment and personnel, costing between $100,000 and $500,000;

repairing Saturn Causeway from the VAB to LC 39A at a cost of between

5
$350,000 to $500,000; replacing the cooling towers at the VAB Utility

Annex, costing $3 to $5 million; installing an automated fingerprint reader

system, costing between $100,000 and $1 million; and hiring a company to

deliver liquid hydrogen at a cost of more than $5 million. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 20, 1990.]

January 20: SHUTTLE FINALLY LANDS

Columbia finally landed this morning at 1:36 a.m. at Edwards Air Force

Base (CA) ending the longest and one of the most successful rescue

missions in the history of the Space Transportation System. The Orbiter

had been scheduled to land January 19, but fog covered the California

landing site. This morning's landing was also delayed by an hour and a

half, or one Earth orbit, because a backup computer failed. The Columbia

was cleared for landing afterthe astronauts had reassigned the backup task

to one of four other computers. The extra day of flightset a record for

Shuttle flight duration. NASA now plans a series of 13- and 16-day

missions to help prepare the day when astronauts spend lengthy periods

aboard Space Station Freedom. [Blakeslee,THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.

14, Jan. 21, 1990, "Fog Delays Shuttle Landing; Record Set for Longest

Flight," THE MIAMI HERALD, Jan. 20, 1990, "Shuttle Glides To

Touchdown In California,"THE MIAMI HERALD, Jan. 21, 1990, Glisch,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. 1A, Jan. 18, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, Jan. 20, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-3, Jan. 21, 1990, "Crews Ready Shuttle For ItsRide Back

Home," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-10, Jan. 22, 1990.]

January 22: ROLLOUT DELAYED FOR ATLANTIS

Atlantis will roliout to pad 39A on January 24, a day later than scheduled.

The delay was caused by slow work in mating Atlantis with its boosters

and external tank while in the VAB. The move to the launch pad will start

at 8 a.m. on the 24th. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 23,

1990.]

fl LYON TO HEAD SPACE STATION

John R. "Dick" Lyon was named Manager of the Space Station Projects

Office to succeed the retiring C. M. Giesler. Lyon most recently was

Deputy Director, Payload Management and Operations. Named Chief of

the Project Engineering Office in the Engineering Development Directorate

in 1977, Lyon became Deputy Director in 1984. In 1986 he moved to

Payload Management and Operations. He joined NASA in 1964. ["John
Lyon to Head Space Station Office," BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS, Jan.

22, 1990.]

January 23: BOOSTER SEGMENT PROCESSED

Kennedy Space Center workers today begin processing a replacement

booster segment for Discovery's STS-31 Hubble Space Telescope.

Engineers ordered the segment replaced when a review of test data could

not prove one of five joints inside the booster's nozzle would not leak

during flight. The suspect booster segment will be returned to its

manufacturer Thiokol Corp. in Utah. Electrical connections are also being

tested in the Vehicle Assembly Building. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Jan. 24, 1990.]

January 24: NAVSTAR LAUNCHED FROM DELTA 2

At 5:55 p.m., the Air Force launched a Delta 2 rocket carrying a Navstar

Global Positioning System satellite. "Everything looks very dean, very

smooth," Air Force spokesman Capt. Ken Warren said of the rocket which

was launched from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Ray

Adams, spokesman for Delta rocket manufacturer McDonnell Douglas

Space Systems Co., said, "Great way to start a new year, a new decade."

The countdown went smoothly, according to Warren, and the on-time

liftoff prevented the Air Force from having to shut down the launch

window for a four-minute period when the rocket could have collided

with the Mir, Soviet Space Station. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A,

Jan. 25, 1990, "Air Force Launches Navigation Satellite," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-6, Jan. 25, 1990.]

January 25: ATLANTIS ROLLS OUT

Atlantis was rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building this morning at

6:54 and headed for'launch pad 39A. It made the 3.5 mile trip in six

hours and fifteen minutes. The Shuttle was reported to be in excellent

condition and ready for its February 22 launch. Conrad Nagel, Launch

Processing Manager for the Atlantis launch, said, 'The spaceship is in the

best shape it's ever been in since our return to flight. If the hardware is

as good to us as it has been, we should have no problem making our

launch on the 22nd."

The pre-rollout preparation was conducted in record time, according to

Nagel: The Shuttle spent 69 days in the Orbiter Processing Facility, 10

days fewer than any of its post-Challenger missions; in six days, Atlantis

7
was mated to its solid rocket boosters and external tank in the VAB, two

days faster than normal.

Meanwhile, Columbia flew from Edwards Air Force Base (CA) atop its 747

carrier plane and landed for refueling in Arizona at Davis-Monthan Air

Force Base (Tucson, AZ) about 2 1/2 hours later; after refueling, the pair

left Arizona and headed to Kelly Air Force Base in Texas for its overnight

stop and a return to Kennedy Space Center on January 26, at about 2 p.m.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 26, 1990.]

D MEMORIAL CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN

Ben Everidge, President of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation,

announced today that construction of a 42-foot polished granite memorial

will begin February I at a cost of $4.15 million. Construction was to have

been started this month but the AMF rejected bids considered too high.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Jan. 25, 1990.]

January 26: COLUMBIA RETURNS HOME

"I think the [LDEF] looks terrific," said Carol Kaiser, chief engineer of the

LDEF project, after Columbia and its cargo returned to Kennedy Space

Center at 3:30 p.m. today. "Some of the panels on the end of LDEF had

some obvious changes," added Larry Brumfield, the man in charge of

bringing both Columbia and LDEF back to KSC. "But we expected some

deterioration because of the 5 1/2 years in orbit. And changes in materials

are especially interesting to us." NASA spokeswoman Pat Phillips

characterized the ferry flight as "very smooth." The Orbiter atop its 747

carrier plane left Texas at 9:55 a.m. this morning; refueled at Eglin Air

Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (FL) before landing at Kennedy Space

Center in mid-afternoon. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Jan. 27,

1990.]

January 28: CHALLENGER REMEMBRANCE

Kennedy Space Center's flags flew at half-staff today in memory of the

Challenger crew who died four years ago. Because most KSC employees

do not work on the weekend there were no formal ceremonies planned to

honor the astronauts, so Center Director Forrest McCartney spoke on

closed circuit television to employees on Friday (January 26).

Meanwhile, at the space center, workers prepared to remove the Long

Duration Exposure Facility from Columbia's payload bay and prepared

Atlantis for the upcoming prelaunch countdown dress rehearsal. Launch

8
of Atlantis on its Department of Defensemission continues to be set for

nor earlier than February 22. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Jan.

27, 1990, "KSC Flags Will Fly at Half-Staff In Honor of Challenger Crew,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Jan. 28, 1990, Minor, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. F-2, Jan. 25, 1990.]

n A_TIS TEST COMPLETED

Workers at Kennedy Space Center successfully completed a routine test of

Atlantis' main engines today and thereby cleared the way for next month's

Department of Defense mission. At the end of the test, Atlantis was

powered down. In the Orbiter Processing Facility, technicians prepared to

open Columbia's payload bay tomorrow to begin the inspections of the

recently returned Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). ["KSC Finished

Routine test of Atlantis," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 29, 1990.]

January 29: ORBITER UPDATE

Atlantis: The crew for Atlantis' Department of Defense mission arrive this

week at Kennedy Space Center for a practice countdown at pad 39A.

Commander John Creighton, Pilot John Casper and Mission Speciaiists

David Hilmers, Richard MuUane and Pierre Thuot will also take part in

emergency drills at the launch pad.

Discovery: Technicians in the Orbiter Processing Facilitythis week will

test the Orbiter's water spray boilers, waste containment system and

potable water system and check the connections between the Orbiter and

itspayload. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians are preparing

the solid rocket boosters and an external tank for Discovery's next mission.

Columbia: The Long Duration Exposure Facilitywillbe unloaded from the

Orbiter's cargo bay thisweek and taken to a spacecraft assembly building

for thorough checkout. ["Orbiter Update," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, Jan.

29, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 30, 1990.]

[l NINE FLIGHTS IN 90

NASA said today that recent delays in launching Columbia has caused the

reduction in flightsplanned for 1990 from ten to nine, the number the

space agency says it can fly safely. "1"here have been eight highly

successful Space Shuttle missions in 15 months since our return to flight

in September 1988," said NASA Administrator Richard Truly, expressing

optimism about the new schedule. A Strategic Defense Initiativemission

has been rescheduled form November I, 1990, until January 1992.

9
Additionally, a Gamma Ray Observatory, originally planned to launch

aboard Atlantis June 4, 1990, has been delayed until November 1, 1990.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, fan. 30, 1990, "NASA Shuffles

Shuttle Schedule," THE MIAMI HERALD, Jan. 30, 1990.]

a ATLANTIS GETS PROPELLANTS

A skeleton crew at launch pad 39A began loading toxic propellants into

Atlantis' on-board storage tanks for use by the Orbiters steering jets. Lisa

Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman, said propellants will also

be loaded into the Shuttle's auxiliary power units and hydraulic power

units on Atlantis' solid rocket boosters. The loading operations will

continue through January 31. Liftoff remains set for February 22.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 30, 1990.]

January 30: LDEF LIFTED FROM COLUMBIA

"It looks like something that has weathered a bit," said Chief Scientist

WiUiam Kinard of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) today as

it was lifted from Columbia's cargo bay early this morning. "It's faded.

Some of the things that were bright colors are not bright colors anymore.

Some areas that were painted are now bare metal. Some of the composite

materials and epoxy materials lost their luster, and there are stains on it.

It's going to be a handbook on how to build a spacecraft," he added.

Initial plans call for a thorough inspection and extensive photo survey

before experimenters and four special teams get close to the spacecraft,

said Carol Kaiser, LDEF Chief Engineer. Research will be conducted in

four areas:

*Documenting all meteorite and space debris hits. LDEF scientists expect

they will find as many as 10,000.

*Measuring the amount of radiation emanating from the facility.

*Examining materials used in the construction of LDEF, such as its thermal

blankets and its aluminum structure.

*Inspecting spacecraft electronics and data systems as well as batteries and

mechanical systems.

One of the first experiments to be removed from LDEF will by the Space

Exposed Experiment Developed for Students, according to Kaiser. "We'll

take off the SEEDS experiment early on so the Park Seed Co. can do its

10
processing to get the packages out to the students before the end of the

school year," she said. As for LDEF itself - the main frame of the

spacecraft minus the experiments - Kinard said, "What we'd like to do is

fly it again. The structure is in great shape. All we'd really need to do is

bolt on another set of experiments and the facility would be ready to go."

[Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, Jan. 31, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Jan. 31, 1990.]

H SHUTI'LE FLIGHT SCHEDULE

NASA said today that delays in launching Columbia will cause one Shuttle

flight to be dropped from the 1990 flight schedule and another to be

postponed. A Strategic Defense Initiative mission has been bumped from

November 1 to January 1991. A Gamma Ray Observatory, originally set

for launch aboard Atlantis on June 4, has been delayed five months until

Nov. 1. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. A1, Jan. 30, 1990.]

January 31: COLUMBIA FLEW FLAWED SEAL

Columbia was launched with a flawed solid rocket booster seal. Space

Shuttle Program officials at Kennedy Space Center said the flaw went

undetected during production and at shipment from manufacturer Thiokol

Inc.'s plant in Utah to the space center. "You would be hard pressed to see

it [the blemish] with the naked eye," said Processing Director Conrad

Nagel. "But Thiokol probably should have caught the problem." He said

the space agency expects manufacturers to "do everything they need to do

to leave no doubt that when the hardware comes to Kennedy it's ready to

fly. We're looking for good hardware, and we've got to trust that when

manufacturers send a seal down here it's had the proper inspections."

R. E. Lindstrom, Thiokol's senior vice president of space operations, said

the defect was too small to have been identified using testing procedures

at the time. "This type of internal defect is only apparent after extended

use and while the gasket is compressed. The defect we identified after

flight was on a gasket that had not received the extended compression

test."

NASA also determined that tests on a spare high-pressure fuel turbopump

revealed defective welds that could cause the pumps to fail during flight.

The problem has forced the space agency to replace a pump on the No. 3

engine aboard Atlantis, now being prepared on Pad 39A for a Feb. 22

launch. Norman Parmet, vice chairman of NASA's Aerospace Safety

Advisory Panel said, "They'd better look at their quality assurance

procedures. You've got a million darn inspections on these things and

11
you've got to do every damn one of them." [Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A4, Feb. 1, 1990, Halvorson and I-Iigginbotham, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Feb. 1, 1990.]

0 ATt,ANTLS BOOSTER TEST_ COMPLETE

Kennedy Space Center workers today completed testing the hydraulic

power units in Atlantis' solid rocket boosters and finished loading fuel at

launch pad 39A. Technicians spent the day removing heat shields and

panels from around the NO. 3 main engine, which will have its turbopump

changed out during the weekend. Tests on another pump at manufacturer

Rocketdyne revealed minute imperfections, and X-rays are being analyzed

to determine if this pump is damaged. Atlantis' crew arrives at Kennedy

Space Center February I to take part in a practice countdown February 2-3

before the scheduled February 22 launch. ["Space Briefs: Atlantis Rocket

Booster Power Tests Complete," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Feb. 1, 1990.]

12
FEBRUARY

February 1: ATLANTIS CREW ARRIVES

Atlantis' five-member crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center today in an

enthusiastic but not talkative mood. The Commander John Creighton

hollered, "You bet," when he was asked if the crew were ready for flight

on February 22. He and the remainder of his crew - Pilot John Casper and

Mission Specialists David Hilmers, Richard Mullane and Pierre Thuot -

gave "thumbs-up" signals when their T-38 training jets touched down on

the space center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The crew will participate in a

practice countdown today and tomorrow and will enter the crew cabin for

the final three hours of the simulation tomorrow.

Today, workers will position Atlantis' engines, place scaffolding and

prepare a device that will be used to hoist the turbopump. The procedure

will be completed next Thursday (February 8), when a new turbopump

and heat shields are in place, according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa

Malone. [Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 2, 1990.]

February 2: SPACEPORT USA ATI'ENDANCE

Attendance at Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA increased 6.9

percent in January from a year earlier. The number of visitors rose from

192,264 to 205,600. ["Across the State," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb.

3, 1990.]

February 3: ORBITER UPDATE

Atlantis: Workers this weekend continued changing the high-pressure fuel

turbopump on engine No. 3 after X-rays revealed defective welds on an

inner component. No paperwork could be found to show whether the

problems had ever been fixed. The pump will undergo testing this week

simultaneous with other planned work.

Discovery: Technicians tested the remote manipulator system, installed

heat shields around the main engines and prepared to test connections

between the Orbiter and its payload, the Hubble Space Telescope.

Columbia: Workers repositioned the Shuttle's elevons and body flap to

remove the No. 2 main engine so it can be fitted with a turbopump from

Atlantis for Columbia's next missions. Technicians also performed routine

post-flight tests on the Orbiter's systems. Endeavour: At Rockwell

International's Orbiter assembly plant (Palmdale, CA), technicians have

13
moved the Shuttle's aft compartment into place at the rear of the Orbiter.

["Orbiter Update," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, Feb.4, 1990.]

0 PRACTICE COUNTDOWN COMPLETED

The practice countdown for Atlantis' February 22 launch ended today at

11 a.m. with the countdown clock reading five seconds prior to Uftoff. The

five-member crew spent the final two hours of the countdown inside the

Orbiter going through the routine they would use during an actual

mission. The crew includes Commander John Creighton, Pilot John

Casper and Mission Specialists David Hilmers, Richard "Mike" MuUane

and Pierre Thuot; they left Kennedy Space Center about two o'clock today,

returning to Houston in their T-38 training jets.

Workers will replace a seal on one of Atlantis' solid rocket boosters

tomorrow because a flawed one was found on Columbia after its January

mission. Spokesmen said that the eight-hour change-out procedure should

not delay the flight. Work also continues on the replacement of a

turbopump. ["Astronauts Pass Countdown Test," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-4, Feb. 4, 1990, Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A,

Feb. 4, 1990.]

KSC CONSTRUCTION BUDGET

Construction projects at Kennedy Space Center amount to some $47 million

in President Bush's fiscal 1991 budget request. The $47.2 million request

included $25 million for construction of a Space Station processing facility

at the space center. The budget also calls for a civil service increase of 116

persons, from 2,433 to 2,549. The budget request also includes $5.5 million

for construction of a Transporter/Canister Facility, $9.5 million for

construction of a Processing Control Center; $2.1 million for environmental

upgrades in the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility; $1 million to replace a

cooling tower at the Operations and Checkout Building; $900,000 for

restorations in the Heavy Equipment Area and $3.3 million to upgrade

heating and air conditioning in the Orbiter Processing Facility. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Feb. 4, 1990.]

February 5: ATLANTIS TURBOPUMP INSPECTED

A main engine turbopump was removed today from Atlantis to determine

whether an internal weld was repaired properly. Depending on the

outcome of the tests (which use X-Rays and special dyes) and schedule

demands, NASA will either replace the pump or use a refurbished pump

from Columbia's last mission. '_We don't expect it to change the [launch]

14
date, but we'll be hard pressed to get the aft compartment closed out on

time," said spokeswoman Lisa Malone. A Flight Readiness Review

scheduled for February 9-10, will assess launch preparations and set a firm

launch date. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 6, 1990.]

February 6: GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY ARRIVES

The Gamma Ray Observatory arrived at Kennedy Space Center today at

7:15 a.m.; it was transported aboard an Air Force C-5A cargo plane. One

of four "great observatories" to be launched by NASA, the Gamma Ray

Observatory will study the structure of stars, galaxies and the cosmos from

Earth orbit.

"It's a major milestone," said Stan Rieb, Project Manager with the 17 1/2-

ton spacecraft's manufacturer, TRW Inc. "This really is the culmination of

about seven years of effort on our part." He said the spacecraft is

equipped with four instruments which will study gamma ray emissions in

space, including those from the "big bang," the primeval explosion which

scientists think created the universe about 15 billion years ago.

["Observatory Arrives at KSC for Later Launch," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-9, Feb. 7, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A,

Feb. 7, 1990.]

D ATLANTIS LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Today technicians at Launch Pad 39A continued preparations to remove

and replace a suspect fuel turbopump from the No. 3 main engine of

Atlantis. The change-out will occur later this week and will take two days.

Kennedy Space Center managers today will meet to determine whether

Atlantis and its classified cargo will be ready for its February 22 launch

date. The firm launch date will be announced upon the conclusion of the

two-day Flight Readiness Review which concludes February 10.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Feb. 7, 1990.]

EDUCATION CENTER FOR KSC

NASA has given permission for the Astronauts Memorial Foundation to

build an education center at Kennedy Space Center, according to AMF

officials today. The center will be constructed on approximately 6 acres

near Spaceport USA and will house a resource center for use by children

from kindergarten-age through high school. Costing about $14 million

which includes a trust for continuous operations, the center would be paid

for through money raised by Challenger license plate sales and corporate

15
donations. ["AMF: NASA OKs Education Center," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Feb. 7, 1990.]

D BUDGET: POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

If Congress approves President Bush's request for $47.2 million for

construction, Kennedy Space Center will experience a construction boom.

The building program would include a building for readying pieces of the

Space Station Freedom for launch. Other construction in the President's

budget proposal includes: $14 million for two new buildings to help

Shuttles for flight and $5 million to improve existing Shuttle facilities.

[Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-9, Feb. 7, 1990.]

February 8: ATLANTIS PAD ACTIVITIES

At Launch Pad 39A, workers rolled back the Rotating Service Structure

from around Atlantis just after noon today, but NASA officials would not

say why. Spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "We've got activities planned

at the launch pad that require the move. There is nothing wrong with the

vehicle." The structure is usually rolled back the day before the payload

arrives at the pad.

Meanwhile, Program Managers meeting at Kennedy Space Center in a

Flight Readiness Review are considering moving up Discovery's launch

date. Preparation of a solid rocket booster segment needed for Discovery

is about one week ahead of schedule. '_/e're taking a look to see if we can

pull back the launch date and re-target to April 12/' Malone said, thoug

h the official launch date remains set at April 18. Discovery's mission will

include the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope. According to

spokesman George Diller, KSC workers have been told to be ready for an

April 12 launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 9, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 10, 1990.]

<> CLASSIFIED DELTA LAUNCH

A Strategic Defense Initiative mission delayed by an accident on the launch

pad will lift off aboard a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station next week. During launch preparations, a technician dropped a

small tool in an area near two satellites; the 4-inch-long tool became lodged

about four feet below an access door on the nose cone of the Delta rocket.

Workers had to remove part of the nose cone to reach the tool and then

had to perform additional tests to assure that the satellites were

undamaged. ["Delta Will Loft 2 Satellites," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb.

9, 1990.]

16
0 NEW LAB DEDICATED

A new facility which will improve satellite rocket motor inspections was

dedicated today. The laboratory, which cost $4.9 million, replaces a facility

which was too small and which had obsolete equipment, said Jim Towles,

Kennedy Space Center's Director of Facilities Engineering. The new facility

will house an upgraded X-ray machine which will be used to make sure

motors don't have cracks. An INTELSAT communications satellite will be

the first to undergo inspections in the new building. ["New $4.9 Million

Lab Will X-Ray Rocket Motors," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 9, 1990.]

February 10: ATLANTIS LAUNCH SET

Liftoff for Atlantis's classified Department of Defense mission will occur

February 22 between midnight and 4 a.m., according to Kennedy Space

Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. The announcement came at the

conclusion of the two-day Flight Readiness Review today at the space

center. The mission is expected to be the first in which a new northerly

flight path is taken by a Shuttle. The all-military crew for the mission

includes Commander John Creighton, Pilot John Casper and Mission

Specialists RIchard MuUane, David Hilmem and Pierre Thuot. Crew

members making their first spaceflights are John Casper and Pierre Thuot.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 11, 1990.]

February 12: ATLANTIS TESTED

Workers at Kennedy Space Center today will continue testing and

inspections necessary before Atlantis lifts off next week on a mission for

the Department of Defense. The Shuttle's main engines will be calibrated

during a simulated main engine start, and then leak tests will be

performed on a main engine turbopump that was replaced over the

weekend, according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. She said all

weekend tasks went smoothly and Atlantis is expected to launch Feb. 22.

["Tests on Atlantis Going Smoothly," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 12,

1990.]

February 13: HELIUM LEAK TEST TODAY

Today workers at Launch Pad 39B will test Atlantis' three main engines by

pumping gaseous helium through the main propulsion system and then

checking for its presence in unwanted areas, indicating leaks. This

standard pre-launch check follows a routine engine test conducted

yesterday on the Shuttle's hydraulic system.

17
Columbia's payload bay floor gets a cleaning this week. The floor was

covered with material that fell off the Long Duration Exposure Facility

during its return to Earth, according to NASA spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, February 13, 1990.]

U LDEF DATA ANTICIPATED

When NASA photographers complete their picture-taking of the recently

returned Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), scientists are prepared

to undertake their own investigations of the effect of long duration

spaceflight on the spacecraft. "Clearly the space environment is a very

harsh environment," said Ann Whitaker, an LDEF scientist from MarshaU

Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL). She said that some materials eroded

in space and others experienced substantial color changes from exposure

to thin traces of atomic oxygen; some white and yellow paints turned

brown. LDEF scientist Donald Wilkes said that most of the changes were

expected, but he cautioned against premature judgments. '_Ve really have

to wait until we get the experiments into the laboratory and make a

detailed analysis before we can understand these processes. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Feb. 14, 1990.]

February 14: DELTA 2 LAUNCH

A Delta 2 rocket, built by McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co., lifted off

from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this morning at 11:15 a.m. The

launch, which sent two satellites into orbit, represented the first time that

the Department of Defense purchased a rocket and launch services from

a private company instead of NASA. McDonnell Douglas will earn $38

million from the launch and DOD estimates it will save between $13 and

$17 million by buying commercial services.

"We're off to a very good start," said Lt Col. Roger Hartman of the

Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. "It was really an exceptional

launch. The actual liftoff was within 600 milliseconds of the scheduled

launch time and the satellites' orbits are right on the money." [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Feb. 15, 1990.]

U ATLANTIS: ALL SYSTEMS GO

'_/laere are no problems to report. We're just another day closer to launch,"

said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham of the

preparations for Atlantis' February 22 launch. Today's helium leak check

test revealed no trouble for the main propulsion system, according to

Buckingham. Last-minute inspections and installations of thermal blankets

18
still remain to be accomplished. The five-member crew is expected to

arrive at KSC on February 18. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Feb. 14,

1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, Feb. 15, 1990.]

D SECOND TITAN READIED

Martin Marietta workers moved the company's second Commercial Titan

rocket to Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today.

The launch vehicle is expected to boost an INTELSAT 6 communications

satellite into orbit March 14. INTELSAT 6 is owned and operated by an

international consortium which includes the United States. The satellite is

undergoing final inspections at Astrotech Space Operations' satellite

processing facility (TitusviUe, FL) and is expected to arrive at the launch

pad this weekend. ["Martin Readies Second Titan," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 11A, Feb. 15, 1990.]

February 16: SPACEPORT WORKERS UNION VOTE

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers this

morning will vote on whether to accept their Spaceport USA employer's

new contract offer; the union leadership advises against it. "We are

hopeful the employees will accept the package offered to them. We will

be open today with business as usual no matter what their decision may

be," said Tom Blair, spokesman for TW Recreational Services, which

operates the Kennedy Space Center tourist attraction. [Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. C-1 & C-6, Feb. 13, 1990, Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 14, 1990, "Across the State," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 15, 1990, "Spaceport Workers To Vote on

Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Feb. 16, 1990.]

N EG&G WORKERS TO VOTE

About one hundred workers for EG&G Florida Inc. who are employed at

Kennedy Space Center will vote tomorrow on a new labor contract

approved by their union leadership. Terms of the agreement will not be

announced till after the vote, according to Union Business Manager Andy

Younger.

The International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE)

represents 105 graphic artists, writers, projectionists, clerks, printers and

electronic data experts employed by EG&G Florida Inc. ["EG&G Workers

Will Vote On Pact," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 16C, Feb. 16, 1990, "EG&G

Florida Inc," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, February 15, 1990.]

19
D

0

<>

fl

IATSE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Business

Manager Andy Younger, invoking union policy, would not reveal the

contract vote his union took yesterday concerning its contract with EG&G

FLORIDA Inc. He did, however, say that it might be characterized as

"unanimous." [Telephone conversation with Andy Younger (IATSE) and

Archivist Ken Nail, Jr., March 19, 1990.]

STRIKE POSSIBLE AT SPACEPORT

Spaceport USA workers rejected a contract offer yesterday and opened the

possibility of a strike. "We haven't called a strike. But if we do, we'll

make sure it will be to our benefit," said Warm Cairns, a Spaceport USA

bus mechanic and president of the International Assodation of Machinists

and Aerospace Workers, District 166. "We'd be happy to sit down at the

table with them to get to a point that's reasonable." Marketing Director

George Meguiar said, "We will be open for business as usual," adding that

TW Recreational Services which operates the attraction has a contingency

plan if the union decides to strike. If that happened, bus tours might be

affected. Arnold Richman, NASA spokesman, said that the space agency

would not allow unqualified drivers to replace striking bus operators. The

union will vote on a new contract which is endorsed by union negotiators

on February 20. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 17, 1990,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 18, 1990, Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 17, 1990.]

ORDNANCE PLACED ON ATLANTIS

Workers continued to prepare Atlantis for its February 22 liftoff by

installing ordnances on the Shuttle, pressurizing on-board rocket propellant

tanks and loading liquid oxygen and hydrogen storage tanks on the

Shuttle's service tower. Before the pad was dosed late today, technicians

repaired some torn and missing insulation on the outside of the exhaust

nozzles on the three main engines, said NASA spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, February 17, 1990.]

GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY REPAIRS

Inspections have shown that the Gamma Ray Observatory received minor

damage on its trip to Kennedy Space Center, according to KSC spokesman

George Diller. The observatory's insulation was stained in eight places;

seven of the eight will be removed with alcohol and the eighth repaired by

replacing one square foot of insulation. Six of the 25,600 solar cells were

20
cracked during preparations for shipping and more study of this problem

will be undertaken.

In another payload facility, technicians performed the last tests on the

science instruments aboard the Hubble Space Telescope this morning and

all instruments worked as expected. Work now turns to final pre-launch

operations, including removing non-flight items aboard the telescope,

installing flight batteries and giving the telescope a final cleaning before it

is launched aboard Discovery April 12. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

Feb. 17, 1990.]

February 18: RUSSIANS ARE COMING

Kennedy Space Center welcomes two diverse groups today. An allmilitary crew of astronauts, scheduled to fly STS-36 on February 22, will

arrive at 10:30 a.m. today, as will a contingent of some two dozen Soviet

officials, including ten members of the Defense Committee of the Soviet

National Legislature. Along with other Soviet officials, the visiting defense

committee members will tour the Operations and Checkout Building and

Launch Pad 39B. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 18, 1990.]

I1 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

While Soviet defense committee members tour Launch Pad 39A,

technicians at Launch Pad 39B prepare the launch site for Atlantis and its

classified cargo "which is thought to be an advanced spy satellite that will

photograph Soviet military installations." Dick Young, NASA spokesman,

said efforts would be focused on completing work in the Shuttle's rear

compartment where the three main engines are located. Countdown for

the STS-36 mission will begin at 4 p.m. February 18. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 18, 1990.]

February 19: ATLANTIS COUNTDOWN PROCEEDS

"So far, so good," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Karl

Kristofferson. 'The countdown is going very smooth." Atlantis is

scheduled for a liftoff sometime between midnight and 4 a.m. February 22.

The exact liftoff time is classified as is the cargo which is known to weigh

37,300 pounds. At Launch Pad 39A today, technicians activated the

Shuttle's navigation system and stowed equipment the astronauts will use

in the Orbiter's crew compartment. Workers also completed final checks

of the Shuttle's main propulsion system and began loading propellants.

The crew for the mission: Commander John Creighton, Pilot John Casper

21
and Mission SpecialistsDavid Hilrners,Richard "Mike" Mullane and Pierre

Thuot. [Halvorson,FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 20, 1990.]

PRINCE CHARLES AT Ksc

Prince Charles, heirto the Britishthrone,was given an insider'slook at

the U. S.space program today as Kennedy Space Center DirectorForrest

McCartney escortedtheprincethrough thecenter'swildliferefuge,a firing

room in the Launch Control Center and a hangar where Space Shuttles

Columbia and Discovery are being refurbished.Charles conversed with

KSC workers in the placeshe visited.Roberta Wyrick (Cocoa, FL) said,

"He wanted to know what the consolesare up there,what the different

systems are and how we get through a normal launch."

Charles was accompanied by severalfriends,includingKing Constantine

of Greece, and by astronautMichael McCuUey. The princespent about

an hour in the wildliferefuge,filmingsegments for a 60-minute British

environmental documentary which willbe televisedin May. McCartney

said,"We've got one of the premiere wildliferefugesin theUnited States.

As luck would have it,therewas a big alligatorswimming in the lagoon

when we got there." McCartney gave Prince Charles a book on eaglesone of the280 bird specieson Kennedy Space Center. The centerdirector,

in turn,was given a copy of the prince'sbook: "A Vision of Britain."

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IA, Feb. 20,1990.]

February 20:. WEATHER MAY AFFECT [2FTOFF DATE

"We're looking at a 30 percent chance the weather will be favorable for

launch," said Lisa Malone, NASA spokeswoman. The problem is an

approaching cold front now over South Florida, said Air Force

spokeswoman Terri Bracher. "Apparently, the front slowed down and

isn't going to move through the area as fast as expected," she said.

Weather later in the week is expected to b_ more cooperative. ["Bad

Weather Could Delay Shuttle Launch," THE MIAMI HERALD, Feb. 21,

1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, Feb. 21, 1990,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 21, 1990.]

n STRIKE THREAT AVERTED

A new three-yearcontract was approved today by the International

Associationof Machinistsand Aerospace Workers, District166,avertinga

possiblestrikeat Kennedy Space Center'sSpaceport USA. The contract

with TW RecreationalServices,operator of the attraction,preserves the

company's previouslyofferedraises,but shiftsthe costofhealthinsurance

22
for workers and their families to the company if the employee works a

minimum of 1,000 hours a year (about 17 hours a week). [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb.21, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. B-2, Feb. 21, 1990.]

February 21: SORE THROAT CHOKES LAUNCH

John Creighton, Commander of STS-36, developed an upper respiratory

tract infection in the 24 hours prior to liftoff, NASA officials said. He is

being treated with antibiotics. "It's basically a sore throat with a little head

congestion," said NASA spokesman Kyle Herring. Creighton's illness has

grounded Atlantis for at least 24 hours and meteorologists said today that

weather could postpone the mission even longer. A poor forecast was a

factor in today's postponement, but the countdown would have continued

in the hopes of clear skies if not for Creighton's illness.

The postponement marked the first time NASA ever delayed a manned

mission because of an astronaut's health. The last time an astronaut's

health affected a mission was in April 1970, when Apollo 13 command

module pilot Thomas Mattingly was replaced five days prior to launch

because he had been exposed to measles. Mattingly was replaced by

James Swigert and the launch went on as planned. NASA said there are

no plans to remove Creighton from the mission.

Replacing Creighton could be done, but it would create difficulties because

NASA has discontinued the practice of training back-up crew members

after the fourth Shuttle flight in 1982. "As the Shuttle flight rate goes up,

you are obviously going to have a number of astronauts who are capable -

if it's critical - to take that role," Herring said. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Feb. 22, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. 1A-2A, Feb. 22, 1990, Leafy, THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 22, 1990,

"Launch of Atlantis is Off Till Saturday," THE MIAMI HERALD, Feb. 23,

1990.]

D HUBBLE MISSION ADVANCED

NASA said today it was advancing the launch date for the Hubble Space

Telescope mission aboard Discovery to April 12. Work on a new booster

segment was completed earlier than scheduled, prompting the space

agency to move up the launch date. "A lot of dedicated NASA and

contractor employees were faced with a big challenge early this year and

not only did they meet the challenge, they surpassed it," said Shuttle

Program Director Robert Crippen. Launch time on April 12 will be

23
between 9:21 a.m. and 1:21 p.m. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

Feb. 22, 1990.]

February 23: ATLANTIS LAUNCH DELAYED

Threatening weather forced NASA to postpone launch of Atlantis a third

time this morning; launch is tentatively rescheduled for February 25.

Launch had been postponed on the 21st and 22d due to Commander John

Creighton's sore throat and head congestion and due to unacceptable

weather in the Kennedy Space Center vicinity. Despite the weather and

illness, Commander Creighton continued to make flights in the Shuttle

Training Aircraft. According to NASA, each day's delay costs $247,000 in

labor and materials at the space center. That figure does not include

expenses at other NASA centers supporting the mission. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 24, 1990.]

D TOMATO SEEDS UNLOADED

"Its been a long time coming, like a six-year pregnancy," said Jim Alston,

Research Director for the Park Seed Co. (Greenwood, SC), sponsor of

NASA's Space Exposed Experiment Developed for Students. The SEEDS

experiment is one of 57 which flew aboard the recently returned Long

Duration Exposure FaciUty (LDEF). Today workers removed some 12

million tomato seeds from the 22,000-pound satellite in preparation for

their being sent to students across the United States. Alston said, "The

primary feature of this experiment is to get kids excited about and

interested in science. If we can get 100 or 1,000 students to enter the

scientific community, then that will be the long-term benefit of the

experiment." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 22, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 24, 1990.]

February 24: TELEDYNE WINS SPACELAB CONTRACT

Teledyne Brown Engineering has been Selected by NASA to handle

engineering work related to Spacelab missions on the Shuttle. Under the

10-year contract beginning October 1, Teledyne Brown will staff, manage

and buy materials needed to integrate Spacelab missions and mid-deck

experiments aboard the Shuttle. The next two Spacelab experiments will

fly in May and August of this year. ["Teledyne Wins Spacelab Contract,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, Feb. 25, 1990.]

24
February 26: LAUNCH READIED

With Atlantis' computer and engine problems solved, technicians at

Kennedy Space Center readied the Orbiter for another launch try today.

Forecasters said there was a 60 percent chance that high winds off the

ocean could halt the launch, but space experts noted that other Shuttle

missions had begun in the face of similar predictions. Weather conditions

had been almost ideal on the 25th when the countdown had been halted

at 11 seconds when a backup Air Force range-safety computer on the

ground malfunctioned because of a software problem. Lieut. Col. Jim

Jannette (Air Force) said both the computer and its backup must be

running in most cases before a launch is approved. When the countdown

was halted, other problems developed. For instance, the auxiliary power

units began to run out of fuel. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, _p.

A-10, Feb. 25, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4,

Feb. 26, 1990, Lear,/, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A12, Feb. 26, 1990.]

D WEATHER SCRUBS ATLANTIS AGAIN

High winds and douds scrubbed Atlantis for the fifth time today causing

a delay till February 28 at the earliest. "We're disappointed we didn't

launch today, but we're convinced the launch team...made the correct

decision," said John C.reighton, STS-36 Commander. Creighton and his

crew plan to return to Johnson Space Center to practice launch and

emergency abort procedures in a Shuttle simulator, then return to Horida

for the next attempt. NASA said that repeated delays have cost more than

$2.7 million. ['_Vinds, Clouds Ground Atlantis in 5th Delay," THE MIAMI

HERALD, p. 4A, Feb. 27, 1990, Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 27,

1990, "6th Atlantis Try Will Come Wednesday, Still Quite Iffy," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, Feb. 27, 1990.]

February 27: COUNTY ROAD PLANS

Among the Brevard County road projects for 1990 is the projected

widening of North Courtenay Parkway from Grant Street north of the

Barge Canal to the Kennedy Space Center to begin in April at a cost of $9

million. [Reed, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Feb. 28, 1990.]

[l CREW TRAINS FOR LAUNCH

Commander John Creighton, Pilot John Caspers and Mission Specialist

David Hilmers returned to Kennedy Space Center today after spending

most of the previous two days at Johnson Space Center flying mock Shuttle

missions in a simulator. Mission Specialists Richard "Mike" Mullane and

25
n

Pierre Thuot remained at Kennedy Space Center. The five delays of the

Atlantis mission is a record for post-ChaUenger missions. The delays have

cost nearly $3 million. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 27,

1990.]

STS-36 CREW READYt AGAIN

"We're ready. Boy, are we ready," Mission Specialist Richard "Mike"

Mullane said today. Liftoff was scheduled between midnight and 4 a.m.,

but at 12".50 NASA held for rain showers in the Kennedy Space Center

area. Countdown for the 34th Shuttle mission was continuing smoothly

today until the hold after midnight as launch technicians completed filling

Atlantis' external fuel tank with 528,300 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen. Air Force meteorologists earlier in the day had predicted

weather might improve enough to permit launch early on the 28th.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 28, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 28, 1990, Leafy, THE NEW YORK TIMES,

p. All, Feb. 28, 1990.]

February28: ATLANTIS LAUNCHES 2:50 A.M.

Atlantis carried its military cargo into orbit this morning after a 2:50 a.m.

liftoff from its Kennedy Space Center launch pad. The bus-sized cargo was

deployed at about 5:50 a.m. Launch was delayed some two hours as the

launch team waited for rain and clouds to move out of the area. Weather

had been part of four of the five previous launch delays. Launch Director

Bob Sieck said the astronauts had been "pretty quiet and very patient."

NASA Administrator Richard Truly congratulated the launch team, saying,

"It was a tough one to get off, but a great job.

The cargo was deployed using a new Shuttle system - the Stabilized

Payload Deployment System - which rolls the cargo from the payload bay

rather than ejecting it with a spring-like device or dropping it over the side

of the Shuttle with its robot arm.

"For nice big satellites like the one on Atlantis, payload bay space is at a

premium," said John Pike, Associate Director of Space Policy for the

Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D. C. '_xis system is the

most compact way to pop the payload out into orbit. It permits you to use

a greater percentage of the cargo bay for payloads rather than deployment

devices." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Mar. 1, 1990.]

26
MARCH

March 1: MURRAH HEADS COLUMBIA'S PROCESSING

Today Bascom Murrah III takes over as Columbia's Processing Manager;

previously he had supervised ten engineers as Chief of the Auxiliary

Power Unit and Hydraulic Systems Section in the Vehicle Engineering

Directorate. "I felt like I had my own little piece of it," he said. "Here

you've got a bigger piece and a lot more responsibilities." Director of

Shuttle Management and Operations at Kennedy Space Center, Jay

Honeycutt, said of Murrah, "He certainly is the sort of fellow that I want

in our organization. He's aggressive, intelligent and personable. He's

interested in getting the job done." Murrah joined KSC in 1968 as an

Apollo engineer. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 27, 1990.]

D SPACEPORT USA: ATTENDANCE

Attendance at Spaceport USA, Florida's No. 4 tourist attraction, was down

slightly in February, officials said today. The number of visitors fell to

255,130 last month, off 1.9 percent from February 1989, off 1.9 percent from

February 1989. ["Spaceport USA," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 2,

1990.]

March 3: REPORT: REPLACE SHUTTLES

The National Research Council says the future of spaceflight does not

include the Space Shuttle. The council called for a new, less-complicated,

more reliable system to replace the Shuttle. The panel urged the

development of alternatives to the Shuttle: "Eventually, a plan for a

graceful phasing out of the shuttle system should be prepared. Because

operations of the Space Shuttle will continue to be labor intensive and

expensive, because the system is not robust and because the system will

probably reach the end of its useful life sometime between 2000 and 2010,

the committee believes that a successor to the Shuttle eventually will be

necessary for human transport to orbit."

Regarding the Space Station, the committee agreed with NASA that a

permanently manned space station is necessary for space exploration, but

said the current design is stretched too thin to meet the demands of

scientists and also be a depot for missions into deep space. "l'he question

even arises whether an additional station, complementary to the first and

designed as a transportation node, will eventually be necessary to

accommodate the later, more-demanding mission," the report stated.

27
[Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, March 3, 1990, Reidy, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-1 & A-15, March 3, 1990.]

March 4: ATLANTIS GLIDES TO EARTH

"Congratulations on a great flight, guys, and welcome back," astronaut

Steve Oswald said, speaking from Mission Control to the Atlantis crew as

it touched down at 1:08 p.m. EST. The mission ended at Edwards Air

Force Base, CA, four days and 10 hours after launch from Kennedy Space

Center. "You can probably tell by the smiles on our faces we had a great

time," Mission Commander John Creighton told a crowd of 100. Pilot

John Casper said, "As one of the rookies on board, I just say, 'Wow! What

a fantastic experience'." ["Shuttle Set to Land Today; Weather 'Marginal,

But Acceptable," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, March 4, 1990,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 5, 1990, "1"he Shuttle Ends Flight

for Military," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, March 5, 1990.]

March 6: HYDRAULIC LEAK: ATLANTIS

A leaking hydraulic system which has fouled Atlantis' tail section is

delaying the return of the Orbiter to Kennedy Space Center from

California. "We know what we have to do and have looked at all the

schedules. We're still looking forward to a one-day ferry flight beginning

Saturday [March 10] morning," said space center spokeswoman Lisa

Malone. Post-flight inspections showed several spots of hydraulic fluid

near the three main engines, the right main landing gear and the place

where Atlantis is attached to its external tank, officials said.

When workers entered the aft compartment where the main engines are

located, they found the entire area coated with a thin film of hydraulic

fluid, Malone said. They began immediately to clean the spill and found

the source: a one-inch slit in the outer covering of a steel, rubber-coated

tube that feeds highly pressurized hydraulic fluid from pump No. 1. The

slit, it is thought, was probably caused by a problem with the connection

between the pump and the hose, which allowed fluid improperly to flow

between the steel tube and its covering.

Other post-flight examinations revealed that two of the Shuttle's steering

thrusters failed during the mission and must be replaced before Atlantis'

next flight in July. The crew used other thrusters to maneuver safely and

complete the mission, a NASA spokesman said. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, March 6, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.4A, March 7,

1990, "Gear Glitch No Problem, NASA Says," THE MIAMI HERALD,

March 27, 1990.]

28
FI TITAN LAUNCI-I_S HURT WILDLIFE

A study conducted by the U. S. Air Force and reviewed by the U. S. Fish

and Wildlife Service says up to 200 Horida scrub jays and 12,000

southeastern beach mice could die because of 27 Titan launches planned

between 1991 and the end of 1995. Because of the study, the Air Force has

been granted an Endangered Species Act exemption and will be allowed

to "take" up to 200 scrub jays and 12,000 of the beach mice from the area

next to the Titan launch complexes 40 and 41. Donald Palmer, an Acting

Field Supervisor with the Fish and Wildlife Service in Jacksonville, said

that "taking" means harassing, harm, pursuing, capturing or collecting

animals. The exemption does not extend to any other areas, he said.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, March 7, 1990, Lancaster, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-7, Feb. 27, 1990, Lancaster, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. D-1 & D-4, March 10, 1990.]

March 7: ROLLOUT SCHEDULED

Discovery will roll to Launch Pad 39B March 15, a day earlier than

expected. Rolling out earlier will permit technicians to begin loading

propellants into the Shuttle's nose and tail steering jets ahead of schedule

and will also allow workers to begin stacking solid rocket boosters for

Columbia's May 9 mission at an earlier date. Today, workers mated

Discovery to its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Meanwhile,

Atlantis was being readied for its return from California and was expected

to arrive at the Shuttle Landing Facility late on March 17. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, March 8, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

4A, March 15, 1990.]

n LDEF CONTINUES SURPRISES

The Long Duration Exposure Facility [LDEF], now undergoing

investigation at Kennedy Space Center, became slightly radioactive during

its stay in space. The amount of radiation it exposes workers to is less

than they would get at the beach in one day. "There's an awful lot of

information coming from LDEF that will help us design future spacecraft

and allow them to survive in space," said Bill Kinard, Chief Scientist for

LDEF in remarks made to a dinner meeting of the Cape Canaveral Press

Club. ["Seeds From Space Seem To Be Normal," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-5, March 3, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A,

March 8, 1990.]

29
March 8: ATLANTIS LIFTOFF PROBLEM REVEALED

Atlantis had trouble with itshydraulic system during launch, but flight

controllersdid not think itwas serious enough to take actions,NASA said

today. The leaking hose was removed from the Orbiter March 7 and sent

to Rockwell International (Downey, CA) for analysis. In California,

Rockwell inspectors have been unable to locate the source of the leak.

NASA said that itbelieves the leaking hose was a quirk and not a generic

problem. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IA-2A, March 9, 1990, "Fluid

Lost As Atlantis Split A Hose," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 8,

199o.]

fl K_ DEDICATES NEW BUILDING

Kennedy Space Center officialstoday dedicated a new $28 million, sixstory officebuilding - the Operations Support Building - which will house

about 1,700 NASA and contractor employees in the Space Shuttle

Engineering Support Division. The building, located near the Vehicle

Assembly Building, will provide permanent officeareas for workers now

located in modified railroad cars, portable trailersand prefabricated

modules. W & J Construction Corp. (Cocoa, FL) started construction on

the building in September 1988 and completed itthree months ahead of

schedule. The building was designed by HWH Architects, Engineers and

Planners (Orlando, FL). ["KSC Dedicates New Building," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, March 9, 1990.]

March 10: ATLANTIS ATTE_ RETURN

Today Atlantis is to begin its return journey to Kennedy Space Center from

its landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, CA; it is expected to arrive at

the space center tomorrow at sunset. If weather delays the last leg of the

flight, the Orbiter and its carrier plane, will not touch down at the Shuttle

Landing Facility till March 12. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, March

10, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 11, 1990,

Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, March 12, 1990.]

March 13: ATLANTIS RETURNS TO KS(:

Atlantis,atop itsShuttle Carrier Aircraft,touched down at Kennedy Space

Center's Shuttle Landing Facilityat 5:51 p.m. today. "It'salways good to

get them back after a good flight,"said KSC Director Forzest McCartney.

"We're goingto turn itaround again and get itout of town again in July."

Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "Itwas a smooth flight.We

3O
didn't have any problems." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 13,

1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 14, 1990.]

U TITAN READY FOR LAUNCH

"All systems are go. The rocket is ready, the range is ready and we intend

to push the button at 6:49 a.m. and get that sucker off the ground," said Ed

Browne, President of Martin Marietta Commercial Titan Inc. Martin

Marietta spokeswoman Judith Stowell said there is only a five percent

chance that weather will cause a delay tomorrow. The launch will be the

second commercial liftoff for Martin Marietta; the first was on December

31, 1989, when a Titan carried British and Japanese communications

satellites into orbit. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.4A, March 14,

1990.]

D ASTRO-1 ON SCHEDULEr NOW

"We're anxious. We want to see it go," said Glenn Snyder,NASA Payload

Manager for ASTRO-1, an astronomical observatory which had previously

been scheduled for launch March 6, 1986. The Challenger accident in

January of that year caused a five-year delay for the mission. On March

17, the spacecraft will move from the Operations and Checkout Building

to the Orbiter Processing Facility, where it will be installed in Columbia.

Mating of Columbia is scheduled for April 8 and roUout is set for April 16

with a May 9 launch date. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March

14, 1990.]

March 14: INTELSAT STRANDED

The INTELSAT VI spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station this morning at 6:52 a.m., but 25 minutes after launch, the satellite

and its 17,000-pound motor failed to separate properly from the rocket's

second stage. Ground controllers were finally able to split the satellite and

rocket, but the satellite was stranded in an egg-shaped orbit ranging from

96 to 214 miles above earth. "This maneuver allowed the satellite to be

placed in a safe low Earth orbit for the time being while options, including

a Shuttle recovery, are examined," said Dean Butch, Director General of

INTELSAT. NASA spokesman Dick Young said, however, that it was

unlikely that a Shuttle would mount a rescue mission in the near future.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, March 15, 1990, Burnett, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 15, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-14, March 15, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-13, March 16, 1990.]

31
March 15: DISCOVERY'S LANDING GEAR

RoUout to Launch Pad 39B was delayed twelve hours while Kennedy

Space Center technicians worked on a problem

concerning a nut on the axle assembly of the Orbiter's landing gear. A

problem with the landing gear of both Atlantis and Columbia has been

detected and engineers are unsure whether Discovery has the same

problem. "We don't want to risk landing Discovery until we see if the

problem would affect the gear during a landing," said space center

spokesman Bruce Buckingham. Columbia's axle has been sent back to its

manufacturer - Menasco Manufacturing Co. (Burbank, CA). WVe don't

know how long it will take to analyze. They will be trying to prove it's

safe to land in its current configuration," said Lisa Malone, KSC

spokeswoman. NASA is looking for results by March 18; if the nut has to

be replaced a roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building and demating

will be necessary. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, March 16,

1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 16, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 17, 1990.]

March 16: TITAN'S WIRING BLAMED

Faulty wiring in a Titan 3 failed to relay signals to separate a satellite from

the rocket's second stage, said manufacturer Martin Marietta today.

Workers failed to find the faulty electrical wiring during pre-taunch tests

of the commercial rocket. Martin spokesmen said the company will change

its pre-launch procedures to prevent the same kind of mistake from

happening again. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 17, 1990,

Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, March 17, 1990.]

March 18: COUNTDOWN TEST STARTS

"It looks good for pressing on toward April 12," said Commander Loren

Shriver after he and his four crew mates landed at Kennedy Space Center's

Shuttle Landing Facility at 12:10 p.m. today for a two-day countdown

demonstration test. Shriver went on to say that "Discovery and Atlantis

both have been cleared for flight, so there's no longer any worry about our

nosewheel." Pilot Charles Bolden said that art early launch date was

possible. 'Tney have really been busting their buns down here to get the

vehicle ready for us," he said. "We're kind of hoping deep down inside

that we can talk some people into moving it up, because we're ready to

go." Mission Specialist Steven Hawley discounted rumors that the STS-31

crew would mount a rescue effort for the recently stranded INTELSAT.

["Discovery Readied for Launch Test," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A32
17, March 18, 1990,Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 19,

1990.]

n OWL WATCH

Kennedy Space Center workers are keeping an eye on two owls who are

roosting on Launch Pad 39B near the Space Shuttle Discovery. A video

camera is trained on the birds, according to space center spokeswoman

Lisa Malone. Fish and Wildlife Service employees will visit the nest today.

["KSC Gives A Hoot About Owl's Nest," FLORIDA TODAY, March 18,

1990, "KSC Watches 2 Launch Pad Owls," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8B,

March 19, 1990, Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 20, 1990,

Jacobson, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 21, 1990.]

March 19: ASTRONAUTS DRILL

The Discovery crew worked with the slide-wire baskets used in emergency

launch pad escapes today. Commander Loren Shriver and Pilot Charles

Bolden practiced landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. Tomorrow the

astronauts will put on their space suits and enter Discovery for the final

three hours of the countdown demonstration test.

Meanwhile, NASA continued to investigate the landing gear nut problem

which surfaced last week. Commander Shriver said the mission is still on

target for launch April 12. Shriver has been involved in briefings on the

problem: 'The assumption is that it's [the crooked nosewheel bolt]

probably there because all the other landing gears that they looked at had

a certain amount of that problem evident. We think the data points that

way, but upper-level management gets a chance to hear that and decide."

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 20, 1990.]

D HALL OF FAME OPENS

Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper was on hand for the opening of the U.

S. Astronaut Hall of Fame south of Titusville, FL, today. The Hall of Fame

pays tribute to the heroics of Cooper, Man Shepard, WaUy Schirra, John

Glenn, Deke Slayton, Scott Carpenter and the late Gus Grissom. Gunter

Wendt, who was in charge of the Mercury launch complexes, said of those

astronauts, "they had to endure a helluva lot of physical testing that today

is no longer necessary. All the survival tests, eating snakes and things like

that."

At the opening ceremonies, Gordon Cooper recalled his Faith 7 flight.

"Everything was going well until the 19th orbit. We lost the electrical

33
systems and all I had was a push-pull rod and eyeballs out the window for

control - and a wristwatch for timing. I didn't have much choice but to

handle the situation. If I didn't get myself down nobody else would."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E & 9E, March 11, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 20, 1990.]

March 20: TITAN WIR/NG BLAMED

Martin Marietta Corp.'s Titan 3 failed to deploy a $150 million satellite

properly because the vehicle was wired to carry two satellites instead of

one, according to company officials. "It was a case where the computer

people said they would launch the first payload and the wiring people

thought that meant the bottom payload," if two satellites had been stacked

in the nose cone, said Steve Frank, a Martin Marietta spokesman. "There

was just nothing at the separation device to receive the signal," he said.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 21, 1990, "Mistake In Wiring

Doomed Intelsat," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5, March 21, 1990.]

D PRACTICE COUNTDOWN COMPLETED

Crew members for STS-31 participated in a two-day practice countdown

at Kennedy Space Center, then returned to Johnson Space Center. The

crew includes: Commander Loren Shriver, Pilot Charles Bolden, Jr. and

Mission Specialists Bruce McCandless II, Kathryn Sullivan and Steven

Hawley. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 21, 1990.]

0 DEBUS MAKES HALL OF FAME

The late Kurt Debus, first Director of Kennedy Space Center, was inducted

today into the Junior Achievement of East Florida's Business Hall of Fame

in a special ceremony today. Debus was chosen for having created the

visitors center at the space center and for having opened up the center to

bus tours. ["Junior Achievement Slates Hall of Fame Induction Event,"

FLORIDA TODAY BUSINESS MONDAY, p. 2, March 12, 1990.]

D LANDING GEAR SAFE

"We have determined that the gear is going to be safe for landing," said

NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone. "We're not going to roll back and

we're going to press on with the rest of our activities at the launch pad."

A roU back to the Vehicle Assembly Building was considered when

workers found a crooked 6-inch diameter nut on the axles of the nosewheel

landing gear of Atlantis and Columbia. Columbia's axle assembly was

returned to its manufacturer - Menasco Manufacturing Co. (Burbank, CA)

34
where tests showed the gear safe for landing, according to NASA

spokesman Mark Hess. Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen is

expected to give final clearance for launch on March 22. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 21, 1990.]

March 21: DELTA 2 LAUNCH SET

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station will light up tonight when a McDonnell

Douglas Space Systems Co. Delta 2 is launched at 10:02 p.m. from Launch

Complex 17. The Delta is carrying a Global Positioning System Satellite.

The launch vehicle is 128 feet tall and has three stages. The first two

stages are liquid fuel and the third has solid propellants. The 207,000

pounds of thrust is augmented by nine strap-on rockets. The launch

window tonight is 21 minutes. ["Delta 2 Set for Launch Tonight,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 21, 1990.]

March 22: SATELLITE RESCUE MEETING

NASA officials meet today at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) with

owners of the stranded INTELSAT communications satellite to discuss a

possible Space Shuttle rescue mission. Hal Lambert, Manager of

Integration Operations at JSC said of his I_,erELSAT counterparts, "They

axe just going to come in and give us some information about where the

spacecraft is and its condition and so forth. We are going to discuss

whether it's possible to get the satellite." NASA says it doesn't know how

much it would charge today because the agency no longer does

commercial business and there is no published rate schedule. Before the

Challenger accident, astronauts saved five satellites, bringing three home

and repairing two in orbit. At the time NASA charged commercial owners

about $15 million apiece. [Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5,

March 21, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, March 22, 1990.]

U DISCOVERY SEAL CHECK TODAY

While engineers continue to review test data, a potentially leaky seal on

one of Discovery's main engines will be inspected and, perhaps, replaced.

Also today, NASA decided that discolored fuel taken from a launch pad

storage tank was safe to use on board the Orbiter. NASA spokesperson

Lisa Malone said the discoloration was caused by iron compounds and

circulating the fuel brought it within technical specifications. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, March 22, 1990.]

35
Q DELTA 2 LAUNCH DELAYED

Unacceptable weather forced the postponement of a Delta 2 launch

scheduled for today. The liftoff was rescheduled for 9:41 a.m. March 26.

The Delta 2 will carry a Navstar Global Positioning System satellite; the

launch will be the seventh of 21 scheduled to occur at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station in the next few years. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

7A, March 22, 1990.]

March 23: SATELLITE RESCUE POSSIBLE

Robert Crippen, Director of the Space Shuttle Program, said today that it

is possible that NASA will be able to mount a rescue mission to save a

$150 million international communications satellite (INTELSAT) which was

stranded after launch on March 14. He said NASA engineers and officials

of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, which owns

the INTELSAT, have decided to look into the possibility of delivering a

new motor to the satellite by means of the Space Shuttle.

Associate Administrator for Space Right Bill Lenoir - Crippen's boss - has

expressed interest in NASA's attempting the rescue. "We looked at two

things: One was we could take a motor up, and go ahead and boost it

up...or could we return it," Crippen said. "Our initial look-see from our

safety panel, was that they didn't see any show-stoppers, although in their

normal prudent way they want to go through and do a detailed scrutiny

of it to assure that they don't see any problem." [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, March 23, 1990, "NASA: Satellite Rescue Feasible," THE

MIAMI HERALD, p. 4A, March 23, 1990, Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

8A, March 24, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. C-1 & C-6,

March 24, 1990.]

[l EARLY LAUNCH FOR DISCOVERY?

"It's our goal to go into the Flight Readiness Review with the capability to

launch as early as we can the week of April 9, but that doesn't mean the

program is going to sign up for a date earlier than April 12/' said Launch

Director Bob Sleek. WVe've still got a lot of work left to do and we don't

have Hubble in the Shuttle yet."

Today workers successfully replaced a teflon-coated metal seal between

main engine number 2 and a 12-inch diameter

fuel line on Discovery. A joint NASA-U.S. Air Force satellite - the

Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite - arrived today at the

space center's Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. in Hangar AE at

36
CapeCanaveral Air ForceStation, the wide-field cameraof the NASA-West

German Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) was installed, as well. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, March 24, 1990.]

n COMPANIES HONORED

The U. S. Small Business Administration named McDonnell Douglas as the

1990 Distinguished Prime Contractor of the Year for Region 4, which is

comprised of eight states. For the second consecutive year, EG&G Florida

Inc. has been named "Large Prime Contractor of the Year" at Kennedy

Space Center. [Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, March 24, 1990.]

n NEW S_E FACILITY DEDICATED

"Today we realize a dream that's been in the making for nearly a decade -

a centralized, consolidated Orbiter logistics depot that can accommodate

NASA's growing Shuttle flight rate," said Albert Martin, Vice President

and General Manager of Rockwell International Corp.'s Space

Transportation Systems Division in Florida. Martin spoke at the dedication

ceremony for a new facility to repair and overhaul Space Shuttle

components. Each Orbiter has some 22,000 components, many of them

requiring overhaul or repair.

Rockwell's new facility will be able to increase the cost-effectiveness and

responsiveness of the company's Shuttle support activities, according to

Martin. "In the early years of the Shuttle Program, Orbiter component

repairs were averaging 150 to 200 days per component. This new

expansion will enable us to eventually cut that figure to about 30 days."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, March 24, 1990.]

March 25: DELTA 2 LAUNCHED TODAY

A Delta 2 carrying a navigation satellite was launched tonight a day ahead

of schedule, lifting off at 9:45 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

An effort to launch March 21 was scrubbed due to high winds. The Delta

carried a $65 minion Global Positioning System Satellite which will allow

military vehicles to determine their location within 50 feet and in some

cases to within 10 feet, their speed within a fraction of a mile per hour and

the precise time within a millionth of a second. The satellite is the seventh

of a planned 21. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, March 25, 1990.]

37
[] VAN HOFTEN HONORED

Tonight former astronaut James "Ox" van Hoften _H be honored at the

Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Air Force Association's seventh annual

Astronaut Tribute Night. Van Hoften performed four space walks to

repair two crippled satellitesand was responsible for in-flightexperiments.

He also helped develop in-flightsoftware for Shuttle missions. He left

NASA in 1986 aftereight years as an astronaut. ["Air Force Club Honors

Astronaut," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, March 25, 1990.]

March 26: HST READY FOR LOADING

Kennedy Space Center workers today prepared the Space Shuttle

Discovery to receive the 25,000-pound Hubble Space Telescope in

preparations for the April 12 launch of the Orbiter. The loading process

itselfisexpected to take about eight hours. "It'ssomething that has to be

done very gradually because of the clearances. You can't just roll itin,"

said NASA spokesman George Diller. The crew for the Hubble Space

Telescope mission includes Commander Loren Shriver, Pilot Charles

Bolden and Mission Specialists Kathryn Sullivan, Bruce McCandless and

Steven Hawley. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. ZA, March 26, 1990,

Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 27, 1990.]

H PARKWAY WIDENING BEGINS

North Merritt Island homeowners watched as Brevard County officials

broke ground for the one-year, $6.4 million project to widen North

Courtenay Parkway [also known as State Road 3] from the Barge Canal

north to Kennedy Space Center. Space Center Director Forrest McCartney

was on hand to see county employees begin scraping away grass today.

He remarked that the four-lane road would be a big help to KSC workers.

[Nagy, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 27, 1990.]

March 27: MIDGES IN CLEAN ROOM

Workers found dozens of midges - tiny, biting insects which resemble

gnats - in the "clean room" of Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.

The insects were on Discovery's closed cargo bay doors and flew into the

clean room after the Hubble Space Telescope was delivered to the pad

March 25. The telescope itself was protected in a plastic wrapping. 'WVe

will not open Discovery's cargo bay doors or take Hubble out of its

[wrapping] until we have control of the situation," said space center

spokesman George Diller.

38
Meanwhile, technicians successfully tested the hydrogen portion of

Discovery's main propulsion system. The test was required after workers

repaired a connection in a main engine. NASA started a two-day test that

simulates the start of the three main engines and no problems were

revealed today. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 28, 1990.]

0 NASA BOOSTS BREVARD ECONOMY

NASA, recipient of a healthy budget increase, will spend more than $1.7

billion to support 44,000 jobs in Brevard County this year, according to a

study by the University of Central Florida. The Impact Study, which was

released this morning, looks at the impact of Kennedy Space Center on

Brevard County and Orlando since 1988. The study's director and writer,

Bradley Braun, said, "We need to stop thinking about Brevard County and

Orlando and start thinking about one regional economy." Since 1988

NASA-related jobs in Brevard County have risen 21 percent to 44,200 jobs.

Karl Kristofferson, spokesman at the space center, said that by 1995, the

center's total employment could reach an Apollo-era high of 25,000. NASA

has plans to expand its Shuttle schedule and to build a Space Station.

[Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 28, 1990, Solomon, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, March 28, 1990.]

March 28: DtL LONG ON PBS

Dr. Irene Long, head of the Medical and Environmental Health Office at

Kennedy Space Center will be featured tonight in a Public Broadcasting

Service documentary titled "Black Sims in Orbit." The program celebrates

the achievements made by African Americans in the space program.

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E & 7E, March 25, 1990.]

0 NASA ELIMINATES BUGS

Live insects which delayed the loading of the Hubble Space Telescope into

the cargo bay of Discovery have been cleared out of the immediate area.

Now NASA must eradicate technical '_ugs" which invaded Discovery's

main engines during a two-day test that concluded today. A faulty

controller will be replaced by a spare and an igniter in main engine

number one will be replaced. The igniter apparently lost power briefly

during the test; it had worked perfectly during other tests.

NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham said neither problem represented a

threat to the planned April 12 launch date. Kennedy Space Center

managers met today to decide whether the center was ready to support a

launch. Shuttle Program Manager Jay Honeycutt announced: "There are

39
no significantissues at thispoint and KSC isready to proceed toward the

launch of Discovery." ["Bugs Won't Ruin Launch, NASA Says," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 28, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, March 29, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-17, March

29, 1990.1

March 29: HUBBLE TESTED

Six hours after loading began, the Hubble Space Telescope was firmly in

place in Discovery's cargo bay today. Several electricalconnections

between Hubble and Discovery remain to be completed tonight. A sixhour testto determine whether any problems exist will be started tonight

as well. NASA managers meet March 30 and 31 to determine a firm

launch date for Discovery. Although Kennedy Space Center workers have

a full agenda of activity planned before launch, managers think it is

possible to launch a day or two earlierthan April 12. On April 1, a 52-

hour pad confidence testbegins. The test,in which NASA will determine

how the HST's various instruments are operating, will provide scientists

and engineers with a base-line to use when determining ifthe telescope

incurs any damage during liftoff.[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

4A, March 30, 1990, "Billion-DollarTelescope On Shuttle; Testing Next,"

THE MIAMI HERALD, March 30, 1990.]

[l TITAN 3 BOOSTER LANDS

The Titan 3 rocket that launched a $157 million communications satellite

but failed to put it in the proper orbit either burned up in the atmosphere

or fell into the ocean, according to Army Major Thomas Niemann, a U. S.

Space Command spokesman. "We don't have any indication that it

survived" re-entry, Niemann said, but any fragments returning to Earth

would probably have landed in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Taiwan. A

spokesman for INTELSAT, Tony Trujillo, said of the satellite, "We can

keep it there for several months, if not up to a year." ["Rocket Fails to

Earth, But Its Fate A Mystery," THE MIAMI HERALD, March 30, 1990.]

March 30: HST LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Astronaut Bruce McCandless joined Kennedy Space Center workers at the

launch pad to link electricalconnections between the Hubble Space

Telescope and Discovery. KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham said a test

of the connections would be made today.

McCandless also examined the telescope for any sharp edges that could

snag the spacesuits he and fellow Mission SpecialistKathryn Sullivan

40
would wear if a spacewaik were necessary during the mission. On March

31, engineers will test a replacement controller on Discovery's main engine

number 3. The part was switched out on the 29th because an internal

circuitry problem appeared during a simulated engine-start test. This

weekend, the fuel tanks will be purged prior to propellant loading and the

instruments aboard the Hubble Space Telescope will be tested.

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, March 31, 1990.]

March 31: DISCOVERY GOES APRIL 10

NASA moved up the launch of Discovery two days to April 10. The date

was set at the conclusion of the Flight Readiness Review at which Shuttle

Managers determined that the space agency and its contractors were

prepared to launch. '"The Shuttle team is ready to fly," said William

Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space Flight. "Hubble is one of the

most exciting payloads ever launched aboard the Shuttle and we are

looking forward to the mission." Liftoff is scheduled for 8:47 a.m. April 10,

with landing expected at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, five days later.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 1, 1990.]

D VAN HOFTEN HONORED

James "Ox" van Hoften, a two-time Shuttle Astronaut, was honored

tonight by the Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Air Force Association for his

work in space. Chapter President Chris Bailey said, "Every year in Cocoa

Beach, the Cape Canaveral Chapter hosts a dinner to honor an astronaut

for some particular achievement. Ox came to mind when Solar Max

reentered the atmosphere late last year. On hand to induct van Hoften as

a Doolittle Fellow was Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest McCartney.

"I think this is exciting," said van Hoften. "Last year I gave a speech at this

dinner for a very good friend of mine, Dick Covey. He flew with me and

it was quite emotional to be involved with that event." A $1,000

contribution will be made in van Hoften's name to the Air Force

Association's Aerospace Education Fund. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, April 1, 1990.]

41
APRIL

April 2: UTILITY ANNEX ACCIDENT

A broken pipe in a utility annex near the Vehicle Assembly Building

sprayed water onto a cabinet containing a number of electrical connections.

The accident caused short circuits and electrical power blinked on and off

throughout Kennedy Space Center, according to center spokesman Dick

Young. Launch Control Center computers monitoring tests of Discovery

and the Hubble Space Telescope were shut down till 12:01 a.m. April 3.

Young said that it was not yet known what effect the outages will have on

the April 10 launch of Discovery. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IA, April

3, 1990.]

April 3: LAUNCH PREPARATIONS: DISCOVERY

Today at Kennedy Space Center, technicians will continue to prepare

Discovery's aft compartment for launch by making final inspections,

making last minute installations and cleaning the area housing the main

engines. They will also continue charging Hubble Space Telescope

batteries and begin preparations to load the external tank with 500,000

gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen by sending an inert gas

through the tank to condition it to receive propellants. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 3, 1990.]

D DISCOVERY STILL ON SCHEDULE

Despite an accident which shut down air conditioning systems to critical

areas of the Space Shuttle Complex and delayed tests, NASA officials

remained confident that Discovery will launch on schedule April 10.

Workers must finish testing science instruments and systems aboard the

Hubble Space Telescope by 12:00 p.m. April 4 so pre-launch preparations

can begin early on April 5. The accident occurred April 2 when a worker

painting in a utility annex near the Vehicle Assembly Building either fell

or tripped, causing a water pipe to break. The pipe sprayed water onto

some electrical equipment, forcing a momentary power outage throughout

the area. Air conditioning was shut down in the Launch Control Center

where heat-generating computers were being used in tests on the HST and

Discovery. In accordance with emergency procedures, power was turned

off to Discovery and Hubble, then the computers were powered down.

A backup supply of electricity to the control center failed to take over and

keep the firing room computers working. Today, workers converted the

firing rooms to a newer system so the problem cannot occur again. An

42
investigation board, headed by John Meyer, a Manager in the Electrical

Branch of Facilities Engineering, will convene for the first time tomorrow

to begin gathering facts about the accident. The final report is not

expected for a number of weeks, said space center spokesman Bruce

Buckingh_En.

Air conditioning is back online in all critical areas at Kennedy Space

Center; the complete system will be operational by the end of the week,

according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. In addition, workers begin

tomorrow erecting the first stages of Arias and Delta rockets at Launch

Pads 17 and 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and assembly will

continue throughout the week. The rockets will launch two NASA

experiments in June. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 4, 1990.]

April 4: HST TESTS FALL BEHIND

Despite tests on the Hubble Space Telescope having fallen behind schedule,

NASA maintains that it remains possible that Discovery will lift off April

10. Though the tests were four hours beyond their scheduled completion

time, all science instruments and control systems checked out fine, said

Kennedy Space Center spokesman George DiUer. Meanwhile, tests

showed that a fuel cell on Atlantis had failed and must be replaced before

the Orbiter's launch on July 9. A review board will be formed to look into

the problem, according to spokesman Dick Young, who said the fuel cell

problem will have no impact on Discovery's launch. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, April 5, 1990.]

April 5: LAUNCH PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

Today's pre-launch activities include the completion of the installation of

the explosive device system on the Orbiter. The ordnance separates the

mated Shuttle components. Workers also pressurized the on-board

propellant tanks containing hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, the chemicals

used to power Discovery's orbital maneuvering engines and steering

thrusters. The launch tower's storage tanks were loaded with liquid

hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The crew -Commander Loren Shriver, Pilot

Charles Bolden and Mission Specialists Kathryn SuUivan, Steven Hawley

and Bruce McCandless are expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center at

approximately 2 p.m. April 7. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, April 5,

1990.]

43
0 DISCOVERY LAUNCH ON TARGET

April

0

"We're right on schedule," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa

Malone concerning the launch of Discovery set for April 10. Preparations

today concentrate on readying the aft compartment where the three main

engines are located. Final inspections are being made and protective

covers are being removed in preparation for flight. Last minute items are

being installed and the area cleaned. The Hubble Space Telescope's

batteries will be charged by a ground supply until 68 hours before flight

when cables will be disconnected and the payload bay's doors are dosed.

The final countdown begins at 3:00 p.m. April 7, just after the arrival of the

five-member crew [see above]. Space Center spokesman George Diller

said that long range forecasts indicate an 80 percent chance that weather

will accommodate a launch on Tuesday [April 10]. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, April 6, 1990.]

7.- DISCOVERY CREW ARRIVES

Discovery's five-member crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center this

afternoon and the countdown began for an anticipated 8:47 a.m. launch on

April 10. On arrival Mission Specialist Steven Hawley said, "This is an

exciting time for the launch team and it's obviously an exciting time for the

crew." Mission Commander Loren Shriver commented, "This is the end

of a fairly long wait. But I think in the case of this payload - the Hubble

Space Telescope - it's well worth the wait." The crew whose members also

include Pilot Charles Bolden and Mission Specialists Kathryn Sullivan

and Bruce McCandless - arrived at 2 p.m. in three T-38 training jets. Call

to stations for the launch team came at 2:30 p.m. and the countdown began

a half-hour later. Space Center spokesman George DiUer said there was

a ten percent chance of a weather-related delay. ['"Discovery Crew Rarin'

To Go; Odds for Launch Improve," THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 6A, April

8, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-4, April 9, 1990,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 8, 1990.]

LDEF STRIPPED OF EXPERIMENTS

The Long Duration and Exposure Facility platform, which was returned to

Earth aboard Columbia in January, will be moved in May to storage to

wait for another trip into orbit. Scientists have removed LDEF's space

science and engineering experiments in a careful process which began in

early February. Currently, technicians are examining the 12-sided

spacecraft to determine how much damage was made by micrometeorites

and artificial space debris. LDEF Chief Scientist William Kinard of

Goddard Spaceflight Center (Greenbelt, MD) said, 'The spacecraft looks

44
good as new. I wouldn't have any hesitation flying it again if I had

another set of experiments." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, April

8, 1990.]

D MCCARTNEY TESTED FOR DRUGS

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest McCartney was one of the first

Space Center executives tested for drug use as part of the federal

government's Drug-Free Work Place Program. Under this program, about

75 civil service employees in sensitive positions will be tested annually.

The employees will be randomly chosen from 750 people who work with

explosives, toxics or other dangerous material or are responsible for the

protection of life and property, public health, safety and national security.

McCartney described the testing as "fair, comprehensive and private." The

program involves testing for cocaine and marijuana and will be done for

amphetamine use if an employee is suspected of taking that drug. Anyone

found with illegal drugs in their systems will be disciplined or terminated.

Employees will not be disciplined if they voluntarily identify themselves,

request help, successfully complete counseling or rehabilitation and refrain

from using illegal drugs. At Kennedy Space Center contact KSC Drug

Program Coordinator David Dickinson at 867-9246. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, April 8, 1990.]

fl DISCOVERY: HEATER GLITCH

A short on Discovery's fuel tank heater was being investigated today, but

NASA spokesmen said that the problem will probably not delay the launch

of Discovery, scheduled for April 10. Bruce Buckingham, Kennedy Space

Center spokesman, said the short could allow a sliver of ice about a

sixteenth of an inch to form in the area of Discovery's aft external tank

strut. Shuttle Director Bob Crippen said a decision to proceed with the

countdown will come April 9. Weather appears to be good for launch

with only a 10 percent chance that poor weather could violate launch

requirements, according to Air Force weather expert Ed Priselac. On April

7, NASA managers adopted new weather guidelines that increase the

allowable speeds under which a launch could occur. "They found that

actually they can relax their constraints somewhat," Priselac said.

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 9, 1990, Wilford, THE

NEW YORK TIMES, p. C9, April 9, 1990, Wilford, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. B7, April 10, 1990.]

45
[] ASTRONAUT EVANS DIES

Ronald E. Evans, who was Apollo 17 Command Module Pilot,died of a

heart attack at his Arizona home today. He was 56. Evans called his

December 1972 flightto the moon in Apollo 17 "the best experience I ever

had in my life."He leftthe astronaut program in 1977 to become an officer

with Western American Energy Corp. in Scottsdale, AZ. ["Former

Astronaut Evans, 56, Dies of Heart Attack," FLORIDA TODAY, April 8,

1 o.1

April 10: DISCOVERY LAUNCH SCRUBBED

Following a smooth countdown, the launch attempt came to a halt four

minutes before liftoff when an auxiliary power unit failed. NASA rules

forbid a launch unless all three units operate perfectly. A fuel valve inside

power unit No. 1 failed to close properly, allowing excess hydrazine to

buildup. The buildup forced the turbine blades to spin faster than normal,

a violation of launch rules. The No. I unit worked perfectly in Discovery's

last mission - November 1989. Repair will take about seven days. Launch

was scrubbed at 8:43 a.m.

On hand for the attempted launch of Discovery today were 160 relatives

of the man - Edwin PoweU Hubble - for whom the Hubble Space

Telescope was named. 'WVe would have loved to see it go," said Harvey

Hubbell IV. "But what is the important thing? The more important thing

is not the shot, it'sthe mission. That's the important thing." Hubble

organized the family reunion around the expected launch of Discovery.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IA-ZA, April 11, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, April 11, 1990, Hoversten, USA TODAY, pp.

IA-2A, April 11, 1990, Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 11, 1990,

Merzer, THE MIAMI HERALD, April 22, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, April 8, 1990, "Hubbles Huddle to Witness Flight of Relative's

Namesake," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 8, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-I & A-14, April 11, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-8, April 12, 1990, "Hubbles Stranded On

Way to Launch," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. E-I, April 15, 1990,

Jackson, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-14, April 11, 1990, Merzer,

THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 5A, April 10, 1990.]

0 GLOBAL MEDIA AT KSC

European journalists turned out in force - more than 50 - to observe the

launch of Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope. The European Space

Agency contributed 15 percent of the $2 billion cost of the HST. Serge

46
April

April

April

Brunier, a photographer for SKY AND TELESCOPE magazine said,

"When .you come all the way from France to see the Shuttle, you really

want to see it. It is the world's premiere telescope. I am excited about

space and the Shuttle, but it just seems crazy that it never goes up." JeanPaul Croize, a writer for LE FIGARO, "Because we are directly investing

in the telescope and in space research, French people are very interested

in space. We love to make dreams, and the space telescope will make our

dreams. Maybe we will even see God." [Reed, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A,

April 11, 1990.]

12: LAUNCH DATE SET

NASA set April 25 as the new launch date for Shuttle Discovery's mission

to deploy the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope. A faulty Shuttle

Auxiliary Power Unit, which caused the launch abort April 10, will be

replaced. The HST's batteries will be removed and recharged in a

laboratory. Pat PhiUips, a spokeswoman for Kennedy Space Center, said,

"We think it's going to take seven to eight shifts over the weekend to

remove the A.P.U. and replace it with a spare." [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 12, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 13,

1990, "Shuttle Launch Date Is Set for April 25," USA TODAY, p. 3A, April

13, 1990, Wilford, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A10, April 13, 1990, Glisch,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-10, April 13, 1990.]

13: DELTA LAUNCH TONIGHT

McDonnell Douglas's Delta 2 is scheduled for launch tonight from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station between 6:28 and 9:38. The Delta will launch

the Palapa B2-R which was originally launched in 1984. Subsequently it

malfunctioned and was rescued by the Shuttle in the same year. [Oates,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-14, April 11, 1990, Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-10, April 13, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-3, April 14, 1990.]

14: RESISTORS CAUSE NO PROBLEMS

NASA said that a Federal investigation of a Florida company accused of

providing faulty parts for Shuttles will not halt launch plans. "We've used

the resistors on the Orbiters over and over again and we have not seen any

significant problems," said NASA spokesman Dwayne Brown. "Right

now, we're not looking at any critical safety issues because if they worked

the first time, there's a good high-percentage chance they are going to keep

working." NASA Inspector General Bill Colvin is investigating Impala

Electronics Co. (Tampa, FL).

47
The resistorsareused tosend correctamounts of currentto variousShuttle

electricalsystems. Each Orbiteruses tens of thousands of resistorsfrom

a variety of manufacturers, Brown said. NASA will,however, halt

purchases of resistorsfrom Impala Electronicsuntilthe investigationis

completed. ["Memo: Firm Sold Bad Shuttle Parts,"THE MIAMI

HERALD, p.P7,April15,1990,"Allegationsof FaultyShuttlePartsPrompt

Inquiry,"THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p.A-16,April 15,1990,Gerth,THE

NEW YORK TIMES, p. 6,April 14,1990,Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. IA-2A, April 15,1990.]

fl REVIEW BOARD NAMED

NASA has appointed a board to investigatethe April 4 accident that

occurred while workers were removing a part from Atlantis. George

Abbey, Deputy AssociateAdministratorfortheOfficeof Space Flight,will

head the six-member board, which willsubmit itsfindingsby April 30.

Workers were preparing to remove a fuel cellthat faileda post-flight

inspectionwhen the accidentoccurred. ["NASA Names Review Board,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, April 15,1990.]

April 15: EXTRA WORK ON DISCOVERY

The necessityto replacea faultyauxiliarypower unit on Discovery could

affectColumbia's scheduled May 9 launch,saida NASA spokesman today.

Columbia isexpected to rolloutto launch pad 39A on April 22, the date

thatthe countdown forDiscovery'slaunch begins. "Operations likethis

areelastic.You could pick up time at the frontend and loseiton the back

end,"spokesman George Dillersaid. "The 25thisa very comfortabledate.

Itallfitsneatly-forboth vehicles.We're down to what the whole program

isabout -processingparailelvehicles.There'sonly so much you can do

with Columbia when Discovery'son the pad. There's some instances

where you've got your crews working on pad B when you need them on

pad A." The new APU willbe pressurizedtomorrow inpreparationforits

performance evaluationtest.Hubble's sixnickel-hydrogenbatteries,which

were removed on April 14,began a 130-hour rechargearound noon today.

The batteries' charge will hold through launch attempts as late as April 29.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, April 14, 1990, Higginbotham,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 16, 1990, "Discovery, Hubble Juiced Up

for Launch," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 16, 1990,, Wilford, THE

NEW YORK TIMES, p. A10, April 13, 1990.]

48
April 16: COLUMBIA MISSION DELAY

Columbia's launch has been impacted by the delay in launching

Discovery's Hubble Space Telescope Mission. NASA officials said today

that Columbia won't fly until mid-May. "We're not going to be able to

make the ninth, but we stili don't have a clear target yet," said Kennedy

Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. She went on to say that Shuttle

Program Managers wanted at least three weeks to study Discovery's

launch data and hardware before launching Columbia. Meanwhile work

continued on launch preparations for Discovery. [Haivorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 17, 1990.]

April 17: DISCOVERY LAUNCH SCHEDULE

"We're running ahead of schedule in replacing and testing the auxiliary

power unit and recharging the Hubble Space Telescope's batteries. If

things continue to go well, there will be a poll of top Shuttle Managers"

today, according to Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman. If

the replacement auxiliary power unit passes a crucial test April 18, NASA

may move up the launch of Discovery by one day. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, April 18, 1990.]

April 18: LAUNCH DATE MOVED UP

Discovery will be ready for a second launch attempt April 24, a day ahead

of the previously announced schedule. "Everyone believes we're now

ready to fly, and all of us will be looking forward to the data the Hubble

Space Telescope will produce as it begins its exploration of the universe,"

said Robert Crippen, Shuttle Program Director.

Technicians this week will test electrical and mechanical connections

between Columbia and its solid rocket boosters, external tank and mobile

launch platform in the Vehicle Assembly Building. This two-day test must

be completed before Columbia can be rolled out to Launch Pad 39A.

[Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 19, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A8, April 21, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 19, 1990.]

April 19: HST BATTERIES INSTALLATION

Late today the Hubble Space Telescope's batteries were installed in the

telescope; they had been removed for recharging after the April 10 launch

attempt was scrubbed. The batteries will be tested April 14. Technicians

also finished installing explosive devices on Discovery's solid rocket

49
boostersand externaltanks. Storagetankswere filledas well. [Halvorson

and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, April20, 1990.]

April 21: BRYAN ON STANDARD_ PANEL

Coleman J.Bryan, NASA's MaterialsManager atKennedy Space Center,

was electedrecentlyas Chairman ofthe American SocietyFor Testingand

Materials'Committee on Compatibility and Sensitivityof Materials in

Oxygen-lnduced Atmospheres. Bryan, residentof MerrittIsland,FL, has

worked at Kennedy Space Center since 1968. He willserve a two-year

term on the panel. ["NASA Manager Gets Panel Post,"THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. E-5,April 22, 1990.]

D SPACE TOOLS SHOW

EG&G Floridaplans to exhibittoolsof the space trade and hold several

livedemonstrations of the tools'use at the 27th annual Space Congress

(Cocoa Beach, FL). As Base Operations Contractor for Kennedy Space

Center,EG&G provides fire,rescue,securityand otherservices.["EG&G

To Demonstrate Tools of Space Trade,"THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p.

E-5,April 22,1990.]

April 22: WEATHER CONCERNS FOR LAUNCH

Rainy weather expected tomove intoCentralFloridatoday may delay final

preparationsforDiscovery'slaunch on the 25th. "Hopefully,we'llget the

Shuttleoffthe pad thistime,"said Mike Leinbach, NASA Test Director.

He added that there are no technicalissues which threaten the liftoff,

planned forbetween 8:31a.m.and 2:43p.m. Weather forecasterspredicted

a 70 percent chance forlaunch on the 25th.

Discovery's crew arrived this afternoon in their 7'-38 jets. "Columbia looks

very good out there," said Discovery Commander Loren Shriver. NASA

has not had two Shuttles on the pad since Challenger and Columbia were

on pads in January 1986. As Columbia rode out to the pad, its crawler

transporter passed its 1,000th mile and a brief ceremony was held to mark

the milestone. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 23, 1990.]

fl SPACE CONGRESS LAUNCHES

The opening of the 27th Space Congress may coincidewith the launch of

Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope. Congress Event Chairman

Doug Sargent joked, '_VVespared no expense." Sargent is head of

Lockheed Space Operations Co. (Titusville,FL). This year'stheme is"The

50
fl

90s - Decade of Opportunity." Sargent said, '"We deliberately selected that

theme as opposed to 'challenge' or various other themes that might

indicate tough going. We really do believe that in the 1990s, with the

increased outward look into space, it will be a decade of opportunities."

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 22, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8E, April 22, 1990, "Space Congress Opens In Cocoa Beach,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 24, 1990, Caporale, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. E-1 & E-2, April 22, 1990, Minor, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-l, April 22, 1990, Minor, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

pp. E-1 & E-5, April 22, 1990.]

CONGRESS PURPOSE

"For more than 25 years, the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies, with

the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the

Department of Defense, has sponsored and conducted the Space Congress.

The event is held in Cocoa Beach, just south of the Kennedy Space Center

and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the nation's principle launch

facilities. The Congress features authoritative presentations on the

technical activities and accomplishments of a broad spectrum of space

programs. The information presented covers recent space missions and

experiments, details the status [of] development programs, and outlines the

future direction of the program. A comprehensive proceedings of the

technical presentations is published.

By sponsoring the Space Congress, the member societies of the CCTS hope

to stimulate interest and promote professionalism in the space program.

Key managers and technical specialists from all segments of the aerospace

community will attend. The Congress provides a forum where space

professionals meet to broaden their knowledge of key technical areas and

to discuss pertinent issues facing the space program.

The Congress features public exhibits where the leading aerospace

companies can display the latest technologies. Local students are involved

in a science fair exhibit and competition. An open session is held for the

public to meet the Shuttle Astronauts and Mission Specialists.

Recent Space Congresses have been four days in length. The popularity

of the technical panel sessions has led to a featured panel on each of the

mornings of the Congress. The topics of these panels typically are Shuttle

Systems Update, Department of Defense Activities, Expendable Vehicles

and Payloads, Shuttle Payloads, Commercial Opportunities in Space, and

Future Systems and Missions.

51
Paper sessionsfeaturingmore technicaldetailare held each afternoon,and

cover topicssuch as Technology Applications,Ground Operations,Satellite

Communications, Energy, Environment, InternationalSpace Missions,

Materials and Mechanisms, Computers in Aerospace and other topics

chosen to fiUout the general theme or to coincidewith currentinterest.

An evening panel session,open tothe public,presentsAstronauts,Payload

Specialists, and Program Managers.

Exhibitsare open to the public,as isthe sciencefair.Keynote, luncheon

and banquet speakers feature informative and often provocative

Perspectives. The Missile,Space and Range Pioneers hold a banquet

during Space Congress week and provide an entertainingand informative

speaker associatedwith aerospace programs.

Participationin the technicalprogram is generallyby invitationof the

Space Congress committee or panel sessionchairman. Offered papers are

considered along with invitedpapers. The aerospace community was

issueda callforpapers latelastyear.Technicalor educationaldisplaysare

encouraged. Exhibitspace isprovided. Exhibitorsare not allowed to sell

items.

The CCTS consists of 28 technical and professional societies. It was

founded in 1960 and incorporated formally in 1965. it covers six counties

on the east coast of Florida near Cape Canaveral. Council bylaws contain

three objectives that encourage Space Congress sponsorship: 1. Encourage

public interestand participationin technicaland professionalmatters;2.

Bring together members of the technical,scientific,engineering and

professionalorganizationsfor cooperativeeffortin increasingthe scope

and availabilityof technicalinformationand services,and 3. Promote and

support the activitiesof technical,scientificand professionalstatureof the

member societies.

In October 1962, with the support of the fledgling CCTS, the first Space

Congress was held at Daytona Beach. Beginning in 1964, the annual

meetings have been held in Cocoa Beach during the last week of April.

Each Space Congress operatesindependentlyunder thegeneralcognizance

of CCTS, whose chairman and vicechairman serveas the principaladvisor

and the finance chairman of the Space Congress Committee. The

Committee is headed by a general chairman selectedby CCTS. The

general chairman isselectedfrom among leadersin the localaerospace

community, according torecenttechnicalaccomplishments and leadership

attributes. This chairman is in charge of the Congress and selects

individualstofillthefifteenor more key positionson each year'sCongress

52
Committee." ["Space Congress Statement of Purpose," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. E-6, April 22, 1990.]

0 CREW ARRIVAL TODAY

Discovery Commander Loren Shriver, Pilot Charles Bolden and Mission

Specialists Kathryn Sullivan, Steven Hawley and Bruce McCandless are

expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center today about 1 p.m. Workers

today will also move Columbia out to Launch Pad 39A for its scheduled

May 16 launch. On the rollout, the Shuttle's crawler transporter will pass

the 1,000-mile mark and a special ceremony will mark the event. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 22, 1990.]

D WEY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Kennedy Space Center hired Ivey Construction Inc. (Merritt Island, FL) to

modify parts of an existing warehouse for a space station storage area.

Under the $186,275 contract, the firm will have 210 days to put up walls

and install air handling equipment inside the 30,000-square-foot

warehouse. The first dedicated Space Station Shuttle flight is scheduled for

1995 and the Space Center will be responsible for preparing Space Station

elements for launch. ["Building Modifications Begin," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 8E, April 22, 1990.]

April 23: DISCOVERY READYr AGAIN

Discovery was declared ready for flight today after a two-week delay

costing more than $500,000. "We're ready to fly," said Dr. Lennard A.

Fisk, Associate Administrator for Science at the National Aeronautics and

Space Administration. The delay occurred because a new power unit had

to be installed in the Orbiter. During the postponement, the six batteries

of the Hubble Space Telescope had to be removed and recharged. William

E. Taylor, Hubble Engineering Manager at the Marshall Space Flight

Center (Huntsville, AL), said that the maintenance work had caused no

apparent contamination to the telescope. "Hubble has maintained its high

state of cleanliness. We have seen nothing that gives us any cause for

concern," said Taylor. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April

24, 1990, Merzer, THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 4A, April 24, 1990, Wilford,

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. C6, April 17, 1990.]

D MODEL SPACEPLANE AT SPACEPORT

A replica of the "Orient Express" the National Aerospace Plane will be

permanently based at Spaceport USA. The mock-up, which arrived at

53
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today aboard an Air Force C-5A cargo

plane, has been displayed at both the Paris Air Show, the Dayton

International Air Show in Ohio, and, most recently, at the Naval Air Show

this past weekend in Norfolk, VA. Despite being based at the Spaceport,

the spaceplane will be made available to air shows across the country.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 24, 1990.]

April 24: DISCOVERY LAUNCHES HST MISSION

Discovery reached an altitude of 381 miles above the earth - the highest

ever for a Shuttle - after its launch today at 8:34 a.m. NASA Administrator

Richard H. Truly said of Discovery and its HST payload, "It's in its

element now. The first step is always the hardest. And we're beyond that

now." Dr. Edward J. Weilez, Chief Hubble Scientist for NASA, said, "The

few seconds of thrill made the 12 years of effort well worth it."

Shuttle Commander Loren Shriver, noting Hubble isplanned to operate

into the next century, said of the mission: "Itshould be, and is,a source

of national pride for the country. I might be able to tellmy grancikids

some day, 'Yeah, it'sstillup there and isstitlsending back some data and

your old granddad actually had something to do with that." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IA-2A, April 25, 1990, Merzer, THE MIAMI

HERALD, pp. IA & 6A, April 25, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-8, April 25, 1990, Shanklin, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-8, April 25, 1990, Hoversten, USA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

April 25, 1990, Wilford, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. IA, April 25, 1990.]

0 DELAY REDUCED PRESS CREW

The number of media representatives at Kennedy Space Center dropped

to one-third the 620 journalists who showed up for the April 10 launch

attempt. "It's a little disappointing that so few European journalists are

here. They are really missing the dimension of the event," said Frederic

Castel, a French writer based in Miami for Agnece France Presse. One was

reason for the smaller foreign press contingent for the second attempt is

that fewer European corporations footed journalists' travel expenses for a

second effort. [Reed, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, April 25, 1990.]

g KSC EXHIBIT

A new public exhibit at Kennedy Space Center uses satellite surveillance

photographs is helping to pinpoint problems with the Indian River Lagoon.

The exhibit shows space vehicles and the images they take of the amount

54
of underwater grassesin the lagoon, which are critical to a wide array of

fish life. [Jones,FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B,April 25, 1990.]

0 THOMPSON'S SPACE CONGRESS SPEECH

NASA's Deputy Administrator J. R. Thompson told the 27th Space

Congress how he envisioned the space program in the year 2000. He

foresaw a Shuttle fleet of five, with two more on order and said that by the

end of the century, NASA would have completed 129 Shuttle flights and

would be preparing to deliver third-generation instruments to the Hubble

Space Telescope. Thompson went on to say that by 2000, the National

Aerospace Plane will be built and about to begin tests flights and that the

first flight to a permanent scientific base on the moon would be just a few

years away. "Let's not make technology alone the end product,"

Thompson said. '_ro go, to explore and to safely return is the mission and

it is that on which we will be judged." He went on to say that NASA's

15% budget increase requested this year is by no means assured, but "how

we end up in Congress will go a long way toward setting the tone of this

decade." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, April 25, 1990, Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. E-1 & E-3, April 22, 1990.]

April 26: COLUMBIA CREW ARRIVES

N

Columbia's seven-member crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center today for

a weekend practice countdown. Crew member Samuel Durrance

remained in Houston due to an undisclosed illness. The practice

countdown begins at 8 a.m. April 27 and concludes at 11 a.m. April 28.

The other six members of Columbia's crew include: Commander Vance

Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner, Payload Specialist Ronald Parise, and Mission

Specialists John "Mike" Lounge, Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Parker.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, April 27, 1990, Higginbotham,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 28, 1990.]

ASTRONAUTS SPEAK TO STUDENTS

Astronauts Michael McCulley, Mario Runco, Jr. and Norman Thagard

spoke to students and space enthusiasts at the 27th annual Space Congress

in Cocoa Beach, FL. Thagard told the audience which included science fair

winners, "In this country, perhaps we haven't done as good a job educating

students, but you all are doing the right thing." Astronaut Mario Runco

told the audience that he had to apply five times before NASA accepted

him as an astronaut, "Stick to that dream and don't lose sight of it because

it is attainable." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, April 27, 1990.]

55
HONEYCUTI" AT SPACE CONGRESS

"We've got to maintain the capabilities that we have. But in order to

support the Space Station Freedom Program, we've got to develop the

capability to get more payload to orbit," said Kennedy Space Center's Jay

Honeycutt speaking to the 27th annual Space Congress at Cocoa Beach, FL.

Honeycutt is Director of Shuttle Management and Operations at KSC. He

went on to say that the Shuttle flight rate can be picked up safely by

streamlining processing and trimming voluminous paperwork.

Johnson Space Center's Assistant Director for Space Shuttle Programs,

Tommy HoUoway, said, "Getting ready to fly a Space Shuttle today takes

too long, is too complex and does not offer the flexibility we need to meet

future needs." He said that Shuttle missions take as long as two years to

plan, train for and execute and that upgrading computer hardware and

software at JSC will reduce the total preparation time required. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, April 27, 1990.]

April 28: COLUMBIA CREW PRACTICES

"Overall it was a good exercise with a few curves thrown in," said

Kennedy Space Center spokesman George DiUer about Columbia's crew

practice today. Upper level winds were blowing in a manner the Space

Shuttle's computers were not programmed for, so Launch Director Bob

Sieck ordered the computer program updated while the clock held at nine

minutes before launch. That process delayed the simulated liftoff 24

minutes to 11:24 a.m. Diller said that this was the first time that procedure

was attempted. Computers cut off the rehearsal five seconds before

launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 29, 1990.]

[l PACE WINS CONTRACT

Pace Constructor's Inc. (Oviedo, FL) has been awarded a $428,605 contract

to replace hot water heating pipes, chilled water lines and boilers at several

facilities at Kennedy Space Center. Most of the work involves replacing

underground lines at road crossings, but some new above-ground

installations will be made as well. ["Pace Will Repair Pipes at KSC,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, April 29, 1990.]

April 29: DISCOVERY LANDS

After a steep descent, Discovery landed at 9:49 p.m. at Edwards Air Force

Base, CA. High winds had threatened to postpone the landing.

"Congratulations on a super mission. The world is looking forward to

56
April

reaping the benefits of your good work for the next 15 years," astronaut

Stephen Oswald'said from Mission Control (Houston, TX). The astronauts

emerged from Discovery 50 minutes after landing.

Associate Administrator William Lenoir said that apparently the Orbiter's

new brakes had worked well; they were removed for further inspection.

The new carbon brakes were designed to last for 50 landings; the older

brakes were designed for six landings. The new brakes are a precondition

to resuming landings at Kennedy Space Center. Landings at KSC would

save NASA about $1 million per mission and week's worth of processing

time. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 30, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-8, April 29, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, April 30, 1990, "Shuttle Lands;

Hubble May Not Work 100%," THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 3A, April 30,

1990.]

30: DISCOVERY RETURN DELAYED

High winds continued to delay until the weekend the return to Kennedy

Space Center of Discovery from Edwards Air Force Base (CA). The Shuttle

landed April 29 in excellent condition following its Hubble Space Telescope

mission. The Orbiter's Processing Manager, John "Tip" Talone said, "It

looks much better than average. In all,itwas an excellent flightand puts

us in a good position for Ulysses."

Preliminary inspections of Discovery showed that five heat-resistant tiles

needed to be replaced and 33 needed repair. Talone, referring to

Discovery's new brakes, said "There was no sign of any damage."

Technicians plan to remove an Orbiter steering motor that failed during

the flight and send it to Kennedy Space Center for laboratory analysis.

[Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 29, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, May 1, 1990.]

57
MAY

May 1: AS-204 CAPSULE RETURN

NASA will bury the spacecraft in which three astronauts died January 27,

1967 in one of two abandoned Minuteman missile silos which also holds

debris from the Challenger accident. "It seems like this is the most

reasonable place to put it since we have the other debris from the

Challenger accident there," said NASA spokesman Mark Hess.

The Apollo capsule is being moved for two reasons: The container the

craft was stored in is leaking and deteriorating. Seconclly, there is no

longer enough space available in the warehouse where the module has

been stored. The silos where the debris will be buried are about five miles

from Launch Complex 34, where Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee and

Edward White were killed in the capsule fire. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, May 2, 1990, "Apollo 204 Remains to Join Challenger

Debris in Horida," SPACE NEWS ROUNDUP, pp. 1 & 4, May 4, 1990,

"Apollo Remnants to Join Shuttle In Space Tomb," THE MIAMI HERALD,

p. 6A, May 9, 1990, "Apollo Debris To Be Moved To Canaveral," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, May 2, 1990.]

May 2: COLUMBIA: LAUNCH PAD WQRK

Extra work at the launch pad may require Columbia's liftoff to slip a day.

Several unscheduled activities today delayed other tasks. Technicians

replaced a quarter-inch line in Columbia's main propulsion system; the old

line leaked during a test last weekend. Workers vacuumed small pieces

of debris from a liquid hydrogen line on Columbia's mobile launch

platform; the debris was discovered after Columbia's January launch.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, May 3, 1990.]

May 7: DISCOVERY RETURNS TO KSC

Discovery returned this morning to Kennedy Space Center eight days after

landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Heavy thunderstorms forced

overnight stays at Air Force bases in Texas and Georgia. Discovery will

be demated from its carrier plane and towed to the Orbiter Processing

Facility by the morning of May 8.

NASA spokesman George Diller said that preparations for Columbia's

next mission are on target. The Hight Readiness Review for the mission

will also be held at KSC May 8. [Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, May 7, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 8, 1990.]

58
May 8: COLUMBIA: POSSIBLE DELAY

A problem with Columbia's cooling system may delay the Shuttle's launch

for days or weeks. Administrator Richard Truly described the problem as

not serious but time-consuming and difficult to repair. The cooling system

problem will be discussed by Shuttle Managers May 9 during the Flight

Readiness Review.

On May 6, engineers saw an unexplained change in the flow of freon

through one of the Orbiter's two cooling loops, which keep the astronauts

and the vehicle cool during flights. Managers face several options:

*Fly as is and hope it works without trouble; an early landing at Edwards

Air Force Base is required by NASA rules should there be trouble in-flight.

*Repair the problem on the launch pad; the procedure has never been done

on the pad and depends upon whether the unit in question can be reached.

A repair would take about a week.

*Roll Columbia back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for destacking and

repair with the Shuttle in a horizontal position.

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight WiUiam Lenoir said,

"We're not going to launch unless we're convinced we have two healthy

freon loops that we understand, and that - to the best of our ability to

project ahead - both are going to last the entire scheduled mission."

Columbia had a similar problem during its August flight, when a valve in

the second loop of the cooling system became clogged. In that instance,

the valve was replaced. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 4,

1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 9, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-11, May 9, 1990.]

May 9: 2-3 WEEK DELAY

The launch of Columbia has been officiaily delayed for two to three weeks,

NASA said today. "We are obviously disappointed that we are not ready

to fly. However, this particular system is absolutely critical to the safety

of the crew and overall mission success, so we have decided to change the

component," said William Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space

Flight. Bascom Murrah, Manager of Prelaunching Operations for the

Columbia missions, said, 'They don't understand the problem enough to

feel comfortable flying with it, so they've got to go in and fix it. We feel

we can do that at the pad, but how long that will take I really would only

be guessing."

59
The problem: A valve that controls the amount of freon flowing between

the cargo bay and the crew compartment is not working normally.

Engineers noticed the malfunction Sunday. To reach the valve, workers

must remove the lining of the payload bay floor, an equipment storage

container and a piece of structural equipment. They will drain the freon,

replace and valve and service the cooling system. This delay could also

postpone Columbia's scheduled August mission.

"We don't know what, if any, the impact will be to the remainder of the

manifest. We're looking at it, but it is not a given that we'll lose any

flights either with this vehicle or the others," Launch Director Robert Sieck

said.

There are other problems with the Orbiter: The plate that connects the

ground supply of liquid oxygen to the Shuttle's rear engine compartment

must be repaired because a bolt was sheared off when the plate was

aligned. The Orbiter's hydraulic lines must be serviced because a leak has

allowed air into the system. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 10,

1990, "Faulty Valve Delays Launching of Shuttle," THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A17, May 10, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May

12, 1990, "Coolant Repair Postpones Columbia's Astro-1 Mission,"

MARSHALL STAR, p. 1, May 16, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-10, May 10, 1990.]

May 11: HALL OF FAME DEDICATED

Five of the six living Mercury astronauts attended the dedication of the U.

S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and U. S. Space Camp Florida. Those present

were U. S. Sen. John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Scott Carpenter, Gordon

Cooper and Donald 'Deke' Slayton; Walter Schirra was unable to attend

because of a previous engagement.

The astronauts, in their remarks, focused on the future of space flight and

exploration: "None of us need the memorial. We don't need an exhibit.

We all have the Mercury days so firmly, indelibly imprinted on our minds

and our memories. We can just close our eyes and almost sense what it

was like back in those days," said Senator John Glenn, the first American

astronaut to orbit the Earth. "But if this can help inspire someone to get

a better education and inspire some of our young people to do some

research, then this will all be worthwhile." The hall is open from 8 a.m. to

dusk dally. Admission is $4.95 for adults and $2.95 for children 3 to 12.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 12, 1990, Minor, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-8, May 12, 1990.]

6O
May 12: AWARD WINNING COMPUTER TEAM

A Shuttle Processing Contract Award was given to a Kennedy Space

Center workers for its upgrade of a complete computer network in just

four days. The Lockheed Space Operations Co. team upgraded 20

computer work stations which support the processing of the Shuttle fleet.

The 20 computers were located in the Vehicle Assembly Building, the

Orbiter Processing Facility and firing rooms in the Launch Control Center

and other space center buildings. Jim Entinger, Lockheed's Launch

Processing System Hardware Engineering Manager, said, "It was done so

smoothly and so professionally that nobody would have known what

happened except for the sizeable increase in capability the new computers

provided." The team members are: Debra Miller, George Jenkins, Jim

Ayers, Kerry Barney, John Poole, Merrilu Prange, Carl Zelich, Jay

Blaikie, Kevin Ryniewicz, and Richard Beck. ["Computer Team's Fast

Work Noted," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7E, May 13, 1990.]

N MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AWARD WINNERS

The 1989 winners of McDonnell Douglas's General Manager's Award

include Matthaus Atkinson, Laurie McManus, Douglas Lauts, Calvin

Cooley, Jeffrey Rainey, Steven Walden, Sally Jones, James McMiUan,

Joseph Van Riper, and John Yohn. The awards were announced in ten

separate presentations by George Faenza, Vice President and General

Manager for McDonnell Douglas's Kennedy Space Center division.

[McDonnell Douglas Names 10 Winners," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7E, May

13, 1990.]

U HEWLE'I'r-PACKARD WINS CONTRACT

Hewlett-Packard Co. has been awarded a $730,113 contract to provide

computer hardware at Kennedy Space Center over a 90-day period. The

equipment will make up the Combinational Board Test System. The

system will be used to evaluate the quality and performance of electronic

circuit boards purchased under government contract for use in Shuttle

ground-support equipment. ["Firm Wins KSC Contract," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 7E, May 13, 1990.]

May 13: COLUMBIA: WORK CONTINUES

Repair on Columbia's faulty cooling system continued today with Kennedy

Space Center technicians preparing to remove and replace a valve that is

malfunctioning, according to Dick Young, KSC spokesman. Today,

workers drained freon from the cooling system, a task that was begun

61
yesterday. The work should be completed May 14. Once the fluid is

removed, the 36-houx valve replacement can take place. NASA managers

are expected to announce a new launch date as soon as the cooling system

repairs are completed. ["Work Continues On Columbia's Cooling System,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 14, 1990.]

May 15: NASA: PAY FOR RESCUE

NASA has agreed to develop a mission to rescue a stranded INTELSAT if

its owner will pay the cost of the mission. "We've agreed it's doable.

Now it's going to be up to INTELSAT to see if they want to pay the cost

to do whatever we have to do to save the spacecraft," said NASA

spokesman Dave Gartett. INTELSAT spokesman Tony Trujillo said, "Our

board of governors will decide what to do about the Shuttle mission,

whether to go forward with it or not." NASA said a rescue mission could

be launched in late 1991 or 1992 and might cost between $100 and $150

million. The mission itself would involve a spacewalk to attach a special

motor to propel the satellite from its present location of 345 miles above

Earth to geosynchronous orbit at 22,300 miles above Earth. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 16, 1990, "NASA Might Rescue Satellite,"

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. C19, May 17, 1990, '_ASA Will Save Satellite

- For A Price," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. D-l, May 16, 1990.]

n BROKEN FILTER CAUSED DELAY

A filter the size of a thimble came apart inside a cooling system valve

aboard Columbia and caused a two to three-week delay in the Shuttle's

launch. Today technicians found a piece of the filter in a T-shaped valve

that controls the flow of freon between the Orbiter's cargo bay and crew

module. The valve and accompanying parts were sent to Rockwell

International's Shuttle spare parts service center (Titusville, FL) to learn

why the part failed according to Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman.

When more inspections have been performed, officials expect to know

whether the filter was the system's only flaw. Two other filters used in the

part appear undamaged. "We need to complete the repair work and

associated operations before it is possible to target a new launch date,"

Malone said. Tomorrow, technicians will begin welding a new valve

assembly into place. After this three-day job is completed, X-Ray

inspections will check for leaks and the system will be refilled with freon.

Routine pre-launch preparations could begin this weekend. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, April 16, 1990.]

62
May 16: APOLLO CAPSULE DESTINATION

The charred Apollo I capsule may be given to the Smithsonian Institution's

National Air and Space Museum; the capsule was to have been buried

along with 81 cartons of hardware and investigation data from the Apollo

204 fire in two silos housing Challenger debris at Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station. John Lawrence, Chief of Congressional Affairs for NASA's Office

of Space Flight in Washington, said that the Smithsonian would "pull

together their committee of administrators and curators to think once again

whether they want to [accept the hardware]."

Smithsonian officials, who turned down a chance to take the materials in

five years ago, will have to weigh any restrictions NASA imposes on

displaying the Apollo module, according to Lin EzeU, Assistant Director

for Collections Management and member of the committee which will

decide whether to accept the materials. The materials were supposed to

have been moved to Horida starting this weekend, but such a shipment

will now await the museum's decision. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

May 17, 1990.]

I1 COLUMBIA: COOLING VALVE TEST

Today technidans will test Columbia's new cooling system valve at Launch

Pad 39A. The cooling system will be replenished with freon either May 17

or 18 and that will conclude the week-long repair effort, according to

Bruce Buckingham, Kennedy Space Center spokesman. Tomorrow

technicians will also pump liquid argon into one of the telescopes in

Columbia's payload bay. The argon cools the X-Ray telescope's

instruments so they can operate properly in space. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, May 17, 1990, "Valve Removed From Columbia," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, May 16, 1990.]

May 17: FUTURE MISSION PREPARATIONS

The Ulysses planetary probe, which is expected to be launched October 5

aboard Discovery, will arrive at Kennedy Space Center today between 8

and 9:30 a.m. aboard an Air France plane. The European Space Agency

satellite will study the polar regions of the sun. The spacecraft will spend

this week in the Hangar AO Planetary Spacecraft Check-out Facility.

The ROSAT scientific satellite, built in Germany, will be moved today from

a KSC spacecraft servicing facility to Launch Complex 17A, where it will

be placed atop the Delta rocket which will send it into space May 31.

63
ROSAT'smission is to perform the first survey of celestial objects that emit

X-Rays. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 17, 1990.]

a COLUMBIA: TARGET DATE SET

Columbia's launch is now targeted for May 30. "We've got enough work

to keep us busy until the 30th, but we think we can make it," said Kennedy

Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. A new valve has been

installed in Columbia and technidans today soldered lines connected to the

new valve. The next step, tomorrow, is to dry the system and to test the

cooling system for leaks. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, P. A-3,

May 18, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 18, 1990.]

SMITHSONIAN WON'T DISPLAY CAPSULE

"They're not asking to display it. They're interested in storing it," NASA

spokesman Bill Sheehan said of the Apollo 1 capsule which has been

offered to the National Air & Space Museum. Smithsonian officials have

expressed interest in obtaining some of the Apollo artifacts for historical

purposes. Last week a Kansas museum sent a letter also requesting to

store the capsule.

"NASA is still thinking over what it wants to do with it," said Martin

Harwit, Director of the Air & Space Museum. "We're not sure exactly

what is involved in taking it - how much material would have to come

along with it and what the costs to preserve it will be." Harwit also said

that it was not unusual for a museum to accept donations with the

precondition the material not be displayed for a period of time. "It was a

tragedy and there are family members who would be hurt by a public

display. That has to be handled with sensitivity." A decision on the

disposition of the Apollo capsule and other material is expected later this

month. The materials have been stored for 23 years at NASA's Langley

Research Center (Hampton, VA). ["Charred Apollo Capsule Offered to

Smithsonian," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, May 18, 1990, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 18, 1990.]

May 18: HOLIDAY BOOSTS COLUMBIA COSTS

The launch of Columbia, with its countdown coming over the Memorial

Day weekend, will cost up to $500,000 extra. "We're looking at a figure

between $250,000 and $500,000," said NASA spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. "It probably will be toward the lower end of that range, but

those are the rough figures." The repair to Columbia's cooling system will

cost about $50,000 in emergency landing site team expenses.

64
Today, technicians tested the cooling system and a replacement valve for

leaks. Over the next two days, gaseous nitrogen will be pumped through

the system to dry up residual moisture. Then the system will take on 29

gallons of freon.

Countdown for the launch begins May 26. "I'm sure most everybody on

the launch team would prefer to have the holiday free, but the job has to

be done and everybody is ready to support whatever the NASA

management wants," said Karl Kzistofferson, a NASA spokesman. Launch

is now set for between 12:38 and 3:17 a.m. on May 30. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p_ 4A, May 19, 1990.]

May 19: VAB CONTRACT AWARDED

Ivey's Construction Inc. (Merritt Island, FL) has been awarded a $171,347

contract by Kennedy Space Center to renovate the restrooms in the Vehicle

Assembly Building. The contract calls for the work to be completed in 220

days. ["KSC Awards $171,347 Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, May

20, 1990.]

fl CENTRAL INSTRUMENTATION FACILITY CONTRACT

Steith Construction Inc. (Lakeland, FL) has been awarded a Kennedy Space

Center contract worth $525,000 for roofing work at the center's Central

Instrumentation Facility. The fixed-price contract requires the work to be

completed within 210 days. The Facility, formerly a spacecraft

communications center, now houses administrative offices and computer

systems not related to Space Shuttle launch-processing activities.

["Lakeland Company Lands Project," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, May 20,

1990.]

May 21: FREON LOADED TODAY

Technicians at Kennedy Space Center today will finish refilling Columbia's

cooling system with freon. A test of the system, which the cools the

Shuttle and its crew quarters, will follow the refilling. "The feeling is

we've got a good shot at launching the 30th," remarked Lisa Malone,

NASA spokeswoman. NASA managers meet at the Space Center today to

determine whether May 30 will remain the launch day. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, May 22, 1990.]

65
May 22: KSC: NO MAGNET SCHOOL

Kennedy Space Center's Public Affairs Director Chuck HolIinshead told

Florida legislators today that security concerns and a lack of recreational

and other extracurricular activities for students worked against KSC as a

site for Florida's first residential math and science high school. An

alternative site for the magnet school is at Cocoa Beach High School.

State Representative Charlie Roberts (D-TitusviUe, FL) said he wanted a

site closer to KSC to take advantage of the opportunities there. As

reported in today's FLORIDA TODAY, one option is to build a dormitory

in Titusville and drive students to classrooms at an education center

planned by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation on space center property.

Local legislators want to involve Kennedy Space Center in the project

because it provides a justification for putting the magnet school in Brevard

County. Assistant Commissioner of Education Laurey Stryker said her

agency would be willing to bypass a selection process and put the school

in Brevard if KSC were involved. '_What kind of exemplary resource could

match the Kennedy Space Center?" she asked. "We're looking at a

partnership with business and NASA because otherwise we would never

be able to afford a math and science school. HoUinshead said NASA

would support the project regardless of where the school is located.

[Willmore, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 23, 1990.]

a ATLANTIS ACCIDENT REPORT

A NASA Accident Investigation Board determined that an April 1990

accident which damaged the three fuel ceils on Atlantis was caused by a

lack of training and failure to follow specific procedures. The cell was

damaged as technicians and inspectors prepared to remove the ceil for

shipment back to its manufacturer because of problems which emerged

during post-flight inspections. Karl Kristofferson, NASA spokesman, said,

"It had to be replaced anyway because it had a short-circuit in it." The

investigation board was headed by George Abbey, Deputy Associate

Administrator for Space Hight. The board recommended that: supervisors

monitoring fuel cell removal operations be on hand when such operations

are proceeding and that engineers walk through the procedures to be

followed by technicians and inspectors prior to removing the fuel cell.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, May 23, 1990.]

66
May 23: COLUMBIA'S TEST NEARLY COMPLETE

The final testing of Columbia's repaired cooling system will be completed

today. NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham said yesterday, '_We hope to

have everything finished up Wednesday afternoon. Launching on the 30th

still looks good. The schedules fit and we're marching on toward that

end." Meanwhile, NASA managers meet in a Flight Readiness Review at

Kennedy Space Center on May 24 and May 25. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9A, May 23, 1990, "Repair Work Completed On Shuttle

Columbia," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-10, May 24, 1990.]

LAUNCH: MAY 30

"At this point, it looks like we're going to be ready to launch on the 30th,"

NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham said today. That is the expected

result of today's Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center.

Technicians have successfully completed a final check of the repaired

cooling system on Columbia and final work in the Orbiter's cargo bay and

rear engine compartment will be completed May 24, Buckingham said.

Columbia and its crew of seven will deploy the Astro-1 observatory which

consists of four telescopes that will study dusters of stars, exploding

galaxies and other celestial subjects. The crew will operate the observatory

and bring it home to Earth at the conclusion of their nine-day mission.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, May 24, 1990.]

MAY 30: IT'S OFFICIAL

"We're not tracking any significant problems. We're going to press on for

a launch on the 30th," said NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone. NASA

officials made May 30th the official launch date for STS-35 which carries

the ASTRO-1 astronomical observatory payload. The ASTRO-1 consists of

four ultra-violet and X-Ray telescopes that will observe celestial objects

during _e nine days of the mission. The Delta I launch of a West German

scientific satellite has been pushed back now until June I between 5:35 and

6:34 p.m. Today, pad workers will install Columbia's explosive devices

which separate the Shuttle from its solid rocket boosters and external tank.

Countdown is scheduled to begin at 1 a.m. May 27. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 25, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, May 26, 1990.]

D 1991'S ASTRONAUTS ANNOUNCED

Seventeen NASA astronauts will participate in three Space Shuttle missions

in 1991, NASA announced today. The crew assignments bring the

67
number of Shuttle crews in training to 12, according to NASA spokesman

Jeff Cam Three of the nine flights scheduled for 1991 have not yet had

crew assignments completed.

In March 1991, Navy Captain David Walker, Commander, will make his

third trip into space aboard a Department of Defense mission. The

mission's Pilot will be Air Force Lt. Col. Terzance 'Tom" Henricks.

Mission Spedalists for the flight include Story Musgrave, Navy Lt.

Commander Mario Runco and Army Lt. Col. James Voss. Henricks,

Runco and Voss are space rookies.

An April 1991 mission for Columbia will be commanded by Charles

Bolden, piloted by first-timer Brian Duffy and will include Mission

Specialists rookie Michael Foale and Shuttle veterans KatKryn SuUivan

and David Leestma. Payload Specialists will be rookie Michael Lampton

and Byron Lichtenburg, who flew aboard Columbia in 1983.

John Blaha, who has twice served as Shuttle Pilot, will command a TDRS

mission in May 1991. The Pilot for the mission will be Michaei Baker,

who will make his first trip into space. Mission Specialists are veterans

Shannon Lucid, David Low and James Adamson. [halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, May 25, 1990.]

[1 CHLORINE LEAK NEAR KSC

A small chlorine leak discovered at a water pump station near Kennedy

Space Center caused disruption in traffic and the precautionary evacuation

of a family living nearby. The leak occurred about noon at a pump station

south of KSC Gate 2 on State Road 3. Dick Young, spokesman for NASA,

said, "It was a very minor leak. We sent the firefighters in and they

capped it within about 10 minutes. We wanted to make sure there was

nobody within a half-mile of the pump station while the firefighters were

doing the repair work." Traffic in the area was stopped for about 30

minutes and no injuriesresultedfrom theincident.[Halvorson,FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, May 25,1990.]

May 25: KSC SHUTTLE LANDINGS: 1991 MAYBE

"Everybody would like to start landing at Kennedy again, but some people

feel we need to proceed cautiously because there is inherently more risk,"

said Shuttle astronaut Brewster Shaw, who is also Deputy Director of

Shuttle Program Management at Kennedy Space Center. "We have to

convince ourselves that whatever additional risk we would be accepting

68
is worth the gain we would be getting," he said. Top program managers

will meet in June to consider the question of KSC landings.

The dry lake bed runways at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) have been

preferred because they offer 22 landing options on runways that range up

to 7 1/2 miles long and are twice as wide as KSC's concrete strip. "People

like the Edwards' lake-bed complex largely for that reason. Kennedy gives

us two ends of the same runway to work with and that's it," said Shaw.

Landings at KSC are being reconsidered in part because of the

improvements which have been made in the Orbiter's brakes and in its

nosewheel steering system. If improvements can be made in forecasting

fast-changing weather patterns in Florida, then Kennedy Space Center

landings could come as early as 1991. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-ZA, May 26, 1990.]

May 26: ASTRO-1 CREW CHANGES

Three astronauts once primed to participate in the Astro-1 flight are now

doing other things: one in private industry and two within NASA. All

mission assignments had been dissolved after the Challenger accident

which occurred just before Astro-1 was to have launched in March 1986.

When new assignments were made for the STS-35 mission, Astro-1

retained five of its original crew members and added two new members.

Jon McBride was to have commanded the mission but retired from NASA

to take a job in private industry. He was replaced by Vance Brand who

will be making his fourth, and perhaps last, Shuttle flight.

Pilot Guy Gardner and Mission Specialist John "Mike" Lounge replaced

original Pilot Richard Richards and Mission Specialist David Leestma,

both of whom received new assignments. Richards is training for the

Ulysses flight in October and Leestma is serving as acting deputy director

of flight crew operations at Johnson Space Center. The rest of the crew

includes Mission Specialists Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Parker and

Payload Specialists Samuel Durrance and Ronald Parise. [Higginbotham,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 7E and 8E, May 27, 1990.]

a ASTRO-I: FOUR TELESCOPES

Columbia's STS-35 Astro-1 payload comprises four complex telescopes

mounted and operated inside the Orbiter's Payload Bay. The telescopes

include: the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope; the Wisconsin Ultraviolet

Photo-Polarimeter Experiment; the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope and the

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope. All but one telescope - the Ultraviolet

Imaging Telescope - uses radio waves to send information to Earth. The

69
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope records images on film that will be

developed on Earth after Columbia lands. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9E, May 27, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, May 27, 1990.]

a RESURFACING CONTRACT LET

Mac.Asphalt, a division of APAC-Florida Inc. (Winter Haven, FL) has been

awarded a $280,234 contract to repave a section of Saturn Causeway which

runs along the south side of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pads

39A and 39B. The work is scheduled for completion by September 9, 1990.

["Company Lands KSC Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, May 27,

1990.1

May 27: STS-35 COUNTDOWN PROCEEDS

Countdown for the STS-35 liftoff began this morning at 12:30 a.m. headed

toward launch at 12:38 a.m. May 30. Air Force meteorologists predict an

80% chance that weather will be favorable for liftoff. A tropical depression

which had brought winds and rain to the area has lessened and will not

affect Columbia's opportunities for launch, according to the Air Force. The

crew of Commander Vance Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner, Mission Specialists

John "Mike" Lounge, Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Parker and Payload

Specialists Ronald Parise and Samuel Durrance arrived at the Shuttle

Landing Facility today at 11 a.m.

Wearing broad grins and personalized "Astro-l" caps - Houston Astro

baseball caps - the STS-35 crew touched down on the space center's SLF.

Commander Vance Brand, who will become the oldest (age 59) American

astronaut to fly in space - spoke for the crew, "We're really glad to be here.

We have a lot of good and important things to do. I just can't wait to get

up there again."

NASA Test Director Mike Leinbach sal'd, "This is the smoothest

countdown I've been involved with so far. It's not normal, but that's the

way we like it." Weather is expected to be good for launch, but KSC is

watching for possible early evening thunderstorms on May 29 which may

affect fueling operations. "rhe potential for an early evening storm is 30

percent," said KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, May 27, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 28,

1990.]

7O
May 29: WEATHER SHOULD HOLD FOR LAUNCH

Launch of STS-35 remains scheduled for 12:38 a.m. tomorrow morning; the

weather is expected to cooperate for the liftoff. "The payload is in great

shape. Everything is perfect. We're ready to fly," said Geoffrey Clayton,

Deputy Program Scientist. However, there is a possibility that

thunderstorms may delay fuel loading this afternoon. Columbia has until

3:17 a.m. tomorrow to launch. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 29,

1990, "NASA Confirms May 30 Launch for Columbia," THE MIAMI

HERALD, p. 2A, May 25, 1990, Hoversten, USA TODAY, p. 1A, May 29,

1990.]

[1 HYDROGEN LEAK SCRUBS COLUMBIA

A hydrogen leak was discovered today while fuel was being loaded into

Columbia; the launch was delayed at least until June 1. Managers worked

through the night discussing options while workers continued to pump

hydrogen in an effort to isolate the leak. Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "A new target launch date will be set as

soon as the problem has been identified and corrected." NASA

spokeswoman Patricia Phillips said, "They shut it down to be safe. You

simply cannot have excess hydrogen in what amounts to a controlled

explosion at liftoff." The crew had not boarded Columbia when the scrub

was announced.

Engineers think the problem is in the Orbiter's propulsion system. If the

problem is in the ground support equipment, workers would need about

two days to make repairs. If, however, workers must enter Columbia's aft

compartment to correct the problem, the delay could be four days. If the

problem cannot be fixed by June 4, the launch will be postponed another

seven days so workers can service the X-Ray telescope in the payload bay

of the Shuttle. The seven-member crew will remain at the Space Center to

continue practicing landings and'attend briefings. [Maugh and Dye, THE

LOS ANGELES TIMES, p 17, May 30, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A10, May 30, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, May

30, 1990, "Hydrogen Fuel Leak Scrubs Shuttle Launch," Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-l, May 30, 1990, USA TODAY, p. 3A, May

30, 1990, Merzer, THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 11A, May 30, 1990, "Shuttle

Fuel Leak Delays Launch For At Least A Week," THE MIAMI HERALD,

p. 4A, May 31, 1990, "Shuttle's On Hold for At Least A Week," USA

TODAY, p. 3A, May 31, 1990.]

71
May 30: SPACEPORT FLORIDA BILL PASSED

Spaceport Florida officials will have more money to spend because of a bill

just sent to Governor Bob Martinez for his expected signature. The

appropriation bill allows Spaceport officials to spend up to $500 million in

bonds for construction projects. Previously the organization had been

allowed to spend up to $210 million. Expenditures still must be approved

by both Governor Martinez and the Cabinet. ["Spaceport Florida Bill

Approved," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, May 31, 1990.]

n ROLLBACK: 50-50 ODDS

The possibility surfaced in a NASA press conference today that Columbia

will have to be rolled back to the VAB to repair a liquid hydrogen fuel

leak. The delay would be about a month. "We hope it doesn't come to

that," said Robert Sieck, Shuttle Launch Director at Kennedy Space Center.

In addition to the suspected fuel-line leak, technicians found a minor leak

in ground-support equipment that delivers propellants to the Shuttle. The

two leaks prohibited the launch.

Ba_com Murrah, Pre-Launch Operations Manager for Columbia, said,"It's

hard to believe, at the rate of leak we've seen, that we missed it.

Something gave. But it'sa guessing game untilwe in there." Sieck added,

"Ifwe can't duplicate the leak,then what we would want is a 100 percent

inspection."

A rollback will delay at least one of the next two scheduled Shuttle

missions: a Department of Defense mission aboard Atlantis set for July 9;

a life sciences mission aboard Columbia whose launch date has already

been moved from August 29 to mid-September.

Columbia's seven-member crew remained at Johnson Space Center to

continue training for-the mission. Playalinda Beach has been reopened.

The delay in Columbia's launch could give the waiting Delta 2 a chance to

proceed with its launch of a German scientific satellite (ROSAT). That

launch is set for June I between 5:35 and 6:35 p.m. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, May 31, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.

A12, May 31, 1990, Gllsch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-8, May 31,

1990.1

H MINOR DAMAGE TO ATLAS CENTAUR

General Dynamics' Atlas Centaur rocket was damaged during a routine

test at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 36B. The

72
rocket is scheduled for launch on June 23. Officials said a helium line

failed while it was being pressurized during a tanking test; the failure

caused two small holes to be bored into an adapter between the Atlas

rocket and its Centaur upper stage. General Dynamics Corp., which

manufactures the Atlas-Centaur, is conducting an investigation to assess

damage and determine whether the damage will delay the launch.

["Rocket Damage Could Delay Launch," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May

31, 1990.]

May 31: LEAK BAFFLES NASA

"I hope we don't have to roll back, but I can tell you that we will roll back

if we have to," said NASA Administrator Richard Truly about the leak

that has grounded Columbia's STS-35 mission. Inspections and tests today

in Columbia's engine compartments proved fruitless. Technicians did

discover a minor leak in a quarter-inch diameter line in the engine

compartment and a microscopic leak in ground-support equipment but

neither of those was responsible for the scrub, according to Karl

Kristoffemon.

On June 1, NASA plans to pump helium through the fuel lines to try to

pinpoint the leak which required the scrub. Technicians primarily suspect

a 17-inch diameter line that feeds propellants to Columbia's propulsion

system. Secondarily, NASA will consider running super-chilled liquid

hydrogen through the system to try and duplicate conditions leading to the

leak on May 29. The second test would not be conducted until next week

and that would delay a decision on rolling back Columbia. [Haivorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 1, 1990, "NASA Finds Tiny Leak in

Shuttle, Looks For More," THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 12A, June 1, 1990.]

0 APOLLO 1 DEBRIS WON'T MOVE

For the present, NASA has chosen not to move the Apollo 1 spacecraft to

Kennedy Space Center for storage and will not offer it to the National Air

& Space Museum. [See story for May 16.] William Sheehan, NASA's

Associate Administrator for Communications said, "Leaving everything as

it is will keep everyone happy. We thought it wise." Lin Ezell, Assistant

Director for Collections Management at the Smithsonian, said the museum

still wants it. "At the appropriate time the museum looks forward to

making a responsible decision about whether it wishes to assume the role

of caretaker of this historic artifact."

NASA spokesman Mark Hess said the decision to keep the capsule at

Langley indefinitely was made after conferring with relatives of the three

73
astronautswho died and former Apollo astronauts."theyjustasked us

to reconsiderand keep it,or storeitin another way." Displaying the

capsule at the Srnithsonian or anywhere else was never seriously

considered,Hess said. "I don't think you'd find a soul in NASA who

thought thatwas an appropriatealternative,"he said. Thirty-onecartons

of hardware and investigativematerialwere moved to Kennedy Space

Center in lateApril forburialwith the capsule. They willbe returned to

Langley. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, June I, 1990,"Plan to Bury

Apollo atCape Air Base CalledOff,"THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p.A-4,

June I,1990.]

74
JUNE

June 1: ROSAT SET FOR LAUNCH

"Please keep your f'mgers crossed that we will have good weather for

launch," said Joachim Truemper, ROSAT scientist about today's expected

launch of a Delta 2 between 5:35 and 6:35 p.m. Inside the Delta 2 is the

$273 million Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT), named after German scientist

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, who discovered X-Rays in 1895. ROSAT is a

joint venture of West Germany, Great Britain and the United States. "To

get the whole picture about what is happening in the universe, one has to

have all of these wavelengths from infrared to gamma rays. X-Ray

astronomy is sort of one-quarter of this major picture," said Alan Bunner,

ROSAT Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters.

ROSAT will survey the universe to identify as many sources of X-Ray

radiation as possible. "Today we know of about 1,000 X-Ray sources.

When ROSAT will perform its sky survey, we expect to identify another

100,000 X-Ray sources. It is the most ambitious project in the young

history of X-Ray astronomy," said Volker Kaltenbach, ROSAT Spacecraft

Manager for the German Aerospace Research Establishment of West

Germany. The satellite will also make detailed observations of specific XRay sources. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-ZA, June 1, 1990.]

D ROLLBACK CHANCES INCREASE

The possibilitythat Columbia will be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly

Building is increasing in likelihood. "Ifit was 50-50 the other day, it's

probably 60-40 now because we haven't had much luck finding the leak,"

said Deputy Director of Shuttle Operations Brewster Shaw. Testing

continues and engineers are fairlycertain that the Orbiter's leak is in or

near a 17-inch diameter line that feeds fuel to the main propulsion system.

"But I'llhave to admit," Shaw Continued, "we're not terribly optimistic

we'll find something with the testthat we can fixat the pad." [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 2, 1990.]

D GENERAL DYNAMICS LAUNCH DELAYED

The Atlas-Centaur which General Dynamics was to have been launched

June 23 has been delayed at least 16 days because of minor damage to the

rocket. General Dynamics spokesman Jack Isabel said a helium line failed

when it was being pressurized. The failure caused two small holes to form

in an adapter between the rocket and its Centaur upper stage, he said. The

adapter is to be repaired at its Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Complex

75
36B pad. ["General Dynamics Launch Delayed," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

5A, June 2, 1990.]

fl DELTA 2 ROCKET LAUNCHED

At 5:48 p.m. today, the Air Force launched a Delta 2 rocket which carries

a spacecraft that will picture for humans the usually invisible X-Ray and

extreme ultraviolet light. The Roentgen satellite (ROSAT) was a joint

venture of West Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

During its I 1/2-year mission the spacecraft will focus X-Ray and extreme

ultraviolet telescopes on outer space to search for clues about the origins

and evolution of the universe. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 2,

1990, "Rocket Lifts Off With Satellite Payload," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. ,4,-3, June 2, 1990.]

June 2: INTELSAT LAUNCH fiET

Martin Marietta plans to launch its second INTELSAT communications

satellite on June 21 - at 7:18 p.m. - from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The first INTELSAT launch on March 14 was an unsuccessful mission

when the spacecraft failed to separate from its upper-stage booster. The

same problem was discovered in the rocket being prepared for the

upcoming launch. ["INTELSAT Set For June 21 Launch," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8E, June 3, 1990.]

n MARTIN MANAGER OF YEAR: FIELDS

W. E. Fields, Director of Martin Marietta Canaveral Operations, has been

named Manager of the Year of the company's Astronautics Group. Fields

was honored for meeting program requirements for Titan launches at Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station, including launch complex construction and

maintenance; assembly and checkout of boosters and payloads; managing

customers and subcontractors; and launching the rockets. ["Fields Cited

for Titan Launch Work," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7E, June 3, 1990.]

D CHIEF SCIENTIST FOR SPACE STATION

The new Chief Scientist for the Space Station Freedom Program is William

W. L. Taylor, a space program veteran who has been employed by TRW

Inc. (Redondo Beach, CA). The announcement was made by Richard

Kohrs, Director of NASA's

Space Station Program. ["California Scientist To Head Space Station

Program," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7E, June 3, 1990.]

76
0 KSC SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTS

Genesis VII Inc. (Titusville, FL) has won a $49,636 contract to provide

electronic equipment for Kennedy Space Center's Operations Support

Building's Broadband Communications Distribution System. MicroAge

Computer Store (Melbourne, FL) was awarded a $32,081 contract to supply

high-resolution color monitors, video cards and cables to the space center.

["Local Firms With KSC Business," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, June 3,1990.]

D ASTRO-1 LAUNCH: 1991 POSSIBLE

Columbia's STS-35 mission (Astro-1) may be delayed until late this year or

early 1991 in order to clear the launch schedule for a Pentagon mission and

a Spacelab flight. Columbia's launch has been delayed indefinitely due to

a leak, the source for which has not yet been discovered. Because of the

delay, NASA officials think that only two Shuttle flights will be able to get

off the ground before the planned launch of the Ulysses planetary probe

aboard Discovery (October 5). If the Ulysses mission is not launched

between October 5 and 23, the mission will be delayed for a year.

NASA is now considering two plans: Launch the Defense Department

mission on July 9 and attempt to launch Astro-1 before October; Postpone

the Astro-1 mission in order to launch both the Pentagon flight and a 10-

day Spacelab Life Sciences Laboratory mission before Ulysses. "A final

decision has not been made, but both options are being looked at," said

Jeff Vincent, space agency spokesman. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, June 3, 1990, "Workers Fail to Spot Columbia Leak," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-17, June 3, 1990.]

June 3: LEAK SEARCH CONTINUES

Workers continued through the week-end for the hydrogen leak which

grounded the STS-35 mission. Today workers completed a check which

involved pumping helium through Columbia's propulsion system but the

results did little to identify the source of the leak. "It checked out like it

did prior to launch - there were no leaks," said Lisa Malone, Kennedy

Space Center spokeswoman. '_We're hoping the leak will reproduce itself."

If the leak cannot be pinpointed on the pad, the Orbiter will be rolled back

from Launch Pad 39A. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 4, 1990,

"STS-35 Launch On Hold While Technicians Look for Hydrogen Leak,"

MARSHALL STAR, pp. 1-2, June 6, 1990.]

77
June 4: EG&G CONTRACT TALKS

Contract talks between Base Operations Contractor EG&G Florida Inc. and

the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers are

expected to resume June 6. The union, which represents about 700

workers, has been without a contract since June 2, when their previous

three-year agreement expired. ["EG&G Employees Might Strike,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, June 3, 1990, "EG&G Contract Talks To

Resume," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, June 5, 1990.]

U DISCOVERY BAY DOOR ACCIDENT

One of Discovery's payload bay doors may have been damaged today in

an accident in the Orbiter Processing Facility.Part of Discovery's right bay

door bent upward when support equipment was attached to move the

door at 8".30a.m. A technician noticed the door bowing 10 to 12 inches,

which was contrary to itsdesign.

Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman said, "rhey moved the

bucket and bridge back to the original position and the door returned to

its original shape. We don't know if there is any damage to the flight

hardware, but there is probably some damage to the ground support

equipment. Bruce Buckingham, another KSC spokesman said, 'q'here is

no visual damage. However, the Orbiter has some very critical

components that aren't meant to be bent."

Randy Segert, Vehicle Systems Manager at NASA Headquarters, said that

inspectors will focus on the 16 hinges that connect the door to Discovery.

The hinges are more fragile than the door, which appears undamaged,

NASA said. Lockheed Space Operations Co., Shuttle Processing Contractor,

said through its spokesman J. B. Klump, that the technician working on

the cargo bay liner was experienced and certified for the work and that no

action was taken against the employee. ["Another Shuttle Suffers

Problems," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.B6, June 5,1990, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 5, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

June 5, 1990, Harrington, DISCOVERY PAYLOAD BAY DOOR

INCIDENT, KSC DOME, June 4, 1990.]

U COLUMBIA'S LAUNCH PROSPECTS

Technicians at Launch Complex 39 are preparing Columbia for another

leak check tomorrow. This check will determine whether the Shuttle will

have to be moved off the launch pad for repairs. Columbia's external tank

will be filled with liquid hydrogen as part of the test. "We've pretty well

78
assuredourselves that it's not going to show itself [the leak's source] until

it's subjected to the super-cold temperature of the hydrogen," said

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. 'The longer we

can't find it, the better the chances of moving back," to the Vehicle

Assembly Building, he said. "Right now, the chances of not moving back

are getting slimmer and slimmer." A rollback would mean a delay of up

to one month. Rollbacks have occurred twice before, in 1983 and 1984.

Columbia Processing Manager Bascom Murrah III said, "Let's hope we get

lucky and get this bird up where she belongs." NASA Managers were

looking at two post-rollback options: If Columbia can be repaired within

two days in the VAB, the Shuttle will be roiled back out to the pad and

launched, according to Murrah. If repairs take longer than two days,

Atlantis will be moved to the pad for launch of a Department of Defense

mission which had been scheduled for July 9.

The mission might also be delayed until after Discovery's Ulysses mission,

but NASA Managers have ruled out bumping Columbia's Astro-1 flight

into 1991. However, one of Columbia's two other flights scheduled for this

year, would be delayed into 1991, said Murrah. ["Another Shuttle Suffers

Problems," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. B6, June 5, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, June 5,1990, '_NASA Plans Another Try to

Find Columbia's Leak," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 5, 1990, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS, STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV-102) - PAD 39-A, June 4,

1990.]

fl STS-35 PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT

The payload team continued to monitor the ASTRO-1 payload as the

launch team investigated the source of the hydrogen leak which scrubbed

the STS-35 launch attempt on May 30. Since the Broad Band X-Ray

Telescope was serviced with solidified argon gas on May 27 in preparation

for launch, the telescope is still protected by the cooling _rovided by two

dewars of argon. Launch managers have decided for the time being not

to reservice BBXRT until further tests are performed on the

orbiter/external tank this week. Since the May 27 servicing prepared the

telescope for a 10-day mission, the instrument's health will not be affected.

BBXRT does not require servicing with argon coolant until June 11. The

BBXRT has been serviced over two dozen times since its arrival at

Kennedy Space Center in October, 1989. [Phillips, STS-35, 40 AND 42

PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT, June 4, 1990.]

79
June 5: COLUMBIA'S LEAK TESTS CONTINUE

A last-ditcheffort will be made today to detect the source of a leak that

has grounded Columbia's STS-35 mission indefinitely. Technicians will

pump superchiUed liquid hydrogen into the Orbiter's external tank. 'q'hat

looks like the only way we're going to find it [the source of the leak]," said

Brewster Shaw, Deputy Director of Shuttle Program Operations. "By

getting the system down to (superchiUed) temperatures, that should open

up the leak again," he said. If the leak source cannot be located and

repaired at Launch Pad 39A, Columbia will be rolled back to the Vehicle

Assembly Building. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 6, 1990,

KSC SHU'I'FLE STATUS, STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) KSC Dome,

June 5, 1990.)

fl ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM

NASA today will name an investigation team to study an accident that

may have damaged one of Discovery's payload bay doors. The possible

damage occurred when a comer of the payload bay door was snagged by

an overhead bridge, which acts as a crane. The open right door bent ten

to twelve inches upward, then snapped back into position. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 6, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS,

Tuesday June 5, 1990:STS-41 - Discovery (OV-103) - OPF Bay 1.]

June 6: ORLANDO SPACE CONFERENCE

A three-day conference focusing on space technology and

commercialization opens today in Orlando, FL. Among the topics to be

discussed are: future U. S. missions, Spaceport Florida, space-based

environmental monitoring programs and space communications. The

conference begins at 1 p.m. at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel with

sessions to continue on June 7 and 8. ["Space Conference Opens in

Orlando," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8E, June 3,-1990.]

fl COLUMBIA TO ROLL BACK

"We don't see anything that is going to keep us from having to travel back

to the VAB [Vehicle Assembly Building]," NASA Shuttle Launch Director

Robert Sieck said. Today NASA technicians found the source of the leak

which scrubbed Columbia's STS-35 mission and determined that repairs

could not be done on the pad. NASA engineers continue to study the

cause of the leak. Sieck says the leak appears to be in or near a tight

cavity between two metal plates that connect the Orbiter and its external

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tank. He said that additional tests to the fuel line area are planned for the

rest of the week to prepare for repairs.

NASA's Shuttle Program Director Robert C,.rippen will hold a news

conference today to discuss upcoming Shuttle launch schedule changes.

A Spacelab Life Sciences Laboratory mission scheduled for Columbia in

mid-September will likely be delayed until late this year or early 1991.

Two other Columbia flights - the International Microgravity Laboratory

scheduled for December and the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications

and Science, April 1991 - may be delayed as much as four months. On

June 8, Atlantis wiU be towed from the OPF [Orbiter Processing Facility]

to the VAB and a mobile platform will be moved out to accommodate the

returning Columbia, Sieck said. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IA2A, June 7, 1990, "Nationline: Shuttle Setback," USA TODAY, p. 3A, June

7,1990, "Shuttle Leak Delays Launch Indefinitely," THE MIAMI HERALD,

p. 17A, June 7, 1990, "Shuttle Must Go to Repair Hangar," THE NEW

YORK TIMES, P. A12, June 7, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS, STS-35 -

COLUMBIA (OV 102), June 7, 1990.]

PAYLOAD BAY DOOR INVESTIGATION

An investigation board has been named by Center Director Forrest

McCartney to examine the circumstances surrounding the June 4, 1990,

mishap which involved improper raising of the Orbiter Discovery's right

hand payload bay door in the Orbiter Processing Facility's High Bay 1.

Discovery is currently being processed for the STS-41 Ulysses mission,

scheduled for launch October 1, 1990.

Chairman of the board is Paul Myers, Technical Assistant to KSC's

Director of Engineering Development. Hector Delgado, of the Systems

Assurance Office, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorate is the

Deputy Chairman. Other members of the board are: Charles Stevenson,

Chief, External Tank Section, Vehicle Engineering; and Tim Yang, Facilities

Systems Engineer, Mechanical and Electrical Systems Branch, Facilities and

Systems Operations Division, Center Support Operations Directorate. Two

additional board advisors are: Laurie Walls, Engineer, Structures,

Handling and Access Systems Section, Vehicle Engineering, and Larry

Irminger, Lockheed Space Operations Company.

Ex-Officio board members are Elizabeth Gruhler, Safety Advisor, Douglas

Hendricksen, Legal Advisor and Lisa Malone, Public Affairs Advisor.

Elliot Kicklighter, Primary Assistant to the Deputy Director, National

Space Shuttle Operations, has been appointed as a Level II observer.

81
On June 4, at about 8:30 a.m., Discovery's right hand payload bay door

was configured for dosing. Special fixtures used to handle Orbiter doors

in the earth's gravity were in place for the operation. The fixtures are

attached to and controlled by the overhead bridge. An accidental

movement of the overhead bridge caused the payload bay door to flex for

a short period of time. Board functions include investigating the facts

surrounding the mishap, determination of its probable cause, assessments

of the possibility of a recurrence, and recommendations on corrective

actions. A final report is due by mid-July. [Malone. "Board Appointed to

Investigate Improper Raising of Payload Bay Door," KSC RELEASE No.

99-90, June 6, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 7,

1990, "NASA Looks for Damage on Discovery's Door," THE MIAMI

HERALD, p. 5A, June 5, 1990.]

June 7: NASA'S REVISED LAUNCH SCHEDULE

Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen today outlined NASA's revised

launch schedule which will include only 8 of the originally planned 9

flights. In mid-July, Atlantis will carry a secret Department of Defense

payload. In mid-August, Columbia will fly the problem-plagued Astro-1

mission. The Ulysses planetary probe mission should launch aboard

Discovery in early October. The Gamma Ray Observatory mission is

scheduled for early November aboard Atlantis and a Spacelab Life Sciences

Laboratory mission, originally scheduled for August 29, will occur aboard

Columbia in early December. Rollback for Columbia to the Vehicle

Assembly Building will begin at 4:00 a.m. June 12. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, June 8,1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-l,

June 8, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, June 8, 1990.]

June8: AIR FORCE LAUNCHES TITAN 4

The Air Force launched an 18-story Titan 4 rocket with a top-secret

payload this morning at 1:22 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station. Martin C. Faga, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for

Space, said, "this was an important launch for America's space program.

The Titan 4 is the largest booster ever launched by the Air Force and is the

backbone of our space booster family. "Since the Challenger accident

January 28, 1986, Martin Marietta's Air Force contract has grown from $2

billion for 10 Titan 4's to $7.4 billion for 41 rockets. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, June 8, 1990, Halvorson, p. 1A, June 9, 1990, "titan 4

Rocket Blasts Into Space," THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 11A, June 9, 1990,

Sawyer, THE WASHINGTON POST, p. A4, June 9, 1990.]

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[] ATLANTIS ROLLS TO VAB

Atlantis moved a necessary 1/4 mile closer to launch today when it was

rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building from the Orbiter Processing

Facility. "She looks great. We're ready to go fly," said Atlantis' Ground

Operations Manager Conrad Nagel. He said that Atlantis should be ready

to roll out to Launch Pad 39B - replacing Columbia - on June 15.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 9, 1990.]

June 9: ATLANTIS TAKES COLUMBIA'S PERCH

Atlantis will replace Columbia on Launch Pad 39B this week in

preparation for its July Department of Defense mission. Ground

Operations Manager Conrad Nagel said testing so far shows that Atlantis

will not be grounded by the same type of hydrogen leak that scrubbed

Columbia's mission. "We've been back through all the testing we've been

asked to do and we're clean," Nagel said. "There's no reason to believe we

have a generic problem. I think everybody feels like what we have out

there with Columbia is unique to that tank and Orbiter."

Nage! went on to say that offidals believe the leak is in or near a line that

feeds fuel to Columbia's main engines from its external tank. Nagel said

a bad seal is probably to blame. Atlantis has been mated with its external

tank and solid rocket boosters. A three-day test to verify mechanical and

electrical connections between Shuttle elements and the launch platform

begin June 12 and roUout will occur June 15, starting at 12:01 a.m. A twoday practice countdown will begin June 19. Launch is set for July 10 or 11,

Nagel said. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 12, 1990, "Shuttle

Fuel Leak Raises Questions About Pipelines," THE MIAMI HERALD, p.

19A, June 13, 1990.]

[1 EG&G CONTRACT OK'D

About 700 EG&G Florida Inc. employees ratified a new three-year contract

and averted a walkout. The International Association of Machinists and

Aerospace Workers District 166 had been unable for more than a week to

conclude an agreement with the Base Operations Contractor. Gil Patton,

Director of Industrial Relations for EG&G, described the vote "as a

satisfactory ratification with the majority of members voting." [Haivorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, June 10, 1990.]

83
['] COMMERCIAL LAUNCHES OCCUPY CAPE

In the next five weeks, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's launch

schedule features three commercial-space rocket launchings. On June 12,

McDonnell Douglas will launch a Delta rocket carrying an Indian

communications satellite. Martin Marietta will launch a Titan 3 on June 21;

its payload is an INTELSAT satellite. On July 11, General Dynamics is

scheduled to enter the commercial-space launch business when it launches

an Arias 2 rocket carrying a NASA satellite designed to study the Earth's

radiation belts and its magnetic and electric fields. [Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-23, June 10, 1990.]

June 11: FATAL CAR ACCIDENT

The victim of a fatal automobile accident on Kennedy Space Center

property has been identified as Donald A. Simon (Titusville, FL). Space

Center spokesman Dick Young said Simon was traveling west when the

car he was driving hit a utility pole near the intersection of SR 402 and SR

406. The ambulance that responded to Simon's accident was hit by a car

which departed the scene without stopping. The driver was later detained

and questioned, pending the filing of charges. ["Man Identified in KSC

Accident," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, June 12,1990, "Driver Dies When Car

Hits Pole," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. B-3, June 11, 1990.]

fl COLUMBIA'S ROLLBACK TO PROCEED

"We're still on for a rollback as planned," said Lisa Malone, NASA

spokeswoman today concerning the return of Columbia to the Vehicle

Assembly Building for repairs. Since Atlantis is already in the VAB,

technicians made room by using a launch platform and crawler to move

Shuttle booster segments out to Launch Pad 39B. Columbia's rollback is

scheduled to begin at 4:00 a.m. June 12 and will mark the fourth such

rollback of the Shuttle Era. Columbia will be demated after its arrival so

technicians can repair the hydrogen leak which has grounded the Orbiter

at least until mid-August. [Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June

11, 1990, Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 12, 1990, Sawyer,

THE WASHINGTON POST, p. A3, June 13, 1990.]

June 12: DROWNING AT KARS PARK

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCartney has appointed a

mishap investigation board to look into the cause of an accident that

resulted in the drowning death of a 7-year-old girl at KARS Park I on June

9, 1990. The investigation board is required because the accident occurred

84
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on KSC property. The girl - Charlene I. Robinson (Cocoa, FL) - was

visiting KARS as part of an organized group using the park facilities.

The Board will begin meeting June 13, with a final report due by July 25,

1990. Members of the Board include: Chairman: Edward H. Weber,

Associate Director of Shuttle Management and Operations; Members: Cal

Butch, Security Operations Office; Dennis Chamberlain, Biomedical

Operations and Research Office; Observers: Lonnie Owen, Safety Division

(NASA), Robert Stephens, Office of the General Counsel (NASA);

Advisors: Alan Guerra, Industrial Safety Branch, Dudley Cannon, Office

of the Chief Counsel, Patricia Phillips, Public Affairs. ["McCartney

Appoints Board to Investigate KARS Park Mishap," KSC RELEASE NO.

102-90, June 12, 1990, "NASA Investigates Girl's Drowning," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, June 13, 1990.]

COLUMBIA BACK IN VAB

"It's a disappointment to everybody to see anything roll back. But it's

much better to see one coming back toward the VAB with a hydrogen leak

than one going upstairs with a hydrogen leak," said Gene Thomas, Deputy

Director of Kennedy Space Center. "Hydrogen is highly volatile. The

slightest spark can start a hydrogen explosion that's unbelievable. You just

don't take chances with hydrogen leaks," he said. Columbia made the 3.5

mile journey from Launch Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building in

six hours. The roll back from the pad began at 4:25 a.m. and ended with

its arrival at the VAB at about 10:30 a.m.

Technicians disconnected lines between the Orbiter, its external tank and

its mobile launch platform. On June 15, Columbia will be towed to the

Orbiter Processing Facility and the suspect valve will be shipped off to its

manufacturer and a new one will be installed. "We know the leak is

coming from the area around the valve and the valve is easier to replace

than the tank," according to Lisa Malone, KSC spokeswoman. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 13, 1990, "Space Shuttle Columbia Moves

Back to the Vehicle Assembly Building...," cutline, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1B, June 13, 1990.]

INDIAN SATELLITE LAUNCHED

At 1:52 this morning a McDonnell Douglas Delta 2 was launched from

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; an hour later its Indian payload, INSAT1D, separated from the booster and deployed its solar arrays and

communications antenna. India's Ambassador to the United States, Abid

Hussain, said, '"Through this particular satellite, we would like to spread

85
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education and knowledge, science and new culture to hundreds and

thousands who have been out of the mainstream of life." Over the next

eight days, spacecraft controllers in India will boost the satellite to its

22,300 mile orbit above Earth. The updated series of INSAT-2 satellites is

due to begin service late next year, with the first two to be launched by the

European Space Agency's Ariane rocket. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, June 11, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 13, 1990,

Burnett, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, June 13, 1990.]

TITAN LAUNCH DELAYED

A faulty destruction mechanism has delayed the launch of a Martin

Marietta Titan rocket for at least two days. The destruction mechanism is

necessary to demolish the launch vehicle if there were a critical failure

during flight. The payload for the Titan is an INTELSAT VI

communications satellite. Launch is now scheduled for between 7:19 a.m.

and 7:51 a.m. or 8:24 and 8:43 a.m. June 23. The time needed to replace

the faulty receivers, test the new units and conduct a combined all-systems

test of the Titan and its payload led to the delay in Martin Marietta's third

commercial launch and second this year, according to company

spokeswoman Judith StoweU. The launch March 14 of another INTELSAT

VI was marred when the spacecraft was stranded in a useless orbit 345

miles above Earth. The failure was attributed to an engineering design

failure. The INTELSAT company recently agreed to pay NASA $90 million

for a rescue effort of the stranded craft in February 1992. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 13, 1990.]

PATTERSON REPLACES THOMAS AT LOCKHEED

"It is with a mixture of both pleasure and regret that I announce the

promotion and transfer of John Thomas," said Lockheed President Doug

Sargent today. Thomas has been chosen to be Program Manager for the

Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Contract that NASA recently awarded to

Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Thomas will be replaced by Dan

Patterson, Lockheed's Director of Orbiter Processing and Shops. Gene

Meyer, who directs Lockheed's Orbiter Processing Facility projects, will

replace Patterson. Horace Lamberth, it was also announced, will become

Vice President and Chief Engineer. Charlie Floyd, now Lamberth's

deputy, will become Vice President of Shuttle Ground Support

Engineering. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 13, 1990.]

86
June 13: KSC ROAD-WIDENING

Congressman BiU Nelson (D-Melbourne, FL) announced today that

Congress has approved $3.2 million to widen Kennedy Parkway to four

lanes from the southern entrance to the space center to SR 402. Presently,

the Parkway narrows from four lanes to two in the area between Fifth

Street and KSC Gate 2, causing traffic bottlenecks for the three to four

thousand drivers who use the southern entrance each day. The 2.5 mile

project on KSC property will begin in January and be completed next

summer. The Brevard County portion of SR 3 has already been started

and is expected to be completed in July 1991. "['he completion of these

two projects next summer will erase one of the most frustrating bottlenecks

in the county," said Nelson, who is also a candidate for the Democrat

nomination for governor of Florida. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

2B, June 14, 1990, "Funding Approved to Widen Kennedy Parkway," KSC

RELEASE NO. 106-90, June 14, 1990.]

D ENDEAVOUR'S FIRST MISSION: INTELSAT

When the newest Space Shuttle joins the fleet at Kennedy Space Center its

first mission will include the rescue of the INTELSAT satellite stranded in

low orbit since March. The satellite's owners will pay NASA $90 million

for the rescue attempt in February 1992. "It's an exciting mission for

NASA because it gives us a chance to exercise space-walking capabilities

that will be needed for the Space Station Freedom Program," said William

Green, a Payload Manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D. C.

NASA spokesman Jeff Carr said, "To have the first flight of a new Orbiter

is a plum, but to have that and a sexy flight like going up to pick up the

INTELSAT, fix it and reboost it will just make any experienced crew

commander's mouth water." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June

14, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-10 & A-10, June 14,

1990.]

U NASA STATEMENT: INTELSAT

"All of us at NASA are pleased with today's announcement from the board

of governors at Intelsat. The rescue offers us the opportunity for

expanding our experience base in the planning, training and performance

of extravehicular activity. Knowledge gained in this effort will help with

the preparations for Space Station Freedom. The quickness with which a

rescue plan was proposed and accepted is a reflection of the excellent

working relationship developed in the past between the Space Shuttle

Program and the commercial satellite industry. We are very pleased to be

able to assist Intelsat and to have an opportunity to once again

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demonstrate the versatility of the Space Shuttle." [Campion, NASA

STATEMENT REGARDING INTBLSAT DECISION, June 13, 1990.]

SEPARATE NASA BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

The Bush Administration wants Congress to consider his budget proposal

for NASA separately from the remainder of his budget. President George

Bush has requested $15.2 billion for NASA, an increase of 24 percent over

this year's $12.3 billion budget. Budget summit talks resumed today for

the seventh meeting since they were proposed by President Bush.

["President Bush Puts A Premium On Separate Space Agency Budget,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 14, 1990.]

1,000 NEW KS(: |OBS

Kennedy Space Center Forrest S. McCartney told a TitusviUe Area

Chamber of Commerce meeting that the Space Center is expected to add

1,000 jobs next year to meet the increased Space Shuttle schedule. "1 think

we'll max out at 12 flights a year," McCartney said. Currently 20,300

NASA and contractor employees work at the center. Speaking of future

KSC plans, McCartney said that in 1991 construction will begin on a $90

million complex for processing Space Station components and equipment.

The first Shuttle launch of Space Station hardware will come in 1995. State

Road 3 on NASA property will be widened [see above story] and a third

Shuttle Processing Facility will be completed. Scaffolding and test

equipment for the hangar are being transferred to KSC from a planned, but

never-used Shuttle launch facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. Next

year the fourth Shuttle - Endeavour - will arrive at Kennedy Space Center.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, ]'une 14, 1990.]

DELTA DEBRIS TO BE DESTROYED

Part of a Delta rocket motor casing, retrieved from Cocoa Beach on June

12, has been delivered to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for disposal.

Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Eberle said an explosive ordnance team from Patrick

Air Force Base had pulled the debris ashore. The wreckage was

subsequently transported to the Explosive Ordnance Division Range at

CCAFS, where residual propellant, if any, will be destroyed. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 14, 1990.]

ATLANTIS ROLLOUT DELAYED

Roll out of Atlantis to Launch Pad 39B will be delayed until next week to

cut overtime costs for Shuttle technicians, NASA said today. "It will be a

88
substantial savings of several thousand man-hours," said NASA spokesman

Bruce Buckingham. He said that the delay would give workers in the

Vehicle Assembly Building more time to complete final preparations for

roll out. Meanwhile, demating for Columbia was begun and preparations

were made to move Columbia to the Orbiter Processing Facility for

inspections June 15. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 14, 1990,

Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, June 16, 1990, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS, STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV-104), June 14, 1990.]

June 14: LEAK LINKED TO TEST CHANGE

NASA may have missed the leak which is delaying Columbia's launch by

two months because it changed test procedures, according to Jack Boykin,

Manager of the Orbiter Projects Office at Johnson Space Center (Houston,

TX). The Space Shuttle Atlantis may also have the same leak problem, but

that won't be known until super-chilled liquid hydrogen is pumped

through the Orbiter's main propulsion system during the countdown for

its launch in mid-Juiy.

The fuel-line system, said Boykin, consists of two halves: a pipe and a

valve connected to the Orbiter and a similar pipe and valve connected to

the external tank. During testing, the pair connected to the tank normally

is hooked up with a unit that mimics the Orbiter side of the fuel line. The

tank lines for Columbia and Atlantis, however, were tested using a

procedure that replaced the unit with a fiat plate that might not be as

effective in identifying leaks, he said.

Seven other Shuttle fuel lines were tested in 1984 under the same

conditions as Columbia's, including the one on Atlantis. Two of the fuel

lines were used during successful launches in March and November 1989;

the four others are being prepared for missions later this year or in 1991.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 15, 1990.]

June 15: LEAK TEST FOR ATLANTIS

NASA said today that Atlantis might undergo a special test at the launch

pad to determine whether it has a leak similar to one that grounded

Columbia. NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone, said, "We wouldn't want

to get out to the pad and get into a launch countdown and find out we

have a leak. We don't really have any evidence that there's a generic

problem, but if we did have one the test would give us some early

detection of it."

89
A similar leak aboard Atlantis would likely result in a one- to two-month

delay in its Department of Defense mission which is scheduled for a midJuly launch. "If we find a leak condition out on the pad with Atlantis that

is similar to the problem we have with Columbia, then we'll end up

having to roll back and recover from that," said Jack Boykin, Deputy

Director of the Orbiter Project Office. That would raise the possibility of

repeated schedule disruptions for the remainder of 1990 and perhaps 1991.

Bob Wilders, a Senior Project Engineer with Parker Hannifin - the fuel line

manufacturer - said, "If there is indeed a leak in the external tank line, we

will be able to identify it." Boykin said that if a problem in Atlantis' line

develops, then the line being built into Endeavour would be removed and

sent to Florida. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 16,1990.]

June 16: BLAHA PRAISES KSC WORKERS

Astronaut John Blaha, speaking from the Astronaut Office at Johnson

Space Center (Houston, TX), gave high praise to the workers at Kennedy

Space Center today: '_Without a doubt, I am confident in them. I think

they are the finest group of people in the world. They work very hard and

run into problems daily, even hourly, trying to support the flow of three

spaceships. Whenever they see something they are not comfortable with,

they tell people, and we rely on them for that."

"I honestly think every time a Shuttle lifts off Fm amazed when it goes,"

said Blaha. "That a Shuttle doesn't launch on day 'X,' to me, is business

as usual, and I really admire those people at the Cape for being able to

handle it. I wish there was a way we could pay them more money."

Workers are preparing Atlantis for a June 18 rollout. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, June 17, 1990.]

D BECHTEL WINS MOD CONTRACT

Martin Marietta Corp. has awarded a $100 million contract to Bechtel

National Inc. to modify Launch Complex 40 for Titan 4 rockets. Under the

two-year contract, Bechtel will provide engineering, construction and

procurement services to Martin Marietta, which is the Air Force's prime

contractor for the work. When completed in July 1992, the pad will be

used for Titan 4, Commercial Titan and Titan 3 boosters. The Air Force

currently has just one launch pad at Cape Canaveral that can be used for

the new Titan 4 rockets. ["Bechtel WiU Redo Launch Complex 40,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, June 17, 1990.]

9O
[] TRAK WINS KSC CONTRACT

Kennedy Space Center has awarded a $159,000 contract to Trak Microwave

Corp. (Tampa, FL) for electronics equipment. Under the contract, the firm

will supply display units to KSC over a 23-month period. The devices will

be used in electrical ground-support equipment that controls and monitors

Space Shuttle launch countdown operations. ["Trak Wins KSC Contract,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p.10E, June 17, 1990, Kristofferson, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 90-97, June 11, 1990.]

June 17: MALONE WINS SILVER SNOOPY

Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman and launch

commentator, was presented a Silver Snoopy Award by NASA astronaut

Curt Brown. The award is given annually by the NASA Astronaut Corps

to about 1 percent of space program workers nation-wide who have

performed an outstanding effort contributing to the success of manned

space flight missions. Brown wrote in a letter to Malone, "You brought

great credit to the agency and to yourself for the crisp, calm, accurate and

concise commentary describing launch preparations and liftoff to countless

millions of listeners around the world." Malone, 28, is a Kennedy Space

Center public affairs specialist who provided countdown commentary for

the March 1989 Shuttle Discovery launch of STS-29. ["KSC Commentator

Wins Silver Snoopy Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, June 17, 1990.]

June 18: ATLANTIS REACHES 39B

Atlantis crawled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at 11:16 p.m. last

night and arrived at Launch Complex 39B at 5:23 this morning. The STS38 crew arrived some 15 hours later. The all-military crew includes

Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Frank Culbertson and Mission

Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar, Carl Meade and Robert Springer.

Today and tomorrow the crew will practice landings and emergency

escape procedures. The practice countdown begins June 20 at 8 a.m. and

concludes June 21 at 11 a.m. On June 27, NASA will conduct a fueling test

to determine if Atlantis will evidence a leak like the one which scrubbed

Columbia. The test was ordered by Shuttle Program Director Robert

Crippen and involves pumping liquid hydrogen into the external tank and

the propulsion system. "It will tell us early in the flow at the pad whether

there's a leak in the Atlantis vehicle. If there is, we'd like to know about

it as soon as possible," said Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 19, 1990.]

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U ASTRONAUT SALLY'S RIDE

On this date in 1983, astronaut Sally K. Ride became America's first

woman in space as she and four colleagues rode into space aboard the

Space Shuttle Challenger for the STS-7 mission. On that flight, the Anik

C-2 and Palapa 13-1 satellites were deployed and the Shuttle Pallet Satellite

(SPAS-01) was deployed and retrieved with the RMS. [Lockheed Space

Operations Company, America In Space: A History of Accomplishment,

p. 24, "Breakfast Briefing," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, June 18,

1990.1

June 19: CREW ESCAPE PRACTICED

The five-man crew of STS-35 practiced emergency launch pad escape

maneuvers in an armored tank today. 'They did an excellent job, as

always," said Rick Talbert, Launch Pad Rescue Team Leader for EG&G

Florida Inc., Base Operations Contractor at Kennedy Space Center. "They

are quick to learn. For most of them, it's like riding a bike. Their previous

training comes back to them and they perform real well."

Crew members include Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Frank

Culbertaon, and Mission Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar, Carl Meade

and Robert Springer. The 25,000-pound refurbished tanks - also known

as M113s - travel at a top speed of 45 miles per hour. Driving lessons in

the armored vehicles are part of the normal training astronauts participate

in when they come to KSC for countdown rehearsals.

Commander Covey and Pilot Culbertson spent part of today practicing

landing a Gulfstream II jet at the Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.

The Gulfstream simulates an Orbiter's powerless descent down to the

Landing Facility. Also today, technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building

finished removing part of the fuel line from Columbia which is suspected

of leaking. The part was shipped to its California manufacturer for testing

and a replacement is being installed on Columbia's external tank, a task

which should take approximately a week. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 6A, June 20, 1990.]

fl CHEMKO CLEANING, INC. CONTRACT

Chemko Cleaning, Inc. (Mims, FL) has been awarded a $54,891 contract to

fabricate breathing air and gaseous nitrogen handling and control

equipment for use at Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Air Force

Base, CA. Chemko will have eight months to complete the work on four

pneumatic panels. Three of the panels will be used primarily to provide

92
and regulate the breathing air supplied in Self-Contained Atmospheric

Protective Ensemble (SCAPE) equipment at the Orbiter Processing Facility

(OP1D High Bay 3 now under construction, the Payload Hazardous

Servicing Facility, and at Vandenberg. SCAPE suits are used for protection

in hazardous atmospheric conditions. The fourth panel will regulate all

supplies of gaseous nitrogen used in High Bay 3 of the OPF. KSC operates

a launch site resident office at Vandenberg that serves to coordinate

spacecraft requirements of other NASA centers and other government

agencies, while working with the Air Force to arrange base support for all

NASA operations at the installation. [Kristofferson, NASA NEWS

RELEASE NO. 101-90, June 19, 1990.]

June 21: TITUSVILLE BANS ROCKET FUELS

In a 4-1 vote tonight, Titusville, FL's city coundl prohibited the use of

hypergolic fuels by any firm, except the existing Astrotech Space

Operations, a payload processing plant. Business that want to fuel

satellites will have to locate outside the city. 'There was a feeling among

people that the council wasn't doing enough. We wanted to send a

message that the safety of the people is first and foremost in our minds,"

said Councilman Steve DeAngelo. Council member Terry Tolbert, who

cast the sole negative vote, said, 'The decision to ban hypergolics was an

emotional decision. We didn't have enough information to go on." The

ban is most likely to impact businesses looking to relocate to the Central

Brevard area. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1B-2B, June 21, 1990.]

D ASTRONAUTS TOIN PRACTICE COUNTDOWN

The STS-38 crew will be aboard Atlantis for the last three hours of the

practice countdown for their July Department of Defense mission.

Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Frank Culbertson and Mission

Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar, Carl Meade and Robert Springer will

conduct several Shuttle systems tests while aboard the Orbiter. Springer

said, "Everything is going so well it's unbelievable." The crew returns to

Houston later today to continue training for the July 14 launch.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, June 21, 1990.]

[] ASTRONAUTS PRACTICE SHUTI'LE ESCAPE

Five Shuttle astronauts practiced emergency egress from Launch Pad 39B

today at the end of a two-day practice countdown at Kennedy Space

Center. "The crew re-enacts what might happen if they were actually

having an emergency during a launch countdown," said Space Center

spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The major differences between this and an

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actual countdown: the Shuttle was not fueled, and the astronauts did not

ride the steel baskets down slide wires to the ground during their escape.

Buckingham said, '_'here was no need for them to ride in the basket. They

are perfectly safe. Getting from the Orbiter to the basket is the part they

need to rehearse."

Atlantis Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Frank Culbertson and Mission

Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar, Carl Meade and Robert Springer were

awakened at 6:05 a.m. today to eat a traditional pre-launch breakfast and

don their partial- pressure spacesuits before riding to the launch pad about

7:45 a.m. Aboard Atlantis, the crew tested Shuttle systems and performed

all tasks required on launch day. 'q'he obvious purpose," said

Buckingham, "is so the launch crew and the flight crew can experience the

environment of a launch day without having to actually launch."

Culbertson, Gemar and Meade will be making their first Shuttle flights.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 22, 1990.]

June 22: CRRES DELAYEDI AGAIN

fl

Launch of the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite aboard a

General Dynamics Atlas has been postponed from July 9 to July 17.

Problems were encountered this week during a practice countdown,

according to officials. James Womack. Director of Expendable Vehicles at

Kennedy Space Center, said an additional practice countdown would be

held at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 36B. "While

the test (this week) resulted in 99 percent of the launch vehicle data being

obtained, some problems were encountered in the final automatic

countdown," he said. "A decision was made to re-run the test to obtain

additional data considered important." The NASA-Air Force spacecraft

will test the effect of space radiation on advanced satellite electronics and

will also study the magnetic and electric fields surrounding Earth.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, June 23, 1990.]

ATLANTIS LEAK TEST

Whether Atlantis will launch on schedule in mid-July depends on the

result of a leak test of the sort which led to the grounding of Columbia

May 30. '_Ve have plenty of work to keep us busy from now until launch

next month, including the liquid hydrogen tanking test we have planned

for next Thursday (July 5)," said Jay Honeycutt, Director of Shuttle

Management and Operations, after a managerial review of pre-liftoff work.

"We don't expect any leaks in the Atlantis vehicle. However, if the test

identifies a problem, we will have to take the necessary steps to ensure the

vehicle is safe to fly," he added. The special leak test had been planned for

94

{' /
next Wednesday (July 4) but was delayed one day because work in the

Shuttle's rear engine compartment is taking longer than anticipated, said

Lisa Malone, KSC spokeswoman. Managers are considering moving the

target launch date from July 14 to July 15 because of the slowdown, she

said. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, June 23, 1990, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 25, 1990.]

June 23: TITAN LAUNCHES INTELSAT 6

Martin Marietta successfully launched its Commercial Titan and its

INTELSAT 6 payload from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch

Complex 40 this morning at 7:19. Twenty-five minutes after launch,

ground controllers confirmed that the 29,452-pound INTELSAT 6 and its

on-board solid rocket kick motor had separated from the second stage of

the Titan 3. That was a confirmation that Martin Marietta failed to receive

on the occasion of its March I4 INTELSAT mission. Referring to that

failure today, Ed Browne, Martin Marietta Commercial Titan Inc.

President, said, "All of us were sorry that it happened. It had a tendency

to put a notch on our reputation, and we don't like that. But today was

a good da, and a normal day. We expect all our future launches to be like

this one." The next Commercial Titan launch from Complex 40 will be in

September 1992; in the meantime, the launch pad will undergo

refurbishment. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 24, 1990, Oates,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 24, 1990.]

U ATLANTIS TAKES ON PROPELLANTS

At 4 p.m. today Launch Complex 39B will be closed and the hazardous

portion of loading propellants into Atlantis will begin and last through

early on July 2, according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa

Malone. Following the loading, will come a critical leak test ordered by

NASA to make sure that a leak like the one that scrubbed a May 29

Columbia launch attempt does not exist, said Malone.

During the weekend, workers also searched for leaks in the plumbing of

Atlantis' main propulsion system by pumping helium through the fuel

lines. None had been found late Saturday. Workers also cleaned Atlantis'

payload bay so the two 60-foot-long doors could be closed as a safety

precaution during the scheduled hazardous operations. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, June 24, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp.

A-1 & A-8, June 26, 1990.]

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June 24: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS SUED

Insurers who paid more than $6 million to repair a multipurpose Indian

satelliteare suing McDonnell Douglas Corp., McDonnell Douglas Space

Systems Co. and four employees involved in last year's launch-pad

accident that damaged the spacecraft. The Insat-lD satellitewas launched

June 12 aboard a McDonnell Douglas Delta rocket -a year later than

planned because of the accident. The suit,filedin Brevard Circuit Court,

identifiesthe workers involved in the accident only as John Doe. The suit

requests damages in excess of $6 million, plus interest. ["McDonnell

Douglas Sued for $6 Million," FLORIDA TODAY, p.10E, June 24, 1990.]

June 25: COLUMBIA GETS ENDEAVOUR PART

Columbia's astronomy mission has been delayed again because technicians

have been unable to pinpoint the source of its fuel leak. Liftoff is now

targeted at late August rather than mid-August. Further, NASA has

decided to take a part from the newest Shuttle - still being built - the

Endeavour; the part will replace Columbia's suspect hardware. The loan

of a part is not expected to delay Endeavour's first mission which has been

scheduled for 1992.

"There seems to be something different in the Orbiter side or the external

tank side [of Columbia] that is causing it to leak and making it difficult to

find. We may find something straightforward that is broken or something,

but at this point we can't find anything wrong," said David Winterhalter,

Director of Systems Engineering and Analysis at NASA Headquarters.

Workers at Kennedy Space Center will remove the Orbiter side of the

device this week for testing while NASA's only spare - the part on

Endeavour - is sent on to the Space Center.

Deputy Shuttle Director Brewster Shaw said that KSC workers on June 28

will partially fill Atlantis' external tank with liquid hydrogen to test for a

leak similar to that of Columbia. He said that engineers did not have to

understand what happened with Columbia before allowing Atlantis to

launch. '_vVe just have what is probably going to turn out to be an isolated

case with Columbia," Shaw said.

Servicing of the Broad Band X-Ray Telescope with liquid argon was

completed yesterday. The servicing had been planned for today, however,

pressure readings taken yesterday indicated lower levels than expected.

Argon provides up to 16 days of cooling for the instrument. While in the

OPF, some of Columbia's systems will require routine servicing. A

functional test of the reaction control system regulators is planned this

96
week. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 26, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS, STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102), June 25, 1990.]

June 26: PLUTONIUM-POWERED PROBE SURVWABLE

Thomas Akers, Mission Specialist for the Ulysses Planetary Probe Mission,

said today that the probe would survive a Challenger-like accident and is

safe to fly aboard Discovery (STS-41) in October. "We have looked at the

statistics and the studies and our conclusion is that it's definitely as safe

as it can be and we're not worried about it," Akers said. "rile three people

I think the most of - my wife and two kids - are going to be as close as

anybody to the Shuttle" when it's launched, he said. NASA studies state

the chance of a plutonium release during launch is 1 in 6 million and 1 in

4,200 during deployment. NASA Ulysses Project Manager Willis Meeks

says that the worst case scenario is that an accident might cause about 300

to 400 additional cancer deaths in the world population of four billion

people in the next 50 years. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June

27, 1990.]

D COLUMBIA PART ARRIVES JUNE 28

Endeavour's borrowed fuel line will arrive at Kennedy Space Center for

installation in Columbia on June 28. NASA officials expressed confidence

that the new fuel line will eliminate Columbia's leak. "We wouldn't ship

it down here if it hadn't been through all the right ests and passed them,"

said KSC Spokeswoman Lisa Malone.

"What we found out is that the problem is not on the tank side of the fuel

line," said Charles Harlan, Director of Safety, Reliability and Quality

Assurance at Johnson Space Center. "And I would tend to believe that

shows the testing methods are adequate for identifying leaks on the tank

side. I don't think anyone has proven that our test procedures are

ineffective." Brewster Shaw, Deputy Director of Shuttle Operations at KSC

added, "Maybe the other units are not so suspect after all."

The special test is aimed at eliminating possible sources of the leak. "There

are still some unknowns. We don't know exactly where Columbia's leak

was, and it doesn't cost a lot to do that tanking test so it's cheap

insurance," Shaw said. Safety experts who oversee NASA's operations say

moving Columbia back to the VAB was the right move. "We've always

been telling NASA 'safety first and schedule second.' NASA is paying

great attention to that or they would not have rolled Columbia back and

postponed the flight," said GU Roth, Staff Director of the Aerospace Safety

97
Advisory Panel. [Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June

27, 1990.]

June 27: MINOR ACCIDENT AT PAD

An accident occurred today at Launch Complex 39B when a technician

stepped on a work platform in Atlantis' rear engine compartment, NASA

officials said. Part of the platform collapsed and fell about 7 feet onto an

empty line connected to a low-pressure fuel turbopump, causing a small

dent in nickel plating surround the 4-inch-diameter line. No worker was

injured, but work stopped on the launch pad for 2 1/2 hours while the line

was inspected. Inspectors decided that the damage was minor and that the

line will not have to be replaced. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

June 28, 1990.]

June 28: LEAK TEST TODAY

Today, Atlantis undergoes a leak test which will determine whether the

Orbiter has the same type of leak that postponed the launch of Columbia

from May 30 until late August. The outcome of the test will impact the

launch date decision now under consideration as NASA managers meet

today and tomorrow in a Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space

Center. Atlantis is tentatively scheduled to fly July 15, and a firm launch

date is expected to be announced June 29. Today's test involves pumping

about 200,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen into Atlantis' external fuel tank

and main propulsion system. If Atlantis has the same type of leak, the

Orbiter will be rolled back and its Department of Defense mission would

be delayed a month, at least. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June

28,1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, June 29,1990, "Fank-Filling

Test Set for Shuttle," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 29, 1990, Malone,

NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 118-90, June 27, 1990.]

D COSTELLO & SONS CONTRACT

Costello & Sons Corp. (Merritt Island, FL) has been awarded a $156,000

contract to construct office space in the Engineering Development

Laboratory (EDL) at Kennedy Space Center. Under the fixed price

contract, the firm will have 90 days to complete the work. This effort will

include the installation of a second-story platform in the facility's high bay

that will serve as flooring for the elevated 2,700-square-foot office space.

The EDL is presently used to house engineering research laboratories for

the Space Shuttle Program. It also is a tour stop for Spaceport USA that

displays Apollo program equipment and provides a simulation of a lunar

landing. During the Apollo Program, this structure served as the Flight

98
Crew Training Building. Apollo astronauts used simulators in the building

to rehearse for the first manned landing on the moon and other lunar

missions. [Kristofferson, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 114-90;, June 28,

1990.1

June 29: SHU'I'FLE FLEET GROUNDED

Atlantis, Columbia and Discovery have been grounded by NASA. "There

is no question that we will not fly until we understand the problem and

have it fixed," said WiUiam Lenoir, NASA's Associate Administrator for

Space Flight. The problem Lenoir referred to is that of the hydrogen leak

found in both Atlantis and Columbia. The ripple effect of delays could

extend to 1993 when NASA is hoping to send a crew of Shuttle astronauts

into space to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Lenoir said that if the

leaks could not be fixed within a month, one of the two missions preceding

the Ulysses flight would have to be postponed. "If it costs us a flight,

that's a shame, but that's what it will take," Lenoir said. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A & 4A, June 30, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-l, June 30, 1990.]

U MCCARTNEY LEAK STATEMENT

"During a tanking test of Atlantis this morning, a hydrogen leak was found

in the area of the 17" disconnect. The launch team here at KSC is

reviewing data from the tanking test and will examine the area of this leak

as soon as the fuel is drained and the area is safe for access. Obviously,

we will not fly until we understand this leak and the one in the Columbia

system.

"Working these problems will keep our crews extremely busy, but I am

confident we will uncover and correct the problem shortly. To do this, we

will probably have to return Atlantis to the VAB which means we will

postpone the launch a minimum of two weeks. Depending on what the

problem turns out to be, the delay could be longer, but I am not

anticipating a long-term shutdown.

"I appreciate the willingness of the government/contractor team to put

forth an extra effort to solve this problem. The extensive testing that we

do is designed to uncover problem areas. I expect this one will be solved

shortly and we will resume our scheduled processing activities."

["Statement from Center Director Forrest McCartney," June 29, 1990.]

99
June 30: LEAK CHECKS EXTENDED

The search for the source of leaks in Columbia and Atlantis will extend

across the country with tests at Kennedy Space Center and in a laboratory

in California. "Working these problems will keep our crews extremely

busy, but I am confident we will uncover and correct the problems

shortly," said KS{= Director For_est S. McCartney. Cecil Houston,

Marshall Space Flight Center Resident Manager said," It's puzzling us all.

There must be something different because it leaks, but you know it is so

subtle that it doesn't leap out at anybody and folks have been looking hard

to find it."

The tank side of Columbia's fuel line recently passed leak tests in

California at Rockwell International's laboratory. This week, the same lab

will test the part of the line that runs through Columbia's belly to the

Shuttle's main engines. Meanwhile, technicians at Kennedy Space Center

will pump helium through Atlantis' main propulsion system to attempt to

isolate that Orbiter's leak. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, July 1, 1990,

Sawyer, THE WASHINGTON POST, p. A1, June 30, 1990.]

U COLUMBIA PART CALIFORNIA-BOUND

The Space Shuttle Columbia's suspect fuel valve has been shipped to

California for a critical test to be performed this week. Rockwell engineers

will take the valve to a special laboratory and pump supercold hydrogen

through it to try to pinpoint the leak which ground the Shuttle on May 29.

The test could begin as soon as the Fourth of July and will take two days

to complete, according to Janet Dean, Rockwell International

spokeswoman. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 1, 1990.]

100
JULY

July 2: HUBBLE INVESTIGATION BOARD NAMED

Dr. Lennard A. Fisk, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and

Applications today appointed a Hubble Space Telescope Optical Systems

Board of Investigation to review, analyze and evaluate the facts and

circumstances regarding the manufacture, development and testing of the

Hubble Space Telescope Assembly. Dr. Lew Alien, Director at the let

Propulsion Laboratory, will chair the investigation; the other members of

the board are: Charles P. Spoelhof, George A. Rodney, John D. Mangus,

Dr. IL (Bob) Shannon, Dr. Roger Angel, and Public Affairs Advisor Sarah

Keegan and Counsel Gary Tesclt [Keegan, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO.

90-091, July 2, 1990.]

D LH 2 LEAK INVESTIGATION

"During the launch attempt for the STS-35 mission on May 29, 1990, a

hydrogen leak, in excess of limits established to maintain safe operating

conditions, was detected by onboard hazardous gas detection systems.

Leakage was detected both in the aft compartment and external to the

liquid hydrogen external tank/orbiter umbilical assembly.

"A subsequent tanking test, that incorporated special ground

instrumentation, further isolated the leak to the free space between the two

halves of the umbilical assembly. The umbilical provides capability to load

propellant into the external tank and transfer propellant from the external

tank to the Space Shuttle main engines during launch. The umbilical

disconnect assembly is the separation point between the Orbiter and the

external tank after main engine cutoff.

"The design of the umbilical disconnect has remained the same throughout

the Shuttle flight program except that a safety modification to incorporate

a valve latch, which precludes inadvertent closure, was authorized after the

Challenger accident. Data from the tanking test determined that the design

changes incorporated by the modification did not contribute to the leakage.

"Following rollback and Orbiter demate, the LH 2 External Tank (ET) side

of the umbilical was removed and tested at Rockwell International

(Downey, CA). The testing was performed under precisely controlled

liquid hydrogen test conditions. No leaks were detected.

"On June 29, 1990, NASA conducted a modified propellant loading test of

the STS-38 Space Shuttle vehicle to ensure the safety and integrity of the

101
fl

Orbiter/ET umbilical. The test revealed a hydrogen leak. The results

indicate the leak isin the vicinityof the umbilical mating plates, itappears

to be primarily from the 17-inch line but possibly with a contribution from

the 4-inch line. The leak is flow rate and temperature dependent. Itisnot

as high as STS-35 but it exhibits many of the same characteristics.

"An extensive investigation isbeing performed to isolatethe source of the

leakage observed on both the STS-35 and STS-38 ....In the interestof safety,

all potential leak sources, including the very low probability of a parent

metal flaw, are being investigated. A detailed investigation of allaspects

of the STS-35 and STS-38 component history, including acceptance test

procedure requirements and data, and design changes being performed.

"Processing of the STS-38 vehicle has been suspended. Engineers are

continuing troubleshooting efforts on the Shuttle vehicle at Launch Pad 39-

A. Today, the external tank will be pressurized and leak checks conducted

in the area of the Orbiter-to-external tank umbilical. Another special

tanking test is being considered using special leak detection sensors to help

pinpoint the leak's location ....

"Until the leak investigation is completed, Shuttle flights have been

suspended. Returning the Shuttle fleet to flight status is the highest

priorityin the Space Flight Office,and every available resource within the

Shuttle program isbeing brought to bear on solving this problem. NASA

is confident that the source of the leak can be isolated quickly and the

problem fixed with minimum disruption to the Shuttle flightprogram.

"Independent of these events, a component redesign to replace the current

umbilical disconnect with a new design has been underway and is well

into the preliminary design phase. The new disconnect incorporates safety

improvements, including redundant seals at alllocations. [Hess, NASA

FACT SHEET, July 2,1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, July 3, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 4, 1990, I--ligginbotham, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. IA, July 5, 1990.]

NEW ENTRANCE AT SPACEPORT USA

A new, permanent entrance has gone into use at Kennedy Space Center's

Spaceport USA that affectsall visitors,auto and motorcoach alike. The

new entrance was made necessary by construction of the new Astronauts

Memorial. In addition to construction on the Memorial, work continues at

the attractionon the $1 million expansion of Spaceport Central, the main

visitor information building. When completed in mid-August, 1990,

Spaceport Central will house a new 50-seat presentation theater, an

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outdoor covered atrium area and new food service windows featuring ice

cream and yogurt. ["New Entrance Open at Kennedy Space Center

Spaceport USA," Spaceport USA Press Release, July 2, 1990.]

n WORKERS REPAIR SHUTTLE DOOR

A cracked part on Discovery's payload bay door, damaged during a

worker's fall last week, was repaired by Kennedy Space Center workers

today. A Lockheed Space Operations Co. quality control worker had

crawled across a padded board to reach the area, when he lost his balance

and fell onto the open 60-foot-long door. The worker, who was not

injured, was making a routine inspection of the Orbiter.

The damage was minor and unrelated to a an accident on June 4 in the

Orbiter Processing Facility, said KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. In that

accident, an overhead bridge crane accidentally snagged the cargo bay

door, bending one corner of the door upward several feet. The door

apparently was not damaged and an accident investigation report is

expected shortly, according to Malone. ['_Norkers Repair Shuttle Door,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. ZA, July 3, 1990.]

July 3: CHILLWATER OUTAGE BOARD REPORT

Placement of splash guards over the Motor Control Centers in the Utility

Annex at Launch Complex 39, replacement of piping, and changes in

procedures are among 24 recommendations made by the Mishap

Investigation Board probing an accident April 2 which stopped Space

Shuttle processing for 10 hours. Estimated cost of immediate repairs and

recycling was $75,000.

The Board was chaired by John E. Meyer, Chief of the Facilities

Engineering Directorate's Electrical Branch. Other members of the

investigation board included Howard S. Meeks, Payload Operations,

Ground Systems Engineering Branch; Thomas N. Williams, Vehicle

Engineering, Electrical and Telecommunications System Division; and

Robert C. Koning, Center Support Operations, Mechanical and Electrical

Systems Branch. Ex-Officio Board members included Shirley Isles, Safety

Advisor; Douglas Hendriksen, Legal Advisor, and Bruce Buckingham,

Public Affairs. [Young, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 123-60, July 3, 1990.]

July 6: ENDEAVOUR POWERED-ON

The new Space Shuttle Endeavour was powered-on for the first time today

at Rockwell International Corp.'s Orbiter Assembly Facility (Palmdale, CA),

103
ten (10) days ahead of schedule. The start of power-on testing marks the

beginning of an eight-month test period for Endeavour, the fifth

operational Orbiter built by Rockwell's Space Systems Division (SSD) for

NASA's Space Shuttle program. During the next three months,

Endeavour's on-board electrical systems will be functionally energized to

verify that the vehicle's instrumentation is operational and that vehicle

systems are performing to engineering specifications.

Major structural components remaining to be mated to the vehicle include

its body flap in July; vertical stabilizer, payload bay doors, and elevons in

August; and forward reaction control system module in November.

Endeavour's orbital maneuvering system pods will be installed at Kennedy

Space Center. [Hess, Campion and Herring, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO.

90-95, July 6, 1990, Banke, "Power Test Marks Milestone In Endeavour

Construction," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July 7, 1990.]

[1 MISALIGNMENT DID NOT CAUSE LEAKS

NASA today ruled out misalignment as a cause of the leaks which have

plagued both Columbia and Atlantis. "We have analyzed that and

reanalyzed that and we cannot make that come even close to giving us

anything that would be suspicious," said William Lenoir, Associate

Administrator for Space Flight. He said, further, that the external tanks

could be ten times more crooked than they in fact are and still not cause

a leak. NASA now considers the prime suspect to be a 17-inch-wide

pipeline that funnels fuel from the external tank to the Orbiter's main

engines. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, July 7, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 7, 1990.]

July 7: ATLANTIS LEAK TEST PLANNED

This week at Kennedy Space Center, Atlantis will undergo a leak test in

which rocket fuel is pumped into the main propulsion system at 4,800

gallons per minute. It is designed to duplicate and isolate the type of

liquid hydrogen leaks which have kept both Columbia and Atlantis

grounded. NASA spokesman Ed Campion said, 'We're setting up a very

elaborate test. We want to make this the most complete test we can set up

so that we can pinpoint the leak and quantify the amount of liquid

hydrogen that is leaking." Associate Administrator for Space Flight

William Lenoiz said, "If we get through all of that [the testing] and we

haven't found the leak, then in all honesty, I'm not sure where we go from

there. That's a tough one. Maybe we'll all go on vacation."

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 5, 1990, Halvorson,

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FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A,July 8, 1990,SEEALSO: Banke, "Bolts, Pipes

Link Orbiter to Fuel Tank," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July 7, 1990.]

n U.S. PAYLOADS ON RUSSIAN ROCKETS

U. S. commercial payloads will be allowed to be launched on Soviet

rockets for the first time, according to government and industry officials

today. An Australian company known as Cape York Space Society will

now be allowed to hire United Technologies Corp. to run a base in

northern Australia from which Soviet rockets will carry satellites for pay

for customers from around the world, perhaps as soon as 1995. Domestic

rocket companies opposed letting the Soviet Union provide launching

services for U. S. customers, but satellite makers favored opening up the

market. The decision to approve the Cape York project was one of the

thorniest issues resolved by the National Space Council headed by Vice

President Dan Quayle. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. ZA, July 8,

1990, "Soviet Rockets Soon Could Launch U. S. Payloads," FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, July 8, 1990.]

July 8: ASTP CREW REUNION SET

Kennedy Space Center will host a reunion of the astronauts and

cosmonauts who flew the joint Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Former

cosmonauts Aleksey Leonov and Valery Kubasov will reunite with

astronauts Tom Stafford and Deke Slayton this month to celebrate the

historic flight. ASTP crew member Vance Brand will also attend if Shuttle

training does not interfere. The astronauts and cosmonauts will arrive at

Patrick Air Force Base July 25 and will tour KSC Space Shuttle facilities

July 26 and take part in a news conference. The group will tour Spaceport

USA's Gallery of Spaceflight and narrate a film of their mission at the

Galaxy Theater; the latter event will be open to the public. In the evening

the astronauts and cosmonauts will attend a reception hosted by the U. S.

Astronauts Hall of Fame and depart Patrick Air Force Base on July 27.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, July 8, 1990.]

July 9: NASA MANAGERS MEET

The results from the latest round of leak tests will be revealed today at a

3:00 p.m. meeting of NASA managers. "They just haven't had time to

analyze the data yet," said NASA spokesman Mark Hess, following a

weekend of tests in California. '_l_ey did see some leakage, but you can't

look at the amounts they've got and draw any conclusions." NASA's

Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen and Associate Administrator for

105
Space Flight WiUiam Lenoir will discuss test results today in a briefing in

Washington, D. C.

Tests in California with room temperature helium failed to duplicate the

leaks. Even if the weekend test results isolated the problem, NASA would

not necessarily end its investigation, said Hess. Kennedy Space Center

engineers plan to pump rocket fuel through Atlantis' systems July 13, and

investigators might wait for those results before ending the investigation

of Columbia, he said. [Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 9,

19903

a LEAK SUSPECT: TEFLON SEAL

NASA said today that it considers a Teflon seal a primary suspect for

causing the liquid hydrogen leaks which grounded the Shuttle fleet.

Associate Administrator for Space Flight WiUiam Lenoff said that although

the space agency is closer to understanding the fuel leaks, only one of two

planned flights might be launched before the scheduled October Ulysses

mission launch. "We have not yet given up the ghost on two flights before

Ulysses, but being frank and honest, it's extremely unlikely at this point

that we would get two flights off," Lenoir said. Robert Cdppen, Shuttle

Program Director, said that the Shuttles could be leaking for different

reasons. "We don't really know what we are dealing with, or when we

can fly again," Crippen said. Further search for the sources of the leaks

will continue July 13 or 14 when another test will be conducted on Atlantis

at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. 1A-2A, July 3, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 10,

1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 10, 1990, "Shuttle Leak

Still Eludes Engineers," THE MIAMI HERALD, p. 4A, July 10, 1990.]

July 10: NASA TESTING

At a U. S. Senate committee hearing, U. S. Senator Albert Gore (D-TN)

said, "I think it's not just a technological issue. It's a philosophical issue."

He noted the problems NASA has had recently with the Hubble Space

Telescope and leaky fuel lines which have grounded the Shuttle fleet and

complained that NASA's "mindset" led to the failure to test. Gore said,

"The common denominator, in my view, is inadequate testing."

NASA Deputy Administrator J. IL Thompson and Chief Scientist Lennard

Fisk said the need for testing had not been obvious when Hubble was

assembled. Thompson denied that NASA has an anti-testing philosophy

and said the hydrogen gas leaks detected on Columbia and Atlantis shows

the agency's concern for testing and safety. Thompson also said, "In

106
retrospect, there were tests we could have done and should have done.

We weren't clever enough." NASA's Associate Administrator for Space

Flight William Lenoir said some progress has been made in finding the

source of the leaks, but conclusive results are probably two weeks away.

Meanwhile, at Kennedy Space Center workers continued to install special

sensors and other equipment for July 13's leak test on Atlantis. [Crawford,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-5, July 11, 1990, Lunner,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. ZA, July 11, 1990.]

[l I-NET, INC. WINS CONTRACT

Kennedy Space Center has awarded a $689,625 contract to I-Net, Inc.

(Bethesda, MD) to install fiber-optic cable at KSC. The small business firm

will install an additional 144 fibers between two main communications

switching centers, the Vehicle Assembly Building Repeater (VABR) in the

Launch Complex 39 Area and the Communication Distribution and

Switching Center (CDSC) in the KSC Industrial Area. The new cable will

increase the KSC communications systems capacity and expand the several

miles of fiber-optic cable that have already been installed at the 140,000-

acre space center. Most facilities at the space center will eventually be

linked by fiber optic cable which carries digitized communications data at

a much higher rate than in-place X-band copper wire and provides more

capabilities, including the transmission of video images, than the old

system. It will also allow high-speed computers to relay orbiter and

payload status data rapidly from processing areas and the launch pads to

the Launch Control Center. [Kristofferson, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO.

120-90, July 10, 1990.]

July 11: PIONEER MEDARIS: DEAD AT 87

Major General John Bruce Medaris, who was known as the Father of

America's Space Program, died of bone cancer today at his home in

Highland, NC. Medaris directed the launch of Explorer 1 in January 1958.

He served in the military for 42 years in both the Marines and the Army,

where he became a general in 1955. He commanded the Army Ballistic

Missiles Agency (Huntsville, AL) from 1956 to 1960 and left the military

in 1969 to become an Episcopal priest in Maitland, Florida. Medaris later

joined the Anglican-Catholic Church and retired to North Carolina.

During his retirement he continued to advise the federal government on

Strategic Defense Initiative technologies. Much of Medaris' space

memorabilia has been donated to the Evans Library at Florida Institute of

Technology (Melbourne, FL). Medaris, who is survived by his wife

Frances, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. [Jean,

107
THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, July 14, 1990, Kayne,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, July 12, 1990.]

July 12: FLORIDA INVESTIGATES PIPE INSTALLATION

Florida's Department of Environmental Regulation will investigate whether

NASA complied with federal and state rules that call for independent

inspections when installing new tanks, according to DER spokesman Mike

Camardese. He said, '_l'hey are not allowed to do the inspections in house.

That is a definite no-no. They have to get someone who is a certified

professional engineer from outside the NASA family to certify the piping."

Records obtained by FLORIDA TODAY show that the pipes, which funnel

hazardous fuel spills into underground holding tanks, were not tested and

inspected according to KSC contract specifications. They were installed at

a building where toxic chemicals are used to fuel satellites. Jim Towles,

Director of Facilities Engineering, said the piping system was inspected by

NASA and contractor engineers prior to installation at the Vertical

Processing Facility. The pipes may have to be dug up on an order of DER

so an independent engineer can inspect them. Lesser penalties would

require KSC to establish certain environmental programs. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 12, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, July 13, 1990.]

0 ATLAS DELAYED: ELECTRONICS TROUBLE

The launch of General Dynamics Corp.'s Arias rocket will be delayed at

least a week because of problems with spacecraft electronics aboard the

Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite. One of the satellite's

decoder units, which receive signals from ground controllers and order the

craft's components and science instruments to work, did not operate

properly during final pre-launch testing today. "While we suspect the unit

itself, there may be things contributing to this on the pad that we don't

understand," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman George Diller.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, July 13,1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, July 13, 1990.1

9 AIR FORCE MUSEUM OPENS

After seven years, the Air Force Space Museum at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station will reopen to the public on July 15. Because it is located

within a restricted portion of the Eastern Space and Missile Center, the

Museum has usually been closed to civilians because of security concerns.

The Museum is at Launch Complex 26, where the first U. S. satellite -

108
Explorer I - was launched from Pad A. The complex itself is part of Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station. The grounds include the site where Alan

Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom were launched in the Mercury

Program and in the nearby blockhouse control room, electronic equipment

has been restored. The Museum - National Historic Landmark - is free but

visitors are required to stop at the Air Force Station Pass and ID Gate and

to obtain a car pass. [Minor, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 13, 1990.]

[l OLSON ELECTRIC COMPANY CONTRACT

The Olson Electric Company, Inc. (Holly Hill, FL) has been awarded a

$236,437 contract at Kennedy Space Center to upgrade the fire detection

and reporting system in the solid rocket booster Rotation Processing and

Surge Facility (RPSF) Area. Olson will upgrade the fire detection and

reporting systems in four of the seven buildings in the RPSF Area where

solid rocket booster elements are inspected, processed and stored until

being transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building for integration into

flight ready sets. [Kristofferson, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 128-90, July

12, 1990.]

July 13: LEAKS SOURCES DIFFERENT

Two entirely different problems are to blame for the hydrogen fuel leaks

on Columbia and Atlantis and, said NASA, the leaks should be relatively

simple to fix. Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir

said that tests performed today on Atlantis and on the fueling assembly of

Columbia indicated that their leaks were in different places. The nature

of the leaks supports the belief that there is no generic problem in the

design of the Shuttle fuel lines, according to Lenoir. He said, further, that

NASA's engineers would assess the impact of the leaking seals and how

they should be repaired and should know early next week when Shuttle

flights might resume.

NASA remained optimistic about he prospect of making at least one flight

before October's Ulysses mission, which must occur then or face a twoyear wait for another chance. If Atlantis's leak can be repaired on the

launch pad, Lenoir said, it and its military cargo will probably fly first

because Atlantis is needed to orbit an important astronomical observatory

later in the year. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 13, 1990, Leary,

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 9, July 14, 1990, Banke and Lunner,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 14, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, July 14, 1990.]

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July 14: KSC AWAITS ATLANTIS REPAIR DECISION

Lisa Malone, spokeswoman for Kennedy Space Center, said today that

workers "will be waiting for some direction from managers whether there

needs to be any further testing at the launch pad or if preparations should

begin to move Atlantis back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for some

kind of repairs."

Today, workers moved the Shuttle's Rotating Service Structure in place

around the Orbiter about 9:45 a.m. They completed removing all traces of

liquid hydrogen from the Orbiter's plumbing by filling the lines with

harmless gases about 11:30 a.m. They also gained access to the Shuttle's

rear engine compartment. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July 15,

1990.]

NEW ROOF FOR O & C BUILDING

Hamilton Roofing Inc. (Palm Bay, FL) won a $430,097 contract to begin

replacing the twenty-year-old roof atop Kennedy Space Center's

Operations and Checkout Building. The work, to be done in three parts,

is scheduled to be completed in 1993; contracts for the remaining work

have not yet been awarded. The O & C Building houses offices,

laboratories, astronaut crew quarters and satellite assembly areas.

Horizontal payloads such as Spacelab are prepared for launch in the

building before being installed in Shuttle cargo bays at the Orbiter

Processing Facility. ["Firm to Replace Roof at KSC," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 10E, July 15, 1990, Kristofferson, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 124-90,

July 5, 1990.]

n KSC RIFLE RANGE CONCERNS

Members of the North Merritt Island Homeowners Association have

expressed concern about plans by the Spaceport Gun Club to construct a

rifle range in a remote area of KARS Park off Hall Road. Association

President Bob Cfiaafulli said, "It is really needed and, if it's built properly,

we're not necessarily opposed to it. We just want to make sure everything

is done correctly with safety in mind." Spaceport Gun Club President Bob

Goforth said it probably would be about six montl_ before approvals are

gathered prior to construction of the combination pistol and rifle range.

"We still have got specific design plans," said Goforth, "but we want to

make sure we line everything up correctly and do it safely." Still needed

is a survey for endangered scrub jays by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife

Service and approval by Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest

110
McCartney, Goforth said. [White, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3B, July 15,

1990.]

July 16: QUAYLE TO NASA: KNOW THYSELF

Vice President Dan Quayle directed NASA to form an outside task force

to consider the direction of the nation's space program. "There is no White

House investigation of NASA," Quayle said. "Space continues to be a top

priority for this administration. We all want the best ideas on how we can

move into the next century maintaining our leadership in space."

Richard Truly, NASA Administrator, said, "I am pleased the Vice

President has expressed his confidence in NASA, as he has many times in

the past. NASA will continue to work closely with the Space Council

[headed by Quayle] in pursuit of the president's remarkable vision for

America's space destiny. I am confident the Shuttle will be flying again

soon and that timely corrections to the Hubble Space Telescope will assure

realization of its full potential." Louis Friedman, Executive Director of the

Planetary Society (Pasadena, CA) called Quayle's decision to bring in

voices outside NASA "a very good idea."

Speaking on Public Television's MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, Administrator

Truly said he planned to appoint about ten "really credible" representatives

from the government and industry. "We'll tell them what NASA is doing

today, describe what our plans are for the future and get their experience

on where they think we ought to go," Truly said. Expected to testify soon

before Senator Barbara Mikulski's (D-MD) committee are Associate

Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir; scientist Dr. Lennard Fisk

and former NASA Administrator James Beggs. ["Administrator Truly's

Response to the Vice President's Statement," KSC Dome, July 16, 1990,

Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 17, 1990, Hoversten and Lunner,

USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 17, 1990.]

fl ATLAS LAUNCH: JULY 20

NASA said today that the first commercial launch of an Atlas rocket could

be as soon as July 20. The space agency believes it has resolved a problem

with a spacecraft unit that sends and receives computer Commands.

Officials think the problem lies with ground support equipment and radio

signal interference around Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Weekend

tests of the equipment were successful. '_Ne sent more than 10,000

commands to the [Air Force scientific satellite] with no errors," said NASA

spokesman George DiUer. The satellite is designed to study the effect of

111
spaceon advanced satellite electronics and the magnetic and electric fields

around Earth.

At Kennedy Space Center today, engineers continued to analyze data

gathered during a special test on Atlantis at the launch pad July 13. The

test involved pumping liquid hydrogen into the Orbiter's external fuel tank

in order to understand the leaks which have grounded Atlantis. The test

results will be the primary topic at a briefing today. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, July 17, 1990.]

July 17: AUGUST: RETURN TO FLIGHT

"We're going back to flight," predicted Associate Administrator for Space

Flight William Lenoir, who added a cautionary note, "It requires some

luck on our part." Atlantis could lift off by August 10 if repairs and tests

planned for next week clear the vehicle. Lenoir said NASA is "very

optimistic" that at least one Orbiter can fly before October's Ulysses

mission and said he had a "glimmer of hope" that leaks on Columbia and

Atlantis can be fixed so both can be launched.

NASA Administrator Richard Truly appeared on ABC's "Good Morning

America" program and said, "We were afraid that we had what we call a

generic problem, something we had overlooked that might really be a

dangerous situation that would have a long-term effect. As it turned out,

it was just the terrible coincidence of two separate, specific leaks. The

system didn't go down for three years like it did after Challenger, it went

down for three or four weeks."

At a Washington news conference, President Bush expressed strong

support for Truly's handling of the recent NASA problems: "I have

confidence in NASA. I have great confidence in Dick Truly. It's a perilous

business, I guess, anytime you put people up there into space, but the

record has been very good. I want to see us continue to be the leaders in

space." [Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 18, 1990, "Bush Gives

NASA Vote of Confidence," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 18, 1990, "Shuttle

Flights to Resume by September, NASA Says," THE MIAMI HERALD, p.

10A, July 17, 1990.]

B ATLANTIS TEST PREPARATIONS

Launch pad technicians are preparing to repeat a test to determine whether

Atlantis has to be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building; the re-test

could come as early as July 25, according to William Lenoir, Associate

Administrator for Space Flight. "In all honesty," he said, "we do not expect

112
what we can do on the pad will fix the problem." Following the July 20

hydrogen leak test, workers will inspect for problems in welds near the

joint between the external tank's main 17-inch-wide fuel line and the pipe

that connects the tank to the Orbiter's plumbing.

Workers also plan to inspect 48 small bolts surrounding the joint to make

sure they are as tightly attached as they should be. If no leaks develop

during the test, Atlantis could be cleared for a mid-August liftoff.

Otherwise, workers will have to prepare the Orbiter for a rollback.

Today, workers measured how well hydrogen gas sensors worked during

the July 13 Atlantis test so that adjustments may be made for the July 25

test. Technicians also prepared to replace one of three auxiliary power

units on Atlantis. The APU supplies power to pressurize the Orbiter's

hydraulic systems used in flight. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, July

18, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5, July 18, 1990.]

July 18: ATLAS LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

General Dynamics Corp.'s first commercial Atlas rocket is now scheduled

to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station July 20 at 3:33 p.m. The

launch had been delayed so a computer problem in the Combined Release

and Radiation Effects Satellite could be worked to resolution. Technicians

concluded the problem with the satellite's command-decoder unit stemmed

from outside radio-signal interference and slight distortions from the test

equipment. COates, FLORIDA TODAY, p. A-13, July 19, 1990.]

H DISCOVERY THRUSTER DAMAGED

One of 44 thrusters which steer Discovery in space was damaged when it

fell from a work platform late today. It will be replaced with a spare.

Spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "One of two damps slipped and caused

the structure the thruster was mounted on to fall to a work platform

below, damaging the thruster." The only visible damage was an

impression in the thruster's metal about 3 inches long, a half-inch wide

and a quarter-inch deep. Inspections continue and it was not decided

whether to form a NASA investigation board. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 2A, July 20, 1990.]

D OVERTIME LEVELS QUESTIONED

An examination of KSC records reveals: Kennedy Space Center has

granted exceptions to its strict overtime regulations 2,500 times this year;

Almost half the 1990 waivers have come during the weeks when Shuttle

launches and landings occurred. Experts have questioned whether the

113
large amount of overtime might have contributed to fuel leaks which have

grounded the Shuttle fleet.

Bob Sieck, Shuttle Launch Director, said that KSC is handling overtime

better than in the past and that worker fatigue is not a problem. "We have

not found fatigue to be a factor in any of the incidents that have occurred

in the past," he said. "When we have an incident, overtime is the first

thing we accumulate data on - the number of hours the person or all the

people involved have worked prior to that event on that shift, that week,

that month."

"I can't envision this place working with zero percent overtime, it would

be impractical to completely eliminate the practice," Sieck said. "If that

were the case, too much of the workforce would be idle. If you had a

standing army of people for every job that we did around here, to cover

every contingency, the workforce would be exorbitant. It makes sense to

use overtime to carry you through peak periods of activity."

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 20, 1990.]

July 20: ATLAS LIb'TOFF DELAYED: LEAK

The scheduled launch of an Atlas rocket was delayed today due to a leak

which prevented the start of a compressor which furnishes gaseous

nitrogen to the rocket to keep itssatellitepayload cool. Workers were able

to startthe compressor in time for a second launch attempt, but a leak in

a liquid helium line then began overchilling hydrazine and the launch was

called off just before 4 p.m. "We believe we understand what the problem

is, but it will be at least Sunday before we try again," said Jack Isabel,

spokesman for General Dynamics. He said, further, that engineers will

continue to assess the problem. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, July

21, 1990, "Chemical Leak Prompts Delay in Atlas Liftoff," THE MIAMI

HERALD, p. 3A, July 21, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A6, July 21, 1990.]

[l SHUFFLE THRUSTER MOTOR DAMAGE SLIGHT

"The good news is that we can repair that thruster," announced Lisa

Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman about the damage to a

$600,000 Shuttle steering thruster which fell off a platform in a

maintenance facility. Workers were inspecting the thruster's plumbing for

leaks when a clamp holding the rocket engine to its work stand slipped,

causing the thruster to fall. It will be replaced by a spare. Today, workers

will complete the installation of a new auxiliary power unit in Atlantis at

Launch Pad 39A. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, July 21, 1990,

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"Another Shuttle Has a Problem - Atlantis Worked On," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-6, July 21, 1990.]

July 21: ATLAS 1 REPAIREDI READY

"We are go for launch," said Jim Codd, a General Dynamics Manager,

speaking of his company's Atlas 1 launch vehicle. The rocket has had its

leaking liquid helium line repaired and should be ready to launch July 22

between 3:28 and 3:41 p.m. or between 4:43 or 4:54 p.m. Kennedy Space

Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham said that the satellite aboard the

Atlas was not affected by the leaking helium and remains ready for launch.

The Atlas payload is a joint NASA-Air Force science probe which will

study the magnetic and electric fields surrounding Earth and the effects of

space radiation on electronics. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 22,

1990.]

[1 ATLANTIS: ANOTHER LEAK TEST

Atlantis will undergo another liquid hydrogen leak test tomorrow.

"Everything still looks good for conducting the test right on schedule," said

Bruce Buckingham, spokesman for Kennedy Space Center. Today workers

will continue to install special sensors and plastic bags around the area

believed to be leaking. Yesterday, workers over-tightened 48 bolts holding

the suspect joint together, but officials are not optimistic that the tightening

will stop the leak.

Workers also finished inspecting welds and piping in the area suspected

of leaking and found no anomalies. The launch pad was also closed for

hazardous operations as workers made final connections for installing a

new auxiliary power unit aboard Atlantis. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

5A, July 22, 1990.]

0 PADS 36A & B SPRUCED UP

The emergence of the U. S. commercial launch industry has brought new

life to the rusting steel structures at Launch Complexes 36A and 36B. "The

pads are real old," said Ralph Howlington, General Dynamics Corp.'s Pad

36B Site Manager. "They were built in the early 1960s and have been

sitting for years in the open salt air. We had to go in and do a complete

sandblast and paint job, repairing the parts that were too deteriorated."

The launch towers have been repainted with an anti-corrosion paint and

now appear dull gray. General Dynamics will launch its new Atlas rockets

from pad 36B. Pad 36A will be used to launch military satellites beginning

next year. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July 22, 1990.]

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PRECISION MECHANICAL INC. CONTRACT

Precision Mechanical Inc. (Cocoa, FL) has been awarded a $529,000 contract

by Kennedy Space Center to remove and replace a rocket fuel collection

tank and piping system. The company will install a 10,000-gaUon stainless

steel tank and piping system in the Orbiter Processing Facility. It will

replace a concrete system now in use at the Shuttle hangar. The new

system will funnel hazardous rocket propellants into the processing area.

[NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 115-90, July 2, 1990, "Cocoa Company Wins

Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, July 22, 1990.]

a GENERAL DYNAMICS LAUNCH PLANS

General Dynamics intends to become the commercial space business with

the biggest Brevard County launch plans; the company has 23 firm

commitments for launches, options on 8 more and another possible 10

launches. Another of the big commercial space businesses, McDonnell

Douglas, plans eight more launches and Martin Marietta has plans for one.

Spaceport Florida Authority Director Ed O'Connor said the Cape

Canaveral area is already reaping the benefit of the new industry. As

frequency increases, there will be more jobs to run the launches, more

construction and more need for offices. The impact from hiring more

commercial space workers isexpected to be feltthroughout the Brevard

County economy. [Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. E-1 & E-3,

July 22, 1990.]

July 22: THIRD SHUTTLE LEAK CHECK

Technicians at Kennedy Space Center are preparing for another fuel leak

check on Atlantis this week. KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone said today

that bolts connecting the external tank to its umbilical have been tightened

beyond specifications in an attempt to clamp off a small hydrogen leak.

NASA usually doesn't have sensors in the suspect area, so managers are

unsure whether the leak is within safety margins. "We're getting a lot of

data we've never collected before," Malone said.

If a leak is detected during the test, managerswill have to determine

whether it is within tolerable limits or whether Atlantis must be rolled

back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for further repairs. Managers are

awaiting the test results on Atlantis before deciding when Columbia will

be restacked and roiled out to the launch pad. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, July 23, 1990.]

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[] ATLAS LAUNCH: THIRD TRY

If the predicted stormy weather holds off tomorrow, NASA will try for a

third time to launch a new commercial Arias rocket and its $189 million

satellite. Atlas' satellite is designed to help scientists study the Earth's

ionosphere and magnetosphere. Liftoff is set for 3:26 p.m., but NASA

spokesman Bruce Buckingham said today that weather prospects are

growing "worse and worse." Lightning is expected to be in the area by the

scheduled liftoff time and high winds are predicted.

The forecast looks better for July 24 when launch chances are rated at 80

percent, according to NASA spokesman George Diller. Manufacturer

General Dynamics hopes its commercial Atlas will compete with Europe's

Ariane. NASA Shuttle Chief Keith Hudkins said, "We'll all be real happy

to get the next successful launch behind us." ["Atlas Launch Set Today,"

USA TODAY, p. 1A, July 23, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July

23, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-8, July 22, 1990.]

July 23: SCRUB #3 FOR ATLAS

A problem with its electronics today forced General Dynamics to scrub the

launch of its Atlas 1 commercial launch vehicle for the third time. Late

today the company decided to call off an attempt for July 24 so the

vehicle's faulty part can be tested. The attempt to launch came within four

minutes of the scheduled 3:26 launch target; engineers tried to switch the

source of the rocket's electrical power from the launch pad to batteries

aboard the Atlas. Engineers could not ascertain whether the switch had

actually occurred. Jack Isabel, General Dynamics spokesman, said, "It's

disappointing when you can't launch, but one of these days everything

will go right and we'll have a success." A liquid helium leak prevented

the first attempt on July 20 and stormy weather at Cape Canaveral stopped

the second attempt on July 22. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 24,

1990.]

July 24: LEAK TEST PREPARATIONS

Final preparations are underway today for tomorrow's special test in

which Atlantis' external tank will be filled partially with liquid hydrogen

to look for leaks. Launch-team members hope to pull back the service

structure from the Orbiter by 10 p.m., said Bruce Buckingham, NASA

spokesman. Bolts have been tightened since the last test so officials will

be looking to see what impact the tightening had on preventing a further

leak in the joint between the tank's main 17-inch-wide fuel line and the

fuel line that connects the tank to the Orbiter. Information from

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[1

[1

tomorrow's test will help determine which Orbiter - Atlantis or Columbia -

will lift off prior to the scheduled October 5 launch of Discovery and its

Ulysses solar probe.

Yesterday, technicians loaded fresh liquid argon into containers on the

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope, one of four observatories that make up the

ASTRO-1 mission to be flown aboard Columbia. Argon must be

replenished every ten days while Columbia remains on the ground.

Workers also continued installing thruster assemblies aboard Discovery

that help the Orbiter maneuver in space. One of the Shuttle's 44 thrusters

was damaged in an accident last week. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A,

July 24, 1990.]

40TH BUMPER ANNIVERSARY

Forty years ago today, the Bumper 8 double-stage rocket was launched

from Cape Canaveral, FL. That was the first of 2,400 in the past four

decades. It led to the establishment of the Joint Long Range Proving

Grounds (now the Eastern Space and Missile Center) and transformed

Brevard County into the Space Coast. The Bumper 8 was a hybrid,

consisting of a German A-4 guided missile (also known as a V-2) and a

WAC Corporal rocket. It was launched at 9:29 a.m. near what is now

Complex 3 and flew 189 miles down range. [Minor, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, July 24, 1990.]

THRUSTER DAMAGE INVESTIGATION BOARD

Center Director Forrest S. McCartney has appointed an investigation board

to examine the circumstances surrounding damage to an orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) pod thruster at the Hypergolic Maintenance

Facility (HMF) east test ceil located in KSC's Industrial Area. [See stories

dated July 18 and July 21.]

Chairing the Investigation Board is Thomas Cain, III, Chief, Operations

Support Branch, Center Support Operations. The two other board

members are: Craig Baker, Mechanical and Huids System Engineer,

Mechanical and Structures Section, STS Payload Operations Directorate and

Mickey Riddle, NASA Site Manager at Launch Pad 39B. Ex-Officio board

members are: Patricia Lynn, Safety Advisor; Douglas Hendriksen, Legal

Advisor, and Lisa Malone, Public Affairs Advisor. [Malone, NASA NEWS

RELEASE NO. 135-90, July 24, 1990.]

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July 25: CRUCIAL TEST FOR ATLANTIS

Atlantis will be the second Space Shuttle in two months to roll back from

the pad to the Vehicle Assembly Building, officials said here today. The

Orbiter failed its third leak test despite efforts to fix the problem on the

pad. Liquid hydrogen began slowly flowing through the Orbiter's

plumbing at 7:51 a.m. About 20 sensors specially installed for the test did

not immediately detect a leak. At 8:14 a.m. the launch team switched to

a faster pumping cycle. Less than four minutes later sensors picked up the

first indications of a leak. Engineers immediately stopped filling the tank.

Minutes later, television cameras monitoring Atlantis' hardware showed

a crack int he insulating foam surrounding the joint. NASA later

determined that the crack was caused.by a broken plastic bag - not the

hydrogen leak. During the next hour, engineers started moving liquid

hydrogen through Atlantis' plumbing three more times. A leak was

detected almost immediately each time, halting the flow. The test ended

at 9:40 a.m. and the tank was drained. NASA's chance to get two Shuttle

missions launched before Discovery's Ulysses Probe Mission Oct. 5

depended on the outcome of today's test.

Concerning Atlantis' fuel leak, William Lenolr, Associate Administrator for

Space Flight, said that today's test showed that hydrogen could still escape

from a flange connecting fueling pipes to the external tank, which holds

the supercold hydrogen and oxygen. Although bolts around the flange

were tightened, hydrogen leaked at the same rate as in previous tests, he

said. "We did not fix it, which did not surprise us," he told a news

conference after the test. Last week he described the bolt tightening effort

as a long-shot fix.

If had been no leak, NASA would have cleared Atlantis and its DOD cargo

for launch, probably in mid-August; Columbia would have followed in

mid-September. Managers then will have to decide how to shuffle three

Orbiters among the VAB's two usable hangars. The fleet will be grounded

until at least September when NASA will make a second attempt to launch

Columbia. Shuttle Program Director Robert C.rippen said today, "I feel

very confident that Columbia is ready to go." But he said NASA might do

a special fueling test before the flight to assure itself that the Shuttle had

no leak. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 25, 1990, "NASA Seeks

Source of Shuttle Fuel Leak," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 25, 1990, Banke &

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, July 26, 1990, Leary, THE NEW

YORK TIMES, p. C18, July 26,1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

p. A-11, July 26, 1990.]

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D

FOURTH TRY FOR ATLAS

"We have liftoff of Atlas Centaur AC-69 with the Combined Release and

Radiation Effects Satellite," said George DRier, NASA's launch

commentator, as the General Dynamics launch vehicle left the pad right on

time at 3:21 p.m. today. About 23 minutes later, tracking aircraft flying

near Angola listened for the payload's radio signals and confirmed that the

CRRES had separated from its booster. Later Diller said, "We have about

the best flight we could possibly hope for."

"So far, the spacecraft is performing flawlessly. We're glad to be in orbit,"

said Satellite Mission Director Sid Saucier. Speaking on behalf of his

company, Jack Isabel said, "All of us at General Dynamics certainly are

very proud of the performance today of our rocket as it made its

commercial debut. I think really this is a springboard for many more Atlas

launches from the Cape. It couldn't have been better."

The faulty electrical switch which had grounded General Dynamics' Atlas

1 rocket on its third launch attempt has been replaced; the liftoff was

rescheduled for 3:21 p.m. today. Launch managers predicted there would

be an 80 percent chance that the weather would be clear enough for

launch. Flight managers met late yesterday and announced that the 13-

story launch vehicle was ready to fly, said company spokesman Isabel.

Today's launching was the first of a commercial Arias and the eighth

commercial rocket launching by an American company. General Dynamics

Space Systems Division (San Diego, CA) provided the $65 million rocket

and launching services in exchange for Atlas spare parts and tools from

NASA. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, July 25, 1990, "NASA Seeks

Source of Shuttle Fuel Leak," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 25, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 26, 1990, "Commercial Rocket Launched on

Fourth Try," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. C18, July 26, 1990, Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 25, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-10, July 26, 1990.]

APOLLO-SOYUZ ANNWERSARY

Cosmonauts Alexsey Leonov and Valeriy Kubasov came to Brevard

County tonight aboard a NASA aircraft with ApoUo-Soyuz astronaut Tom

Stafford to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the joint U. S. - U. S. S. R

space mission known as the Apollo Soyuz Test Project. ASTP astronaut

Vance Brand is in training for an upcoming Shuttle flight and was unable

to come as was former astronaut Donald "Deke" Slayton who participated

in ASTP commemorations elsewhere during the week.

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D

The cosmonauts will tour Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, participate in

a news conference and meet the launch team that helped launch the

American portion of the Project. The Soviet crew will also narrate a

mission film of their flight for the public at the Spaceport USA Galaxy

Center at 5 p.m. [White, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 26, 1990, Glisch,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-10, July 26, 1990.]

US & USSR: OZONE AGREEMENT

An agreement was signed in Moscow today to fly NASA's Total Ozone

Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) on a Soviet Meteor-3 spacecraft in 1991.

The flight of the TOMS instrument on the Meteor-3 will provide critical

environmental data on the yearly variability of the ozone hole over

Antarctica. The agreement was signed by George P. Esenwein, Flight

Programs Branch, Earth Science and Applications Division, Office of Space

Science and Applications, NASA Headquarters and Dr. N. N. Petrov,

Deputy Chief of Main Department, Soviet State Committee for

Hydrometeorology, Moscow, following the U. S./U.S.S.R. Earth Sciences

Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting.

The Earth Sciences JWG was established under the U.S./U.S.S.R. Space

Science Agreement signed in April 1987. The agreement was expanded to

allow the exchange of flight opportunities for scientific instruments on each

other's spacecraft during the May-June 1988 Reagan/Gorbachev Moscow

Summit. TOMS will be the first U.S. instrument to fly on a Soviet

spacecraft under t_his agreement. ["U. S. and U.S.S.R. Agree on Ozone

Monitoring From Space," Rahn, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 90-105, July

27, 1990.]

INDEPENDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NAMED

Vice President Dan Quayle, Chairman of the National Space Council,

announced today that Norman R. Augustine, Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer of the Martin Marietta Corporation, has been selected to

head an independent advisory committee that is to study the future of the

space program and how to manage it. No other members were announced

for the twelve-member panel which is to be appointed by NASA

Administrator Richard H. Truly.

The committee was created to review the future of the civil space program,

looking at the appropriateness of projects already planned, organizational

balance and structure, adequacy of skills, the balance between government

and private sector roles, and what assurances there are that missions can

121
be successful. Augustine is considered in the aerospace industry to be an

expert on management.

Augustine is the author of a book caned Auffastine's Laws in which he

posits four principles of management that he might well advise NASA to

use: plan carefully; emphasize quality; keep it simple and control costs.

[Leary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. C18, July 26,1990, Lunner, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, July 27, 1990, Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp.

A-1 & A-9, July 26, 1990.]

July 26: APOLLO-SOYUZ REUNION

Astronaut Thomas Stafford, one of the three Americans involved in the

Apollo Soyuz flight said today, "It was an example to the people of each

country and to the rest of the world that if you put aside differences and

work together toward a common goal, a lot can certainly be accomplished."

Stafford and Soviet cosmonauts Aleksey Leonov and Valeriy Kubasov

were in Brevard County to commemorate their historic mission which

occurred 15 years ago this month. [See "Apollo Soyuz Anniversary"

above.] Speaking, at a Kennedy Space Center press conference, of the lack

of succeeding joint space ventures, Leonov said, "We talked about our

cooperation, between American and Soviet, and are most ready to continue

our very good tradition of Soyuz Apollo. In order to work together we

need a mutual system - the same system, same documentation procedures,

like we did when we constructed the docking system for Soyuz Apollo.

"If something happens up there - an accident in space," Leonov continued,

"people will say we are not very smart. It's not technically complicated.

It's only agreement among us, nothing else. Planes save each other, ships

save each other, but spaceships don't." Stafford commented on the

proposal to have a Soviet cosmonaut fly on an American Shuttle. "The

idea of having a Soviet cosmonaut fly on the Space Shuttle, launched out

of KSC would be tremendous," Stafford said. "I think it will happen in this

decade." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, July 27, 1990.]

a COLUMBIA TESTED; ATLANTIS PREPPED

Technicians cleaned Launch Pad 39A today where Atlantis underwent

hydrogen leak testing yesterday. Atlantis' external tank was drained and

all traces of the volatile gas were purged from the tank, according to Bruce

Buckingham, Kennedy Space Center spokesman. Following the cleanup

and purging, the rotating service structure was returned to it usual

position at the pad. Atlantis is now scheduled for rollback to the Vehicle

Assembly Building.

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Meanwhile, final testing of Columbia's new fuel line - taken from

Endeavour is underway. Technicians also installed part of the

maneuvering system Discovery uses to steer in space. A collection of

thrusters was placed in the Shuttle's nose. The Orbiter is scheduled to

launch October 5. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 27, 1990.]

D MCDONNELL'S NEW CONTRACT

A $5 million, one-year contract for payload processing was awarded to

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. at Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station, officials said today. The contract, which begins in September, has

four one-year options. The work will be performed for the U. S. Air

Force's 6555th Test Group. McDonell Douglas already prepares

Department of Defense payloads for launch on the Shuttle. ["McDonnell

Douglas Wins $5 Million Contract at Cape Canaveral," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, July 27, 1990.]

July 27: SHUTTLING SHU'I'FLES AT KSC

Managers at Kennedy Space Center have a four-step plan for swapping

Atlantis - now on Pad 39A - for Columbia - now in the Orbiter Processing

Facility. In Step One, Columbia will be moved from the OPF to the

Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with its boosters and external tank.

Step Two calls for rolling Atlantis back from its perch on Pad 39A to a

position just outside the VAB where it will remain for 24 hours due to lack

of space in one of the world's largest buildings. Step Three calls for the

mated Columbia to be rolled out to Pad 39A and Step Four moves Atlantis

into the VAB. These maneuvers will produce two firsts in the Shuttle Era,

i.e., the first time two consecutive Shuttles have been rolled back to the

VAB and the first time that two fully assembled Shuttles will be seen

outside, next to each other. "It's unfortunate that they are heading in

opposite directions," said KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 28, 1990.]

July 28: OFFICE SITE: HISTORIC KSC LOCALE

Part of a building where Apollo astronauts simulated lunar landings will

be converted into office space under a contract recently awarded to

Costello & Sons Corp. (Merritt Island, FL). The small contractor will have

90 days to complete the $156,000 project in the Engineering Development

Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center. During the Apollo Program, the lab

served as the Flight Crew Training Building where astronauts used

simulators to practice for the first manned moon landing and other Apollo

missions. Costello & Sons will install a second-story platform in the

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building's high bay which will serve as flooring for a 2,700-square-foot

office. ["KSC Lunar Test Site to House Offices," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

10E, July 28, 1990.]

July 29: MAGELLAN ON COURSE FOR VENUS

Steve Saunders, Chief MageUan Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory,

is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Magellan at Venus on August 10.

"We've tested it every which way but Sunday to check for failures that

might not make it work," he said. '1"his thing must succeed because of the

Hubble Space Telescope effect and the generally bad impression we've all

been getting of how NASA has been conducting its affairs lately." John

Logsdon, Space Policy Analyst at Georgetown University, said, "Magellan

is one of the post-Challenger missions that is going to provide a real

scientific payoff. If something would go wrong - God forbid - it would be

another nail in the coffin in the agency to carry out its mission." [Glisch,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, July 30,1990, "Magellan Will

Enter Venus' Orbit Aug. 10/' FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 10E & 9E, July 29,

1990.]

fl S_E ENGINES COUNTED

If asked, would you be able to say how many rocket engines are aboard

the Space Shuttle configuration? According to FLORIDA TODAY space

writer Jim Banke, in his "Space for Kids" column, there are 67 rocket

engines. He breaks them down as follows: the boosters employ 2 main

rockets each and 16 small separation rockets; the Orbiter itself houses 3

main rockets, 2 Orbiter Maneuvering Systems (Engines) and 44 steering

thrusters. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, July 29, 1990.]

July 30: TEST DELAYS COLUMBIA ROLLOUT

"It's probably going to be late Wednesday [August 1] at the earliest, and

quite possibly early Thursday [August 2], before we move Columbia [to

the VAB]," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The

additional time will allow workers to recheck a seal on the external tank's

main 17-inch wide fuel line. A tool used to measure a seal's flatness was

late in arriving at KSC over the weekend, but was expected to arrive today.

Until the seal inspection is complete and officials clear the tank for flight,

Columbia must remain in its hangar at the Orbiter Processing Facility. Six

days after Columbia is moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building,

technicians will rollback Atlantis from the pad. Then Columbia will head

to the pad and Atlantis will move back into the VAB. KSC workers have

124
until August 13 to swap the Orbiters at the pad and open Columbia's

cargo bay doors. If roUout is delayed, Columbia faces an additional month

on the ground to recondition one of the four telescopes in its ASTRO-1

payload. Buckingham said, '_Ve've already eaten into the contingency time

by two days by shifting our roll to the VAB by two days. That only leaves

us two or three days contingency time before it needs to be serviced

again." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, "p. 4A, July 31, 1990.]

July 31: DISCOVERY MISHAP BOARD REPORT

Movement of an overhead access bridge while connected to a payload bay

door was the primary cause cited by an investigation board for the

improper raising of a payload bay door on the Discovery on June 4, 1990.

Contributing causes to the improper raising included failure to follow

the approved procedure, deficient work control systems to preclude bridge

movement while connected to a payload bay door, and deficient work

scheduling.

The board, which was chaired by Paul Myers, technical assistant to KSC's

Director of Engineering Development, was not charged with determining

any damage to flight hardware. However, thorough inspections have been

performed and it has been determined that there was no damage to

Discovery's payload bay door from this mishap. [Malone, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 133-90, July 31, 1990, "Report Faults Communication,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 1, 1990.]

D NO TO TANK TEST

After analyzing engineering data this past weekend, managers decided a

planned test of Columbia's external tank was not necessary, according to

Warren Wiley, Deputy Director of Shuttle Engineering at Kennedy Space

Center. "When the tests were ordered we were looking at everything we

could possibly measure. This was one thing that was thrown out," he said.

Wiley said it is inappropriate to compare NASA's decision to skip the

flatness test with problems on the Hubble Space Telescope. A flawed

mirror on the telescope likely would have been detected with additional

tests. Wiley said that even if the external tank seal's flatness affected its

performance, the measuring tool which was to have been used probably

would not have been exact enough to show it. Foregoing the test will

enable the Orbiter to move a step closer to Launch Pad 39A; rollout is

scheduled for August 9. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, August 1,

1990.]

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0

SHUTTLE RESCUE TEAMS DRILL

Approximately 300 people participated in an annual mock Shuttle rescue

today. The scenario: Engine problems just after launch lead the sevenmember crew to bail out into the Atlantic Ocean when a Return to Launch

Site at Kennedy Space Center becomes impossible. Seven volunteers from

Patrick Air Force Base played the astronauts, while astronaut Kevin

Chilton observed from a Coast Guard cutter. The astronauts were

transported by boat to a site near Savannah, GA, where they were released

in the water with a locator beacon similar to the survival radios astronauts

would use in an actual emergency. Helicopters were dispatched to pick

up the "survivors." The whole exercise will be evaluated August 1.

[Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 2, 1990.]

LAUNC_HING SOVIET PAYLOADS

Soviet space officials have asked Florida's permission to launch Proton

rockets from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, according to Ed O'Connor,

Executive Director of the Spaceport Florida Authority, a Florida agency in

charge of private commercial space development. O'Connor recently

mentioned the possibility of launching Soviet rockets to a meeting in

Miami.

The request was made for the Soviets in a letter by its U. S. agent, Space

Commerce Corp. (Houston, TX). Along with the letter was an English

language version of the operating manual for the Soviet Proton rocket.

Since the request involves the use of Air Force facilities, it was forwarded

to the U. S. Department of Commerce. A spokesman for the department

said, '_Fhe Soviets have been trying to sell the Protons for a long, long time,

but we have similar concerns about technology transfer with them as we

do with the Chinese. We are concerned about this kind of competition

from a non-market economy. A state-owned entity can easily engage in

predatory pricing and cause a severe disruption in the market."

Tom Williams, a spokesman for McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Inc.,

said "I would be very surprised if our Department of Defense would even

allow it. Besides that, I can't see what advantage it would be to the

Russians to launch at Cape Canaveral. I find it hard to believe that they

really want to." The major advantage is Cape Canaveral's nearness to the

equator. The closer a launch pad is to the equator, the less fuel it takes to

get a satellite payload into proper orbit, and the cost decreases, according

to Peter Bishop, a University of Houston professor and director of the

university's Space Business Research Center. [Oates and BurneR, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Aug. 1, 1990]

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[.] SPACEPORT USA ATTENDANCE

The month ending today was the busiest in the history of Spaceport USA;

374,139 persons visited the Kennedy Space Center tourist center. As of

yesterday, more than 2 million people had visited KSC, an increase of 6.1

percent over 1989. According to TW Recreational Services, which operates

the center for NASA, many of the July visitors came from outside the

United States. ["Spaceport Attendance Soars," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E,

Aug. 12, 1990.]

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AUGUST

August 1: ATLANTIS PART GOES TO DISCOVERY

A critical component now in Atlantis will be removed today by Kennedy

Space Center workers and installed on Discovery because there are not

enough of the parts available for the three-Shuttle fleet. Henry Heimmer,

Chief of KSC's Orbiter Logistics Engineering Division, says the transfer of

an auxiliary power unit does not mean that it is part of a trend of

increasing cannibalization.

Heimmer said the current problem isa unique situation caused by a recent

Johnson Space Center determination that testshave shown that APU's are

cracking or chipping from prolonged exposure to their toxic hydrazine

fuel,according to Hal Taylor, Manager of Orbiter Projects Engineering at

JSC. Heimmer said that the transferisnecessary because only eight of the

14 availableAPU's are currently acceptable for flight.Nine approved units

- or three for each Orbiter - are necessary to avoid cannibalizing.

Heimmer said that NASA plans to spend about $100,000 to fix each unit

and expects to have enough spares by November. The parts will have to

be juggled until then. Workers are scheduled to move Columbia from the

Orbiter Processing Facility into the Vehicle Assembly Building at 10:00 a.m.

August 2 and roll the Orbiter out to Launch Pad 39A one week later.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 2, 1990.]

August 2: QUAYLE NAMES ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Vice President Dan Quayle today announced the names of eleven persons

chosen to serve on the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U. S.

Space Program, chaired by Norman R. Augustine. The members Quayle

chose are: Laurel WiIkening, Provost at the University of Washington,

will serve as Vice-Chairman; Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge, former Secretary

of the Air Force, Joseph P. Allen, former astronaut, D. James Baker,

President of Joint Oceanographic Institutions, former Pep. Edward Boland

(D-Mass.), former Rep. Don Fuqua (D-FL), Daniel J. Fink, former

Chairman of the NASA Advisory Committee, Robert Herres, retired Air

Force General and former Commander in Chief, U. S. Space Command,

David T. Kerns, member of the President's Education Policy Advisory

Committee, Louis J. Lanzerotti, Chairman of the National Research

Council Space Studies Board and former NASA Administrator Thomas O.

Paine. The panel members were selected on the joint recommendation of

NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly and Mr. Augustine in consultation

with the Vice President.

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The Advisory Committee will advise the NASA Administrator on overall

approaches NASA management can use to implement the U. S. Space

Program for the coming decades. The committee will have a broad charter

and will report its findings within approximately four months. The

Committee will operate as an independent entity, and will submit its

findings to the Administrator of NASA and, with the Administrator, to the

Vice President in his capacity as Chairman of the National Space Council.

["Advisory Committee Members Appointed," THE VICE PRESIDENT'S

OFFICE, Office of the Press Secretary, Aug. 2, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 3, 1990, Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug.

3, 1990.]

H COLUMBIA ROLLS TO VAB

Columbia rolled over from the Orbiter Processing Facihty to the Vehicle

Assembly Building after a 48-day fuel-line repair. Columbia, with its

ASTRO-1 cargo aboard, will be outfitted with its external tank and solid

rocket boosters in the VAB, then rolled out to Launch Pad 39A for its Sept.

5 launch. To make room for Columbia at the pad, Atlantis will be roiled

back to the VAB at 12:01 a.m. August 8. Atlantis will remain outside the

VAB till Columbia has completed its rollout to the launch pad August 9.

At the pad, Columbia's cargo must be re-serviced with liquid argon, which

cools the X-Ray telescope and allows it to work properly. If the reservicing is not done by August 13, NASA officials said it will take an

additional 16 days to recondition it. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Aug. 3, 1990.]

[1 MINOR DELAY FOR DISCOVERY

An accident may have delayed Discovery's preparations for its Oct. 5

mission. Officials must decide August 3 whether they will have to replace

part of a three-quarter-inch stainless steel line that carries freon to cool the

Orbiter and astronauts in space; a small dent was discovered in the line

today. Bruce Buckingham, Kennedy Space Center spokesman, said that

repairing the dent, caused by a ladder resting against the line, could delay

Discovery's scheduled August 18 move to the Vehicle Assembly Building

by two to three days. The work schedule has room for such contingencies

as repairs to the line, but there would be a 13-month delay if Discovery

does not lift off by October 23 because the planets will no longer be

aligned for Discovery's Ulysses probe to make its trip to the sun. [Glisch,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 3, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 3, 1990.]

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August 3: COLUMBIA MATED

Columbia was lifted onto its launch platform today and mated with its

solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank in preparation for its rollout

this week to Launch Pad 39A. Meanwhile, it was decided by Kennedy

Space Center managers to remove and repair a dented cooling line from

Discovery's payload bay. The line was damaged earlier in the week when

a ladder leaning against it caused a quarter-inch deep dent. Initially, it was

thought that replacement would cause a two to three-day delay in moving

Discovery over to the Vehicle Assembly Building, but today KSC

spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "We are not giving up on getting over

to the assembly building on August 18." Rollout for Discovery to Launch

Pad 39B is set for August 25, with launch set for October 5. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 4, 1990.]

August 4: SPACE STATION FACILITY BIDDING

Kennedy Space Center is now accepting bids for construction of the new

space station processing facility. The complex, which will be located in the

KSC Industrial Area, will take three years to complete. KSC is requesting

a total of $88 million for the project. Prospective bidders will have until

October 15 to respond and a contractor will be chosen by January 2, 1991.

["KSC Seeks Bids for Freedom Facility," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Aug.

5, 1990.]

fl AMERTRON CONTRACT AWARDED

Kennedy Space Center has awarded Amertron Inc. (West Melbourne, FL)

a $609,484 contract to make nine batteries for use at the Shuttle launch

pads. The 1,200-pound batteries will be grouped in three sets and installed

into each of the space center's three Mobile Launcher Platforms. Orbiters

receive electricity from ground lines through the platform. The new

batteries will provide a backup power source lasting about 15 minutes in

the event of a power failure at the pad. ["Amertron to Make Pad

Batteries," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Aug. 5, 1990.]

ROOF REPAIR CONTRACT AWARDED

A new contract for repairing the roof of the Kennedy Space Center

headquarters building was awarded to CEI Horida Inc. (DeBary, FL). The

$191,097 contract is the second of three contracts to replace the building's

entire roof which should be completely replaced by October 31. ["DeBary

Company to Repair Roof," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Aug. 5. 1990,

Kristofferson, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 131-90, July 25, 1990.]

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SPACEPORT MOVIE WINS AWARD

Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA was awarded a first-place "Gold

Camera Award" by the United States Festival Association for the film "The

Boy from Mars," which is shown daily at the space center's visitors center.

Spaceport USA has also recently been awarded a first-place award by the

National Safety Council's Intercity Bus Division for having the lowest

number of accidents per 100,000 vehicle miles. The Florida Motion Picture

and Television Association presented a National Telly Award in the

category of Best Special Program/Documentary for the informational

videos running in the lobby of Spaceport USA. ["'Boy from Mars' Wins

Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Aug. 5, 1990.]

August 5: DISCOVERY READIED FOR OCTOBER

This weekend technicians at Kennedy Space Center are installing a new

auxiliary power unit in Discovery to pressurize its hydraulic systems so

they can assist in steering and operating the landing gear. The APU was

borrowed from Atlantis and was tested late in the day. KSC spokesman

Karl Kristofferson said, "They haven't been able to completely pressurize

it with helium." He added that a faulty valve might have to be replaced.

Technicians also drained freon from Discovery's cooling system so repairs

could be made on a dent in a three-quarter-inch diameter line. When the

liquid is removed, workers will replace the section which was damaged

last week when a ladder pressed against it. Meanwhile, electrical

connection tests continued on Columbia, which is being prepared for a

September 5 liftoff. Columbia will be mated with its solid rocket boosters

and external tank on August 10. [Higginbotham, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

5A, Aug. 6, 1990.]

D MANNING AT KSC WORKSHOP

Pat Manning, a professor of education at the University of Central Florida

(Cocoa Campus) recently served as the National Science Teachers

Association's regional coordinator for a workshop at Kennedy Space

Center. For the third year in a row, NASA and the NSTA have cosponsored the NASA Educational Workshop for Elementary School

Teachers at KSC. Manning's job was to work with Kennedy Space Center

officials in organizing and holding the event which provided 22 firstthrough sixth- grade teachers a behind-the-scenes look into space

operations at the space center. It also allowed the teachers to review

NASA information programs available to teachers. "These teachers saw

everything from the launch pad to the Shuttle landing site. I was excited

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to be able to be involved atthis depth," she said. ['*reacherHelps With

KSC Workshop," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Aug. 5, 1990.]

August 6: SHUTTLE SWAP DELAYED

Problems encountered while Columbia was being mated with its solid

rocket boosters and its external tank have delayed the planned Shuttle

swap at Launch Pad 39A. Atlantis will remain in place until at least 12:01

a.m. August 9 and Columbia's rollout will not occur until early August 10.

Technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building this weekend had difficulties

as they tried to mate Columbia with its external tank. Two halves of a

pipeline through which electrical wires are routed would not align

properly at first, according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Pat

Phillips. She said that the difficulty was not a major problem but "it just

cost us some time." Time is important for Columbia's move to the launch

pad because technidans have a tight schedule for servicing the Orbiter's

X-Ray Telescope payload. If the telescope is not serviced on time, it will

take an additional 16 days to recondition the instrument. Columbia's

launch is now scheduled for September 5. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 7, 1990.]

August 7: WRECK INJURES KSC EMPLOYEE

A Kennedy Space Center employee was treated and released from

Wuesthoff Hospital (Rocldedge, FL) after her car collided today with an

EG&G Patrol Officer, KSC officials said. Patrol Officer William Kirby

Lanouv, (Titusville, FL), was heading north on Courtenay Parkway to

Spaceport USA on an emergency call about 4:30 p.m. when he tried to

make a left turn onto NASA Causeway. His car collided with one driven

by Rosalyn J. Jones, (Melbourne, FL) who was heading south, according

to KSC spokesman Dick Young. The officer was not injured and no

charges were filed, he said. The accident is being investigated. ["KSC

Employee Injured in Wreck," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 8, 1990.]

D NO LEAK TEST FOR COLUMBIA

There will be no leak test on Columbia, NASA announced today. The test

was called off in order to make the launch attempt before the beginning of

a critical October launch window for Discovery and the Ulysses solar

probe. "If we failed, if we did have a leak, we don't have enough time to

do anything...and go fly before Ulysses," said William Lenoir, Associate

Administrator for Space Flight. If Columbia has a leak, it would be

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detected during the actual fueling six hours before its September launch

and it would be postponed until after Discovery's October launch.

Columbia has been outfitted with a new pipeline from Endeavour and

NASA believes that it will not leak during fueling, according to Lenoir.

Columbia's leak test had been scheduled for no earlier than August 18.

But if the

Orbiter had failed the test, there would not have been sufficient time to

effect repairs without interfering with Discovery's launch, Lenoir said.

"Our conclusion is the test wouldn't help us," he said. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 8, 1990.]

August 8: NEW RANGE CONTROL CENTER

The Air Force will spend about $1.4 billion through 1996 to update its

launch capabilities and part of that money has been expended at Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station to construct a new range control center,

according to Air Force Space Systems Division Commander Lt. General

Donald Cromer. "Even in this period of declining defense budgets, the

importance of space to our national security is well recognized," said

Cromer at a dedication for the $19.5 million Test Operation Control Center

at CCAFS. "Fo be a 21st-century superpower, the United States needs the

ability to help friends and quell enemies within hours. I think we're seeing

that today over in Kuwait," Cromer said.

The center includes computers and advanced fiber optics technologies that

will speed the processing of rockets, cutting the time needed between tests

and launches from several days to as little as an hour. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 9, 1990.]

D ATLANTIS ROLLBACK; COLUMBIA TO ROLL OUT

The Space Shuttle Atlantis was rolled back to Kennedy Space Center's

Vehicle Assembly Building tonight for fuel leak repairs. Meanwhile,

Columbia was prepared for rollout to Launch Pad 39A today. Atlantis'

rollback began at 10:14 p.m and was scheduled to arrive at the VAB at

approximately 4 a.m. August 9. A heavy afternoon thunderstorm delayed

Atlantis' return to the VAB for about six hours. Bruce Buckingham, KSC

spokesman, said, '_l'he main concern was for the Shuttle's tiles." A Shuttle

carries some 25,000 tiles at an installation cost of $2,000 apiece.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 9, 1990.]

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August 9: UPDATE: HUBBLE INVESTIGATION

Scientists today believe they know what caused the Hubble Space

Telescope to be out of focus. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope

Investigation Board said that the "reflective null corrector" may have been

flawed. The corrector is an

measure very precisely the

during its manufacture. The

the last two weeks with

optical reference device which was used to

surface figure of the HST primary mirror

device has been systematically checked over

the result that a clear discrepancy of

approximately 1 millimeter between the design of the null corrector and

the measuring device exists.

The investigation board will now concentrate its efforts in two areas:

refining the measurement of the observed reflectivenull corrector spacing

discrepancy and continuing to examine all aspects of the reflectivenull

corrector and associated testapparatus as they were constructed and used

in the fabricationof the primary mirror. A meeting of the Board to review

testprocedures and resulting data will convene at NASA Headquarters in

Washington, D. C., on August 15 and 16. [Keegan, NASA NEWS

RELEASE (no number), Aug. 9, 1990.]

0 COLUMBIA ARRIVES AT PAD

Columbia, with its repaired fuel-line coupling and borrowed part from

Endeavour, returned to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff around September 4 on

an astronomy mission. Atlantis, plagued by an uncorrected fuel leak, was

rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs. ["Tiny Error

Caused Big Hubble Trouble," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 10, 1990.]

0 ATLANTIS: POSSIBLE HAIL DAMAGE

NASA has another problem with Atlantis: possible hail damage during

this afternoon's hail storm. "We won't know what the amount of damage

is, if any, until Atlantis is in the Vehicle Assembly Building and platforms

can be put in place to perform inspections," said Bruce Buckingham,

NASA spokesman. A strong thunderstorm, accompanied by gusting

winds, lightning and hail, hit the VAB area just as workers were to move

Atlantis into the VAB for fuel-line repairs. Work rules prohibit workers

from moving an Orbiter when lightning is within 20 miles of the launch

pad, so Atlantis had to sit out the storm just 60 feet from the VAB. An

hour after weather warnings were cancelled - at 5 p.m. - Atlantis was

moved into the VAB. A preliminary inspection at 9 p.m. showed no storm

damage. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 10, 1990.]

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August 10: MAGELLAN SPACECRAFT TO ORBIT VENUS

NASA's Magellan spacecraft firesits rocket today to enter the orbit of

Venus on a mission to map the planet's surface. The spacecraft was

launched 15 months ago and has travelled already some 947 million miles.

The four-ton craftisready to orbit Venus at 12:32 p.m. "Isuspect I'm going

to be very nervous" until Magellan is safely in orbit,said Tony Spear,

Magellan's ProjectManager. "It'slike your lifecan go either one direction

or another, so I don't plan afterFriday right now."

Pictures are not expected as soon as those from Voyager's flyby of

Neptune last year. "this is a big job. It's a very precise system," said

Steven Saunders, Magellan Mission Scientist. "It's not the sort of thing

that produces a lot of pictures right away." [Lunner, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 10, 1990, "Tiny Error Caused Big Hubble Trouble," USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 10, 1990.]

[] ATLANTIS TILES REPARABLE

Most of the tile damage to Atlantis is on the left side of the Orbiter; in all

some 90 to 100 of the delicate heat-resistant tiles were damaged by hail

when Atlantis sat unprotected next to the Vehicle Assembly Building

yesterday. 'Z/Ve're not scheduled to fly Atlantis until after Discovery with

the Ulysses Solar Probe in October, so we do not expect [the tile repair] to

be an impact on the schedule," said Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman. Atlantis had to be left outside because of a shortage of

space which developed when Columbia was awaiting rollout to Launch

Complex 39A. Tile work will begin when Atlantis is moved from the VAB

to the Orbiter Processing Facility. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug.

11, 1990.]

August 11: COLUMBIA'S CONNECTIONS TESTED

Technicians began a two-day electricalconnections teston Columbia today;

it is a test usually performed in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "Things are moving right along, and

there are no problems to report." Following the test,workers will check

parts of Columbia's propulsion systems for leaks. This test too isusually

performed inside the VAB. The Shuttle's cargo, the Broad Band X-Ray

Telescope was serviced today at the pad. Currently, Columbia isexpected

to launch September 1,but the officialdate will only be announced after

August 21 when the Flight Readiness Review is completed. [Bard<e,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Aug. 12, 1990.]

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August 12: FUEL LINE CHECK FOR ATLANTIS

The Space Shuttle Atlantis is on the move; this time the Orbiter - now in

a horizontal position - rolls to the Orbiter Processing Facility so

technicians can take a closer look at the fuel line which has grounded the

Shuttle. Technicians will also have to repair some 90 tiles which were

damaged during a rainstorm. Meanwhile, Columbia completed a major

two-day electrical and mechanical systems integration test at Launch Pad

39A. A Flight Readiness Review has been set for August 20 and a firm

launch date will be announced following the review. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 13, 1990.]

August 13: VAB SPRINKLER SYSTEM PROBLEM

The Vehicle Assembly Building's sprinkler system failed today, allowing

water to drip onto power transformers. NASA was forced to cut off power

to the high bay where the Shuttle Atlantis is located. Kennedy Space

Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone had no estimate of how much water

leaked or how long the sprinkler system leaked. She did say that the

amount of water was not "enormous." She added that neither Atlantis nor

its external tank and solid rocket boosters were doused with water. Late

today, two electrical panels which supply lighting to the high bay area

underwent repairs. The system failure is under investigation. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 14, 1990.]

[1 NEW COLUMBIA LEAK INSIGNIFICANT

A critical 24-hour leak test of Columbia's main propulsion system will be

conducted August 16 on Launch Pad 39A. The test involves pumping

gaseous helium through the Orbiter's main propulsion system, including

the external tank and three main engines. A similar test over the weekend

uncovered a small leak in the same part of the external tank which leaked

on Atlantis, but Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone said the

leak was within allowable limits and would not prevent plans to launch

in early September. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 14, 1990.]

August 14: ATLANTIS FUEL LINE REPAIRS

Atlantis was finally towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility tonight where

it awaits the start of fuel line repairs tomorrow. Between 90 and 100 heatresistant tiles, damaged last week when Atlantis was stuck outside the

VAB in a thunderstorm, also will be repaired. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 15, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug.

16, 1990.]

136
[] COLUMBIA COMPLETES ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TEST

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A completed a test of all electrical

connections between Columbia and its boosters, external tank and launch

platform. Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone reported no

problems in the test results. Columbia undergoes a 24-hour gaseous

helium leak test on its main propulsion system. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 15, 1990.]

August 16: COLUMBIA: READY TO FLY?

Top Kennedy Space Center officials gather next week for a Flight

Readiness Review which will both determine Columbia's flight status and

set a firm date for launch if the Orbiter is deemed ready to launch. "We'll

be going over all areas that support launch and landing to determine

readiness for the mission," said Lisa Malone, a KSC spokeswoman.

The results of today's 24-hour critical test of Columbia's main propulsion

system will provide important information for the flight readiness review.

The test begins at 8 a.m. and involves pumping gaseous helium through

the system in attempts to uncover any possible leaks. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 16, 1990.]

D LAUNCH PREDICTION FOR COLUMBIA

"The Kennedy team is hoping to recommend September 1 as a launch date

[for Columbia]," said John Conway, Director of KSC's Payload

Management and Operations. Conway spoke at the conclusion of today's

Launch Readiness Review. Jay Honeycutt, Director of Shuttle

Management Operations at the space center said, "In the next few weeks,

we expect to see the Shuttle Columbia launch and light up the East Coast."

The decision to set a firm launch date will be taken following the two-day

Flight Readiness Review meetings at Kennedy Space Center August 20 and

21. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 17, 1990.]

Q ULYSSES READY; IS COLUMBIA?

John Conway, Director of Payload Management and Operations at

Kennedy Space Center said of the Ulysses Planetary Probe today, "We're

ready to go fly this thing." The only thing the probe is waiting for is its

launch vehicle, the Shuttle Discovery. The Ulysses Spacecraft is scheduled

to move to the launch pad from a satellite processing facility on August 28

followed by Discovery August 31. If Discovery's rollout must be delayed,

137
it will remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building until after Columbia's

launch which is targeted unofficiallyfor September I.

Current planning callsfor Discovery to be launched between October 5

and October 23 with four days of contingency time builtinto that period.

Delays in moving Discovery to the launch pad would erode the

contingency time. After October 23, NASA would have to wait 13 months

until the planets are properly aligned again for the Ulysses to reach its

destination for itsstudy of the sun's magnetic fieldand the origin of solar

winds. [Halvorson, "Ulysses Probe Ready to Hy - All It Needs Now Is A

Lift," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 17, 1990.]

August 17: DELTA LAUNCH AWAITS WEATHER

There's a 50-50 chance that the weather will cooperate sufficiently for the

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. to launch a Delta 2 tonight,

according to Air Force spokesman Ken Warren. The Delta's payload is a

British Satellite Broadcasting Marcopolo 2 satellite slotted for

geosynchronous orbit at 23,000 miles above Earth and near another

Marcopolo satellite launched in 1989. The BSB's Director of Engineering

and Operations, Ellis Griffith, said, "It's rather a surprise to come to

Horida and find we have British weather." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Aug. 17, 1990, Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 17, 1990.]

FUNNEL CLOUDS AT KSC

Technicians at Kennedy Space Center evacuated Launch Pad 39A after

meteorologists issued a tornado warning which lasted from 2:45 to 4:03

p.m. today. "Everybody on the base was instructed to take shelter,"said

KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. She added that no funnel ground

touched down and there was no apparent damage. [Evans, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. IB, Aug. 18, 1990.]

0 DELTA 2 MARCOPOLO LAUNCH

"The vehicle is going right down the middle of the path, just the way we

like to see it," Launch Commentator Ray Adams said of tonight's launch

of a McDonnell Douglas Delta 2. The Delta launch came at 8:42 p.m. on

a day which was filled with afternoon rain. The Delta carried a $100

million British Satellite Broadcasting Marcopolo 2 spacecraft, identical to

one launched a year ago.

Liftoff had been delayed temporarily by thunderstorms and by the

temporary failure of the Air Force Range-Safety System which would have

138
destroyed the launch vehicle if it had veered off course. The Air Force

fixed the problem and the launch proceeded smoothly. About 28 minutes

after launch, McDonnell Douglas confirmed that the satellite had sep_ated

from its booster.

The Delta launch was the 198th since 1960 for McDonnell Douglas and its

20th consecutive successful liftoff. "This nighttime launch of the Delta 2

was just spectacular and we are pleased that Marcopolo 2 is off to a great

start," said Hughes Aircraft Co. spokesman Emery Wilson. Hughes was

the manufacturer of the Marcopolo and for this launch it had not only to

build the satellite, but find insurance and procure the launch services; it

marked the first time the company has had to accomplish all three tasks.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Aug. 18, 1990.]

D COLUMBIA LEAK REPAIRED

Columbia's tiny main engine leak has been repaired on Launch Pad 39A;

this cleared the way for a critical main propulsion system test which began

late today and concludes tomorrow. Technicians removed and replaced

seals in the engines to stop the leaks, according to Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Meanwhile, nonessential launch pad

personnel will leave the pad area tomorrow so hazardous propellants can

be loaded aboard Columbia's on-board storage tanks for the Orbiter's

auxiliary power units and the hydraulic power units on the twin solid

rocket boosters. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Aug. 18, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Aug. 19, 1990.]

August 20: COLUMBIA LAUNCH: SEPTEMBER 1

Barring unforeseen difficulties with its fuel lines, Columbia is scheduled

for launch between 1:17 and 2:21 a.m. September 1, NASA's managers

decided today. The announcement followed a review of Columbia's flight

preparations at Kennedy Space Center. The meeting, which was to have

continued August 21, finished a day early. '_i'oday we conducted a

complete review of the STS-35 mission as well as the results of the liquid

hydrogen leak investigation," said Associate Administrator for Space Flight

William Lenoir.

"Based on this review," Lenoir added, "I believe STS-35 is ready to fly.

Both the NASA and Contractor Teams deserve high praise for all their

efforts. It is through their hard work that we are now in a position to

launch Columbia." Still to come is tomorrow's Flight Readiness Test which

is a 16-hour check of the main engine valves and the Orbiter's steering

surfaces. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 21, 1990, "Columbia

139
Launch Is Setfor Sept. 1, 1:17A. M.," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-9,

Aug. 21, 1990, "STS-35 Launch Advisory," Aug. 20, 1990, "Shuttle Cleared

for Launch," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 21, 1990.]

August 22: COUNTDOWN STARTS AUGUST 29

The countdown for the launch of Columbia will begin at 1:00 a.m. August

29; launch is expected to come at 1:17 a.m. September 1. Work toward the

launch is progressing smoothly, according to NASA. Workers are

scheduled to pack two spacesuits into Columbia's middeck airlock today.

There is no plan for a spacewalk, but the suits are carried in case of

emergency. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 22, 1990.]

KSC AND RESERVE CALL-UP

Kennedy Space Center isreviewing itscivilservice and NASA contractor

workforce to identify reservistsin key positions, according to spokesman

Karl Kristofferson. "Ifsomeone gets called up, we're trying to find out

who would back them up," Kristofferson said, adding that 2 percent of

NASA's civil-serviceworkforce at KSC is on active reserve. Figures for

NASA contractors at KSC were not available, he said. [Mercedes,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 23, 1990.]

LEAK TEST PROCEDURES EXAMINED

NASA managers meet this week to determine whether they should change

the way it treats hydrogen fuel leaks during countdowns. One suggestion

which will be considered: change launch rules to make it easier to

approve a launch despite a leak and installing fans at the launch pad to

disperse unacceptable concentrations of hydrogen gas. The fans would

blow a stream of gaseous nitrogen at the area where NASA discovered fuel

line leaks earlier this summer and prompted NASA to rollback both

Columbia and Atlantis for repairs.

According to the Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir,

the number and location of leak-detecting sensors on the outside of the

Orbiter are also up for discussion. 'WVe do need to make sure we don't get

ourselves in a situation that might camouflage a dangerous leak," Lenoir

said. He said launch officialsfeel confident now that they understand the

problems which grounded Atlantisand Columbia and they understand the

solutions to the problems.

Lenoir said that glass beads found in hydrogen lines from Columbia

contributed to its leak. About 100-200 tiny glass beads were found when

140
the seals were disassembled, along with some metal chips, he said. How

the beads got in the lines is unknown. The only remaining problem with

Columbia which is scheduled for a September I launch, is a faltering

system which keeps the Orbiter's cargo bay cool. The rate at which freon

coolant is flowing through the plumbing is lower than expected, but

currently is within launch rules. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug.

23, 1990.]

August 23: DISCOVERY READY FOR MATING

Discovery gets a ride aboard a 76-wheel transport vehicle this weekend for

a quarter-mile ride from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle

Assembly Building. In the VAB, Discovery will be mated to its solid

rocket boosters and its external tank. NASA officials expressed hope that

Discovery could be rolled out prior to Columbia's September 1 launch.

from Launch Complex 39A. William Lenoir, Associate Administrator for

Space Flight, said, %_/e may be seeing two birds out on the launch pads

before the end of the month." Discovery will roll out to Launch Complex

39B on August 31 if all goes as planned. If the rollout is delayed,

Discovery will remain in the VAB until after Columbia's launch.

Discovery will carry the Ulysses Planetary Probe into orbit after an October

5 liftoff. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Aug. 24, 1990.]

August 25: CIVIL SERVICES FACES FURLOUGHS

A one-day furlough may await the 2,400 civil service workers at Kennedy

Space Center if Congress fails to pass the 1991 budget by the start of the

new fiscal year on October 1. "It's a situation we've faced before. This is

a drill we've gone through numerous times when we have a case where

the federal government doesn't have a budget passed and we have to

operate under a continuing resolution," said KSC spokesman Dick Young.

"We're talking about a potential furlough. We're talking about probably

a day off for each person - just a one-time shot during the early part of

October." NASA Administrator Richard Truly was expected to outline

how space agency operations will be carried out in the event of a furlough.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, Aug. 26, 1990.]

fl COUNTDOWN STARTS AUGUST 29

Beginning at 1 a.m. August 29, the countdown will begin for the

September I launch of Columbia. There may, however, be an interruption

in the countdown to allow Discovery to be rolled out to Pad 39B.

Columbia's STS-35 crew will arrive at KSC on August 29; the sevenmember crew includes Commander Vance Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner,

141
Mission Specialists John "Mike" Lounge, Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert

Parker, and Payload Specialists Ronald Parise and Samuel Durrance. At

Kennedy Space Center, the crew will practice emergency landings in the

Shuttle Training Aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility. They will also

undergo briefings and final pre-flight medical examinations and space suit

checks. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, Aug. 26, 1990.]

August 26: DISCOVERY'S ROLLOVER SLOWED

Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility ran into trouble with the lock on

Discovery's landing gear and that prevented the planned roUover from the

OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building at 8 p.m., according to Kennedy

Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. Work crews planned to try

again August 27. NASA hopes to move Discovery out to Pad 39B August

31. NASA may postpone Columbia's launch until Discovery can be rolled

out to the pad; there are only 18 days from October 5 to launch Discovery

and its cargo - the Ulysses Solar Probe. Otherwise, NASA must wait a

year for the planets to properly realign and putting Discovery on the pad

before Columbia's launch will help ensure that Discovery will meet its

launch schedule. Columbia's launch window September I is from 1:17

a.m. to 3:3I a.m. [Halvorson and Nagy, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug.

27, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 28, 1990.]

August 27: ATLANTIS FUEL LEAK

Space agency officials said today that a fuel leak in Atlantis' external tank

was not exactly where they thought it was. They expect tests at Marshall

Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) to determine the leak's location

precisely within the fuel line. Bob Schwinghamer, a Manager at MSFC,

said that the discovery in Atlantis' fuel line was not expected to affect the

attempt to launch Columbia on September 1. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 6A, Aug. 28, 1990.]

B BUDGET CRUNCH AFFECTS LAUNCH GUESTS

Unless the United States Congress resolves its disagreements over the

federal budget, the Space Shuttle Discovery may liftoff on October 5

without its usual complement of launch guests at Kennedy Space Center.

Eugene Marianetti, Chief of Special Events for NASA, said that the agency

will have to "put its hospitality on hold." If the budget impasse is not

broken before September 30, NASA won't have enough time to arrange for

Shuttle launch guests for the October launch of Discovery. The Office of

Management and Budget recently directed federal agencies to draw plans

to cut expenses drastically to avoid furloughs for most employees. NASA

142
announced today that it will furlough its 2,400employees at KSC for one

day during the first half of October if Congress should fail to pass a new

budget by the beginning of the fiscal year, October 1. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 28, 1990.]

August 28: LEAKS LOOK SIMILAR SAYS NASA

NASA's leak investigators now suspect that the leaks found on both

Columbia and Atlantis trace to the 17-inch disconnect valve and not to a

joint where the fuel line meets the external fuel tank. The experts believe

that tiny glass beads found in Columbia's fuel lines damaged seals on the

valve and they speculate that the same thing may have happened to

Atlantis. Tests at Marshall Space Flight Center provided clues for the

conclusion that Atlantis' disconnect valve was involved in the leak.

[Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 29, 1990.]

August 29: COLUMBIA'S COUNTDOWN

The countdown, finally, for Columbia's STS-35 mission began this morning

at 1 a.m. and will run until launch on September 1; the launch window is

from 1:17 a.m. until 3:31 a.m. The space agency had considered delaying

the launch until Sunday to allow t_'ne for Discovery to ride out to Launch

Complex 39B. The schedule will stay on course because Discovery will not

be ready for the rollout until the afternoon of September I at the earliest,

according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. The STS35 crew is expected to arrive at KSC at about 9:30 p.m. today. ["Columbia

Countdown Goes Smoothly," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 30, 1990,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 29, 1990.]

I1 COLUMBIA CREW AT KSC

Columbia's STS-35 crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center just after 11 p.m.

tonight and will begin final preparations for their September 1 night

launch. "We have a great ship out there and we have all the confidence

in the world in that machine," said Columbia's Commander Vance Brand.

On August 30 and 31, the crew will practice emergency Shuttle landings.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 30, 1990.]

[1 MCCULLEY JOINS LOCKHEED

Veteran Shuttle astronaut Michael McCuUey will retire from both NASA

and the Navy in October after Discovery's launch of Ulysses to take

become Lockheed Space Operations Co.'s vice president and deputy

director of the Kennedy Space Center launch site. "I am not changing

143
teams with this move, only my position on the team," said McCuiley, who

most recently piloted Atlantis on the Galileo mission in October 1989.

Donald Puddy, Director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson Space

Center, said, "Mike has always been a top-notch performer in every way.

Both as a pilot and as a technical expert, he has made significant

contributions to the Shuttle Program and to my office." McCuUey's current

is the head of the Astronaut Support Team at Kennedy Space Center. His

wife, the former Jane Thygeson, is a native of Melbourne, Florida.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1ZA, Aug. 30, 1990.]

[I MIDDLE EAST AFFECTS RESCUE CREWS

Events in the Middle East have impacted the crews who provide rescue

support for Shuttle launches. The primary teams have been deployed in

the Middle East and backup crews have been readied. "There was already

someone standing by ready to jump in line and perform the task for us,"

said Air Force Col. Dave Phillips, Director of the Department of Defense's

Shuttle Support Office at Patrick Air Force Base. "We have a commitment

from all of the commanders and the organizations concerned that they are

ready to support this mission."

The Shuttle Support Office draws on National Guard, reserves and active

duty personnel nationwide. 'qNe have trained more people than we really

need so that we always have a backup. We are able to mix and match and

get the required number without continually overtaxing any one unit."

Phillips added that medical personnel are the most scarce now, but even

if the situation in the Middle East worsened, the DOD would still be able

to attend to any injured astronauts. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IZA,

Aug. 30, 1990.]

August 30: PAYLOAD PROBLEMS POSTPONE STS-35

The STS-35 mission will be delayed until at least September 5 because of

a problem with an electronics package inside Columbia's cargo bay. "I

think there's a lot of confidence the launch will happen next week - at best

the middle of the week if not Thursday, Friday or Saturday," said Bruce

Buckingham, NASA spokesman at Kennedy Space Center. Astro-l's

problem has been traced to an avionics box. The signal from one of the

Astro-1 observatory's four telescopes was lost after Columbia's cargo bay

doors were closed August 29. Workers will resolve the problem by

entering the cargo bay; the lengthy process involves opening the cargo bay

doors and draining the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that power the

Shuttle's electrical systems.

144
Sensors on the observatory's X-Ray telescope are not sending information

to ground controllers. The sensors measure the temperature and pressure

of two tanks of superchiUed argon on the telescope. The argon keeps the

telescope chilled so it can work properly in space. Without the

information, ground controllers would not recognize any problems with

the argon system just before liftoff and during ascent into orbit. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 31, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A12, Aug. 31, 1990.]

August 31: TELCO SYSTEMS CONTRACT

Telco Systems (Titusville, FL) has been awarded a $271,417 contract to

provide fiber-optic multiplexing systems for use in digital communications

networks at Kennedy Space Center. Under the firm fixed price contract,

the small business firm will design, assemble and test 11 multiplexers in

90 days for shipment to KSC. Lockheed Space Operations Co. will install

the equipment in several Space Shuttle and payload processing facilities.

These buildings are linked by fiber-optic cable, and the multiplexers will

allow the simultaneous use of up to 672 channels through the cables.

Eventually, all major KSC facilities will be connected through a fiber-optic

cable network. [Kristofferson, NASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 148-90,

August 31, 1990.]

D REPAIR DETERMINES LAUNCH DATE

Columbia will launch either September 5 or September 8; the date depends

on how long it takes to fix a faulty electronic box in the cargo bay. If a

cable on the electronics box can be rewired the launch will occur at 1:20

a.m. September 5. WiIliam Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space

Flight, said, "We think that's the most likely solution." If NASA is forced

to replace a unit within the electronics box, the launch may be delayed

until September 8. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 1, 1990.]

fl SPACEPORT USA ATrENDANCE

During this month, 361,805 persons visited Spaceport USA; this

represented a 12.1% increase over August 1989. During 1990 year-to-date

attendance stands at 2,312,102 visitors, while in 1989, year-to-date

attendance was 2,224,387, an increase of 3.9%. ["Kennedy Space Center

Spaceport USA Launches New Information Phone Number," Spaceport

USA News Release NTO575, Sept. 4, 1990.]

145
SEPTEMBER

September 1: ALS ROCKET ENGINE CHOSEN

The engine used to power the NASA/Air Force Advanced Launch System

(ALS) will either be a gas generator power cycle similar to the engine used

on the second and third stages of Saturn moon rockets or a dosed

expander power cycle, which is similar to engines used on unmanned

rockets and Centaur Upper Stages. The Advanced Launch System is seen

as a heavy-Eft booster capable of carrying between 150,000 and 250,000

pounds into orbit while reducing launch costs to one-tenth of current

prices. ["Rocket Engine Chosen for ALS," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Sept.

1, 1990.]

fl COLUMBIA DELAYED, AGAIN

The launch of Columbia will be delayed, again. This time the delay is due

to the need to test a replacement for the faulty electronics box in the

Shuttle's cargo bay. "We're looking at this coming Thursday, Friday or

Saturday," said NASA spokesman Ed Campion. The launch was delayed

most recently because of the loss of communications with the X-Ray

Telescope in Columbia's cargo bay. NASA had hoped the problem could

be solved by replacing a cable on the electronics box that routes power

from the Orbiter to the Telescope. When that didn't work, technicians

replaced the entire electronics box which must now be tested.

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone said the new launch

date depends upon how much testing is required. A new launch date will

be announced September 2. NASA has until September 14 to launch

Columbia; after that date, the mission will be delayed until after Discovery

carries the Ulysses Planetary Probe into orbit in early October. Rollout for

Discovery to Launch Complex 39B had been set for September 2 at 8 p.m.

The move has now been delayed until no earlier than 8 p.m. September 4

because technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building had difficulties

making electrical connections between Discovery and its external tank.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 2, 1990, '_NASA Pushes Back

Launch Date," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 2, 1990.]

0 SMALLER SATELLITES RECOMMENDED

NASA should build several smaller, simpler spacecraft instead of the single

large platform now planned for the second satellite of the $30 billion Earth

Observing System, according to a White House-appointed panel. NASA's

current plans call for six huge, instrument-laden satellites to be built as

146
part of a system to monitor climate change on Earth. The space agency

plans to begin launching the satellites in late 1997 or 1998.

In a special report requested by the White House, a National Research

Council panel found that the system would leave a critical gap in efforts

to measure the heating of the Earth's atmosphere in the 1990s. Smaller,

less elaborate satellites would be less difficult to develop and could be

launched sooner, filling the gap and also provide other critical data in the

short term, the panel said. ["Panel: Use Smaller Satellites," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Sept. 2, 1990.]

September 2: COLUMBIA LAUNCH: SEPTEMBER 6

New electronics equipment installed over the weekend has taken care of

the communications problem with Columbia's Astro-1 payload. Dick

Young, Kennedy Space Center spokesman said, "They've got the link

established now. "Countdown for launch will resume September 3

heading for a September 6 launch between 1:20 and 3:24 a.m. The STS-35

crew remained at KSC while repairs were made. The astronauts, who

have been divided into two teams, will work around the clock throughout

the 10-day mission. The crew includes Commander Vance Brand, Pilot

Guy Gardner, Mission Specialists John "Mike" Lounge, Robert Parker and

Jeffrey Hoffman and Payload Specialists Ronald Parise and Samuel

Durrance.

Leaks found earlier in both Atlantis and Discovery have now been traced

to seals that control the flow of propellants from the external fuel tank to

the Orbiter's main engines. "We've surprised ourselves as we seem to do

every time we do another test in the hydrogen world," said William

Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space Flight. He says now that the

leaks both originated from the same type of fuel line seals. NASA suspects

that tiny glass beads found in Columbia's fuel line damaged its seals; tests

are being conducted to determine whether similar debris damaged

Atlantis' fuel line seals. Although the cause of the leaks is still under

investigation, NASA managers say they are confident the new fuel line

installed in Columbia will not have the same problem. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 1, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 3,

1990, "Glitches Fixed, Columbia Set for Thursday Launch," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 3, 1990.]

September 3: COLUMBIA'S COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Countdown for the launch of Columbia's STS-35 mission began again

today. "We've had some trouble, but responding to trouble, fixing

147
problems, is our strong suit," said Mike Leinbach, NASA Test Director.

"We've been disappointed several times, of course, but Thursday

[September 6] morning we hope that is all behind us."

Columbia's mission was originally scheduled to launch in March 1986, but

was delayed by the Challenger accident on January 28, 1986; a hydrogen

leak scrubbed the May 30, 1990, launch attempt. A launch attempt last

week was delayed because of problems with Astro-l's X-Ray Telescope.

The telescope was resolved this past weekend when technicians repaired

a faulty electronics package.

Liftoff is presently scheduled for 1:30 a.m. September 6, but could be

moved up to 1:07 a.m. if problems force Shuttle Managers to switch the

primary emergency landing site from Ben Guerir Air Base in Morocco to

Moron Air Base in Spain. The exact launch time will be set by noon

September 5.

"We want the Shuttle Columbia and the science payload to be right when

we launch," said STS-35 Commander Vance Brand. "We are enthusiastic

about the mission and ready to fly it." The remainder of the crew includes:

Pilot Guy Gardner, Mission Specialists John "Mike" Lounge, Jeffrey

Hoffman and Robert Parker and Payload Specialists Robert Parise and

Samuel Durrance. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 4, 1990.]

September 4: NEW INFORMATION PHONE NUMBER

Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA announced today that there is a

new 900 telephone number for NASA Space Shuttle Launch information

that is available in the continental United States at a cost of 75 cents per

call. The new number is 1-900-321-IXFr OFF. H. B. Chambers, Division

Vice President (TW Recreational Services, Inc.) and General Manager of

Spaceport USA, said, "We feel the traveling public will appreciate being

able to learn in advance about upcoming Space Shuttle launches that may

occur during their Central Florida vacation. The Space Shuttle Information

Line will provide an important visitor service." ["Kennedy Space Center

Spaceport USA Launches New Information Phone Number," Spaceport

USA News Release NTO575, Sept. 4, 1990.]

September 5: DISCOVERY ROLLS OUT

Discovery rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space

Center at 6:47 p.m. last night and completed the eight-hour journey to

Launch Complex 39B this morning at [about 2 o'clock]. The Orbiter is

scheduled for launch October 5 and its cargo, the Ulysses space probe,

must be launched between then and October 23 or be delayed for 13

148
n

u

months until the planets are once again properly aligned. In addition to

the usual flight preparations, technicians at the pad will also try to find the

cause of a 10 percent drop in the amount of coolant in one of Discovery's

cooling lines. Columbia, now on Launch Complex 39A, had a similar

problem that appears to have stabilized, according to NASA managers.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Sept. 5, 1990.]

COLUMBIA GASSES UP TODAY

Final preparations for the launch of Columbia continue today as Columbia

gets a full tank - 500,000 gallons - of propellant. "We're just proceeding

down through the count, business as usual, doing what we do best," said

A1 Sofge, NASA Test Director. Project Manager Bill Huddleston,

commenting on STS-35's troubled pre-launch history, said, "We've had our

share of problems. I figure it's time to have something go right for Astro."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 5, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 5, 1990.]

COLUMBIA SCRUBSt AGAIN

At 5:40 p.m. today a leak of gaseous hydrogen 10 times the allowable limit

was detected in Columbia's rear engine compartment. The leak was

discovered less than an hour after the tanking process began. Columbia

has been scrubbed again. "We're trying to figure out what we do from

here," said Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen. "It's really got us

scratching our heads." Referring to the previous scrub because of leaks,

Crippen said, "What we were dealing with were apparently two different

leaks in May. I think we got fooled by the fact that we had two leaks. We

think the leak has been there all along. It's a real bugger to try to find and

isolate." He ordered a launch-pad tanking test for Discovery as soon as

possible.

NASA planned to continue tests early tomorrow to pinpoint Columbia's

newest seepage. At Pad 39A, technicians may enter the main engine

compartment shortly for visual inspections. At Pad 39B, technicians plan

to open Discovery's payload bay doors to begin resolving that Orbiter's

cooling system problem. The amount of coolant has dropped by about 10

percent since the Shuttle left the Orbiter Processing Facility August 27 and,

according to Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham,

Discovery continues to lose about I percent of coolant daily. [Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-7, Sept. 6, 1990, Halvorson and

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 6, 1990, Kanamine &

Halvorson, USA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 6, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A12, Sept. 6, 1990.]

149
September 6: COLUMBIA: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT

Technicians this weekend will replace a unit containing three engine fuel

pumps aboard Columbia in hopes that the Shuttle will be safe and ready

for launch the week of September 17. The Associate Administrator for

Space Flight, William Lenoir, said, "It's unlikely to be any sooner than

that, but it's not impossible. I think we have a shot at getting Astro off

before Ulysses." A similar fuel pump leak postponed the flight of Atlantis

for six days in the spring of 1989.

The source of the new leak is believed to lie in fuel pumps linked to the

Orbiter's three main engines. Each engine has an electrically driven pump

about the size of a softball that circulates liquid hydrogen through fuel

lines, keeping them chilled and in proper condition for ignition. Engineers

do not know which of the three circulation pumps are at fault.

Referring to the engine fuel pumps, NASA Administrator Richard Truly,

said, "We are not certain [the fuel pump] is the cause. It's not a 100

percent guarantee. But it's the one shot we have to get the Astro mission

safely airborne before the Ulysses flight." He added that the newest

problem simply reflected the difficulty of space enterprise, and he

appealed for the public's understanding. 'The space program is not an

ordinary business," he said. "It continually reaches out to do things that

haven't been done before."

The Ulysses launch date itself is in question. A leak in Discovery's cooling

system might force a delay in the October 5 launch of the Ulysses Solar

Probe which must be launched by October 23 or wait 13 months for the

next opportunity. Because NASA needs three weeks between missions to

analyze flight data, the cutoff date for Columbia's launch had been

September 14. Repairs to Discovery's cooling system may push back the

Ulysses flight, giving the space agency a few more days to launch

Columbia. [Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A-11, Sept. 7, 1990,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 7, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-11, Sept. 7, 1990.]

September 7: PAD WORK CONTINUES

Leaks in two Space Shuttle systems have NASA contractor technicians

working on 39A and 39B simultaneously. Columbia continues to be

plagued by hydrogen leaks and Discovery has a coolant leak. "¢qe're on

the road to making repairs to Columbia so we can launch this month," said

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman. The launch of Columbia is targeted

for the week of September 17.

150
Today technicians will climb into Discovery's cargo bay to gain access to

the cooling system. On September 9, workers will test the cooling system

to determine how bad the leak is. Discussion of the results will take place

September 10. Among the options being considered are a complete

overhaul of the system, which would imperil the chances of launching the

Ulysses this year, refilling the leaky system just before launch; or flying the

four-day mission with the plumbing as it is. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 6A, Sept. 8, 1990.]

September 8: KSC WATCHES TITAN 4 PROBE

Alan Parrish, Director of Safety, Reliability, Maintainability and Quality

Assurance, said today that every effort is made to ensure that the type of

accident which occurred today in California with a Titan 4 does not occur

in the Vehicle Assembly Building or other areas of Launch Complex 39.

Parrish has been in touch with Air Force officials about the accident which

killed one person and injured 9 others at Edwards Air Force Base in

California. In that accident, a Titan 4 booster segment was dropped 100

feet and ignited upon hitting the ground at Edwards.

Parrish said that a Kennedy Space Center representative might serve on the

investigative board the Air Force is forming, or as an official observer. The

Air Force has expressed interest in how KSC operates and maintains its

cranes used to lift the segments. NASA wants to learn more about the

propellant used in the Titan 4 segment that was destroyed. The space

agency is interested because the propellant combination is similar to what

will be used on the Shuttle's Advanced Solid Rocket Motor, said Parrish.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 9, 1990.]

September 9: DISCOVERY CREW COMES TO KSC

The crew of Discovery's STS-41 mission arrived at Kennedy Space Center

early this afternoon to participate in a full dress rehearsal for the launch

countdown which begins at 8 a.m. September 10. On arrival, Commander

Richard "Dick" Richards commented, "We're happy to be here. This is a

real milestone for us." Joining Richards at the traditional arrival ceremony

were Pilot Robert Cabana and Mission Specialists William Shepherd,

Bruce Melnick and Thomas Akers. Commander Richards added, "We still

have some hurdles to overcome, but we're confident, come October, we're

going to get Ulysses started on its five-year journey to the sun."

Managers must decide tomorrow (September 10) whether to top

Discovery's cooling system with fresh coolant before launch and postpone

repairs until Discovery returns from its four-day mission. The leak is

151
apparently confined to an external vent where it poses no contamination

threat to the Ulysses Solar Probe in the cargo bay. While at Kennedy

Space Center, the crew will be trained in emergency egress procedures at

Launch Pad 39B including a practice drive in the Ml13 tracked vehicle.

They will become familiar with the location of breathing apparatus at the

pad, other emergency equipment and the slidewire basket system. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 10, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Sept. 9, 1990, Malone, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 154-90, Sept. 7,

1990.]

0 COLUMBIA: REPAIRS CONTINUE

NASA managers continue to hope that Columbia will be able to launch

before Discovery's October STS-41 mission. Today, technicians replaced

a suspect pump package in the main engine compartment with a spare

unit. The new equipment will be tested September 10, according to

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The old pump

package will undergo testing at Johnson Space Center; the results of JSC

tests will not be known to KSC managers until Columbia is refilled with

fuel a few hours before flight. Buckingham said, "We're confident we can

make the early part of next week." "The new launch date of Columbia is

dependent on the successful replacement and re-test of the new packaged,"

according to Lisa Malone, KSC spokesperson. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 6A, Sept. 9, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 10, 1990.]

September 10: RECIRCULATION PUMP INSTALLATION

The new hydrogen recirculation pump package is being installed today

and leak checks are planned for this afternoon. Late tonight, engineers will

conduct a helium signature test of the liquid hydrogen side of the main

propulsion system and main engines. FoUowing the test, technicians will

again foam the pump and connecting joints. No leaks were detected

during tests of the pump package this weekend. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 10, 1990.]

[1 DISCOVERY'S PRESSURIZATION TEST

Results from a pressurization test of the freon system aboard Discovery are

being analyzed today. This test is designed to verify structural integrity

of the system. A leak was detected in the system after the vehicle was in

the vertical position. A helium signature leak test of the three main

engines and main propulsion system was successfuUy completed

overnight. The Countdown Demonstration Test began on time today at 8

a.m. at the T-24 hour mark. All countdown events will be simulated or

152
abbreviated leading up to a main engine cutoff at about 11 a.m. tomorrow.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 10, 1990.]

September 11: DISCOVERY LAUNCH DATE

Today NASA managers are expected to announce when Discovery will fly

in October or whether a lengthy repair effort will be needed. Tests on the

leak of a coolant from an emergency cooling system have been

inconclusive, according to Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. Managers are thought to be leaning toward topping off the

coolant system's fuel supply and flying Discovery as is. Discovery

Commander Richard "Dick" Richards said, "We want to make this mission

a success. At the same time, we can't just sacrifice safety in order to make

that happen at any cost. I'm hoping that as long as we keep making the

right decisions, we're going to turn around. Two years from now, we

won't remember these hydrogen leaks. They'll be just a footnote in the

Shuttle history." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, Sept. 11, 1990.]

D SEPTEMBER 18 FOR COLUMBIA

Despite there being only a 50-50 chance that the source of Columbia's

hydrogen leak has been found, NASA announced a tentative launch date

for the STS-35 mission of September 18; liftoff would occur between 1:28

a.m. and 3:07 a.m. "We are doing everything we can to try and find this

leak and to fix it," said Bascom Murtah, NASA Processing Manager. 'I

can't give you any guarantees that we have fixed it." Murrah referred to

the replacement over the weekend of a package of fuel pumps suspected

of being the culprit in Columbia's latest hydrogen leak. Because the work

took longer than anticipated, the helium signature test of the hydrogen side

of the main engines and main propulsion system was rescheduled from

late September 10 to second shift today.

The September 18 launch date may be subject to change because on

September 17 - a Monday - the Air Force plans to launch a top-secret

Titan 4. Officials for the Air Force said 36 to 48 hours between launches

are needed to reset launch support equipment. NASA spokesman Ed

Campion said that a final decision on Columbia's liftoff may come

September 12. If launch does not occur next week, Columbia will have to

wait until after Discovery's October launch. [DiUer, KSC STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 11, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 12, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 13, 1990.]

153
U DISCOVERY: "GOOD COUNTDOWN TEST"

"As usual, we had a good countdown test. Overall things went real

smooth. We'd like to see things go that way for the real thing," said Lisa

Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokesperson. Discovery's five-man crew

was aboard for the final hours of the rehearsal which ended at 11:07 this

morning. An exact launch date for the STS-41 mission must await NASA's

decision on what to do about a cooling system leak in the Orbiter's cargo

bay. It is anticipated that problems related to the leak will delay the

launch two or three days from the target date of October 5.

Today's successful countdown dress rehearsal was primarily an electrical

test of the Space Shuttle systems and launch complex systems, and a

procedural exercise for the astronauts working together with the launch

team. In parallel with the countdown test, the payload test team

conducted an exercise to simulate problems which could arise during an

actual countdown. The test team's decisions on managing unexpected

problems which could arise with Ulysses, the Inertial Upper Stage, or the

Payload Assist Module were to be discussed after the test.

Data from the testing of Discovery's cooling system over the weekend

shows that the small freon leak is not likely to worsen and that flying as

is will be the Kennedy Space Center recommendation. The leak will

continue to be monitored, however, the leakage rate of about 1% per day

is believed not likely to change. The next major step toward launch began

this afternoon with the Interface Verification Test between Ulysses with its

attached upper stages and Discovery. This test verifies the electrical

connections established between the payload and the orbiter, and also

connections with the payload control panel and the associated computers

on the flight deck. [Diller, KSC STATUS REPORT, Sept. 11, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Sept. 12, 1990.]

September 12: HELIUM LEAK TEST COMPLETED

A helium signature leak test of Columbia's liquid hydrogen system was

successfully completed early this morning. Overnight, technicians replaced

a damaged teflon seal for the engine 3 pre-valve. Part of the investigation

of the hydrogen leak involved leak tests of the engine pre-valves. Tests

performed over the past weekend indicated a leak just over specification

at that particular cover seal. The two and a half inch diameter seal was

replaced September 11 by the vendor. NASA officials believe the damaged

seal was the cause of the high concentrations of hydrogen detected in the

aft compartment during the previous launch attempts of Columbia.

Closeouts of the aft compartment are scheduled to begin later tonight.

154
[]

Launch countdown preparations will begin tomorrow. [Malone, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 12, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Sept. 13, 1990.]

LEAK CULPRIT: DAMAGED SEAL

Columbia was scrubbed September 5 when high concentrations of liquid

hydrogen were detected in the aft compartment of Columbia. Subsequent

tests showed the leak came from the vicinity of the recirculation pump

package. During leak check operations following installation of the new

recirculation pump package, technicians found a crushed seal on the

prevalve of the main propulsion system. The seal is part of a detent cover.

The prevalve is the main hydrogen valve which supplies hydrogen to

Space Shuttle Main Engine Number 3. The detent holds the prevalve in

place in the open position.

Helium leak checks indicated the seal was within specification, however,

this particular detent cover had an order of magnitude greater leak than

other detent covers. Alert technicians and engineers decided to investigate

further and discovered the damaged seal. Engineers believe the location

of the seal and the damage to the seal make it a prime suspect as the cause

of the hydrogen concentrations seen in the aft of Columbia during tanking

operations. They believe the seal was damaged during the post-inspection

installation and remained undiscovered until yesterday. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 13, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 13,

1990, Campion and Malone, "Launch Advisory for Shuttle Missions STS-35

and STS-41," KSC NEWS RELEASE (no number), Sept. 12, 1990.]

COOLING SYSTEM OK'D FOR FLIGHT

Discovery's freon cooling loop number 1, which has given indications of

a small leak since leaving the Orbiter Processing Facility, has undergone

special testing. After review of the test data, Shuttle managers have

determined that this condition can be safely flown in its present state.

Launch preparations will include topping off the freon system of Discovery

a few days before launch which will keep the freon level well above the

amount needed to support Shuttle operations during the 4-day mission.

An interface verification test for the Ulysses payload has been completed

and preparations for the end-to-end test are underway; that test will be

made tomorrow. Preparations are underway for loading hypergolic

propellants aboard the Orbiter this weekend. The pad will be dosed to all

non-essential personnel for this tanking operation. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 13, 1990, Campion and Malone, "Launch Advisory

for Shuttle Missions STS-35 and STS-41," KSC NEWS RELEASE (no

155
number), Sept. 12, 1990, KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 12,

1990.]

11 ATLANTIS PROCESSING

Operations to replace the flash evaporator aboard Atlantis are continuing.

Brazing operations are scheduled today. Tile repairs continue and thermal

control blankets are being installed on the forward bulkhead. [KSC

SHUFFLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 12, 1990.]

September 13: SEARCH FOR LEAKS CONTINUES

NASA has not abandoned its search for fuel line leaks even though a

damaged seal suspected of causing last week's scrub of the STS-35

Columbia mission has been replaced. "There is no question that this seal

was leaking," said Forrest S. McCartney, Director of Kennedy Space

Center. He went on to indicate that the damaged seal might not be the

sole source of Columbia's latest leak. "I think we found it, but the data

could be interpreted to say there also may be another one, so our people

are looking into it," McCartney said.

The engines themselves are not thought to be leaking, according to KSC

spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The problem, he said, is the plumbing

between the engines and the external tank. 'The bottom line is that you

really don't know until you begin filling the tank," he said. NASA

spokesman James Hartsfield said, '"There's a little bit of doubt on how

much that damaged seal contributed to the leak." Tanking will begin

about 5 p.m. September 17 with launch coming between 1 a.m. and 3:30

a.m. the next morning, September 18. A faulty temperature sensor that

allowed hydrogen to leak near one of Columbia's three main engines was

replaced today. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Sept. 14, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 15, 1990.]

a HUBBLE INVESTIGATION REPORT

The following is a statement of Dr. Lew Allen, Chairman of the Hubble

Space Telescope Optical Systems Board of Investigation at the conclusion

of the board's fourth meeting, held yesterday and today, at Hughes

Danbury Optical Systems, Inc. (Danbury, CT):

"I wish to report that the Board has nearly completed answering the 3

questions of its basic charter - to ascertain: what happened to result in the

Hubble Space Telescope Optical Telescope Assembly problem; how it

occurred; and how it escaped notice until after launch. The Board has just

156
completed its fourth meeting, the third at Hughes Danbury Optical

Systems, Inc., Danbury, Connecticut, previously Perkin Elmer, where the

HST mirrors were made.In terms of the first issue - what happened - the

Board is confident that most, if not all, of the on-orbit problem can be

tracked to a spacing error in the reflective null corrector, an optical

reference device used in the manufacture of the primary mirror.

"With respect to the second point in the Board's charter -how the mistake

occurred - the Board is fairly confident that it has identified this as well.

The process has been greatly facilitated by the fact that almost all of the

hardware involved in the fabrication of the primary mirror has been

available for examination and analysis by the Board. In addition, many of

the individuals originally involved in the construction of the reflective null

corrector have come to Danbury where, with Dr. Robert Parks, the Board's

representative at HDOS, and current HSOS personnel, they have

reconstructed for the Board the events in the assembly of the null corrector.

"After its successful use in Perkin Elmer's initial demonstration program,

the reflective null corrector required respacing before use with the HST

primary mirror. The process of this respacing was done with the most

precise means possible - using metering bars (also called "metering rods")

and interferometric measurements relative to optical foci, as opposed to

other techniques such as those employing micrometers and mechanical

measurements.

"The metering bars were used by reflecting a focused beam of light off

their ends. To ensure that the beam of light was reflected off the very

center of the bar's end, a field stop, or end cap, was used with a "pin-hole"

in its center to hold the light beam centered. It appears now that there

was a reflective region around the pin-hole and that the light beam was

reflected off that surface rather than the end of the metering bar,

introducing a difference of about 1.3 mm. The likelihood of this type of

problem causing the null corrector spacing error was increased by the fact

that the two ends of the metering bars are slightly different and there is

strong evidence that the bar was used in an inverted position.

"Aspects of the above scenario have been reproduced with an

interferometer and metering bar/end cap simulation, and the results

indicate that the scenario as described is probable. In terms of the Board's

third charge - to determine how the problem with the HST OTA could

have gone undetected until after launch - it must be noted that the

assembly of the null corrector involved many precise and subtle steps.

Although the process was carried out by highly skilled individuals, it is

now apparent that a mistake occurred and was not detected. As the Board

157
concludes its report, it will address the question of various indications

existing during the mirror manufacture process which could have revealed

the problem but weren't recognized properly at the time. I expect that the

final report now in preparation will be ready as anticipated by the

beginning of November. It appears that the Board has obtained the

necessary data to reconstruct the events which led to the manufacturing

error." [Cleggett-Haleim, NASA NEWS RELEASE, Sept. 13, 1990.]

September 14: COUNTDOWN ON SCHEDULE

Launch preparations for STS-35 continued without a problem today

leading up to the beginning of countdown tomorrow. "We've been right

on schedule," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone.

Additional leak tests of the main propulsion system and the number 2

main engine were successfully performed yesterday and no further testing

is required. Technicians also purged the power reactant storage and

distribution system storage tanks yesterday.

Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight are continuing today. These

activities include inspections of the hydraulic systems, draining

condensation from the flash evaporator, removing protective covers from

components, installing a baggie on a fuel duct, installing gas samplers,

taking closeout photos and overall cleaning. These activities are scheduled

to be completed tomorrow and the flight doors will be installed on the

vehicle by tomorrow afternoon. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept.

15, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 14, 1990.]

Q LAUNCH PARKING LIMITED

People with NASA car passes won't get as close to Launch Complex 39A

as normal because of the imminent launch of a secret Titan 4 mission from

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. For Columbia's liftoff, visitors will be

directed to a site west of Spaceport USA, just east of Kennedy Space

Center's Gate 3 and about 10 to 12 miles southwest of 39A. Officially,

NASA said only that the change in viewing sites was "due to range

activities."

The Air Force's Capt. Ken Warren, however, explained the change this

way: 'Tne Shuttle will be overflying systems in launch-ready condition

with fuel and oxidizers on board. Due to the presence of those substances,

the usual viewing areas on the NASA Causeway are within a zone that

possibly would not be safe in the event of a contingency involving the

Shuttle." The Titan 4 isbeing readied for a liftofffrom Launch Complex

158
41 two days after STS-35 begins. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A,

Sept. 15, 1990.]

D MCCARTNEY: NATIONAL QUALITY MONTH

In 1984, as a public awareness campaign, a joint resolution of Congress and

a proclamation by President Reagan declared October as National Quality

Month. In 1989, President Bush renewed this presidential proclamation.

This campaign is to stimulate, support, and strengthen this Nation's

commitment to quality.

Through special activities, KSC calls attention to quality improvement as

the best strategy for increasing our competitiveness. Enclosed is a schedule

of events that will be happening at KSC in our observance of this tradition.

I encourage each of you, with permission of your supervisor, to attend one

or more of these events. In all our activities at KSC, quality is the most

important product. We will continue to be in the forefront of the quality

movement within the Federal Government. October, National Quality

Month, is an appropriate time for each of us to reaffirm our commitment

and dedication in maintaining our excellence. [McCartney, Forrest S.,

"Memorandum to KSC Employees," Sept. 14, 1990.]

September 15: COLUMBIA PROBLEM "SOLVED"

"Hopefully, we have it [the hydrogen leak problem] solved. We think we

do, but we thought we did before," said Kennedy Space Center Director

Forrest S. McCartney today. Columbia is scheduled to make its fourth

attempt to begin its STS-35 mission on September 18 at 1:28 a.m.

McCartney said that even if a launch-delaying leak shows up again this

time, the launch team would not flinch before halting the countdown a

fourth time. The most frustrating thing I can think of is losing an Orbiter

and what the country does after that. So if you want to know what

pressure is, pressure is trying to be sure that we continue to take all risks

into account," said McCartney. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

Sept. 16, 1990.]

September 16: COLUMBIA: TANKING TODAY

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A today will begin pumping liquid

hydrogen and liquid oxygen into Columbia at the rate of 8,400 gallons per

minute today at 4:57 p.m. NASA Test Director Mike Leinbach said that,

"Historically, that is the time leaks have occurred. "We feel real good that

we have fixed the leaks, and we don't expect one, but it will be about 45

159
minutes after we begin filling the tank before we're positive we've fixed

the leaks."

Five of Columbia's astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center on

Saturday; these included Commander Vance Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner,

Mission Specialist Jeffrey Hoffman and Payload Specialists Ronald Parise

and Samuel Durrance. Mission Specialists John "Mike" Lounge and

Robert Parker arrived today. Air Force meteorologists are predicting an

80 percent favorable chance for launch early Tuesday; liftoff is scheduled

for 1:38 a.m. September 18. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept.

17, 1990, "Fueling Test On Monday Will Test Shuttle Leak," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 16, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-3, Sept. 17, 1990.]

September 17: COLUMBIA GROUNDED, AGAIN

"We are no go for launch tonight," said Lisa Malone, spokeswoman for

Kennedy Space Center in announcing the scrubbing of the STS-35 mission

for the fourth time. It is unclear when and if Columbia will fly again.

Columbia will not fly until November at the earliest, according to Shuttle

Program Director Robert Crippen. "At this time we are scrubbed. The

next flight up is Ulysses," said Crippen at a press conference begun at 9:00

p.m. tonight after Columbia's STS-35 mission was scrubbed for the fourth

time. The launch was scrubbed at 6:35 p.m. after the tanking operation of

liquid hydrogen transitioned from the "slow-fill" to the "fast-fill" mode.

Columbia's fueling operation began at 5:45 p.m., an hour later than

planned due to nearby thunderstorms. The leak in the Orbiter's rear [aft]

engine compartment came about four minutes after into the tanking

operation. The two previous leaks were discovered at about the same

time. Levels of hydrogen gas in Columbia's aft compartment a

potentially explosive leak - reached 3,500 parts per mill.ion before the

scrub. NASA launch rules limit hydrogen levels to 1,000 parts per million

while the external tank is being filled.

The launch team continued troubleshooting the source of the leak for the

remainder of the evening. Engineers are analyzing the data collected.

There is a possibility of conducting another tanking test. The details and

date of the test are being discussed. "The mood is really depressing,

especially after trying to chase these leaks all summer," said Keith

Hudkins, Director of NASA's Shuttle Orbiter Division. "I think the team

ultimately will solve this problem, but we won't launch Columbia until the

leak is fixed." [Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept.

18, 1990, "KSC Shuttle Status Report," Sept. 18, 1990, Halvorson and Hall,

160
D

USA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 18, 1990. Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.

B9, Sept. 18, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-13,

Sept. 18, 1990.]

LEAK SUSPECT: IMPROPER REPAIR WORK

NASA has a prime suspect for the cause of today's leak: Officials think

that work which required removing and replacing parts of the main

propulsion system might have been done improperly and may have caused

the leak. Two previous leaks were traced to contamination in part of a 17-

inch-wide fuel pipeline and a crushed seal in a valve near one of the

Orbiter's main engines. Officials believe the seal was probably crushed

after it and other plumbing were removed and replaced after the

contamination was noticed. The contamination was corundum, residue

from a type of sandpaper used to refurbish the mobile launch platform for

Columbia's January mission, according to Shuttle Program Director Robert

Crippen. "l'he best guess we have today is somehow we left a small

amount of this grit paper in the system and that got sucked into the

vehicle in the process of fueling it," said Crippen. The platform had last

been used for the ApoUo-Soyuz flight in 1975. [Banke and Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 18, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A-14, Sept. 19, 1990, Kanamine and Banke, USA TODAY, p. 3A,

Sept. 19, 1990, Banke and Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 19,

1990.]

COLUMBIA'S SCRUB: NORMAN PARMET

Norman Parmet, Chairman of NASA'S Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel,

called the reappearance of hydrogen leaks in Columbia's aft engine

compartment a disturbing development but said NASA was correct to halt

the mission. "I don't care how long it takes, they ought to systematically

take the approach to try to find what the basic cause of all these leaks are."

Somebody missed something somewhere." He suggested, further, that"

Columbia may be suffering from again hardware prone to leaks and other

problems despite having flown only nine times. "It's not the flying aspect,

but the time aspect that is the important thing. If you let an airplane sit

for long periods of time, you're going to get leaks all over the place,"

Parmet said. "Not being used can create situations for leaks when seals

dry out and stuff like that. I'd tell them to go back to ground zero and

check everything they have done." [Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 18, 1990.]

161
[3 PLAYALINDA BEACH ROAD

Construction may begin this fall on the new road to Playalinda Beach;

permits have been obtained and bids for the project have been opened.

The new road was made necessary by the need to provide beach access

which was outside Kennedy Space Center's three-mile security zone.

Currently, the only access road to the beach for Titusville, FL, residents is

dosed when an Orbiter is on Launch Pad 39B or when a Shuttle is being

flown back to the Space Center following a California landing.

Peggy DeWeese, federal highway engineer, said Speegie Construction Co.

(Cocoa, FL) has submitted the lowest bid, $3.9 million, but that the

contract had not yet been awarded. "We look at price, responsiveness and

responsibility," she said. 'The company that will receive the project has to

fulfill the essential contract requirements and be qualified to do the work.

We have to make sure the price they bid will allow them to do the work."

The project is scheduled for completion in January 1993. When completed,

there will be year-round access to Playalinda Beach. [Long, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, Sept. 18, 1990.]

September 18: LEAK SEARCH TO CONTINUE

Today pad technicians will complete the draining of propellants from

Columbia's external tank and prepare to enter the Orbiter's aft

compartment to identify and isolate the source of yesterday's hydrogen

leak. The Rotating Service Structure was moved back around the vehicle

at about 9:15 a.m. this morning. The Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit has

been reconnected to the vehicle in preparation for offioading the onboard

reactants. The payload bay doors will open September 19. Any repairs

needed by Columbia will very likely be done on the pad. Shuttle Program

Director Robert Crippen said in last night's press conference that NASA

had no reason to think Discovery would be affected by the same types of

leaks which grounded Columbia and Atlantis. Nevertheless, a special

launch pad fuel test is being considered to assure that Discovery does not

have the same type of leak. The STS-35 crew left Kennedy Space Center

today at 11 a.m. and returned to the Johnson Space Center for further

training.

Commander Vance Brand spoke for the rest of the crew before his

departure: 'The STS-35 crew, naturally, was disappointed not to launch

last night. However, most of us have been involved in the space flight

business for some time, and we know from experience that hardware

problems can be difficult and it does not pay to fly until the spacecraft is

ready. The Astro-1 astronomy mission is very worthwhile, and the crew

162
U

B

is ready and anxious to fly as soon as the remaining hydrogen leaks are

repaired. [Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, Sept. 18,

1990, "Statement by STS-35 Commander Vance Brand," Sept. 18, 1990,

KSC Shuttle Status Report," Sept. 18, 1990.]

KSC MORALE

"What we're going through here is disappointment we didn't get to launch

it. It's not the sadness and grief [of the Challenger accident]," said

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCartney about the fourth

scrubbing of the STS-35 mission. "On the other hand, we're not going to

fly that machine, or any of them, until we have things working. The bird's

a good bird." NASA engineers insist that Columbia's problems are not due

to a design flaw. Former Administrator James Fletcher's advice to the

agency he headed until 1989 was: '_l'ake your time, fix the leaks and we'll

go when we're ready." Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen said that

NASA will "keep trying until we get it right." [Kanamine and Banke, USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Sept. 19, 1990.]

COLUMBIA STATUS REPORT

Shuttle officials are continuing to analyze data from yesterday's tanking

operation. A small investigation team is being formed to determine the

source of the leak which caused the STS-35 mission to be scrubbed. The

team will be headed by Robert Schwinghamer (MSFC) and will operate

from Kennedy Space Center. Several in-house teams are being formed at

KSC to analyze data from last night's operations and from previous tests

and to determine requirements for another tanking test. Additionally, the

team will review all work performed on Columbia's main propulsion

system since Columbia's last flight, STS-32 in January of this year.

The source of the leak has not yet been pinpointed, however data collected

suggests that the engine 2 liquid hydrogen recirculation system is making

a contribution to the leakage detected. Officials are discussing the

troubleshooting test results and will determine whether and when further

testing will occur. Currently, officials are planning to conduct a liquid

hydrogen tanking test on Columbia with the aid of additional

instrumentation and television cameras. Details remain to be discussed.

At pad 39A, hydrogen boiloff operations continued into the evening. A

purge of the tank will follow the boiloff. Later, the power reactant storage

and distribution system storage tanks will be drained of liquid hydrogen

and liquid oxygen reactants. Access to the aft compartment area should

come no earlier than late tomorrow (September 19) afternoon. [Malone,

163
KSC Shuttle Status Report - Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1990, 5:30 p.m.; Afternoon

Status - STS-35 - Columbia (OV 102) - Pad 39A, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Sept. 19, 1990.]

September 19: TITAN LAUNCH POSTPONED

The launch of a Titan 4 rocket was postponed today for 24 to 48 hours

because of technical problems encountered during countdown. Liftoff of

the Titan is expected to take place between 12:01 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.

September 21 or September 22. The rocket is carrying a Department of

Defense payload. ['_ritan Liftoff Postponed A Day or Two," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 20, 1990.]

11 COLUMBIA'S LAUNCH DATE

NASA does not expect to launch Columbia now until late November or

December by which time both Discovery and Atlantis will have launched,

agency officials said today. The officials also said Endeavour may provide

yet another part to Columbia before a special pad test can be conducted.

That test will come no earlier than the middle of next week and may not

occur until after Discovery's launch scheduled for October 5.

The leak investigation continued today as engineers ordered the

replacement of a fuel-line valve within the aft compartment of Columbia.

The valve, which had been taken from Endeavour, was said to be sluggish

in closing after the most recent failed launch attempt. Lisa Malone,

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman, said that spares might already be on

hand at KSC or at a contractor facility in Cape Canaveral but that

Endeavour is considered a likely donor.

Columbia's leaks are believed to have been caused by damage sustained

in the aft compartment when pad technicians cleaned and replaced

contaminated parts earlier in the year. These parts were contaminated

with corundum, a metal polishing abrasive used in modifying the Apolloera mobile platform used for Columbia's last launch in January. The

contaminant was found during final launch platform inspections in 1989

and the entire platform was hosed off to remove the residue, according to

Bob Ward, KSC Fluid Systems Manager.

It is thought that some corundum in the launch platform's tail service mast

must have escaped the cleanup job and found its way into Columbia's aft

compartment when Columbia was fueled for launch in January, according

to Ward. Lockheed Space Operations Co. (Titusville, FL), according to

company spokesman J. B. Clump, was responsible for the final installation

164
fl

I1

and check of the tail service mast, which carries fuel and electrical lines to

the Shuttle. NASA, however, was responsible for overseeing the final

inspections of operations. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-ZA, Sept. 20,

1990.]

LEAK INVESTIGATION TEAM NAMED

Robert L. Crippen, Space Shuttle Program Director, announced today that

he had formed a Hydrogen Leak Investigation Team to locate and solve

the hydrogen leak problem on the Orbiter Columbia which forced the

postponement of the STS-35 mission. Crippen named Robert

Schwinghamer, Deputy Director for Space Transportation Systems, Science

and Engineering Directorate at the Marshall Space Flight Center to lead the

team. Other members include A. L. Worlund, Deputy Director, Propulsion

Laboratory, MSFC; Chester Vaughan, Chief, Propulsion and Power

Division, Johnson Space Center; Warren Wiley, Deputy Director, Vehicle

Engineering, KSC; Horace Lamberth, Chief Engineer, Lockheed Space

Operations Co., KSC; Steve Cavanaugh, Director of Propulsion/Fluid

Systems, Space Systems Division, Rockwell International; Paul F. Seitz,

Deputy Chief Program Engineer, Space Shuttle Main Engine, Rocketdyne

Division, Rockwell International; John R. Cool, Manager, Pressurization

Systems, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems; Dr. Michael Greenfield,

Director, Systems Assessment Division, Office of Safety and Mission

Quality, NASA.

"The team will be based out of Kennedy Space Center and will devote full

time to solving this problem," Crippen said. "They will report directly to

me, and I've asked the Space Shuttle Program to provide Mr.

Schwinghamer and his team every available assistance to aid in solving

this critical problem." NASA officials said that the investigative team and

its technical aides would work around the clock seven days a week to

soive the problem. [Campion, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 90-127, Sept.

19, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. All, Sept. 21, 1990.]

COLUMBIA STATUS

Workers gained access to the aft compartment of Columbia today and have

begun preliminary inspections. Foam will be removed from around valves,

actuators and areas of the recirculation pump package to allow further

inspections and tests. Details and requirements are being identified for a

tanking test. A definite date for the test has not yet been set. Propellant

tanks for the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system will

be depressurized tomorrow night. Ordnance devices were to be

disconnected early on September 20. Preparations to remove auxiliary

165
power unit 2 are scheduled to begin tomorrow and the unit will be

installed on Atlantis this weekend. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 20, 1990.]

[] COLUMBIA: 1991?

"Our current planning is based on the assumption that Discovery and

Atlantis are operational. Columbia is grounded," said William Lenoir,

Associate Administrator for Space Flight. Columbia will remain on the

pad until its fuel leaks are found and fixed. The Shuttle had been

scheduled to fly two Spacelab missions before the end of 1990. Now, one

of those missions may come between November and February. "We have

no target dates for any Columbia mission," said Associate Administrator

for Space Flight William Lenoir at a news conference in Washington.

NASA's plan for the remainder of 1990 looks toward a Discovery launch

anywhere from October 6 through October 9. The launch date will be

announced following next week's flight readiness review. Because there

is no leak history on Discovery, a special launch pad fueling test will not

take place. Two days after Discovery's launch Columbia will be moved

from Pad 39A to Pad 39B where it will undergo leak investigations and

repairs.

Atlantis is scheduled for launch from Pad 39A in early November. Unlike

Discovery, Atlantis will undergo a leak test to ensure that the fuel line leak

which grounded the Orbiter in mid-july has been corrected. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 21, 1990, Broad, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. All, Sept. 21, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept.

19, 1990.]

September 21: DISCOVERY STATUS

Final securing of the high pressure turbo pump fuel duct on main engine

2 is scheduled to be completed this afternoon. A flight readiness test of

the main engines is planned later this evening and a pa_,-tial helium

signature test is set for late today or early tomorrow to check the new duct.

Flight batteries for the Ulysses Inertial Upper Stage are scheduled to be

installed today. As a precautionary measure, leak checks and inspections

of cover seals for the engine pre-valves are planned later today. These

seals were replaced as required since Discovery's last flight. Discovery and

the Ulysses Spacecraft are being prepared for an October 5 launch of the

STS-41 mission. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20, 1990.]

166
[] RUSHED DECISIONS POOR: NASA

n

NASA managers said today that they rushed some decisions on Columbia

and these resulted in poor decisions. "We decided to take a quick look [at

Columbia's fuel leak problems], take our best shot at it and see if we were

right," said Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir.

"Ulysses was driving us all along. We had the line in the sand - Ulysses -

that couldn't slip because of its launch window. We were anxious first to

get two flights off before Ulysses, and when that wouldn't work, at least

one. And now we are down to none."

The space agency conceded that it decided Columbia had only one leak -

in the 17-inch disconnect fuel line - despite test data suggesting a second

leak. The second leak showed itself clearly on the Sept. 5 launch attempt;

the second leak has been attributed to contamination by corundum, a

metal-polishing abrasive used to clean an Apollo-era launch platform.

Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen said subsequent to the

September 17 scrub of a Columbia launch attempt that more rigorous

inspections should have been made in the Orbiter's rear compartment after

Columbia's first launch postponement in May. '_/e had asked the team

to go look into the aft compartment to see if we could find another leak,

and they did that. If we did something improper, it was we didn't do that

as diligently as I now wished we had done."

As a result of the leaks in Columbia and Atlantis this summer, NASA has

decided to review: processing procedures to ensure Shuttle hardware is

not damaged when being readied for flight; test procedures to ensure leaky

parts are not accepted for flight; the manner in which the search for leaks

has been managed. Lenoir said, "We put some rules in place to make sure

we couldn't violate safety, but then we got rushed and we didn't have the

chance to stand back, take the global look and do the real broad-based

engineering. We more or less defaulted into a 'Hey, I think it's this. Let's

fix this and then see if it is.' It has led us astray more than once." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 22, 1990.]

RECORDS MANAGERS MEET

During the week of September 17-21, five representatives from the

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), accompanied by

the NASA Records Management Officer, conducted a review of the KSC

Records Management Program. They were highly impressed with the

scope of the KSC records management program and the total integration

of government records management by the contractor and the civil service

167
work force. NARA was very supportive of the proposals made by the

KSC Tape/Records Storage and Retention Working Group for timely

disposition of Shuttle and Payload processing records. They agreed to

expeditiously process requests for destruction and/or retirement of large

volumes of paper records which were previously "unscheduled", and for

the erasure of certain data tapes and the retention of valuable master tapes

for the life of the Shuttle Program. All local participants were very

supportive of this review, including the Working Group, contractor and

civil service Records Control Officers, KSC Archives, and organizations

supporting tours for the NARA visitors. [Weekly Notes, SI-SAT-5, Sept.

28, 1990.]

September 22: ULYSSES PROTESTED

Kennedy Space Center was the site of yet another protest rally today as an

estimate 150 persons met at the space center's main entrance gate on State

Road 405 (Titusville, FL); the group subsequently drove to Spaceport USA,

then walked about a mile to the main guard gate near KSC's Headquarters

Building. The protestors, given warnings by security guards, did not try

to cross into the restricted area. They did deliver petitions, articles and

other papers to KSC Security Patrol Chief Jim Morris.

Protest organizer Bruce Gagnon said, 'Taere are alternatives to putting

nuclear power into space. It's not that we think Ulysses will blow up. But

as we launch more and more of these things, we open ourselves up to an

accident that we will all live to regret." Daniel Hirsch, President of the

Committee to Bridge the Gap, added, "We're urging NASA to reassess its

reliance on nuclear power in space. The choice is not between launching

this with the risk or not launching. The choice is whether we're going to

start following a different set of values, where the environment is placed

No. 1 and dollars and expediency are ranked No. 2 and 3."

NASA" spokesman Karl Kristofferson said, "There's no doubt that

plutonium is a very, very toxic substance, but we're not talking about a

nuclear reactor here. These tl_ngs don't explode. It would take a very,

very worst-case scenario to crack open a plutonium pellet, which is in a

ceramic form. It is extremely unlikely that it can be pulverized. Alternate

technologies and power sources are probably feasible, but it would require

complete redesign and testing, which could put off planetary launches well

into the next decade." {Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 23,

1990.]

168
DISCOVERY LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Discovery underwent launch preparations this weekend a few miles from

where a protest against its Ulysses mission took place (see above). One of

its three main engines will be tested this weekend for leaks around the

area where a turbopump fuel duct was replaced. On Sept. 24 and 25,

Kennedy Space Center managers will meet for a Hight Readiness Review

to review Orbiter preparations and set a firm launch date. If Ulysses is not

launched between October 5 and 23, the flight will have to be delayed until

November 1991. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, Sept. 23, 1990.]

September 24: FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW BEGINS

Kennedy Space Center hosts a Hight Readiness Review for Discovery's

STS-41 mission today and tomorrow; at its conclusion, NASA managers

will announce a firm launch date for the mission. The target date has been

October 5 but the space agency is out of contingency days to make that

date. At Complex 39B, workers continued over the weekend to inspect

engine cover seals for possible leaks; the checks have been ordered as a

precaution, said KSC spokesman Karl Kristofferson. Today, technicians

will install two batteries in one of Ulysses' two upper-stage boosters.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 24, 1990, KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Sept. 24, 1990.]

D TITAN 4 SCRUBBED AGAIN

The launch of a Titan 4 on a Department of Defense mission has again

been scrubbed by the Air Force. On Sunday undisclosed problems led to

a scrub and the inability to fix those problems led to a scrub early this

morning. The first launch attempt had been September 20. The Air Force

adhered to Department of Defense policy which is not to discuss the

launch and its payload. ["Air Force Scrubs Titan 4 Launch for Third Time,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 24, 1990.]

N ULYSSES STATUS REPORT

Final launch preparations for the STS-41 payload are beginning this week.

The Inertial Upper Stage computer memory load was performed today.

This evening, the guidance system aboard the IUS, the Redundant Inertial

Measurement Unit (RIMU) is being calibrated and aligned. The 1-US Hight

Readiness Checks are scheduled for overnight tonight. [They were

successfully completed September 25.] Tuesday (september 25) morning

the final battery installation for the IUS is scheduled. Then in the

afternoon batteries will be installed aboard the PAM-S Assist Module. On

169
U

n

September 26, a simulated countdown will take the IUS/PAM-S

combination through all launch day activities. The Ulysses Spacecraft

completed a state-of-health check successfully on September 21, and

another check is set for September 27. On September 28, upper stage

ordnance will be installed. [Diller, ULYSSES STATUS REPORT, Sept. 24,

1990.]

COLUMBIA TANKS DRAINED

Columbia's Power Reactant and Storage Distribution System tanks have

been drained of their liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants and the

mid-body umbilical is scheduled to be retracted this afternoon. Hydraulic

circulation and sample tests are also scheduled for this afternoon. Main

propulsion system checks will continue throughout the week. Defoaming

of the fuel lines and leak checks in the Orbiter's aft compartment are

continuing today. Dry ice will be used to assist in chilling down the liquid

hydrogen lines to assist in the detection of leak sources. No tanking test

is scheduled for Columbia at Launch Complex 39A. APU Number 1 will

be removed from the Orbiter this afternoon and transported to the OPF for

installation into the Orbiter Atlantis. Ordnance disconnect operations are

scheduled for later this week. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 24, 1990.]

ATLANTIS PROCESSING

Atlantis SCAPE operations over the weekend took longer than expected

when thruster thermal barrier damage was noticed and repaired. The bay

was opened for normal work this morning with continuing leak checks in

the main propulsion system and freon servicing scheduled for today. The

flash evaporator retest is scheduled for tomorrow. Rollover to the Vehicle

Assembly Building will occur early in October. The external tank, attached

to the solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform in the VAB is

undergoing final closeouts this week. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Sept. 24, 1990.]

NOW CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

NOW Construction, Inc. (Titusville, FL) was awarded a $76,644 contract for

the construction of maintenance and storage facilities at Kennedy Space

Center. The company will have 135 days to complete a shed for storage

of petroleum products, a mobile electrical generator maintenance area and

a wash pad for the generators. The wash pad system will recycle the

water used to clean the generators and store it for future use. All of the

facilities will be located on Contractor Road, south of the Logistics Building

170
in the Launch Complex 39 area. [Kristofferson, KSC NEWS RELEASE

NO. 157-90, Sept. 24, 1990.]

[] MARSTEN/THG CONTRACT

Marsten/THG Leasing Co. (Tampa, FL) has been awarded a $102,981

contract to provide a modular office building for the Life Sciences Program

at Kennedy Space Center. Marsten will have 30 days to deliver the 2,700-

square-foot housing unit for installation near Hangar L at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station. The structure will provide housing for experimenters

from around the world who will have life sciences payloads flying aboard

the Space Shuttle. Hangar L is the headquarters for KSC's Life Sciences

Program which researches human physiology in space and advanced life

support systems for long-range space missions. [Kristofferson, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 158-90, Sept. 24, 1990.]

September 25: DISCOVERY LAUNCH DATE SET

NASA managers today selected October 6 as the launch date for the joint

ESA/NASA mission, STS-41, the mission to deploy the European Space

Agency's Ulysses probe on a 5-year journey to study the Sun. "This date

is a little success oriented and is dependent on not encountering any

unusual problems," said Space Shuttle Director Robert L. Crippen. "But

I think the Shuttle team has a good chance of making the 6th. '° He added

that the schedule is tight and does not allow for unusual problems.

Echoing Crippen's remarks, Kennedy Space Center's Deputy Director Gene

Thomas said, '_e don't have any room for mistakes."

The launch window for October 6 extends from 7:35 a.m. to 10:05 a.m.

EDT. NASA received Office of Science Policy nuclear launch safety

approval for the Ulysses mission on September 24, 1990. STS-41 will be

the 36th Space Shuttle mission, and the 11th of the Discovery Orbiter. The

mission is slated to last just over 4 days, with a planned landing at

Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The flight crew for STS-41 is Commander

Richard N. Richards, Pilot Robert D. Cabana, and Mission Specialists

William M. Shepherd, Bruce E. Melnick and Thomas D. Akers. [Hess

and Malone, STS-41 LAUNCH ADVISORY, Sept. 25, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 25, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-6, Sept. 26, 1990.]

September 26: BUDGET CUTS IMPACT

If the mandated budget cuts under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit

control law take effect, NASA may lose about $4 billion. That would force

171
the space agency to fly nor more than four of ten planned flights between

now and October 1991. "l_aat would be a catastrophe for NASA," said

Dave Dickerson, a spokesman for U. S. Representative Bill Nelson (DMelbourne, FL).

The development work on the Space Station Program would be suspended

and the Space Shuttle Program budget would be cut to $3.4 billion or 32

percent less than the $5 billion approved for 1990. In addition, work

would be postponed on the Space Exploration Initiative, NASA's plan to

return astronauts to the moon by 2010 and then to Mars by 2019; work

would be delayed on the $30 billion Earth Observation System, an array

of satellites designed to monitor Earth's climate to learn more about

environmental phenomena. The six EOS satellites are scheduled for launch

in 1997 or 1998.

At Kennedy Space Center the 2,400 civil service workers would have to

take three or four days off without pay every two weeks if no budget is

passed by October 15. One-day furloughs will be in effect during the first

two weeks of October if no budget is passed by October 1. The planned

launch of Discovery - with its Ulysses Planetary Probe payload - will not

be affected by the budget crisis, according to William Lenoir, Associate

Administrator for Space Hight. However, a Department of Defense flight

scheduled for November would be postponed until NASA could create a

plan to operate with a reduced work force, Lenoir said. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 27, 1990.]

[1 LEAK AREAS TARGETED ON COLUMBIA

Columbia may be leaking in any of 83 locations in its aft compartment,

according to NASA engineers who have been investigating the leaks. Each

of more than 200 joints in the Orbiter's main engine plumbing will be

checked for leaks before Columbia is cleared for its next launch attempt.

There will be a special launch-pad fueling test conducted in mid-October;

it will call for filling part of the external tank to duplicate Columbia's

leaks. Technicians will install a dozen video cameras in the engine

compartment in an attempt to view the leaks. Another fueling test is

scheduled now for November 12 or 13, just after the launch of Atlantis.

Associate Administrator for Space Hight William Lenoir said of the

planned tests, "I'm hopeful we will have gone through this entire sequence

and have Columbia back in a flying sequence." He also said the earliest

Columbia might be expected to fly is December. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8A, Sept. 27, 1990, "Nationline: Shuttle Leaks," USA TODAY,

p. 3A, Sept. 27, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 26, 1990,

172
"Leak Tests Laid Out On Columbia," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A11, Sept. 27, 1990.]

[] DISCOVERY: LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

The two space suits carried aboard Discovery for contingency purposes are

being installed in the airlock today. Later today, a test to simulate launch

day events for the Inertial Upper Stage will begin at about 5 p.m. and it is

expected to conclude with a simulated T-0 at about 7:30 tomorrow

morning. Also tomorrow, a purge of the external tank is planned and the

freon system will be topped off for launch.

On September 28, hypergolic propellant tanks on board the Orbiter will be

pressurized and closed out; ordnance devices will be installed and firing

circuits will be checked. Closeouts of the Shuttle's aft compartment are

underway with completion scheduled for September 30. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 26, 1990.]

September 27: KSC FURLOUGH PLANS

Kennedy Space Center is ready to carry out a furlough plan should

Congress and the Bush Administration fail to resolve this year's budget

crisis before the 1991 fiscal year begins October 1. The plan includes the

following: Twenty NASA employees at KSC will get Monday off without

pay if no budget is passed; up to 100 KSC civil service workers will be

furloughed for one day between October 2 and October 11 if the budget

impasse continues; the remaining 2,300 NASA employees at the space

center will get a day off without pay between October 12 and October 15.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 28, 1990.]

[l DISCOVERY: LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians topped off Discovery's cooling

system with freon; the system has been slowly leaking since August.

Engineers say the leak will not affect the Shuttle's ability to cool itself

during Discovery's four-day mission which is scheduled to begin October

6. A purge of the external tank was completed today. The pad was closed

for ordnance operations during which explosive devices were loaded and

the firing circuits were checked. Tonight, the Orbiter's hypergolic

propellant tanks will be pressurized and closed out. The Launch Pad

Team is evaluating an increase in the hydraulic fluid system reservoirs

located on the right solid rocket booster aft skirt. Closeouts on the

Shuttle's aft compartment are underway. This work includes applying

foam to various areas of the main propulsion system, final inspections of

173
various components, main engine closeouts, cleaning and removing

platforms for flight. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 28, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 28, 1990.]

U DISCOVERY MISHAP REVIEW REPORT

Failure to follow proper procedures and improper use of a C-clamp were

the primary causes cited by an investigation board for damage to a

reaction control system thruster at the Hypergolic Maintenance Fadlity's

(HMF) east test cell. In addition, the board, chaired by Tom Cain, III,

Chief, Operations Support Branch, Center Support Operations, found

several contributing causes: the instructions technicians were following

were not detailed enough and the technicians needed to be trained in the

use of the thruster mounting fixture.

The incident occurred July 18, 1990, when one of the Orbiter's primary

thrusters was being secured in a test fixture in the HMF checkout cell for

inspections of a leak. The thruster was mounted in a fixture which was

installed on an access platform and secured with one C-clamp.

Subsequently, the fixture/thruster assembly rotated about the single Cdamp, striking a kick plate on a lower platform approximately 14 inches

below where it was originally mounted. It continued failing an additional

17 inches to a service platform. The thruster sustained an impression

about 4 1/2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep. Estimated

repair cost was less than $100,000 and no personnel were injured in the

mishap. [Malone, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 161-90, Sept. 27, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 28, 1990.]

n COLUMBIA, ATLANTIS PROCESSING

Leak tests are continuing on the main propulsion system valves, actuators

and areas of the recircuiation pump package to try to isolate the source of

Columbia's hydrogen leak. All joints have been leak checked and nothing

has been detected so far. The KSC team is working with the team assigned

to find the fuel leak. The team is planning to leak test a prevaive for main

engine 2 using dry ice to cool it down this weekend. Details and

requirements are being identified for a tanking test next month, but no

date has been set for the test.

Atlantis underwent checks of its auxiliary power unit controller today.

Seals of the 17-inch disconnect are scheduled to be installed today also.

Closeouts are underway on all areas of the vehicle. Cleaning operations

of the payload bay are to begin tonight. The payload bay doors will be

dosed tomorrow night. Rollover from the OPF to the Vehicle Assembly

174
Building is expected to come tomorrow night, as well. Closeouts of the

external tank are continuing in the VAB in preparation for Orbiter mating

operations scheduled for next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 28, 1990.]

September 28: WEATHER ENDANGERS DELTA LAUNCH

Thunderstorms may halt today's launch of an Air Force Delta 2 which is

scheduled for a 5:44 p.m. liftoff. Air Force meteorologists predict a 40

percent chance for launch. The launch window lasts until 6:12 p.m. The

Delta's payload is the ninth of 21 Navstar Global Positioning System

Satellites scheduled for launch by 1992. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

Sept . 28, 1990.]

N ACTIVISTS' LAWSUIT

An attorney for anti-nuclear activists said today that he will file a lawsuit

at 10 a.m. this morning in federal court seeking to delay the launch of

Discovery "to allow NASA time to: Resolve problems with Shuttle fuel

leaks...; address the Office of Technology Assessment report that predicts

a 50 percent chance of another Shuttle accident in the next 34 flights...;

incorporate OTA safety recommendations into the Shuttle Program; explain

revised safety statistics in the agency's final environmental impact reports

for the mission.

"With all the uncertainty in the Shuttle Program right now, it seems NASA

clearly has nothing to lose by waiting until November 1991 to make the

launch," said Andrew KimbreU, an attorney with the Foundation on

Economic Trends, a Washington, D. C.-based group that is joining the

Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice and the Christic Institute in filing

the suit. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 28, 1990.]

[1 TITAN MAKEOVER FOR VANDENBERG

Titan 4 Centaur rockets will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base after

the facilities are converted from Space Shuttle facilities. California's $3.5

billion Space Shuttle Launch facilities were mothballed after the Challenger

accident in 1986. Construction starts October 1 on converting Space

Launch Complex-6 into a launch pad for Titan 4 rockets with Centaur

Upper-Stage Boosters, according to a Pentagon spokesman. The conversion

of SLC-6 will cost between $300 and $500 million, said a Vandenberg

spokesman. ["Calif. Shuttle Pad Will Be Converted for Titans," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 29, 1990.]

175
U STORMS DELAY DELTA

0

Thunderstorms and thick clouds over Cape Canaveral today prompted a

24-hour delay in the launch of an Air Force Delta 2 rocket. Launch of the

13-story rocket and a $65 million military navigation satellite has been

rescheduled for 5:40 p.m. September 30. The launch window will extend

until 6:08 p.m. ["Storms Ground Delta for 1 Day," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Sept. 29, 1990.]

DISCOVERY BOOSTER LEAK

NASA engineers disclosed today that they suspect gaseous nitrogen might

be leaking into a hydraulic system inside the base of Discovery's right

solid rocket booster. The system will be inspected this weekend to

determine whether any parts must be replaced; such replacement work is

not expected to delay Discovery's launch which remains set for 7:35 a.m.

October 6. Today workers finished topping off the Orbiter's cooling

system with Freon. Technicians also installed ordnance devices used to

separate the external tank and solid rocket boosters from the Shuttle

during flight. Additionally, workers pressurized the propellant tanks that

fuel the thrusters and rocket engines the Orbiter uses to steer in space.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 29, 1990.]

ACTIVISTS FILE LAWSUIT

"We have an extraordinary risk here from an agency whose competency in

the last year has been abysmaL" said Andrew Kimbrell, lawyer for the

Foundation on Economic Trends which filed for a preliminary injunction

to stop the October 6 launch of Discovery and its Ulysses payload. The

Ulysses uses a radioisotope thermoelectric generator for power. Part of the

Foundation's motion asks that the court force NASA to steer Galileo probe

away from Earth when it passes on its way to Jupiter. NASA General

Counsel Edward Frankle said, "It [the lawsuit] was not unexpected. It's

basically similar to the one that was done last year with Galileo, and I

hope it has the same result." The current complaint restates the risk of a

ChaUenger-like explosion on launch and introduces the subject of fuel

leaks. The government has until October 2 to respond; Ulysses will be

launched October 6 at 7:35 a.m. [Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p.

A-4, Sept. 29, 1990, "Ulysses Launch Imperils Environment, Suit Says,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 26, 1990.]

176
September 29: DISCOVERY COUNTDOWN BEGINS SOON

"We don't have any reason to think that we're going to experience a leak

on Discovery," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone.

"We think we've got a good machine." Discovery's countdown begins

October 3 at 3:30 a.m., leading to a launch October 6 between 7:35 a.m. and

10:05 a.m. Discovery's main 17-inch fuel pipeline has been repaired and

no leaks have been found in tests of its rear engine compartment. Fueling

of Discovery's external fuel tank begins October 5 at about 11:15 p.m. The

point at which leaks occurred during fueling operations on both Atlantis

and Columbia will occur at 11:45 p.m. when technicians begin pumping

8,400 gallons of fuel per minute into the ET. "I think the team is looking

forward to it. It's been a while since we've launched. We're about due for

one," Malone said. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 30, 1990.]

[1 DELTA LAUNCH DELAYED, AGAIN

Bad weather forced the Air Force to postpone the launch of a Delta 2

rocket for a second time today. The mission has been rescheduled for

October 1. Air Force Captain Ken Warren said the weather is expected to

be more cooperative, with only a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms

during the launch period. "We'll have the same potential problems, just

less chance of them," he said. ["Delta Delayed Until Monday," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 30, 1990.]

[1 SPACEPORT USA AXTENDANCE

During this month, 206,530 guests visited Spaceport USA, 14.2% more than

in September 1989. Year-to-date attendance stands at 2,518,632 visitors,

4.7% more than the 1989 number of 2,405,262 people. ["NASA Artwork on

Display at Orlando International Airport," Spaceport USA News Release

NTO576, Oct. 1, 1990.]

177
OCTOBER

October 1: DELTA 2 LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

The Air Force's launch of a Delta 2 was flawless at 5:56 p.m. after two

short delays in the final minutes before liftoff. The first delay was caused

by an unauthorized aircraft straying too close to the launch pad and the

second was a temporary problem with the tracking system in Bermuda.

'"The guidance system thinks it did a great job, and we can't find any

reason to disagree," said Telemetry Manager Skip Mackey. The Global

Positioning System Satellite will be used by military ground, sea or air

units holding small, sophisticated receivers to pinpoint their location on

Earth, an important aid for the American forces deployed in the desert of

Saudi Arabia. "The maps don't have a lot of things our ground troops can

go on," said Lt. Gen. Thomas Moorman, Jr.Commander of Air Force Space

Command. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 2, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 2, 1990.]

U DISCOVERY VALVE MALFUNCTION FOUND

During a test of the main engine propulsion system plumbing, engineers

found a malfunction in a valve that helps control the flow of liquid oxygen

into the second main engine of Discovery, according to Kennedy Space

Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Workers entered Discovery's rear

engine compartment early this morning to investigate why the valve failed.

If the problem concerns the valve's electrical wiring, as officials suspect,

the problem would be easier to fix than a mechanical failure. [See story

below.] Engineers have until the morning of October 4 to solve the

problem before considering delaying Discovery's launch, said Malone. She

said that the problem is not related to the liquid hydrogen fuel leaks found

on Atlantis and Columbia. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 2,

1990.]

B RTG LOADED ON DISCOVERY

The Ulysses Solar Probe's nuclear-powered generator (RTG) was installed

today in preparation for the launch countdown to proceed tomorrow at

3:30 a.m. The generator, powered by 23.7 pounds of plutonium, was

bolted onto the spacecraft, but not without some difficulty installing a

small power control device on the generator. The head of one of four bolts

that attaches the power control unit to the generator was accidentally

sheared off during installation; the problem is not expected to affect the

generator's operation or the launch. The payload bay doors were

scheduled to be dosed for flight at 8:17 a.m. October 3.

178
A monitoring team of 35 persons began setting up some $13 million worth

of equipment at the Cocoa Armory; the monitoring station will check

radiation levels in Brevard County if a Shuttle accident causes a plutonium

release. A federal court agreed to hear arguments October 4 on a lawsuit

by anti-nuclear activists [see story above]. A problem with a liquid oxygen

valve inside Discovery's rear engine compartment was fixed when

technicians repaired a damaged electrical line. Workers were scheduled

to move Atlantis into the Vehicle Assembly Building tomorrow to ready

it for its November 7 Department of Defense mission. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 3, 1990, DiUer, Ulysses Status Report, Oct. 4, 1990,

Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 2, 1990.]

October 3: STS-41 CREW ARRIVES

Discovery's STS-41 Crew, aboard their T-38 jets, arrived at the Shuttle

Landing Facility this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Commander Dick Richards

joked, "Florida's a beautiful place, but astronauts don't like to stay here

very long. I think three days is about it for us." Discovery's launch is

scheduled for between 7:35 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. October 6. Kennedy Space

Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, '_VVe have no indication that

there are any problems waiting out there to grab us." Forecasters are

predicting a 70 percent chance for favorable weather conditions at launch

time; the only potential cloud on the horizon is a lawsuit in a Washington,

Do C. federal court which seeks to halt the launch. The case will be heard

October 4. Having plutonium aboard the Orbiter has prompted the U. S.

government to set up 34 monitoring stations throughout the East Coast of

Florida. Today a communications drill will be conducted by the Federal

Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center to test procedures needed

if a Shuttle accident occurs. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 4,

1990, Nagy, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 7, 1990.]

October 4: ATLANTIS ACCIDENT IN VAB

The launch of Atlantis, currently scheduled for November, may be delayed

due to an accident which occurred today in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

A 9-foot-long yellow metal beam was left inside Atlantis' engine

compartment by Lockheed Space Operations Co. workers, according to

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCartney. "It should have

been caught and it wasn't," McCartney said. "I don't know how it

happened." Technicians heard the beam crash through the engine

compartment today as Atlantis was being hoisted into an upright position

prior to being mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters.

179
The Center Director said a quick check of the compartment revealed

damage to foam insulation that covers some of the engine components in

the three-level compartment. The accident may also have damaged fuel

lines like those which have been leaking on Columbia since May. Leaks

on Atlantis were found in a distinctly separate location and grounded its

July launch. Lockheed has begun its own investigation of the incident.

The beam was part of a frame which enables work platforms to be placed

in the Orbiter's rear compartment and allows access to main engine

plumbing while the Shuttle is in a horizontal position in the Orbiter

Processing Facility. Bolts which secured the beam had, apparently, been

removed but the beam had not been taken from the compartment.

Inspection documents erroneously indicated the beam had been removed.

The paperwork, according to McCartney, had been Lockheed's

responsibility to complete without NASA oversight.

Lockheed spokesman J. B. Klump said the company will be aggressive in

determining how the accident happened. '_Ve share NASA's concerns,"

Klump said, "and the investigative team will do everything it can to find

out what the problem is and to take steps to make sure the problem

doesn't happen again." Paperwork on Discovery's processing was also

reviewed to ensure that no similar problem occurred in its rear engine

compartment. Deputy Director of Shuttle Operations Brewster Shaw said

he anticipated no problems with Discovery which is scheduled for launch

in two days.

McCartney, referring to other processing problems with the Shuttle fleet,

said, "I don't think we can say procedures were the problem. I don't think

we can say training was a problem. I think what we can say is that we did

not do the job in the way we intended to do it." Shuttle processing errors

will be discussed when NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel visits

KSC later this month. Norman Parmet, Chairman of the Advisory Panel,

said the panel will investigate the effectiveness of first-line Shuttle

processing supervisors and managers. "A lot of these guys," Parmet said,

"just sit in an office and never see the hardware." [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, Oct. 5, 1990.]

October 5: ATLANTIS DAMAGE IS SLIGHT

Mission officials say that damage to Atlantis' rear engine compartment was

minor and should delay the Defense Department launch only a day or so.

"We're still continuing inspections, but thus far we have not found

anything that I would consider significant damage," said Shuttle Launch

180
Director Robert Sieclc An investigation is underway to find out why a

steel beam was left inside the compartment. Sieck said, "You can't see

more than two feet in front of you in there [the engine compartment]

before your line of sight is blocked by something. This beam was left in

a very obscure area. Most of the damage can be repaired in place. In the

worst case, you would have to remove small pieces of structure, lines or

wires." Launch is still targeted for November 7. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 6, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 6,

1990.]

D JUDGE GASCH OK'S LAUNCH

U. S. District Court Judge Oliver Gasch, ruling as he did in the Galileo

case, denied a request from anti-nuclear activists to halt the launch of

Discovery and its plutonium-powered Ulysses Solar Probe. William

Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, said, "We're ready and

anxious to go." Loading of propellants began at 11:25 p.m. today. Only

minor leaks - meaning they were within acceptable limits -were noted.

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "People were

wearing smiles in the Firing Room." The mood at KSC remains upbeat.

Launch Director Robert Sieck said, 'The mood of the team is confident -

and that's despite distractions and disappointments recently. If the

weather is good to us, we'll have some good news today." [Halvorson and

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 6, 1990]

U STS-41 PAYLOADS

In addition to carrying the Ulysses Solar Probe aboard Discovery, STS-41

features a number of other experiments: There are a dozen rats aboard the

Orbiter which will be injected with human proteins in an attempt to speed

work on possible cures for osteoporosis and immunological disorders; a

small flame in a sealed container will be ignited to study how fire spreads

in zero gravity; a video camera which is operated by voice commands will

be tested and another experiment involves plant growth in space.

[Halvorson and Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 6, 1990]

[] BUDGET CUTS IMPACT ON NASA

If the United States Congress fails to pass a federal spending bill, there will

be widespread layoffs within NASA's contractor work force, according to

agency officials. The Shuttle launch schedule would be reduced from ten

flights to four. William Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space Flight,

said, "We will have to down-size our contractor force significantly" if

mandatory cuts take effect. The layoffs would commence within three to

181
four weeks of the budget cuts becoming reality. There was no local

estimate of how many of Kennedy Space Center's 15,000 plus contractor

employees would be effected by the cuts. Civil servants at the space center

have already been notified of between on to 22-day furloughs, beginning

as early as next week.

If the budget cut plan takes effect, NASA would find that its current $12.3

billion budget would be reduced to $8.5 billion. "We do have contingency

plans for that," Lenoir said. "It gets very unpleasant fairly quickly. There's

no question that our budgetary process makes it more difficult to run any

long-term complex program because of the inability to plan ahead in a

reliable way." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 6, 1990.]

n ACTIVISTS ARRESTED

Dorothy Smith (Cocoa, FL), 81, and Melinda Morton (Americus, GA), 50,

entered a restricted area at Kennedy Space Center's Gate 2B and were

arrested for trespassing. Bruce Gagnon, leader of the Florida Coalition for

Peace and Justice, said of the two women, "Their intention was to go and

sit on the launch pad, but obviously we knew they weren't going to get

very far." The two arrested were part of a 20-member group who

protested the use of a plutonium-powered generator aboard the Ulysses

Solar Probe. Morton and Smith had also been arrested on trespassing

charges before launch of the nuclear-powered probe Galileo last year.

They were held today at the Brevard County Detention Center in Sharpes

on $500 bond each. If convicted, each faces a sentence of one year in jail

and a $1,000 fine. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 6, 1990.]

October 6: DISCOVERY: A LAUNCH SUCCESS

The launch of Discovery this morning at 7:47 a.m. broke a string of setbacks for NASA. "It's good to be back in the air again," said Launch

Director Bob Sleek. 'The mood - I don't" know if you'd say it's one of

euphoria or relief." There was only one glitch which delayed Discovery's

liftoff. An automatic ground control valve that regulates the flow of

nitrogen between the Shuttle's fuselage and components malfunctioned,

Sieck said. The countdown was halted briefly while officials switched to

manual operation of the valve and resumed the countdown within

minutes.

The weather contributed to a 12-minute delay in the launch when rain

clouds threatened nearby. "What's important is that we launched a safe

vehicle, a vehicle we believe will meet all of its performance objectives,"

182
Sieck said. The Ulysses Solar Probe was successfully deployed six hours

after launch.

"We've been looking forward to this day for a long, long time," said Peter

Wenzel, ESA Project Scientist for Ulysses. '_We never gave up hopes.

That's what it takes if you want to go to new frontiers and break new

ground. You have to do a lot of hard work and have patience."

Sieck said he was optimistic that NASA's next mission - Atlantis' mission

for the Department of Defense in early November - would proceed as

planned. Officials have located and fixed Atlantis' hydrogen leak and do

not expect major damage from a 70-pound steel beam accidentally left

inside the Orbiter's engine compartment when the craft was hoisted

upright for mating. NASA continues to look for the source of Columbia's

leaks. "We're going to find and capture this diabolical leak in Columbia

and get her back in the air this year," said Sieck. [Banker, SUNSENTINEL, p. 3A, Oct. 7, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Oct.

7, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-14, Oct. 7, 1990,

KSC SHLF['FLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 9, 1990.]

October 8: COLUMBIA: THE ROLLAROUND

Today NASA added a new maneuver to its Space Shuttle Program when

it completed its first "rollaround" of Columbia from Launch Complex 39A

to Launch Complex 39B. Pad 39A had to be cleared for the November

launch of Atlantis (STS-38). Atlantis had been scheduled for rollout this

morning but remained inside the Vehicle Assembly Building due to

adverse weather conditions. Repairs in Atlantis' main engine compartment

will be completed at the pad.

About 25 areas were damaged when a beam was inadvertently left inside

the compartment during flight preparations and it crashed through the

compartment when Atlantis was hoisted for stacking last week. Final

inspection reports and damage assessments are still pending, but Shuttle

Launch Director Robert Sieck has reported that processing managers

believe that remaining repairs can be completed at the pad. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 9, 1990.]

October 9: BOOSTERS RETRIEVED1 WASHED

The two solid rocket boosters retrieved after the launch of Discovery (STS41) are being washed down at Hangar AF on the Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station. Booster ordnance devices have been safed and foam will be

removed October 10. The motor segments will be taken apart and sent to

183
fl

tl

Thiokol for refurbishment. The aft skirts and nose cones will be

refurbished at the USBI facility here "at Kennedy Space Center. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 9, 1990.]

COLUMBIA ON THE MOVE

Columbia is being transferred back to the Vehicle Assembly Building this

morning because of adverse weather from Tropical Storm Klaus off the

east coast of Florida. Blustery winds and rain showers are predicted in the

Kennedy Space Center area for the next few days and winds are forecast

to be gusting up to 40 knots. In the VAB, Columbia's main propulsion

system will be worked on including the replacement of engine cover seals,

a flex hose and associated leak and torque checks. Roll out to Launch

Complex 39B is tentatively scheduled for no earlier than 12:01 October 12;

a date for a planned tanking test is still being evaluated.

Baggies were installed on various joints and valves in the main propulsion

system and the system was pressurized with gaseous helium October 6; no

leaks were detected. Routine monitoring of the Astro-1 payload was

reestablished through power supplied by ground support equipment. The

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope was serviced with liquid argon on October

5 and will next be serviced on October 15. The payload is in good shape

and no impact upon it is foreseen by the rollback to the VAB or the return

to Launch Complex 39B later this week. Once the Orbiter returns to the

launch pad, GSE will again take over power requirements for payload

health checks.[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 9, 1990, STS35/ASTRO-1 STATUS REPORT, Oct. 9, 1990, Leafy, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. B6, Oct. 9, 1990.]

ATLANTIS PROCESSING ACTIVITY

Power-on stray voltage tests are underway today on Atlantis and a test of

the boosters' actuators is planned. The Shuttle Interface Test is scheduled

to be completed in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Due to adverse

weather conditions, Atlantis will remain in the VAB a few extra days.

Weather permitting, Atlantis (STS-38) is currently scheduled to be roiled

out to Launch Pad 39A no earlier than October 11. Launch of STS-38 is

scheduled for an early November liftoff on its Department of Defense

mission. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 9, 1990, Glisch, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 9, 1990.]

184
October 9: WORKERS OVERLOOKED BEAM: NASA

Simple oversight by three workers for Lockheed Space Operations Co. is

the explanation NASA gave today as the reason why a 9-foot yellow beam

was left behind in Atlantis' aft engine compartment. "It was so big, they

just missed it [the beam]," said Conrad Nagel, Atlantis' Ground Processing

Manager. "I know that sounds funny, but that seems to be what

happened. It's like the guy who was stealing tractors from the warehouse:

They're so big, the guard didn't question when they were being driven

out." Nagel was unsure whether the incident would affect Lockheed's

Shuttle Processing Contract at Kennedy Space Center. "They are

embarrassed by this. We all are. It never should have happened. I hope

it will never happen again," Nagel said. Lockheed, which has not yet

submitted its final report to NASA, declined to comment. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Oct. 10, 1990.]

October 10: DISCOVERY LANDS AT EDWARDS

Discovery touched down at 9:57 a.m. EDT today on the concrete runway

at Edwards AFB, CA, ending a 4-day, 2-hour, 10-minute and 54-second

mission. Over the next five days, KSC recovery team members will

perform turnaround operations to ready the Orbiter for the ferry flight

back to the space center. If operations go as planned, and weather permits,

Discovery could be back at the Shuttle Landing Facility by Monday

(October 15) evening. A one-day ferry flight is planned with a stopover

at Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX). [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 10, 1990.]

[] COLUMBIA REACHES VAB

Columbia was transferred back to the Vehicle Assembly Building yesterday

because of adverse weather from Tropical Storm Klaus off the East Coast

of Florida. The Orbiter was in the VAB by about 8 p.m. and was hard

down in the VAB around 9:30 p.m. Transfer operations took about two

hours longer than expected because of minor mechanical problems with

the crawler transporter. Blustery winds and rain showers are predicted in

the KSC area for the next few days. Rollout to Launch Complex 39B is

currently scheduled for no earlier than 4 a.m. Monday (October 15). [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 10, 1990.]

U ATLANTIS: INTERFACE TEST COMPLETED

The Shuttle Interface Test on Atlantis has been completed. Today, workers

will power down the vehicle and begin closing out all areas for the move

185
to the launch pad. Tomorrow (October 11), platforms will be retracted

away from the vehicle and the crawler transporter willbe positioned under

the launch platform. Weather permitting, the STS-36 vehicle is currently

scheduled to be rolled to the launch pad tomorrow evening at 8 p.m.

While at the launch pad, a liquid hydrogen tanking test is planned to

verify there are no leaks. Atlantis is scheduled to be launched in early

November on a Department of Defense mission. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 10, 1990.]

October 10: DISCOVERY MAKES SAFE RETURN

"Congratulations on a picture-perfect mission," astronaut Brian Duffy said

from Johnson Space Center to Discovery's crew who landed at Edwards

Air Force Base at 9:57 a.m. EDT. today. "Glad to have you back and also

to have the fastest man-made object in the universe well on its way," Duffy

added. Commander Richard Richards, Pilot Robert Cabana and Mission

Specialists Bruce Melnick, WilUam Shepherd and Thomas Akers climbed

out of the Orbiter an hour after landing, greeted by loud cheers.

Commander Richards said, 'This losing streak is over and we're going on

to do great things in the future."

The landing was on Edwards" concrete runway in order to test Discover)Cs

new brakes which performed well. Shuttle Director Robert C.rippen said

the brakes and other systems aU performed well, making STS-41 one of the

best technically. A quick inspection revealed damage to only one heatresistant tile. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 11, 1990.]

October 11: ATLANTIS READY FOR ROLLOUT

Atlantis was powered down early this morning and closeouts of the

Orbiter are continuing in preparation for rolling the Shuttle out to the

launch pad. Platforms will be retracted away from the vehicle and the

crawler transporter will be positioned under the launch platform later

today. Weather permitting, the STS-38 vehicle is currently scheduled to be

moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39A

beginning at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. The rollout is expected to take six

hours. While at the launch pad, a tanking test is planned to verify there

are no leaks in the main propulsion system. Atlantis is scheduled for

launch no earlier than November 7. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Oct. 11, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Oct. 12, 1990.]

186
I1 MINOR GLITCH ON DISCOVERY FLIGHT

Apparently, the STS-41 mission was not entirely without incident. Officiais

are trying to determine why a software glitch went unnoticed until

Discovery's crew checked out the spaceship's computer system on reaching

orbit October 6. The system's program was telling the wrong computer to

monitor certain systems. The problem was corrected and the crew was

never in danger, officials said. "As it turns out, it really was a minor

thing," according to Shuttle Project Engineer Chris Fairey.

Discovery's Ground Processing Manager John "rip" Talone said Discovery

was given a clean bill of health after inspections in California. "This is the

best, and it just keeps getting better," said Talone. He said that so far

inspections show the Orbiter's heat protection files, brakes and three main

engines are in excellent condition. Only 10 to 15 tiles will have to be

replaced. If operations go as planned, and weather permits, the Orbiter

could be back at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility by the evening of October

15 (Monday). A one-day ferry flight is planned with a stopover at Kelly

Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX). [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT,

Oct. 11, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Oct. 12, 1990.]

D COLUMBIA PROCESSING CONTINUES

Work on the main propulsion system of Columbia is continuing today

including the replacement of engine cover seals, a flex hose and associated

leak and torque checks. Additionally, workers will begin configuring the

aft compartment for a tanking test at the launch pad. No date has been set

yet for the tanking test. Rollout to Launch Complex 39B is scheduled for

no earlier than 4 a.m. October 14 (Sunday) and the Broad Band X-Ray

Telescope will be serviced with argon on the morning of October 15. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 11, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Oct. 12, 1990.]

October 12: COLUMBIA: CRUSHED SEAL FOUND

A second crushed seal in Columbia's engine compartment has been found,

but NASA's leak hunters will not call off the search yet. "We kind of

adopted a policy that said we will not say, 'Eureka!'" said Warren Wiley,

Deputy Director of Shuttle Engineering at Kennedy Space Center. The

damaged seal, part of a valve near a main engine, was actually found

yesterday. A similar seal was found near another engine after Columbia's

187
September 5 launch attempt. Wiley said the damage to both seals was

caused when they were incorrectly installed. "After three weeks of

painstaking diagnostics and not really finding a lot, it Was a much better

day," Wiley said. Columbia is expected to return to the launch pad

October 13 and be prepared for another leak test. If the oldest Orbiter

passes the test, launch could take place in December. Atlantis moved to

the pad starting at 8:25 p.m. today and was scheduled to arrive at 3 a.m.

the next morning. Discovery is due to arrive at Kennedy Space Center on

October 15. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 13, 1990.]

N A_S ROLLS OUT

Atlantis was rolled out to pad 39A last night and was hard down on the

pad at 3 a.m. today. Launch pad validation activities are continuing and

a hot fire of auxiliary power unit number 3 was successfully completed.

Preparations are underway for a helium signature leak test of the main

propulsion system and three main engines. The test is scheduled to begin

with a call-to-stations at midnight October 15 and continue through

tomorrow. Preparations are also underway to load hypergolic propellants

in the orbiter's onboard storage tanks later in the week. Next week a

tanking test is planned in order to verify that there are no leaks in the

main propulsion system. Launch remains scheduled for early November

though no precise date has been set. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Oct. 15, 1990.]

October 14: COLUMBIA HARD DOWN AT 39B

Columbia was transferred from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch

Complex 39B last night and was reported hard down at 7:55 this morning.

Main propulsion system work is continuing today in the aft compartment;

all 6 engine cover seals for the liquid hydrogen system and seals for the

relief valves have been replaced. Leak tests are planned for tomorrow

night. Officials are planning to conduct a tanking test later this month.

The payload bay doors were opened about 10 p.m. for servicing of the

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope with argon tomorrow morning. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 15, 1990, "Pit Stop," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, OCt. 15, 1990.]

October 15: DISCOVERY COMES HOME TODAY

Discovery is expected to return to Brevard County skies today, but most

won't get to see it because of its late arrival; it is expected at the Shuttle

Landing Facility at 6:48 p.m., four minutes before sunset. The Orbiter will

leave Edwards Air Force Base, CA, at 9:40 EDT aboard its carrier plane

188
and refuel in San Antonio, TX. The flight will continue to Kennedy Space

Center if the weather remains good. Because NASA does not like to

transport the Shuttle in the dark, pilots of the 747 carrier plane A. J. Roy

and Dave Mumme will probably not fly along Brevard County's coast to

the space center. "If there is any possible way the pilots can do that, they

will. The Shuttle sure looks pretty flying up the beach at sunset," said

John '_I'ip" Talone, Discovery's Manager in Charge for NASA. Demate

operations will begin immediately after the SCA lands at the Shuttle

Landing Facility. Discovery is expected to be ready for tow to Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 1 about 15 hours after landing. Booster

disassembly operations are continuing at Hangar AF. Preparations are

underway to ship the motor segments to Thiokol in Utah for

refurbishment. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 15, 1990, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 15, 1990.]

October 16: DISCOVERY TO RETURN HOME, LATE

Discovery, perched atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, is expected to

complete its trip home to Kennedy Space Center around noon today.

Discovery and its workhorse 747 carrier left Edwards Air Force Base about

9:44 a.m. EDT yesterday and made a refueling stop at Sheppard Air Force

Base (Wichita Falls, TX) before continuing to Eglin Air Force Base in the

Florida Panhandle. The refueling operation took more time than expected

because there was not enough jet fuel on hand for the 747 when cloudy

weather caused it to land in Wichita Falls. When the refueling operation

was completed there was only enough daylight remaining for the trip to

Eglin AFB, according to Bruce Buckingham, KSC spokesman. Buckingham

did say that the mated vehicles "may be doing a flyby if they have time."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 16, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 16, 1990.]

U HOME AT LAST

Discovery's jet carrier arrived at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing

Facility today at 3:59 p.m., having circled over Patrick Air Force Base for

twenty minutes waiting for the skies of KSC to clear. The Orbiter will be

taken to a processing hangar today for thorough inspections and post-flight

servicing. Bruce Buckingham, KSC spokesman, said, "It looks as good as

it did when we roiled it out of the Orbiter Processing Facility."

Atlantis undergoes a launch pad test to determine whether a fuel leak that

canceled a July flight has been repaired. The test date has been set for

October 24. During the test, workers will partially fill Atlantis' external

fuel tank and main propulsion system with liquid hydrogen and liquid

189
oxygen. The Orbiter's next mission will come no earlier than November

9. Damage done to the Shuttle by a falling beam mistakenly left inside the

aft compartment is not expected to delay the launch. Repairs are

underway coincident with routine work at Launch Complex 39A. The

Flight Readiness Review - a two-day meeting at Kennedy Space Center -

for STS-38 begins October 30, after which a firm launch date will be

announced.

Columbia will also undergo a launch pad leak test now scheduled for the

week of October 29. No launch date will be announced for its mission

until all leaks have been found and repaired. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Oct. 17, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 17, 1990,

"Discovery Hits the Home Stretch," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-l,

Oct. 17, 1990.]

9 LAUNCH TOWER RESOLUTION OK'D

The U. S. House of Representatives voted this week to support the reerection of a Saturn V launch tower as a national monument. The support

came in language added to the appropriations bill by Rep. Bill Nelson (DMelbourne, FL) and directs the National Park Service to study possible

sites and costs for the re-assembly of the tower. Interest in the tower has

been expressed by Titusville, FL, officials who would erect it - along with

a Saturn V replica -at Sand Point Park. The Launch Umbilical Tower,

which measures 400 feet when erect, is now in sections in a fenced-in area

in the Kennedy Space Center Industrial Area. The tower was last used in

1975's Apollo Soyuz Test Project and was dismantled in 1981 after the start

of the Shuttle flights. Nelson said, "Making the tower a national

monument could enhance local efforts to raise the private funds needed to

re-erect the tower and save it from decaying at Kennedy Space Center."

No money has been appropriated for the project which would cost an

estimated $15 million. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 17, 1990.]

October 17: ATLANTIS: LEAK TEST COMPLETED

The helium signature leak test of Atlantis' main propulsion system and

three main engines was successfully yesterday and preparations are

continuing to load hypergolic propellants into the Orbiter's onboard

storage tanks on October 18 and 19. Monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen

tetroxide will be loaded into the Orbiter's reaction system and orbital

maneuvering system storage tanks. A tanking test is planned for October

24. Managers have also decided to test the Orbiter's oxygen system to see

whether any fuel line damage occurred when a beam fell in the rear engine

compartment earlier in the month. The work is not expected to delay the

190
launch of Atlantis. Launch Complex 39A will be closed October 18and 19

while hazardous propellants are loaded into the Orbiter's onboard storage

tanks. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 17, 1990, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Oct. 18, 1990.]

[l COLUMBIA: LEAK TROUBLESHOOTING CONTINUES

Leak tests of the main propulsion system are planned today as the tiger

team continues troubleshooting efforts. A target date for the liquid

hydrogen tanking test is planned for October 29. A helium signature leak

test - identical to the one completed yesterday on Atlantis - is planned for

October 18. After the helium leak test, technicians will begin to apply

foam to various areas of the main propulsion system in preparation for the

tanking test. [KSC SHU'I'rLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 17, 1990.]

D DISCOVERY IN OPF

During the demating process workers were unable to loosen one of the

three bolts which attached Discovery to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft so

managers decided to leave the bolt in place and separate the bolt on the

aircraft's attach point instead. In the Orbiter Processing Facility the stuck

bolt will be removed during routine post-flight processing, officials said.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Oct. 18, 1990.]

October 19: HUMAN ERROR CAUSED ATLANTIS MISHAP

Lockheed Space Operations Co. said today that human error was to blame

for the October 3 incident in which a nine-foot yellow beam was

mistakenly left inside Atlantis' rear engine compartment. That error was

compounded when other workers signed paperwork which said that the

beam had been removed, the report said. "Am I happy with that? You bet

your life I'm not. Any mishap or incident is just not good news, and you

have to be very concerned," said Center Director Forrest S. McCartney.

"That's an incident that shouldn't have happened." Regarding the report

itself, he said, "We have reviewed the report and believe the report

accurately reflects the situation."

The beam is part of a kit which allows technicians to work inside the rear

engine compartment while the Orbiter is in a horizontal position. The kit

components normally are removed and inventoried before an Orbiter is

towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The beam crashed through the

rear engine compartment when Atlantis was hoisted into an upright

position in the VAB. Both a technician and a quality control inspector

from Lockheed signed documents that said the beam was removed. Cost

191
of the accident was not revealed in the report, but workers are scheduled

October 23 to replace part of a liquid oxygen fuel line that was badly

dented by the beam, according to officials. Director McCarmey said that

NASA was satisfied with Lockheed's investigation and that NASA will

likely adopt recommendations in the report which range from installing

new, more automated inventory control systems to re-writing procedures

to clarify them. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 20, 1990.]

ATLANTIS: STS-38 STATUS

Hypergolic propellant loading operations are continuing today and are

scheduled to be completed this evening. Monomethylhydrazine is being

loaded today. Yesterday, workers completed loading nitrogen tetroxide

into the orbiter's reaction control system and orbital maneuvering system

storage tanks. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 19, 1990.]

n DISCOVERY: STS-39 STATUS

Preparations are underway for opening the payload bay doors. The

payload bay will be deconfigured from the STS-41 mission. The tail cone

and ferry flight kit items will be removed over the next few days. In

Hangar AF, booster disassembly operations are continuing and

preparations are underway to ship the motor segments to Thiokol in Utah

for refurbishment. [KSC SHUTI_E STATUS REPORT, Oct. 19, 1990.]

U COLUMBIA: STS-35 STATUS

A helium signature leak test began last night and will be completed later

tonight. This test is part of activities identified by the leak investigation

team and it will check for leaks in the main propulsion system and main

engines. AFter the test, technidans will begin applying foam to various

areas of the main propulsion system in preparation for the tanking test on

October 29. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, OCt. 19, 1990.]

October 20: BEAM MISHAP HURTS LOCKHEED

Leaving a 9-foot, 47-pound beam inside Atlantis' engine compartment and,

thereby, damaging several components in the compartment, will reflect

poorly on Lockheed's report card NASA managers think. "Everybody is

held accountable for their actions. We hold Lockheed accountable for that

action, just as for the good things," said Kennedy Space Center Director

Forrest S. McCartney. A Lockheed investigation report said human error

was to blame for the accident. The Center Director called the mishap "an

infrequent occurrence. It will reflect negatively on their performance, just

192
as there are many things that reflect positively. I think Lockheed is doing

a fine job. By no means does that say there is not room for improvement,

but I know of very few operations where improvements can be made."

Nearly all the damage to Atlantis' plumbing has been repaired and NASA

hopes to launch the Orbiter by November 10. The Shuttle undergoes final

leak checks October 24 and, if the results are positive, a definite launch

date will be announced afterward. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct.

21, 1990, National Public Radio, October 23, 1990.]

October 23: ATLANTIS TEST SCHEDULED

Final preparations for an October 24 leak test on Atlantis began at 7 a.m.

today, according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. If

Atlantis passes the test, the Orbiter should be ready for launch on or about

November 10, according to KSC Director Forrest S. McCartney. The Oct.

24 test will send supercold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into

Atlantis' external tank. Sensors will aid engineers in detecting leaks. In

previous tests, only liquid hydrogen had been used because only the fuel

side of the system was found to be leaking; this time, officials want to load

liquid oxygen as well to ensure that there is no undetected damage from

the October 3 accident in which a nine-foot beam was mistakenly left

inside the Orbiter's rear engine compartment. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 3A, Oct. 22, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct.

23, 1990.]

0 COLUMBIA: STS-35 STATUS

Foaming operations are continuing on the main propulsion system in

preparation for the tanking test on October 29. Baggies and

instrumentation will be installed later this week. Fit checks of the two

special aft compartment doors made of a plexiglass type material is

scheduled for today. These doors were made transparent to allow

visibility into the aft compartment during tanking operations. A health

maintenance test of the Astro payload began yesterday and is scheduled

to be completed by this afternoon. Drying of the forward reaction control

system thrusters and functional testing of the waste containment system

are underway. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 23, 1990.]

October 24: ATLANTIS PASSES LEAK TEST

"We feel that we have a tight ship and that we performed a successful

test," said NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham after Atlantis passed a

critical tanking test today. "It appears we have licked the leak problem,"

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D

D

D

Buckingham added; Center Director Fortest S. McCartney said, "I think

we're ready to fly." Launch will occur either November 9 or 10; the date

will be set following a flight readiness review which begins October 29.

Atlantis failed three previous tanking tests in June and July. Columbia will

undergo a similar leak test either October 30 or 31 and if it also passes its

test, launch of the oldest Orbiter could come in early December.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 25, 1990, Malone, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 174-90, Oct. 23, 1990, KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT,

Oct. 24, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 and A-16, Oct.

25, 1990, "Atlantis Passes Leak Test at Last," SPACE NEWS, p. 2, Oct. 29-

Nov. 4, 1990, "Tanking Test Shows Atlantis Free of Leaks," SPACE NEWS

ROUNDUP, p. 1, Oct. 26, 1990.]

SAUER INC. WINS KSC CONTRACT

Sauer, Inc. (East Jacksonville, FL) has been awarded a $125,800 contract to

install gaseous helium and gaseous nitrogen pipelines at Kennedy Space

Center. When completed, approximately 1,200 feet of new pipeline for

each gas will run from existing connections on the fifth floor of the Vehicle

Assembly Building to ground level and then to the Orbiter Processing

Facility's High Bay 3. Gaseous nitrogen is used to clean and purge various

Orbiter systems; helium is pumped into fuel lines and other Shuttle

systems to check for leaks before liquids are loaded prior to launch.

[Kristofferson, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 159-90, Oct. 24, 1990.]

TIDEWATER ELECTR0-MAGNETICS CONTRACT

Tidewater ElectroMagnetics, Inc. (Virginia Beach, VA) has been awarded

a $319,990 contract to provide speaker monitors for a fiber-optic

communications network at Kennedy Space Center. Tidewater will

provide 290 monitors to KSC; the units will be incorporated into the

Center's Operational Intercommunication System-Digital (OIS-D). The

speakers will allow technicians to hear such information as Space Shuttle

pre-and post-launch situation reports without having to be plugged into

panels while wearing headsets. With the speakers, these workers will be

freer to move about, and others nearby will also be able to hear the

transmissions. The OIS-D system provides a fiber-optic cable network for

telecommunications between Space Shuttle operations, payload and launch

facilities. [Kristofferson, KSC RELEASE NO. 169-90, Oct. 24, 1990.]

EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

The Rockwell International, Space Systems Division (Downey, CA) and

Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. (Montville, NJ) have been named recipients

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of the 1990 George M. Low Trophy. The Excellence Award, renamed the

George M. Low Trophy by NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly,

recognizes NASA prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for

outstanding achievement in quality and productivity improvement and

total quality management. NASA Deputy Administrator J. R. Thompson,

Jr. announced the selections tonight at the Seventh Annual

NASA/Contractors Conference (Grenelefe, FL). 'These two firms have

demonstrated exceptional performance in attaining a level of quality and

productivity that commands our respect and deep appreciation,"

Thompson said.

Rockweil's Space Systems Division provides products and services ranging

from production of the fifth Space Shuttle Orbiter - Endeavour - to existing

Orbiter refurbishment and a variety of specialized studies in support of

space operations. Marotta provides critical valves and systems for NASA

flight vehicles, launch pads and engine test facilities. Marotta is the first

recipient of the award in the newly established small business category.

The seven other finalists for the 1990 award were:

*Barrios Technology, Inc. (Houston, TX)

*Bendix Field Engineering Corp. (Seabrook, MD)

*Boeing Computer Support Services (Huntsville, AL)

*EG&G Florida, Inc. (Titusville, FL)

*Grumman Technical Services Division (Titusville, FL)

*Honeywell, Inc. (Clearwater, FL)

*Unisys Corp., Space Systems Division (Houston, TX)

"Since NASA established the award in 1984, hundreds of NASA's

contractor partners have participated in the rigorous and valuable

evaluation process...a process which measures sustained and demonstrated

achievement in a broad range of criteria," said George A. Rodney, NASA

Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Quality. [Brown, NASA

NEWS RELEASE NO. 90-145, Oct. 25, 1990, "Rockwell Wins LOw Trophy,"

SPACE NEWS ROUNDUP, p. 1, Oct. 26, 1990.]

October 25: ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT

Following yesterday's successful tanking test which verified the integrity

of Atlantis' main propulsion system (MPS), work began to prepare the

Orbiter for its STS 38 mission in November. Final readings of the

hydrogen leak detectors showed minimal leakage in the area of the 17-inch

disconnect and in the aft compartment, all well within allowable limits.

Also, the liquid oxygen MPS lines were proved free of problems. Today on

Launch Complex 39A, liquid hydrogen boil off operations were completed

195
about I0:00 a.m. Following purge operations of the external tank, the pad

will be reopened for normal work. Access will be gained in the aft

compartment and work will continue to ready Atlantis for flight. Also,

following the purges, potable water samples WIU be taken. On October 28,

a main engine flightreadiness testisscheduled. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Oct. 25, 1990.]

a COLUMBIA STATUS REPORT

Foaming operations in the aft compartment continue today as workers

prepare Columbia for the special tanking test early next week. Schedules

indicate the test of the liquid hydrogen lines on the Orbiter will occur

Tuesday October 30. There is a slight possibility the test may slip to

October 31, depending on work to be performed this weekend. Tanking

preparations are currently underway and flow meters are being set up for

the test. Fit checks will continue today on the two special transparent aft

compartment doors which allow visibility into the compartment during

tanking. The work crew will install special lighting in the aft compartment

tomorrow for the cameras that have been installed to support the test.

External tank purges are scheduled to begin tomorrow and the payload

bay doors will be cycled dosed. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 25, 1990.]

fl DISCOVERY STATUS REPORT

The lube oil deservicing of Discovery's auxiliary power units was

completed last night and hypergolic deservice operations will take place

this weekend. The forward reaction control system is scheduled to be

removed tomorrow, October 26. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 25, 1990.]

October 26: STS-35 STATUS REPORT: COLUMBIA

Foaming operations in the aft compartment have been completed as

workers make last minute preparations to ready the Orbiter for the special

tanking test early next week. The schedule indicates the test of the

hydrogen lines on Columbia will occur October 30, with a slight possibility

of a one-day slip, depending on work remaining to be performed. Today

crews will install special cameras in the aft compartment in preparation for

the tanking test. The aft compartment is now covered with plexiglass-like

doors made of Lexan to allow observation during the test. Payload

servicing has been completed and the payload bay doors will be dosed late

this afternoon. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 26, 1990.]

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[] STS-38 STATUS REPORT: ATLANTIS

Operations were halted briefly at the pad this morning as SCAPE

operations were instituted to repair minor leaks at the hypergolic oxidizer

and fuel farms. Hazardous materials specialists were called to Launch

Complex 39A about 8:30a.m. when sensors detected traces of hypergolic

fuels seeping from a few valves. Because the fuels evaporated

immediately, the exact amount of the leak is unknown, said Kennedy

Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. "We fixed the leak and no

further action is required," he said. The pad was re-opened for operations

at 10:30 a.m. The leaks were thought to have been caused by cooler

weather experienced overnight and no delay in the launch schedule is

expected.

Purge operations of the external tank have been completed following

October 24's successful tanking test. Access was gained to the aft

compartment and work continues to ready Atlantis for flight. Fuel cell

voltage adjustments will also be made at the pad today. The Flight

Readiness Review has been scheduled for October 29 and 30, after which

a firm launch date is expected to be announced. At Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station another hazardous fuels incident occurred about 12:45 p.m.

Technicians were working in a small laboratory near Hangar S with a

small amount of nitrogen tetroxide when a power outage occurred, causing

ventilation fans to stop. Some fifty to sixty persons were evacuated as a

precautionary measure and the area was reopened a half hour later. [KSC

SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Oct. 26, 1990,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 27, 1990.]

[] STS-39 STATUS: DISCOVERY

Power-on testing is scheduled to begin today on Discovery, followed by

hypergolic offload preparations. Hypergols are scheduled to be removed

from the Orbiter's OMS/RCS systems this weekend. The Forward

Reaction Control System has been rescheduled to be moved to the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility early next week. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Oct. 26, 1990.]

October 27: BREVARD FIRMS WIN GRANTS

Four Brevard County businesses have been awarded NASA Small Business

Innovation Research grants, space agency officials said. The SBIR Program

was established by Congress in 1982 to encourage technological innovation.

Researchers who are recipients of the grants are awarded up to $50,000 to

develop proposals for further federal funding that could be as high as

197
$500,000. The Brevard firms awarded grants were Hypertech Systems

(Melbourne, FL), Integrated Software (Palm Bay, FL), Merritt Systems"

(Merritt Island, FT.) and Mainstream Engineering (Rocldedge, FL). ["Four

Brevard Firms Win Grants," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Oct. 28, 1990,]

D AWARD OF RECOGNITION: NOVAK

Howard Novak (Satellite Beach, FT.), a sdentist with USBI Co. at Kennedy

Space Center, has received an Award of Recognition for developing a new

way to check paint for adhesion purposes. Novak's work - a paper titled

"Abrasive Media Coating Scribing for Wet/Dry Tape Testing" - will be

published in the NASA Tech Briefs technical journal. ["USBI Scientist Wins

Recognition Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Oct. 28, 1990.]

Q SILVER SNOOPY AWARDS

Astronauts Mike McCuUey and Curt Brown have presented the

Astronaut's Silver Snoopy Award for contributions to the U. S. manned

space program to five EG&G Florida Inc. employees: Thomas Cox, Jr.,

Patrida Sims, Madeleine Formey, Roberta Sirmons and Alan Watson.

["EG&G Employees Earn Silver Snoopy Awards," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9E, Oct. 28, 1990.]

U RECYCLING PROGRAM AT KSC

Kennedy Space Center will expand its existing programs of reusing oil and

precious metals by recycling more ordinary office waste, i.e., white paper

and aluminum cans. '_'here's always been quite an interest there, because

the people over at Kennedy are concerned about the environment," said

KSC Deputy Director Gene Thomas who is also in charge of the space

center's recycling efforts. The center will recycle waste lumber and wood

by next month and will begin recycling waste paper and aluminum cans

by the end of the year. KSC already recycles waste oil for use in its

boilers, salvages precious metals such as gold and silver from equipment,

recycles aluminum and makes use of reusable paints. [Oates, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 28, 1990.]

October 29: FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW: STS-38

A Flight Readiness Review for S'I_38 (Atlantis, OV-104) is being held

today at Kennedy Space Center. NASA and contractor representatives will

discuss the readiness to launch the Orbiter Atlantis. At the conclusion of

the review tomorrow, an official launch date and window will be

announced. On Wednesday (October 31), a Flight Readiness Test of the

198
D

Shuttle's three main engines will be conducted at Launch Complex 39A.

The test includes a total check of the engines' electrical system and cycling

of the engine valves. Later in the week, ordnance devices will be installed

on the vehicle and tests of the firing circuits will be conducted. STS-38 is

a classified Department of Defense flight. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 29, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 28,

1990.]

CALL TO STATIONS FOR COLUMBIA

A call-to-stations for the liquid tanking test for Columbia occurred on

schedule today at approximately 7 a.m. Today workers prepare

Columbia's aft compartment for tomorrow's test. Chilldown of the main

propulsion system lines is set to begin at 7 a.m. tomorrow (October 30).

The test is a diagnostic one designed to identify and pinpoint any leaks.

Main propulsion system feed lines, main engines and all associated

components in the liquid hydrogen system will be investigated during the

test while the tank is being loaded with propellant. After the test, the tank

will be purged and the residual liquid hydrogen will be allowed to boil off.

Launch Complex 39B will be reopened for launch preparations October 31.

D

Ten cameras have been instaUed in Columbia's aft compartment and main

propulsion system joints have been bagged and instrumentation installed.

Fuel leaks have been found and repaired in both a 17-inch pipeline

between the Shuttle's external tank and the Orbiter and Columbia's rear

engine compartment. If Columbia passes its test October 30, the Shuttle

and its ten day astronomy mission could be launched in early December.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 29, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 28, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Oct.

30, 1990, "Columbia Gets Fuel Test Today," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

Oct. 30, 1990.]

DISCOVERY: HYPERGOL BURNOFF

Residual hypergolic propellants are being drained from the orbiter today

in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. Offload of the oxidizer is complete

and the fuel is being drained. The OPF is closed to all non-essential

personnel during the draining operation. The forward reaction control

system is scheduled to be removed October 31 and transferred to the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility for routine post-flight inspections. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 29, 1990.]

199
October 30: 200TH DELTA LAUNCH TODAY

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. will attempt to launch its 200th

Delta rocket today during a launch window which extends from 6:16 to

7:22 p.m. "We're getting ready to put a little ball of fire into the sky," was

the way McDonnell Douglas employee Ray Adams expressed it. Air Force

meteorologists say there is an 80 percent chance that the weather will be

favorable for a launch. The Delta will lift an Inmarsat 2-F1 spacecraft into

orbit. The craft is owned by a 61-nation consortium known as the

International Maritime Satellite Organization which operates a system of

satellites that provide a growing menu of mobile satellite services for

maritime, aeronautical and land-based users. The 3,054-pound spacecraft,

which will be deployed some 44 minutes after the Delta's lift off, was built

by British Aerospace Space Systems.

The International Maritime Satellite Organization (London, UK) has

invested $610 million to build and launch four Inmarsat 2 spacecraft, and

to construct ground stations that will relay transmissions over the satellite

constellation, according to Gavin Trevitt, an Inmarsat spokesman. The

company was founded in 1982 to offer international satellite capacity for

mobile transmissions to ships at sea. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

4A, Oct. 30, 1990, Marcus and Saunders, SPACE NEWS, p. 4, Oct. 29 -Nov.

4, 1990.]

U STS-38 LAUNCH SET

NASA and Department of Defense Managers today established November

9 as the target date for the launch of STS-38 Space Shuttle Atlantis. The 4-

hour launch period for this classified DOD flight begins at 6:30 p.m. EST.

The decision to launch Atlantis on the 9th was made followIng the STS-38

Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center. The five-man crew for

the mission includes Commander Richard O. Covey, Pilot Frank L.

Culbertson and Mission Specialists Carl J. Meade, Robert C. Springer and

Charles D. "Sam" Gemar. Covey has twice flown aboard Shuttles and

Springer once before. [Cast and Young, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 90-86,

Oct. 30, 1990.]

fl PROTESTOR FOUND GUILTY

Dorothy Scott Smith (Cocoa, FL) was found guilty today of trespassing

during a protest at Kennedy Space Center; she will not serve additional jail

time. She pleaded no contest to two counts of trespassing after a warning

and two related charges. Judge Peter Haddad credited Smith with the 25

days of jail time already served before the proceeding and suspended the

200
n

[]

remainder of her one year sentence. On October 5, Smith was involved in

a rally to protest the launch of Discovery which carried the Ulysses

spacecraft which was powered by plutonium. Ms. Smith said that she

would again trespass given the same circumstances. She added, "I believe

everyone has a responsibility to abolish all forms of nuclear weapons."

[Rowe, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Oct. 31, 1990.]

SHU'I'FLE FLEET FREE OF LEAKS

Columbia passed its crucial tanking test today and that success will enable

NASA to set a firm launch schedule for 1991. "We're elated," said veteran

astronaut Vance Brand, Commander of the Orbiter's seven-man crew for

STS-35. "We look forward to flying as soon as we can." Brand's launch

may come in early December. Referring to the morale boost which

Columbia's test success gives to KSC employees, Launch Director Robert

B. Sieck said, "There was a sense of victory in that these tests are behind

us." Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen added, "We ended up with

a tight ship and as far as we're concerned, Columbia is ready to fly after

we go through our final launch preparations." Today's test involved

pumping 385,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen into Columbia's main

propulsion system in an effort to isolate any fuel leaks. Only minor

leakage - about 20 percent of the allowable limit - was recorded during the

test. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-ZA, Oct. 31, 1990.]

YOUNG HEADS PROCEDURES INVESTIGATION

Veteran astronaut John Young is at work for NASA again, but this time

he's heading an investigation of safety procedures and a series of Shuttle

launch processing accidents at Kennedy Space Center. Young is special

assistant for engineering operations and safety to the center director at

Johnson Space Center. NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel is also

at KSC for two days of detailed interviews with space center employees.

"We're going to spend time talking to the individual technicians, the

hands-on folks," said the panel's Executive Director Gil Roth.

Space Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen, speaking of Young's

investigative team, said, "Sometimes having an outside set of eyeballs will

enable you to see some things that aren't obvious." Johnson Space Center's

Dan Germany said, "There's a tendency for some people to think that this

is like some big witch hunt. It's not. They'll be seeing what loose ends

need to be tied up." Germany is Manager of the Orbiter Projects Office at

JSC. NASA's Deputy Administrator J. R. Thompson said, "When I look

at the quantity of the work down here [KSC] and compare it to the quality

of the work, it's an outstanding job."

201
Young will report next week to William Lenoir, the NASA Associate

Administrator for Space Flight and the man who appointed the panel. The

investigative findings will be passed along to KSC Director Forrest S.

McCartney and to Shuttle Program Managers. Members of the panel

include: Jim Ehl (Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA's Safety

Office), Charles Mertz (Chief of the Safety System Branch), Wiley Bunn

(Head of the Quality Assurance Office at MSFC), and John Starnes

(Johnson Space Center). Information gathered by ASAP will be part of its

annual review of Shuttle operations. The recommendations by NASA's

Flight Safety Advisory Panel will be made in a report to be released in

March 1991. [Brown and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct.

31, 1990, Isbell, SPACE NEWS, pp. 1 & 19, Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 1990.]

n 200TH DELTA LAUNCHED

"This is the kind of flight we like - watching that bird go up and doing

what it is supposed to do," said McDonnell Douglas launch commentator

Ray Adams of the 200th successful launch of a Delta vehicle which carried

a $90 million spacecraft (Inmarsat) belonging to the International Maritime

Satellite Organization. Launch came at 6:16 p.m. Mission Director Don

Tutwiler said the flight marked a milestone for McDonnell Douglas, which

has been launching Delta rockets since 1960. "There aren't many launchers

in the world who can claim 200. Honestly, it's a thrill for me and the

entire Delta launch team," he said. Ahmad Ghais, Director of Engineering

for Inmarsat, said, "Anyone on the go should be able to use our satellites

to communicate anywhere on Earth." Inmarsat was deployed 44 minutes

after launch and will become fully operational by December in its orbit

23,000 miles above Earth. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 31, 1990,

Oates, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, Oct. 31, 1990.]

October 31: IVEY'S CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Ivey's Construction Inc. (Merritt Island, FL) has been selected by NASA to

enter final negotiations for a $6.4 million contract to construct a Space

Shuttle Payload Canister Rotation Facility (PCRF) at Kennedy Space

Center. The facility will serve as the high bay of the Transport Canister

Reconfiguration, Maintenance and Storage Facility located in the KSC

Industrial Area. This facility is used to reconfigure, refurbish and maintain

the Space Shuttle Payload Canister. Ivey's Construction will also construct

an annex building, which will provide office space, an equipment storage

area and workspace for the new PCRF. [Kristofferson, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 172-90, Oct. 31, 1990, "Payload Canisters Get New Home,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Nov. 4, 1990.]

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[] ATLANTIS: STS-38 STATUS

fl

A flight readiness test of the three main engines began early this morning.

This test includes a total check of the engines' electrical system and cycling

of the engine valves. Closeouts of the aft compartment will begin

November 1 and the two contingency space suits will be installed in the

airlock November 2. As standard practice, two suits are always flown in

the Shuttle in case of an unplanned space walk during the mission.

Atlantis is scheduled to be launched November 9 on Mission STS-38, a

classified Department of Defense flight. The launch window extends from

6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 31, 1990.]

COLUMBIA: STS-35 STATUS

"The team has found and fixed the problem and we can proceed with

plans to launch Columbia," said Robert B. Sieck, Shuttle Launch Director,

of the oldest Orbiter's tanking test. Sieck went on to say, "Launching

Shuttles and reputation, they are tied together. Safely and successfully

carrying out these missions, which is our goal, is only going to help the

reputation and our cause to keep the program going." The Kennedy Space

Center team yesterday successfully completed the liquid hydrogen tanking

test of Columbia with no leakage. Data collected from the test is still being

evaluated. However, no other work is planned on the liquid hydrogen

system and another tanking test won't be necessary. During the test, main

propulsion system feedlines, main engines and all associated components

in the liquid hydrogen system were investigated. The aft compartment

was specially outfitted with 10 cameras, bagged joints and instrumentation.

The tank was drained of liquid hydrogen and the residuals are being

boiled off today. Boil off is estimated to be completed by about 4 p.m. and

the Rotating Service Structure will be moved in place around the vehicle

about 6 p.m. tonight. The pad will be reopened and access to the aft

compartment is planned for early November 1. Work will begin then to

deconfigure the aft from the test. NASA officials said the successful test

at Kennedy Space Center indicates that replacing two defective seals and

tightening nuts and connectors in the Columbia's engine compartment had

repaired the hydrogen leaks that have grounded the Orbiter since May.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 31, 1990, Leary, THE NEW

YORK TIMES, p. A-14, Oct. 31, 1990, '_rest Shows Columbia is Now 'A

Tight Ship'," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, Oct. 31, 1990.]

203
0

0

0

ENDEAVOUR ENGINES ARRIVE

The first of three main engines for the Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived at

Kennedy Space Center today. The engines will be uncrated and inspected

in the Vehicle Assembly Building Main Engine Shop. Engine number 2032

will be stored in the engine shop until Endeavour arrives in May of 1991.

This engine features the improved controller with a larger capacity

memory and upgraded with wire harnesses. [KSC SHU'ITLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 31, 1990.]

DISCOVERY POST-FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Preparations are underway to remove the right orbital maneuvering system

(OMS) pod and the forward reaction control system (FRCS). The OMS pod

is scheduled for removal November 2 and the FRCS removal is planned

November 4. Both vehicle components will be transferred to the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility for post-flight inspections. Preparations

are beginning to remove the three main engines late next week. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 31, 1990.]

LAUNCH DELAY FOR ATLANTIS

Problems with its Department of Defense payload has caused a delay of

from one to three weeks in the launch of Atlantis' STS-38 mission. The Air

Force said that the launch was postponed to resolve problems discovered

during cargo testing. Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Lewonnie Belcher said,

'q'he details are classified and right now it's too early to declare a new

launch date." NASA managers have not yet decided the question of

moving up Columbia's launch date, but NASA spokesman Dave Steitz

said, 'That's not to say it won't be considered this morning or later."

Preparations for the Atlantis mission have continued despite the payload

problem; an electrical and mechanical test of the main engines started

today and will continue through November 1. Two more Department of

Defense missions are planned, both for 1991, but their cargoes are

unclassified. 'The bottom line is it's no longer affordable" to maintain

secure operations for a mission, said a Pentagon official who spoke on

condition of anonymity. [Brown and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

Nov. 1, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 1, 1990, "Air Force

Postpones Atlantis Flight," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 1, 1990.]

204
NOVEMBER

November 1: CRIPPEN STATEMENT: SHUTTLE STATUS

"NASA is working with the Air Force to help resolve the anomalies

discovered during cargo testing. Due to the classified nature of the

payload, details of the work being conducted cannot be discussed. I am

confident that the launch team will resolve the problems so that Atlantis

and the STS-38 mission can be launched. At this time, we are continuing

to proceed with the schedule to fly STS-38 before STS-35. "With regard to

Shuttle Mission STS-35, data from the tanking test on Columbia confirmed

that the problem of excess hydrogen in the aft of the Orbiter had been

resolved. Columbia and the Astro/BBXRT payload are now being

prepared for flight. I am optimistic about flying the STS-35 mission

sometime in December. A specific target launch date for the mission will

not be determined until after the Flight Readiness Review has been

conducted and performance data from the STS-38 mission has been

analyzed." ["Statement by Shuttle Director Robert Crippen on STS-38 &

STS-35 Mission Status," NASA NEWS RELEASE, Nov. 1, 1990, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Nov. 2, 1990.]

November 2: ATLANTIS SERVICING

The flash evaporator system water loop A on Atlantis has been deserviced

today to allow the replacement of a valve module. The water loop will be

reserviced November 3. Routine dye penetrant tests of the main engine

high pressure fuel ducts are underway today. NASA is working with the

Air Force to resolve the payload issue [see statement above], but an official

launch date has not yet been set. [KSC SHLUTLE STATUS REPORT,

Nov. 2, 1990.]

H COLUMBIA: POST-TEST OPERATIONS

Work is underway today to remove cameras and lights from Columbia's

aft compartment following the successful tanking test. Water valves for

the auxiliary power units will be replaced and retested this weekend.

Checks of the reaction control system regulators are planned today and

early next week. The payload bay doors are open to access the Astro

payload; the Broad Band X-Ray Telescope is being serviced today with

argon. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 2, 1990.]

205
D MCCARTNEY OPENS EXERCISE TRAIL

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCartney today opened a new

exercise trail near the Operations and Checkout Building in the space

center's industrial area. The new three-quarter-mile trail was planned with

an emphasis on muscle toning as well as cardiovascular conditioning and

includes 20 different exercise stops. Dr. Paul Buchanan, Biomedical

Operations and Research Office Director, said, "It's been well proven that

exercise is a powerful antidote to stress and disease. This new outdoor

trail will give employees a chance to enjoy the Florida outdoors while

improving their health and well-being. It's a self-paced exercise

opportunity, starting with stretching and warming up routines. Along the

path are several different musde-strengthening activities, followed by a

'cool down' zone that will provide stretching activities to end the exercise."

[Phillips, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 178-90, Oct. 31, 1990.]

[1 ATLANTIS REPAIR WORK CONTINUES

NASA and the Air Force continued repair efforts on Atlantis' classified

military payload today. "We still have no official launch date," said Lisa

Malone, a Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman. The delay is expected to

last from one to two weeks. The cargo problems were revealed during

testing last week. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 3, 1990.]

[1 COLLrlVIBIA PREPARATIONS PROCEED

Columbia still awaits a December launch date, but Kennedy Space Center

managers prefer to have at least three weeks between missions to review

flight data and the delay in launching Atlantis also delays the launch of

Columbia. Workers today replenished the coolant needed to protect the

Broad Band X-Ray Telescope in Columbia's payload bay and the last of the

equipment used in the earlier tanking test was removed from the Orbiter's

aft compartment. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 3, 1990.]

D DISCOVERY: ELECTRICAL SHORT

An electrical short in test equipment today forced technicians to cut power

to Discovery during its extensive post-flight inspections and servicing.

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone said that the flight

processing of Discovery would not be effected by the electrical problem.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 3, 1990.]

206
November 3: SILVER SNOOPY AWARDS

Boeing Aerospace Operations Inc. employee John Yancey, Jr. has won the

NASA Manned Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy Award; he was awarded

a Silver Snoopy pin by astronaut Curt Brown. The pin flew aboard a

secret Department of Defense mission aboard Atlantis is December 1988.

Brown and astronaut Michael McCuUey also awarded Silver Snoopys to

five EG & G Florida Inc. employees: Kenneth Clontz, Larry Gast, David

Marches, Carol McCombs and Charles Hobday. ["KSC Workers Receive

Silver Snoopy Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Nov. 4, 1990.]

D SPACEPORT USA'S CHAMBERS RETIRES

H. B. Chambers, General Manager of Spaceport USA at Kennedy Space

Center is retiring after 22 years. Under his direction, Spaceport USA has

grown consistently and now attracts three million visitors annually. It is

the fourth largest tourist attraction in Florida. Chambers will be succeeded

by Donald Hennessy who has been regional vice president for Canteen

Corp. (Kansas City, MO) Hennessy will serve as Chambers' deputy until

January I, 1991. ["Head of Spaceport USA to Retire After 22 Years,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Nov. 4, 1990.]

[l ATLANTIS CARGO WORK CONTINUES

"While Atlantis will be launched ahead of Columbia, there is no official

word on a launch date," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman George

DiUer. This weekend workers performed maintenance on part of the

system used to keep the Orbiter and the crew cool in space and inspected

plumbing within the three main engines. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

ZA, Nov. 4, 1990.]

November 4: ATLANTIS LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Work to ready Atlantis for the STS-38 launch is proceeding; closeouts of

the Orbiter's aft compartment are in work. Dye penetrant tests of the main

engine high pressure fuel ducts were successful. A functional check of the

crew hatch was successfully completed this weekend. The two space suits

are scheduled to be installed in the air lock tomorrow. Two suits are

routinely flown on board Orbiters in case of an unplanned space walk

during the mission. Tomorrow the Orbiter's flash evaporator system will

be topped off. Purges of the external tank are planned for November 6.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 5, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 6, 1990.]

207
November 5: COLUMBIA: HELIUM TEST SCHEDULED

A helium signature test of the liquid oxygen side of the main propulsion

system of Columbia is scheduled for today. The tanking test disproved the

existence of any leaks within the liquid hydrogen side of the system. Flow

checks of the aft reaction control system are underway today. Work

continues to restore the aft compartment to normal launch configuration.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 5, 1990.]

0 DISCOVERY: PRE-LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Operations planned today for Discovery include pulling the nose cap for

structural inspections, checks of the S-Band Antenna, a test of the radar

altimeter, and thermal protection systems operations. Over the weekend

both the right orbital maneuvering system pod and the forward reaction

control system were removed form the Orbiter and transferred to the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility for post-flight inspections. Heat shield

removal is starting today in preparation for removing the three main

engines later in the week. Functional testing of the waste containment

system is scheduled this week. [KSC SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, Nov.

5, 1990.]

Q ATLANTIS LAUNCH DATE

Kennedy Space Center Director For_est S. McCaxtney said today his best

guess on when Atlantis would be launched would be November 15, 16 or

17. Normally, NASA likes to have missions three weeks apart to allow

time to study flight data and fix potential problems. "We're looking to see

if we can make that shorter because we would like very much to fly and

get Columbia home before Christmas," McCartney said. He said that

schedule would allow certain KSC operations to close for maintenance and

would save holiday pay, he said. Columbia's launch should follow that of

Atlantis in three weeks, or less, McCartney said. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 6, 1990.]

a DRUGS, SHUTTLE ACCIDENTS NOT RELATED

"I think they are absolutely, totally unrelated," Kennedy Space Center

Director Forrest S. McCartney said today. '"There is no evidence at all to

indicate that substance abuse of any kind has been a factor in any of the

incidents that we have had." On November 2, a small bag of cocaine was

found under a desk in a hangar where Orbiters are readied for launch.

NASA has an ongoing investigation and no arrests have been made.

McCartney added, "I think what we have is nothing more than an

208
individual that has, unfortunately, a habit, and we have happened upon

the substance that they use."

In April, NASA began random drug testing of civil service employees in

sensitive positions at KSC. Many of the center's contractors conduct preemployment drug tests as well as tests of employees suspected of drug

use. Leo Serrano, Director of a Wuesthoff Hospital (Rockledge, FL)

laboratory, said of the drug find, "For the most part, our experience with

the people at the space center has shown they're all very responsible

individuals." According to statistics Serrano has compiled, the incidence

of drug use at KSC is lower than at other places of employment.

Aerospace and defense industry employees tested positive for drug use 0.3

percent of the time, compared with the county-wide average of 8.3 percent,

Serrano remarked. Construction and service industry workers tested

positive 10 percent of the time, he said. One reason Serrano offered for the

low drug use rate among space center employees is that aerospace and

defense industries don't send prospective employees in for drug testing

until a thorough background check has been completed. McCartney said

that drug use at Kennedy Space Center must be curbed. Workers

identified as drug users will be given the choice of drug rehabilitation or

termination, he said. [Banke FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A, Nov. 6, 1990.]

November 6: NASA ACCIDENT REPORT COMPLETE

The investigation team lead by former astronaut John Young has

completed its investigation into a series of Orbiter processing accidents at

Kennedy Space Center, The findings were presented to Associate

Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir this week. Lenoir is

expected to discuss the findings tomorrow in his regular meeting with

reporters. Young's panel was directed to determine whether there was any

"common cause" to the series of mishaps that have led to damaged

hardware and delays at KSC. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 14A, Nov.

7, 1990.]

D APU REPLACEMENT ON COLUMBIA

Auxiliary power unit number 1 will be replaced today and a hot fire is

planned for next week. Installation of APU water valves is scheduled for

today as well and will continue through tomorrow. Flow checks of the aft

reaction control system have been completed and work continues on

returning the aft compartment to its normal launch configuration. General

purpose computer number 5 was replaced and will be tested November 7.

209
This computer failed during testing last week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 6, 1990, KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 7, 1990.]

U NASA EAGLES LAY EGGS

A NASA video camera recorded a Southern Bald Eagle laying two eggs

between November 2 and 6 in a pine tree near Kennedy Space Center.

EUiott Jones, in an article for FLORIDA TODAY, wrote: "After the special

event, recorded by an unmanned video camera poised next to the 40-foothigh nest, the white-headed father eagle let out a whoop. 'It was quite

dramatic," said Dorn Whitmore, a wildlife specialist with the Merritt

Island National Wildlife Refuge." []ones, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

Dec. 5, 1990.]

November 7: DISCOVERY'S SCREEN TEST

Preparations are underway to perform tests on the right orbital

maneuvering system pod at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. A new

test, called a screen test, to check the propellant tanks' internal screen is

scheduled for next week. Heat shield removal has begun in preparation

for removing the three main engines November 9. The engines will be

transferred to the engine shop in the Vehicle Assembly Building for

refurbishment. STS-39 booster stacking operations have begun in the VAB

today with the left aft booster being stacked on the mobile launcher

platform. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 7, 1990.]

U STS-38 & STS-35 LAUNCH ADVISORY

NASA managers today set November 15, 1990, as the new target launch

date for Shuttle mission STS-38, a dedicated Department of Defense

mission. Launch of Atlantis and the STS-38 mission was delayed from its

original target date of November 9, 1990, due to payload problems. Start

of the 4-hour launch opportunity period remains the same at 6:30 p.m.

EST. This will be the seventh flight of Atlantis and the 37th Space Shuttle

mission. Preparations for the launch of Columbia and the STS-35/Astro-1

mission continue on schedule at Launch Complex 39B. The Flight

Readiness Review (FRR) for STS-35 is currently scheduled for November

26-27, 1990. Following analysis of performance data from STS-38 and the

standard review of mission status at the FRR, a target date for the Astro-1

mission will be announced. "Processing of Atlantis for the STS-38 mission

is going well," said Space Shuttle Director Robert Crippen. "If the

remaining scheduled work for STS-38 goes as planned and no unexpected

obstacles arise, I'm confident that we will launch on November 15th and

that we'll be flying Columbia sometime in early December." [Hess,

210
Campion and Malone, "Launch Advisory for Shuttle Missions STS-38 and

STS-35," Nov. 7, 1990.]

ATLANTIS: DOD PAYLOAD READY

The Department of Defense's classified payload has been repaired and is

ready to fly aboard Atlantis. "We're reasonably confident we can make the

15th [Nov.]," said Shuttle Program Director Robert Crippen. The launch

will come sometime between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., officials said.

NASA also announced today that an investigative team led by former

astronaut John Young did not find a "common cause" for a series of

Shuttle processing accidents at K. The group examined nine serious

accidents at the space center over the past 13 months. The primary cause

f most of the accidents, said the Young panel, was a lack of training and

failure to write work procedures clearly. A failure to follow work

procedures was noted. 1 made several recommendations: (1) team

engineers and technicians in the workplace; (2) train technicians to

specialize in certain processing tasks; (3) improve communications between

supervisors and technicians. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov.

8, 1990.]

November 8: MINOR COLUMBIA MISHAP

During routine operations yesterday in the payload changeout room at

Launch Pad 39B, an aluminum pan beneath an access platform nicked a

thermal blanket covering part of the Astro-1 Star Tracker. The area of

impact on the blanket measured about 1/4 inch long by 1/8 inch wide,

with the depth termed "barely perceptible." At present, no impact is seen

on Columbia's upcoming flight. The Broad Band X-Ray Telescope is being

serviced today with liquid argon. Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope film

removal has been accomplished. New film will be loaded prior to launch.

Routine payload monitoring will continue. Other preflight work scheduled

includes loading the mass memory unit (MMU) with new mission data,

plus experiment closeouts, pallet cleaning, and BBXRT servicing. [STS35/ASTRO-1 STATUS REPORT, Nov. 8, 1990.]

November 9: COLUMBIA: BBXRT SERVICED

The Orbiter's hydraulic system is being conditioned for the engine flight

readiness test tomorrow. A hot fire of auxiliary power unit number 1 is

planned for November 12. Today, technicians will service the APUs

lubricating oil; APU water valves have been installed and functional tests

have been completed. Columbia and the Astro payload are being prepared

211
for launch on Mission STS-35. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Nov.

9, 1990.]

rl DISCOVERY PREPARATIONS IN OPF

Engine drying operations on Discovery are complete and preparations are

underway to remove the three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs)

November 10. They will be transferred to the main engine shop in the

Vehicle Assembly Building to be refurbished. Freon coolant loop number

1 was deserviced last night and the radiator is scheduled to be removed

tonight. Inspections of the payload bay doors are planned are planned

following the radiator's removal. Testing continues on the right orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) pod at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility.

A dry run of a screen test was completed yesterday. Booster stacking for

STS-39, Discovery's next mission, continues in the VAB. The first segment,

the left aft booster, has been stacked on the mobile launcher platform and

will be followed next week by the left aft center segment. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 9, 1990.]

November 10: ATLANTIS LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

"We're doing pretty good and are not tracking any major problems," said

Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman. Launch preparations

of Atlantis proceeded without a hitch November 8 and 9 as technicians

prepared today to close Launch Complex 39A for hazardous operations on

the Orbiter. Workers will make the final connections of ordnance on the

Shuttle and pressurize tanks inside Atlantis containing toxic rocket

propellants. Technicians also planned to complete reconfiguration work

in the aft engine compartment and to attach the compartment's access

doors to the Orbiter. The countdown begins at 10:30 p.m. November 11.

On November 13, Atlantis Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Frank

Culbertson and Mission Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar, Carl Meade

and Robert Springer arrive at the space center to prepare for November

15's launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov. 10, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 12, 1990.]

November 11: ATLANTIS' COUNTDOWN STARTS

At 10:30 tonight the countdown begins for Atlantis' STS-38 mission. The

flight is on behalf of the Department of Defense and the payload is

classified, but it has been widely reported that the satellite in Atlantis'

cargo bay is equipped with cameras and sensors that will help support U.

S. operations in the Middle East. Yesterday, technicians at Launch

Complex 39A finished installing ordnance devices used to separate the

212
Orbiter from its external tank and solid rocket boosters during ascent.

Today, Atlantis' on-board fuel storage tanks will be pressurized and final

checks of its rear engine compartment will be completed. Dick Young,

Kennedy Space Center spokesman, said, "They're running somewhat ahead

of schedule," referring to launch processing. Liftoff will occur between 6:30

p.m. and 10:30 p.m. November 15. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10A,

Nov. 11, 1990.]

November 12: TWO MILITARY LAUNCHES THIS WEEK

About 7:00 p.m. today an Air Force Titan 4 will lift off from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station; Thursday evening between 6:30 and 10:30

Atlantis is scheduled to be launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch

Complex 39A. The Air Force will not discuss the Titan's cargo; the same

is true for Atlantis' cargo. The Shuttle countdown was begun a day earlier

than usual and space agency officials would not discuss the change.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 12, 1990.]

fl ATLANTIS COUNTDOWN UNDERWAY

All Atlantis countdown events are proceeding without problems.

Closeouts of the aft compartment are complete; one of the flight doors was

installed early this morning and workers are attaching another door today.

KSC launch team members are involved in routine operations to ready the

STS 38 vehicle for liftoff. Some of these jobs include loading software into

the Orbiter's onboard computers, checking out the main engine controllers

for flight and preparations to load the Orbiter's onboard fuel cells with

liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants.

Ordnance devices were installed on the weekend and the firing circuits

were checked. Atlantis' hypergolic propellant tanks have been pressurized

for flight. Weather forecasts for the launch period November 15 indicate

there is a 40 percent chance that the overall conditions will be acceptable

for liftoff. Launch day weather concerns are crosswinds at the KSC Shuttle

Landing Facility, chance of ceilings below 8,000 feet and showers in the

area. Scattered clouds are forecast between 4,000 and 7,000 feet and

between 30,000 and 33,000 feet. Winds are expected to be out of the

northeast at 12 knots with peak winds at 25 knots. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 12, 1990.]

fl COLUMBIA PASSES MAIN ENGINES READINESS TEST

A flight readiness test of Columbia's three main engines was completed

this past weekend. This test verified the engines' electrical systems and

213
cycled the valves. A hot fire of the auxiliary power unit number 1 is

planned for this afternoon. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 12,

1990.]

November 12: TITAN 4 LAUNCH SUCCESS

Air Force Titan 4 Program Manager Col. Frank Stirling called tonight's

mission a success. The 18-story Titan 4 launch vehicle lifted off from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station at 7:37 p.m. '_rhis is another significant launch

for America's space program," said Martin C. Faga, Air Force Assistant

Secretary for Space. The satellite aboard the Titan 4 is expected to undergo

extensive systems checks for the next two or three months before becoming

operational. Originally scheduled for a September launch, the Titan 4

launch was delayed by a nitrogen tetroxide leak and again when the

rocket's nose cone had to be removed and cleaned. Today's launch was

the third for the $173 million Titan 4. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, Nov. 13, 1990, Hoversten, USA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 13, 1990.]

November 13: CONFISCATED POWDER NOT COCAINE

The bag of white powder found in a Shuttle processing hangar on

November 2 has proved to be "calcium hydrogen phosphate, which is not

a controlled substance," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Dick

Young. According to Scott McCord, a Titusville High School teacher, the

chemical is commonly used in chemistry classes for various experiments

and is also used in the aerospace industry to calibrate machinery.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 14, 1990.]

STS 38 CREW ARRIVES AT KSC

The all-military crew of STS-38 arrived at Kennedy Space Center today in

preparation for the scheduled launch of Atlantis November 15. Air Force

weather officials, however, say there is a 70 percent chance that winds will

be too high for launch. The winds result from a high pressure Canadian

weather system heading for Florida where it will the system will likely

encounter a low pressure tropical system which is expected to move into

the Space Coast from the south. The convergence will likely produce

strong crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing Facility. High winds would

make it difficult to land the Orbiter at KS(: should an emergency occur

during the first four minutes of flight. Wind speed could also damage the

Shuttle during launch.

On arrival at about 5:30 p.m., nonetheless, Commander Richard Covey

said, "It's great to be back down here." He referred to previous trips to

214
Florida when the launch of Atlantis had to be canceled due to liquid

hydrogen fuel leaks which are now repaired. The crew also includes:

Pilot Frank Culbertson, and Mission specialists Robert Springer, Charles

"Sam" Gemar and Carl Meade. The astronauts were welcomed with a

banner which read "Go Atlantis, STS-38."

"The countdown is underway and we haven't had any problems so far,"

said Lisa Malone, KSC spokeswoman as launch preparations continued

without a hitch; meanwhile, workers loaded tanks inside Atlantis with

liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The chemicals are used to generate

electricity and drinking water during the flight. Countdown activities

completed include loading software into the Orbiter's onboard computers,

activating and testing the Orbiter's navigation aids and checking out the

main engine controllers for flight. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov.

14, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 13, 1990, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 14, 1990.]

fl COLUMBIA PROCESSING CONTINUES

A hot fire of Columbia's auxiliary power unit number 1 was conducted

about 11:50 p.m. The rotating service structure will be moved in place

around the vehicle tomorrow morning. Workers will establish access to

the aft compartment and begin post-hot fire inspections. The APU 1 fuel

tank will be topped off and repressurized later in the day. The Flight

Readiness Review for Columbia's STS-35 mission will be held at Kennedy

Space Center November 26 and 27. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Nov. 13, 1990.]

November 14: WEATHER IMPROVES; ATLANTIS GO

NASA officials said today there is a 60 percent chance the weather will be

favorable for launch the Shuttle Atlantis should be ready to go. "The

vehicle looks good and the countdown is proceeding without a hitch," said

KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The exact time of the Department of

Defense STS-38 mission will not be announced until nine minutes before

launch, but liftoff is expected to come during a launch window extending

from 6:46 to 8:12 p.m. November 15. Today, pad workers completed

activation of the Orbiter's communications system, tested the Orbiter's

navigation aids, prepared the tail service masts for launch and installed the

crew seats in the crew cabin. The Rotating Service Structure will be moved

to the launch position away from the vehicle, the gaseous oxygen vent arm

will be prepared for launch, and the inertial measurement units will be

activated and warmed up.

215
There remain some launch day weather concerns about crosswinds at the

Shuttle Landing Facility. Scattered clouds are forecast between 4,000 and

Z000 feet and between 30,000 and 33,000 feet. Winds are expected to be

out of the east at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. Today, the STS-38 crew will

fly in their T-38 training jets and receive routine status briefings on the

vehicle, payload and weather. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov.

14, 1990.]

0 39B CLEARING FOR ATLANTIS LAUNCH r ORDNANCE

Preparations are underway to top off and repressurize Columbia's

hydrazine tank for auxiliary power unit number 1 today. Only those

personnel essential to the job will be allowed into the pad. The first part

of ordnance operations is planned for November 16. Again the pad will

be cleared during this operation. On November 15, the pad will be cleared

from 8:00 a.m. till late in the evening due to the launch of STS-38. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 14, 1990.]

[l DISCOVERY'S LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Operations scheduled for Discovery this week include structural

inspections of the nose cap and inspections of thrusters on the left orbital

maneuvering system pod. Radiator panels were removed and inspections

of the payload bay doors are planned. A screen test of the fuel tanks on

the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod is planned today. The

pod is located presently at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility.

Booster stacking operations for STS-39 (Discovery) are continuing in the

Vehicle Assembly Building. The second segment, the left aft center

segment was pinned to the booster last night. The left forward center

segment was transferred to the VAB early this morning and is scheduled

to be lifted to the high bay in the VAB this morning. This segment will be

mated by November 16. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 14,

:9903

0 LAST OF SECRET SHU'WLE FLIGHTS

The launch of Atlantis will be the last classified Department of Defense

mission for the Shuttle, though two unclassified missions will take place

next year. Over the next five years, half of Kennedy Space Center workers

- about 8,000 - will lose their security clearances, according to KSC Security

Chief Gary Wistrand. Workers holding secret clearances are reinvestigated every five years and most of the approximately 8,000 who are

due to lose their clearances wiU simply not have them renewed. The

exception, according to Wistrand, is for security personnel who must have

216
immediate access to any KSC facility. About 35 persons whose work was

devoted entirely to maintaining military Shuttle Program security - such

as classified document handling and communication systems configuration

- are being phased out of those jobs and reassigned to other dufies."We

began preparing for this about two years ago, so most workers that would

be impacted have been placed in other positions," Wistrand said.

Kennedy Space Center will gain in one respect; the space center will have

sole control of a second fully-equipped control room needed to test and

launch the Shuttle. The room, from which Atlantis will be launched, is a

secure, dedicated Department of Defense facility. After the launch, the

control room - and a second, less-equipped facility in the KSC Launch

Control Center - will be turned over to NASA and refitted for civilian

space applications at a cost of $6 million which will be borne by the

Department of Defense. Launch Director Robert Sieck says the additional

rooms are not expected to affect Shuttle processing operations, although

having them will provide managers with more flexibility. "We use it now

for non-secure mission operations," Sieck said. "The only time we got into

a bind was when we had two Defense Department flights in a flow."

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 15, 1990.]

November 15: ROADS CLOSED FOR LAUNCH

Kennedy Parkway and NASA Causeway will close today at 12:30 p.m.

because of Pentagon plans to launch a classified cargo aboard Atlantis

tonight. Spaceport USA will close two hours later and tourists will be

ordered to leave the grounds, officials said. Families with car passes will

be admitted after 2:30 p.m. Car passes for the public are not available for

Pentagon launches. ["KSC to Close Roads for Shuttle Launch," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8A, Nov. 15, 1990.]

B GRANT FOR APOLLO TOWER GROUP

The Apolio 11 Society today received a $25,000 grant from the Florida

Bureau of Historical Preservation to aid in the reconstruction of the launch

tower from which the Apollo 11 mission left for the moon. The tower was

cut into sections in 1981 and is stored in a fenced area in the rear of the

Kennedy Space Center industrial Area.

The National Park Service has asked the Apollo 11 Society to conduct a

study to determine the best site for the tower. In October, the U. S. House

of Representatives supported the concept of naming the tower a national

monument. Several locations in Titusville are being considered for the

erection and the city has given another $25,000 to the project. Titusville's

217
Senior Planner Wes Hoaglund intends to ask the Brevard County Tourist

Development Council for $50,000. It will cost at least $20 million to

reconstruct the tower, depending on the project design. The Society plans

to choose a national spokesman to spearhead the fund-raising effort. For

information about the Sodety and becoming a member, call 269-7224.

[Long, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3B, Nov. 16, 1990.]

rl STS-38 LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

The official liftoff time for STS-38 was 6:48:15, according to a news release

from Kennedy Space Center just after nine o'clock tonight. NASA

Administrator Richard Truly said, "It's an important mission for the

Shuttle, an important mission for the Defense Department and the country,

and I'm glad we've got another one airborne. We've got a good bird, a

healthy crew and a good mission on the way." During the extremely

smooth countdown, Commander Richard Covey told Launch Director

Robert Sieck, "We're ready to get out of town." Because the mission is a

classified one for the Department of Defense, little new information will be

released to the press until the Atlantis is ready to land at Edwards Air

Force Base, CA. Nevertheless, the cargo is expected to be deployed within

24 hours of launch.

The launch countdown actually began on Sunday and was interrupted on

Monday for six hours to allow an unmanned Titan 4 to be launched from

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Tanking operations began at 10:20 this

morning and no significant fuel leaks were reported during the process of

propellant loading. After donning their flight suits, the Covey and Pilot

Frank Culbert_n and Mission Specialists Robert Springer, Carl Meade

and Charles "Sam" Gemar left their quarters in the Operations and

Checkout Building and, at 3:35 p.m., headed for Launch Complex 39A,

arriving at about 4 p.m.

Next year's Shuttle schedule includes two unclassified Department of

Defense missions: a Strategic Defense Initiative Organization spacecraft

aboard Discovery in February or early March and a missile-warning

satellite will be deployed from a Shuttle next summer. The launch of

Columbia on STS-35 is expected to take place in early December. The

mission has been scrubbed four times since May due to fuel leaks and an

electrical problem with the payload. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, Nov. 16, 1990, "Atlantis Launched on Secret Mission," USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 16, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp.

A-1 & A-5, Nov. 16, 1990, Leary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A13, Nov.

16, 1990.]

218
November 16: POST LAUNCH OPERATIONS

Post launch securing operations are underway at Launch Complex 39A

today. The mobile launcher platform will be transferred back to the

Vehicle Assembly Building on November 19. Launch damage to the pad

was reported minimal; the liftoff scorched some paint on the launch tower

and singed nearby grass, according to Kennedy Space Center spokesman

Bruce Buckingham. At sea, the booster retrieval operations are underway.

Recovery teams station-kept the boosters overnight and began retrieval

activities at sunrise this morning. The parachutes are on board and work

to secure the boosters for tow is underway. The boosters are expected to

enter Port Canaveral November 17 by about 7 a.m. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 16, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov.

17, 1990.]

0 COLUMBIA'S DISCONNECT REPLACED

A leaking quick disconnect for main engine 1 is being replaced today. A

flight readiness test on that engine to retest the disconnect is planned

tomorrow. Hydraulic fluid is being conditioned in preparation for the test

which cycles engine valves. The first part of ordnance operations is

planned for November 18; the pad will be cleared during this operation.

The two contingency space suits are scheduled to be installed in the air

lock early next week. Launch Complex 39B was cleared most of November

15 for the STS-38 launch. A launch date for the STS-35 mission will be set

following November 27's Flight Readiness Review. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 16, 1990.]

0 DISCOVERY GETS NEW COMPUTERS

Five new general purpose computers (GPCs) were installed in Discovery

this week. STS-39 will be the first use of the upgraded GPCs. Today, an

ammonia boiler and the Ku-Band Antenna drive assembly will be replaced.

A screen test of the fuel tanks on the right orbital maneuvering system pod

will be conducted again today. A retest is necessary because data collected

from November 14's test is not fully understood. The pod is currently

located at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. STS-39 booster stacking

operations are continuing in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Mating of the

left forward center segment to the stack is underway today. The left

forward segment, the last motor segment, is scheduled to be mated next

week prior to the Thanksgiving holidays. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 16, 1990.]

219
November 18: ATLANTIS LANDS TODAY_ EDWARDS

Weather permitting, Atlantis is scheduled to land today on Runway 15 at

Edwards Air Force Base at approximately 4:48 p.m.; because Mojave Desert

conditions typically get worse as the day progresses, the Shuttle will land

one orbit earlier than planned. Forecasts for California call for gusty winds

and a chance of rain which might cause a landing delay of one day,

though the forecast for November 20 is not much better.

While in orbit, Atlantis Commander Richard Covey delivered a statement

to the American forces stationed in the Middle East:. "During the last few

days we aboard Atlantis have circled Earth many times. Whenever we

pass close to Saudi Arabia we could not help but think of our soldiers,

sailors, airmen and Marines deployed there for Operation Desert Shield.

As the holiday season approaches, the multi-service crew of Atlantis

wishes these brave warriors peace and a speedy return home. Our prayers

are for them and their families."

Department of Defense Shuttle missions carrying classified cargo tend to

give out little information to the press; yesterday brought these brief

remarks from Mission Control spokeswoman Kari Huegel, 'U'he crew is

doing well and beginning landing preparations, and Atlantis continues to

perform satisfactorily. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 19, 1990,

"Atlantis Readies for Today's Landing," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 19,

1990.]

November 19: ORBITERr SRB STATUS

At the NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility at Edwards Air Force

Base, preparations are underway for the landing of the Space Shuttle

Atlantis this afternoon, scheduled for 4:48 p.m. Eastern time. This is one

orbit earlier than previously planned because of an approaching cold front.

The Shuttle Training Aircraft will be making approaches to the Rogers Dry

Lake Bed to assess the landing conditions. Landing officials feel

reasonably sure that the weather will permit a de-orbit to occur this

afternoon. On November 17, the STS-38 solid rocket boosters arrived at

Hangar AF Booster Disassembly Facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Base

towed by the recovery ships Independence and Freedom. The initial

inspections are complete and nothing surprising has been found. The

segments are being disassembled for further routine inspections.

At Launch Complex 39A the crawler transporter is moving the mobile

launcher platform back to the Vehicle Assembly Building this morning. At

Launch Complex 39B, preparations continue for the launch of the Space

220
Shuttle Columbia and its Astro astronomy payload. Today, software is

being loaded into Astro's mass memory unit, the camera on the ultraviolet

imaging telescope is being loaded with film, and the Broadband X-Ray

Telescope is being serviced with liquid argon.At the perimeter of Launch

Complex 39B tankers are delivering to the liquid hydrogen and liquid

oxygen to the pair of large storage spheres. On the fixed service structure,

the Orbiter mid-body umbilical will be connected to Columbia today and

leak-checked. Over the weekend, the hydraulic re-test of main engine #1

was completed on November 17, servicing the auxiliary power units with

water was completed, and some initial ordnance work was done the next

evening.On Discovery in its hangar at the Orbiter Processing Facility,

powered-down electrical work is underway. A functional check is

scheduled for the door of the Orbiter access hatch which will be followed

by cabin leaks and other cabin functional testing. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 19, 1990.]

November 20: WEATHER DELAYS ATLANTIS LANDING

Atlantis' attempt to land in California yesterday was delayed by gusting

Mojave Desert winds; three chances to land are available today and the

Orbiter has the capability to stay in space until November 22. NASA's

Director of Mission Operations, Randy Stone, said that forecasts are more

promising for today with clearing skies; wind is expected to remain strong.

If weather at Edwards continues to present problems, Atlantis may be

directed to land at Kennedy Space Center. Here at the space center

workers are standing by should the Orbiter land here today. Such an

event is considered unlikely, but a decision will be announced by noon

today. There has not been a landing at KSC since Discovery blew a tire

landing in 1985. Landings at the space center have been on hold since the

Challenger accident, while new Orbiter equipment has been tested and

weather forecasting refined to make attempts to land safer. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 20, 1990, "Shuttle Atlantis Tries to Land

Again Today," UBA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 20, 1990.]

[1 FIRST KSC LANDING SINCE 1985

The Space Shuttle Atlantis accomplished this afternoon what no Orbiter

had done since Discovery ended its STS 51-D (STS-23) mission on April 19,

1985. Atlantis made a smooth landing on Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle

Landing Facility at 4:42 p.m. "It's great to have her home, and right here

where she left...," said KSC Director Forrest S. McCartney. "It's a sight

more rare than a launch here." Astronaut Ken Bowersox, who was

communicating with the Shuttle crew from Mission Control at Johnson

221
Space Center (Houston, TX) spoke to Atlantis saying, "Welcome home.

That sure was a pretty sight."

After passing over Florida's west coast, Atlantis flew across Central

Florida, over the Titusville-Mims area and across KSC. The Orbiter flew

briefly out over the Atlantic Ocean and circled for its landing approach

from the southeast. Two minutes before the landing and ten miles from

the runway at about 15,500 feet, Atlantis received "ground-based

microwave signals to compute proper steering commands." Flare (or puUup) maneuvers brought the Shuttle to its proper approach angle. The crew

then deployed the Orbiter's landing gear 15 seconds before touchdown

while at an altitude of 200 feet and still 5,000 feet from the runway. The

Orbiter landed at 215 miles per hour about 2,750 feet beyond the beginning

of the 15,000- foot shuttle landing facility. The runway itself is 300 feet

wide and has a 1,000-foot safety overrun at each end.

Atlantis had been scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force Base in

California, but bad weather postponed the return for a day. Unsafe winds

and damp runways at Edwards forced the space agency to consider a KSC

landing. When forecasters reported that weather would be worse at both

Edwards AFB and Kennedy Space Center on November 21, NASA ordered

the Atlantis crew to make its de-orbit burn and head for Florida.

Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said, "This is a great boost for the

processing team. Most of them don't have the opportunity to see the real

results of their work, which is the completion of the mission, the

culmination of the effort. It's a real treat for them. I think it's appropriate

that it's close to Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for - a safe

and successful mission, the crew returning safely and the Orbiter looks in

really good shape."Before leaving the space center to return to Houston,

Commander Richard Covey said, "The KSC folks did a good job getting

ready for us. They did a super job getting us out of town last Thursday

night. We're anxious now to go on back to Houston and catch up with

our f_milies."

Civil Service and contractor employee spectators had to hustle to get ready

for Atlantis' return. On hand at the runway to view the return were about

250 people, including two busloads of workers from the Launch Control

Center (LCC) who watched the landing from bleachers and a strip of grass

near the landing facility. They whistled, cheered and waved small

American flags. A convoy of support vehicles had to be assembled and

extra personnel were brought in. '_vVe've had a contingency plan for some

time to land the Orbiter here, "said Director McCartney. "We had been

ready for it and, quite frankly, we didn't make any [extra] preparations."

222  ̧
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Lenoir,

acknowledge the safe return of Atlantis but said that NASA won't resume

routine landings at Kennedy anytime soon. Center Director McCartney

said, "We want to test the new (carbon) brakes some more, improve the

nosewheel steering and put drag chutes on all the Orbiters before we begin

landing here regularly again. But this clearly demonstrated we can bring

them in here and do it safely."

NASA officials said at a night press conference that they had no fears

about using the Shuttle Landing Fadlity at Kennedy Space Center, but they

said it would remain a backup landing site. "We have no hesitation

whatsoever to return to the Cape," said Lenoir. He said that since the crew

was familiar with both KSC and Edwards, the late change in landing sites

made little difference. Atlantis' landing here was only the sixth of the

Shuttle Era; Discovery's April 1985 landing ended with a blown tire and

damaged breaks. Then the Challenger accident happened in January the

following year. Among the many Rogers Commission recommendations

following the Presidential Commission's investigation of the accident was

the following: NASA should land all Shuttles at Edwards Air Force Base

until the three remaining Orbiters had been outfitted with upgraded

brakes, tires and steering systems.

Since the accident, orbiter landing gear has been "stiffened" and hydraulic

systems have been modified to make landings safer. Additionally, more

than $635,000 was spent in 1987 to smooth the grooved ends of KSC's

runway to reduce wear on Orbiter tires. Among the improvements no_._2t yet

made: More powerful (carbon) brakes have been flown twice this year on

Discovery; Atlantis flew with the older beryllium brakes, the preChallenger system. An improved nosewheel steering system is planned for

installation on all Orbiters, but has not yet been placed in any of the

Orbiters. Endeavour, the Challenger's replacement, will be the first Orbiter

to fly with the new drag chute in 1992. The other Orbiters will get the

chutes by the mid-1990s.

The Presidential Commission also recommended that forecasters must be

able to better predict the weather at Kennedy Space Center because flight

directors give the order to land some 90 minutes before it actually occurs.

Horida Today reports that meteorologists have been predicting local

weather patterns with 95 percent accuracy in simulations conducted over

the past two years. The weather at Edwards is acceptable 90 percent of the

time; KSC weather is acceptable between 40 and 50 percent of the time.

Finally, the landing at Kennedy Space Center saved NASA about $1.8

million which is the usual cost of ferrying Atlantis from California to

Florida. It also saved seven days usually lost in processing time for

223
Atlantis' next mission: the Gamma Ray Observatory in April 1991.

[Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IA-2A, Nov. 21, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. ZA, Nov. 21, 1990, Corbitt, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. ZA, Nov. 21, 1990, Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp.

A-I & A-6, Nov. 21, 1990, "Atlantis Lands Safely at Cape Canaveral," USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 21, 1990, Johnston, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. Ali,

Nov. 21, 1990.]

U POST LANDING REPORT

The 5TS-38 astronauts left Kennedy Space Center at about 9 p.m. tonight

bound for Houston, TX. Before leaving, Mission Commander Richard

"Dick" Covey praised the work of the KSC team in supporting landing,

and noted that it was exciting to land back at their original launch site.

Covey, Pilot Frank Culbertson and Mission Specialists Sam Gemar, Robert

Springer and Carl J. Meade all returned to Houston to spend the

Thanksgiving holidays with their families. Initial indications reveal

minimal tile damage and the tires and brakes were reported to look good.

All systems functioned properly during descent.

The Orbiter Atlantis was safed and towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility

tonight beginning at about 8:45 p.m. and arriving at 10:47 p.m. There,

technicians will put in about 40 hours of work preparing the Shuttle for the

Thanksgiving holiday standdown. The work in high bay 2 will include

jacking and levelling,connecting of purges and connecting the Orbiter to

ground power. Atlantis landed at KSC today at 4:42:43 p.m. on Runway

33. Mission managers pronounced the landing as flawless. Rollout

distance was 8,900 feet,and wheel stop was at 4:43:27 p.m. The mission

duration was 4 days, 21 hours, 54 minutes, and 28 seconds. After the

holiday, mission management team members will gather atKennedy Space

Center for the Flight Readiness Review of Columbia's STS-35 Astro-1

mission. They are expected to set a date at the conclusion of the meeting

November 27. The mission is expected to begin in the firstweek of

December. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 20, 1990, KSC

SPACE SHU'FFLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 21, 1990.]

November 21: COLUMBIA PRELAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Preparations for the launch of the Shuttle Columbia (OV 102) will begin

winding down today to allow work crews time off for the Thanksgiving

holidays. Work will resume at Launch Complex 39B November 24.

Today, the external tank purges have been completed and the mass

memory units are in the final stages of being loaded for flight on the

Orbiter. The access platform will be removed from the payload bay and

224
the doors closed today for the holidays. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 21, 1990.]

11 DISCOVERY: OPF BAY 1

Ammonia boiler decay checks continue today on Discovery in the Orbiter

Processing Facility. The left hand brakes and wheels have been installed

on the vehicle and the freon coolant line will be brazed into place today.

The main engines are scheduled for installation following the Thanksgiving

holidays. At the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility, screen tests continue on

the reaction control systems. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, a small

imperfection was discovered on the left forward solid rocket booster

segment between the propellant and the inhibitor. The segment will be

moved outside the VAB where crews will repair the problem. [KSC

SPACE SHU'ITLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 21, 1990.]

November 22: THREE PERCENT WORK THANKSGIVING

Only three percent of the 18,000 Kennedy Space Center employees - about

520 contractor and 30 civil service workers - were on hand at the space

center today; about the same number are expected to be at work

tomorrow, according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. "They were

just kind of standing guard while the rest of the work force took the

holiday off." Today's Shuttle tasks included draining unused fuels from

Atlantis' onboard storage tanks in the Orbiter Processing Facility. Those

not at work in the OPF were mainly a contingent of security officers and

firefighters, Buckingham said.

When technicians report to work at Launch Complex 39B November 24,

they will continue efforts to get Columbia ready for launch, perhaps as

early as December 2. Their first job will be to replace a faulty valve

connecting ground support equipment to the Orbiters auxiliary power

units. The valve problem was noted during a re_ent test at the pad. Work

will continue in prepping Columbia's aft compartment for flight. NASA

managers expressed confidence today that Columbia is in good shape.

Director of Shuttle Operations at KSC James Harrington said, "The team

is ready to go; everybody is anxious to get Columbia off the ground."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 23, 1990, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 24, 1990.]

November 26: HUBBLE REPORT HITS NASA, MAKER

Flaws in the manufacture of the Hubble Space Telescope are attributable

in part to "the same management climate" which led to the Challenger

225
fl

accident, reported FLORIDA TODAY newspaper today. Panel member

John Mangus said that in both cases engineers were discouraged from

bringing potential problems to the attention of their superiors. Another

panel member said that upper-level managers never were told about

problems that surfaced during testsof the equipment.

"There were signs of concern regarding the technical aspects of the project,"

said Roger Angel, an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona.

"The people conducting the testsknew about them [the problems], but the

information never made itto the higher levels of personnel. But there was

no suppression of data." The panel's report concluded that both the

telescope's manufacturer and NASA were to blame for the flawed mirror

on the HST. Angel said that NASA should use the report to improve its

dealings with contractors.

Hubble's flaw was caused by a technician's mistake, but program

managers approved the quality-control program that allowed the mistake

to occur undetected. Among other conclusions the report noted: "Mirrortesting that was done relied too heavily on a single instrument, which had

been assembled improperly. Relatively simple 'sanity checks' should have

been done to make sure the mirror-polishing system was working

properly. There was too little contact between those working on the mirror

and NASA project supervisors who could have understood the test results.

Quality-control inspectors lacked the expertise in optics to understand

results of some tests that showed a flaw in the mirror. [Easton, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 26, 1990.]

COLUMBIA READIES FOR LAUNCH

Today Kennedy Space Center technicians will pressurize tanks inside

Columbia containing toxicpropellants which fuel the orbitalmaneuvering

systems. During this loading operation, the pad will be closed to nonessential personnel. Other routine tasks will be undertaken after the

hazardous fuel loading iscompleted. Over the weekend a faulty valve was

repaired [see "Three Percent Work Thanksgiving] and the installationof

explosive devices was completed. These are used to separate the Orbiter

from itssolidrocket boosters and itsexternal tank. Countdown istargeted

to begin at 12:01 a.m. November 29, leading to a 1:24 a.m. liftoffDecember

2. The officialcountdown and launch dates will be set following the Flight

Readiness Review which begins today at KSC and concludes tomorrow.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Nov. 26, 1990.]

226
f] DELTA 2 LAUNCH SET FOR TODAY

McDonnell Douglas Space S)/stems Co. intends to launch its new, more

powerful version of the Delta rocket this afternoon at approximately 4:32

p.m. from Launch Complex 17 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, said

Air Force Spokesman Senior Airman Michael Amato. The launch window

will remain open until 5:03 p.m. Air Force meteorologists predict a 90

percent chance of favorable weather for launch. The $30 million Delia's

payload is a $65 million Global Positioning System satellite which will

assist the U. S. Armed Forces worldwide and support Operation Desert

Shield. Today's Delta 2 is a model 7925 which can lift

4,010 pounds into orbit. The model 6925 Delta 2 can lift 3,190 pounds into

orbit and has been used until today. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A,

Nov. 26, 1990.]

November 26: DELTA LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

The Air Force's Delta 2 launch came at 4:39 p.m. "Everything appears to

have gone very, very smoothly," said Air Force Lt. Col.. Jim Jannette, after

deployment of the military navigation satellite, part of the Global

Positioning System of 21 projected satellites. The military satellite was the

third to be launched here in the last two weeks and each, reportedly, has

a role to play in Operation Desert Shield. [Halvorson and Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov. 27, 1990, "Navigation Satellite On Mideast

mission," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 27, 1990.]

U STS-35 PROCESSING

Columbia's payload bay doors will be open later this evening and final

servicing of the Broad Band X-Ray Telescope payload is scheduled for

November 28. The Flight Readiness Review begins tomorrow in the

Operations and Checkout Building's Mission Briefing Room. [KSC SPACE

SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 26, 1990.]

D STS-39: PROCESSING OF DISCOVERY

Ammonia boiler freon loop decay checks were performed over the

weekend on Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility. Bubble soap leak

checks were conducted with several leaks identified near the cold plate

manifold. Work will continue today to replace the cold plate manifold

seals. X-Rays of the Orbiter body flap have been completed and routine

work on the wheels and tires continues today. [KSC SPACE SHUFFLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 26, 1990.]

227
[] ATLANTIS: POST-FLIGHT SAFING

Normal post-fligl'/t sating operations are continuing today on Atlantis in

the Orbiter Processing Facility. Cryogenic drain operations were

completed November 23 and the thruster plugs have been installed on the

Shuttle. The payload bay door strong backs are being installed today and

the doors are scheduled to be opened tomorrow. [KSC SPACE SHUI'rLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Nov. 26, 1990.]

November 27: NASA SETS COLUMBIA LAUNCH TODAY

At the conclusion of today's Flight Readiness Review, NASA managers will

announce a firm date for the STS-35 mission aboard Columbia. Astro-1

scientists, who manage the Astro-1 payload, have requested that NASA

move the launch time from the expected 1:28 a.m. December 2 to about 4

a.m. which would increase the amount of scientific information generated

during the mission by about 10 to 15 percent. "It would be nice,"said Ed

Weiler, Astro-1 Project Scientist, "but to be fair to the Shuttle world, the

new time would introduce so many changes into their plans that it is

probably not worth it." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov. 27, 1990.]

0 MORE ON HUBBLE TROUBLE

Lew Alien, chairman of a six-member Hubble Space Telescope

investigation team, said that the blame for the installation of a faulty

mirror in the HST must be shared "100 percent each" by both NASA and

the manufacturer of the mirror. [See "Hubble Report Hits NASA, Maker"

above, Nov. 26.] Allen, outgoing Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion

Laboratory, said that the space agency failed because it lacked the expertise

properly to oversee the grinding and polishing of the mirror. Rice

University astronomer Robert O'DeU said that the Hubble's flaw resulted

from people who oversaw the project not understanding the significance

of certain test results. O'DeU was the Hubble project's chief scientist from

the late 1970s until the mid-1980s. "What we didn't have," O'Dell said,

"was a broad body of people who were experts in optics who could

monitor what was happening at the contractor's plant, report on that and

understand the significance of problems as they occur."

A retired Perkin-Elmer scientist said the Hubble problems had taught him

one thing, "You can't be careful enough when you do this kind of work.

When you do this kind of work you can't schedule it to the day and you

can't price it to the penny. The same manufacturer, Perkin-Elmer, is

making NASA's next big telescope, the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics

Facility. NASA says it will apply lessons learned in the Challenger disaster

228
and the more recent Hubble problems. [Groer and Schreuder, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Nov. 28, 1990, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Nov. 28, 1990, "NASA Faults Itself, Hubble Lens

Builder," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 28, 1990, 'WASA Blamed in Hubble

Flaw," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A10, Nov. 26, 1990.]

I1 COLUMBIA LAUNCH DATE, OFFICIALLY

NASA managers today announced December 2 as the launch date for STS35 which will involve Space Shuttle Columbia carrying the Astro-1

payload. The launch window extends from 1:28 a.m. EST to 3:58 EST. The

launch date announcement followed completion of the Flight Readiness

Review held today at Kennedy Space Center during which all Shuttle

support elements stated they were ready to proceed with the launch of

Columbia. "The Shuttle team has worked very hard to get Columbia ready

to fly," said Robert Crippen, Space Shuttle Director. "With the hydrogen

leak resolved, we're ready to end the year with the Astro-1 mission which

will extend our knowledge of the universe."

The countdown will begin at 12:01 a.m. November 29. Air Force

meteorologists say there is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for

launch December 2. A proposal that NASA delay the launch of Columbia

till later in the morning to increase scientific research time was rejected on

the grounds that the delay would have complicated last-minute planning.

The astronaut crew is expected to arrive at KSC about 11:30 p.m.

November 29. The crew, which is now in quarantine at Johnson Space

Center to prevent them from getting sick before the mission, includes

Commander Vance Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner, Mission Specialists John

"Mike" Lounge, Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Parker and Payload

Specialists Ronald Parise and Samuel Durrance. Landing is planned for

Edwards Air Force Base at 11:25 p.m., December 11, 1990. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 28, 1990, Campion and Malone, "Launch

Advisory: STS-35 Launch Date Announced," Nov. 27, 1990.]

November 28: COLUMBIA LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Launch preparations are underway for Columbia's STS-35 mission. The

countdown is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning at I a.m. with liftoff

slated for 1:28 a.m. December 2. Today, the aft compartment will be closed

out for flight. The power reactant storage and distribution system tanks

have been purged in preparation for propellant loading operations

scheduled November 30. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 28,

1990.]

229
[] DISCOVERY: SSME INSTALLATION

Today, the three main engines of Discovery are being installed in the

Orbiter. Seals are being replaced in the freon cooling system. A screen

test of the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod is continuing this

week at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 28, 1990.]

H ATLANTIS: ORDNANCE SAFED

Post-flight pyrotechnic devices have been safed and preparations are

underway to offload residual propellants from the orbital maneuvering

system pods. Routine post-flight checks are being conducted on the three

main engines. Post-flight inspections of the thermal protection system are

about 85 percent complete. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 28,

1990.]

November 29: COLUMBIA COUNTDOWN STARTS

At 1 a.m. this morning the countdown for Columbia's long-delayed STS-35

mission began. "Columbia is looking real good," said the manager in

charge of preparing the Orbiter for flight, Bascom Murrah. The crew is

expected to arrive at 11:30 tonight. Countdown activities at Launch

Complex 39B today include servicing the Broad Band X-Ray Telescope

with argon gas, a task which must take place every ten days. Since the

mission was first scrubbed in May, Kennedy Space Center workers have

serviced the telescope 20 times. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov.

29, 1990.]

H BRAND AND COMPANY ARRIVE

"We're back, we're ready, and we're wanting to get on with it," said

Commander Vance Brand on his 11:29 arrival tonight at Kennedy Space

Center accompanied by the six other members of his STS-35 crew. The

crew includes Pilot Guy Gardner, Mission Specialists Robert Parker, John

"Mike" Lounge and Jeffrey Hoffman and Payload Specialists Ronald

Parise and Samuel Durrance. In the time before launch on December 2,

the astronauts will practice emergency landings at the Shuttle Landing

Facility and will attend briefings on the launch countdown status, the

Orbiter and the payload.

NASA Test Director Mike Leinbach said, "The [launch] team's mood is

real upbeat. Everyone's feeling real good and looking forward to a nice

Christmas present, which wiU be getting that thing off the ground Sunday

230
morning." Though launch officials expressed confidence, they could not

rule out the possibility of another delay. "It's the nature of the business,"

said Leinbach. "We want to get the thing off the ground, that's what we

all strive for. If it doesn't go, it will be disappointing, of course, but we

expect it will." [Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 30,

1990.]

November 30: COLUMBIA LAUNCH: GO

"Four years ago we were going to look at Comet Halley. In May we were

going to look at Comet Bennett. In September we were going to look at

Comet Levy. You've all heard that comets are harbingers of bad luck.

Well, this time we have no comets, so we're going to go," said Mission

Specialist Jeffrey Hoffman today prior to the launch of STS-35. Weather

forecasters continue to predict a 65 percent favorable chance for launch of

Columbia. The primary concerns are low clouds, high winds and cross

winds which would be hazardous should Columbia have to execute a

Return to Launch Site (RTLS) maneuver. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, Dec. 1, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 30, 1990.]

U STS-39 - DISCOVERY STATUS

Main engine 3, Number 2029, is scheduled to be installed in Discovery

today. Seals are being replaced in the freon cooling system. A screen test

of the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod is continuing this week

at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 30, 1990.]

STS-37 - ATLANTIS STATUS

Tires and brakes have been removed from the nose and main landing gears

of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Orbital maneuvering system a/c motor

valves have been checked. Checks of the reaction control system a/c

motor valves are planned today. Lubricating oil was drained from the

auxiliary power units. Routine post-flight checks and inspections are

continuing on the three main engines and the thermal protection system.

Preparations are underway for draining residual hypergolic propellants

from the orbital maneuvering system crossfeed lines and the manifolds this

weekend. The OPF will be closed to all non-essential personnel during this

operation. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 30, 1990.]

231
DECEMBER

December 1: SHUTTLE REPLICA AT SPACEPORT

Visitors to the Spaceport USA on December 20 will have the opportunity

to take a walk-through tour of a full-scale Space Shuttle replica. Named

the "Ambassador," the 122-foot long model is the next best thing to

climbing in a real Space Shuttle, according to visitor center officials. The

full-scale replica, made of steel and fiberglass, will offer visitors an

astronaut's view of the Space Shuttle's flight deck, crew quarters, and

cargo bay.

A video display of Space Shuttle operations will be presented at the

exhibit. Guests will have the opportunity to take photographs by the 56-

foot-high Ambassador. The distinctive black and white coloring, which

duplicates the tiles used on actual Space Shuttles, will make a striking

background for those special family photos. After sundown, special

lighting will illuminate the Ambassador and its dramatic 78-foot wing

span. During the Christmas season, Spaceport USA will primarily be open

from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, except on Christmas Day when the

complex is dosed. The Ambassador was built by an Apopka, FL, firm for

Irvin and Kenneth Field Productions (Vienna, VA). The replica will be on

display for four months through an agreement between its owners and TW

Recreational Services Inc. [Phillips, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 199-90,

Dec. 18, 1990.]

December 2: COLUMBIA LAUNCHED 1:49 A.M.

"We're proud to take Columbia back up again," said Commander Vance

Brand from space following the 1:49 a.m. launch today. Range safety

requirements delayed the launch from 1:28 a.m. The countdown was held

until skies cleared enough so an Air Force helicopter could see the

Orbiter's flight to an altitude of 8,000 feet intact. "It's like an early

Christmas present," said Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck. "The

team is absolutely ecstatic. They couldn't be happier. The leaks are

behind us." He added that the successful launch of Columbia "goes a long

way t° erase the disappointments." Less than two hours later, at 3:13 a.m.

EST, the Soviet Union launched a Soyuz TM-11 rocket with a Japanese

journalist aboard as paid passenger.

Damage to Launch Pad 39B was reported to be minimal. The seven

member crew entered the crew cabin at approximately 10:40 p.m.

December 1. The other crew members include Pilot Guy Gardner, Mission

232
Specialists John "Mike" Lounge, Robert Parker, Jeffrey Hoffman and

Payload Specialists Ronald Parise and Jeffrey Hoff=nan. The solid rocket

boosters are scheduled to reach Hangar AF on the Cape Canaveral Aiir

Force Station tomorrow morning. The Freedom Star is towing the left

booster and the Liberty Star is towing the right booster. They will be

disassembled at Hanger AF in preparation for refurbishment. Landing is

scheduled for about 11:30 p.m. December 11 at Edwards Air Force Base,

CA. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 2, 1990, Broad, THE

NEW YORK TIMES, p. 20, Dec. 2, 1990, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, Dec. 3, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 3, 1990,

Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A6, Dec. 3, 1990, Hoversten, USA

TODAY, p. 6A, Dec. 3, 1990, Sanger, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A6,

Dec. 3, 1990, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, Dec. 3,

1990.]

U DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 1

Both of Discovery's freon cooling loops passed leak tests this weekend and

freon servicing is planned this week. The three main engines have been

installed in the Orbiter in the Orbiter Processing Facility. Operations

scheduled this week include tests of the Ku-band antenna, servicing of the

water spray boilers, and a functional test of the waste containment system.

Tests of the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod to verify the

internal screens in the propellant tanks have been successful at the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF). Tests will continue this week

with the pod in a horizontal position. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Dec. 3, 1990.]

U DUFFIN WINS SNOOPY

Eric Duffin, an electrical engineer employed by USBI at Kennedy Space

Center, was presented today a Silver Snoopy Award by former astronaut

Michael McCuUey. Duffin received a pin, certificate and a letter which

read in part:. "Eric Duffin's consistent superior performance as an electrical

engineer with USBI demonstrates the highest degree of professionalism.

Through individual initiative and dedication, Duffin has been instrumental

in contributing to personnel safety, improving operational efficiency and

developing major changes in crucial automated test procedures as part of

the booster program." ["USBI Employee Wins Silver Snoopy," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9E, Dec. 2, 1990.]

233
December 3: SPACEHAB WINS CONTRACT

NASA has awarded a $185 million contract to Spacehab Inc., a company

that plans to prepare Space Shuttle experiment modules at a facility being

built at Port Canaveral. "It's good news for Spacehab, and we feel it's

good news for Brevard County," said James Ball, Director of Marketing for

the Washington, D.C.-based company. The contract requires the company

to install NASA-sponsored space science experiments into Spacehab

modules at the 37,000-square-foot Port Canaveral facility, which is expected

to employ 50 to 60 people. ["Spacehab Wins Contract," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 4, 1990.]

ATLANTIS IN OPF BAY 2

The Orbiter Processing Fadlity High Bay is dosed to all non-essential

personnel today while technicians continue to drain residual oxidizer and

fuel from the orbital maneuvering system crossfeed lines and manifold.

This operation was started October 2. The left OMS pod is scheduled to

be removed December 7 and transferred to the HMF for post-flight

operations. The three auxiliary power units have been deserviced of

lubricating oil. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 3, 1990.]

a RETRIEVAL SHIPS IN PORT CANAVERAL

The solid rocket booster retrieval ships arrived at Hangar AF on the Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station at about noon today. The right booster

parachute failed to separate from the booster at water impact. Officials are

looking into why the pyrotechnic parachute separation devices failed. The

boosters will be disassembled at Hangar AF in preparation for

refurbishment. [KSC SHU'I'rLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 4, 1990.]

December 4: 1991 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT

NASA plans a total of sixty Space Shuttle Flights over the next six years,

according to plans to be announced this week. In 1991, NASA hopes to

launch the following seven flights:

*Two unclassified Strategic Defense Initiative experiments in early March.

*The Gamma Ray Observatory in April.

*A Spacelab devoted to life sciences in May.

*A $100 million Tracking and Data Relay Satellite in July.

234
t]

H

*A missile-warning satellite for the Department of Defense in August.

*The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite in October or November.

*A Spacelab International Microgravity Laboratory in November or

December.

Endeavour is scheduled to make its first flight in May 1992 when

Astronauts will rescue a communications satellite and practice Space

Station assembly procedures. With Columbia's mission launched and

Endeavour on the way to Kennedy Space Center next year, NASA plans

9 missions in 1992, 11 in 1993 and an average of 11 missions for 1994

through 1996. In 1991, Columbia will be decommissioned after its May

1991 Spacelab flight; the oldest Shuttle will then be sent back to Rockwell

for major modifications and is expected to return to KSC in the spring of

1992. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 5, 1990, "Hawaii

Telescope's First Photo Released," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Dec. 5, 1990.]

DISCOVERY'S STS-39 PREPARATIONS

Freon servicing is planned this week. Operations scheduled this week

include tests of the Ku-Band Antenna, servicing of the water spray boilers,

and a functional test of the waste management system. Tests of the right

orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod to verify the internal screens in the

propellant tanks have been successful at the Hypergolic Maintenance

Facility (HMF). Tests will continue this week with the pod in a horizontal

position. Stacking operations are continuing in the Vehicle Assembly

Building. The right aft center segment was mated shortly after midnight.

The right forward center segment was transferred from the Rotation

Processing and Surge Facility to the VAB and stacking of that segment is

scheduled to begin today. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 4,

1990.]

STS-39 PROCESSING: ATLANTIS

Residual oxidizer and fuel propellants were drained from the orbital

maneuvering system crossfeed lines and manifold and the bay was

reopened for normal work early this morning. Tests of the radar altimeter

and landing gear hydraulic struts are scheduled this week. Preparations

are underway to remove the left OMS pod. Pod removal is scheduled

Saturday, to be followed by transfer to the HMF for post-flight operations.

The number 3 auxiliary power unit was disconnected in preparation for

removal.

235
December 5: STS-35: COLUMBIA MISSION CONTINUES

At Hangar AF on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, work is continuing

to disassemble the two solid rocket boosters. Today, the tunnel covers and

linear shaped charges will be removed. The boosters will be disassembled

at Hangar AF in preparation for refurbishment. Landing is planned for

December 11 at about 11:25 p.m. EST on Rogers Dry Lake Bed at Edwards

Air Force Base, CA. After about s of turnaround operations, the Orbiter

will be ferried back to Florida. The 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and

Orbiter will be making several refueling stops across the country because

of the extra weight due to Astro. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 5, 1990.]

Q DISCOVERY: TACAN SYSTEM TESTS

Operations scheduled this week for Discovery in preparation for its 5TS-39

mission include freon servicing, tests of the Ku-Band Antenna, Tacan

System tests, and tests of the main propulsion system pneumatic system.

Tests are continuing at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF) to

verify the internal screens of the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS)

with the pod in a horizontal position. A getaway special beam is being

installed in the payload bay today. Preparations are underway to braze in

gaseous helium check valves for engines 2 and 3 this week. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 5, 1990.]

D ATLANTIS PREPARATIONS IN OPF

Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 was cleared this morning of all nonessential personnel so technicians could disconnect the left orbital

maneuvering system pod from Atlantis. The bay will be reopened

tomorrow afternoon and transferred to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility

on December 8. Main engine drying operations are planned for December

6. Next week, heat shields will be remo,_ed in preparation for removal of

the three main engines late next week. A test of the Orbiter's interior and

exterior lighting system is currently underway. Meanwhile, stacking

operations continue in the Vehicle Assembly Building. A minor debond

between the inhibitor and case is being repaired on the right forward

segment which will be lifted on the evening of December 8 for mating.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 5, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Dec. 6, 1990.]

236
[] MURPHY REPLACES PHILLIPS AT DE

Walter T. Murphy has been named Director of Engineering Development

at Kennedy Space Center to replace the recently retired Jim PhiUips.

Murphy joined NASA at Cape Canaveral as a data systems specialist in

June 1963. Two years later, he transferred to the Manned Spacecraft

Center in Houston (now Johnson Space Center), where he served as a

mathematician and electronics engineer. He rejoined the KSC team in 1973

as the lead software systems engineer on the launch processing systems

task group for the Space Shuttle Program. Soon afterwards, he became

chief of the Software Systems Branch in the Design Engineering Directorate

and was a leader in launch processing systems software development.

For five years beginning in 1977, Murphy was chief of the Guidance,

Digital and Software Division in the Shuttle Engineering Directorate, with

responsibility for checkout of the initial Space Shuttle avionics system.

From 1984 to 1986, he served as Associate Director of Shuttle Engineering,

managing all Shuttle engineering activities at the Vandenberg Launch Site

in California. Since 1986, he has served as Deputy Director of Engineering

Development. [Buckingham, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 195-90, Dec. 5,

1990.]

December 6: SRB DISASSEMBLY: STS-35

At Hangar AF today, thermal foam is being removed from the solid rocket

boosters used by Columbia on its STS-35 launch December 2. The

boosters' aft skirts will be removed tomorrow and the skirts will be

prepared for shipping and refurbishment. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Dec. 6, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 7, 1990.]

U DAN RICE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Dan Rice Construction (Holly Hill, FL) has been awarded a $329,927

contract to expand the Chemical Analysis Laboratory used to support the

NASA Biomedical Operations and Research Office at Kennedy Space

Center. The lab, which is operated by Bionetics Corp. for NASA, provides

analyses of soil, water, hydroponic solution and plant tissue samples for

the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS), space biology, and

ecological programs. [Kristofferson, KSC RELEASE NO. 187-90, Dec. 6,

1990.]

237
0 GOODSEN PAVING CONTRACT

Goodsen Paving (Sharpes, FL) has been awarded a $1.2 million contract to

widen Kennedy Parkway South at Kennedy Space Center from two to four

lanes between the NASA Causeway overpass and Gate 2, the main

southern entrance to KS(2. This 2.3 mile, asphalt-topped stretch will tie in

to the four-lane expansion of State Road 3 now underway by Brevard

County. A rainwater runoff pond will also be constructed just north of

Gate 2 to comply with St. Johns Water Management District regulations.

Under these rules, such an area must be provided to allow the runoff from

the new roadway to enter the local water table. [Kristofferson, KSC

NEWS RELEASE NO. 186-90, Dec. 6, 1990.]

December 7: POWER UP: DISCOVERY

Discovery isscheduled tobe powered up latertoday in Orbiter Processing

Facility Bay 1. Tacan activation and self-testingwill continue through

tonight. Forward yoke installation work coni£nues, as does tile

maintenance work. Hydraulic water spray boiler checkouts are scheduled

over the weekend, as are checkouts of the main propulsion system (MPS)

helium system and the Ku-Band Antenna. Leak and pressurization tests

on various linesin the liquid hydrogen system are also scheduled. Several

brazing operations were completed on the main propulsion system and

installationof electronicboxes on cold plates continues. At the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility (HMF), screen tests of the right-hand orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) continue. Final manifold draining is

scheduled for next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 7,

1990.]

0 ATLANTIS TORQUE CHECKS COMPLETED

Testing of the main propulsion system continues. Low pressure pump

torque checks were accomplished overnight. Waste management systems

servidng has also been completed. The three main engines are scheduled

to be removed December 12 and 13. Preparations are in work to move the

left-hand OMS pod to the HMF tonight for required flight-interval

maintenance. Auxiliary power unit (APU) lube oil servicing is also

planned. Smoke detection and fire suppression system functional tests

have begun and fire suppression equipment has checked out well. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 7, 1990.]

0 NASA KEEPS TAPES SECRET

238
The U. S.Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today ruled

that NASA is "entitled to an opportunity to prove its claim that release of

the [Challenger cockpit] tape would invade the privacy of the deceased

astronauts, of their families..." and sent the case back to U. S. District Judge

Norma Holloway Johnson, who had ordered NASA to release the tape to

THE NEW YORK TIMES. The space agency had invoked a privacy

exemption under the Freedom of Information Act and said that releasing

the tapes would subject the astronauts' families to emotional distress

because the recordings would be played repeatedly on radio and

television. Court of Appeals Judge D. H. Ginsburg wrote in his opinion

returning the case that "disclosure of the file would reveal the sound and

inflections of the crew's voices during the last seconds of their lives.

Therefore, the tape contains personal information the release of which is

subject to the balancing of the public gain against the private harm at

which it is purchased." ["NASA Wins Round in Fight to Keep Challenger

Tapes Secret," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Dec. 8, 1990, '_ASA Wins A

Round in Challenger Tapes Suit," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-10,

Dec. 8, 1990.]

December 8: AMF DINNER AT SPACEPORT

Rep. BiU Nelson (D-Melb., FL) and U. S. Senator Jake Garn (R-Utah)

received the Quest Award from the Astronauts Memorial Foundation at

their fourth annual awards dinner tonight at Spaceport USA. Five other

awards were presented: David Brown, President of SKF Bearing

Specialties received the Corporate Award; Betty Castor, Florida Education

Commissioner received the Chrism Award; Bob McCall, space artist, was

awarded the Ambassador Award and the AMF's Community Service

Award went to the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation

and Training. Senator Garn was the keynote speaker for the event and

discussed both his 1985 flight aboard Discovery and his views on

education. WVe as a nation need to use foresight in looking at both the

practical issues of space technology and the benefits gained when young

minds embrace the ideas of the future," he said. ["AMF Honors

Contributors," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Dec. 9, 1990.]

December 9: NEW CENTAUR ON ITS WAY

General Dynamics ships its first Centaur upper stage for the Titan 4 rocket

to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this month. The upper stage will first

be used in mid-1991 aboard the Titan 4 to put a 10,000-pound military

payload into geosynchronous orbit. Over the next five years, the U S Air

Force will receive 15 of the upper stages from General Dynamics under a

$1.3 billion contract. The stage carries 50% more fuel than previous

239
versions. ["New Centaur Headed for Cape Canaveral," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Dec. 9, 1990.]

D SPACEHAB TRAINING AT PORT CANAVERAL

NASA has awarded a new contract worth $185 million to Spacehab, Inc.,

a company building experiment modules for Shuttle flights in the 1990s.

The new contract will bring NASA astronauts to the port to train in 1991

or 1992 for a series of seven Space Shuttle missions. "Under the terms of

the contract, Spacehab has responsibility for crew training. As a result,

there will be a lot of crew training activities at the Florida facility,"

according to James Ball, Director of Marketing for Spacehab, a

Washington, D. C., company.

The first Spacehab module is expected to be delivered to the company's

Port Canaveral facility for prelaunch processing in September 1991. The

Spacehab facility includes a specially designed "clean room," an

environmentally controlled laboratory and customer work areas.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Dec. 9, 1990.]

U EARLY SHUTTLE LANDING?

Unless weather forecasts improve for California, NASA must decide

whether Columbia will land at 12:54 a.m. tomorrow or a day later,

according to Flight Director A1 Pennington. The space agency recovered

the option of a full ten-day mission when the crew successfully siphoned

out waste water from a stopped-up storage tank. If the mission is cut

short, Astro-1 will be repackaged for landing with 130 of its 250 targets

observed, said Deputy Mission Manager Eugene Urban. If time permits,

the Columbia crew may get a chance to speak with Soviet Foreign Minister

Eduard Shevardnadze who is visiting the Johnson Space Center while in

Houston for talks with Secretary of State James Baker. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. IA, Dec. 10, 1990, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec.

11, 1990, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-I & A-5, Dec. 10,

1990.]

December 10: TUTOR TIME OPENS TODAY

Today at 10 a.m., Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCartrtey

officially opens the new Kennedy Children's Center operated by Tutor

Time International. The child care center is the result of an employee's

suggestion and work by several organizations and employees through a

specialized committee set up to plan a facility. The NASA/KSC Exchange

Council reached an agreement with Tutor Time International, Inc. (Salt

240
Lake City, UT) for the design, construction, staffing,and operation of the

facility.The one-story, 6,600-square-foot building is located just outside

the security perimeter at the south end of the KSC Industrial Area,

between Gate 2 and the NASA Causeway overpass. This placement allows

non-badged spouses to also leave and pick up their children. Initially, up

to 140 children of KSC employees will be cared for at the facility. [Phillips,

KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 196-90, Dec. 6, 1990.]

December 11: COLUMBIA ENDS MISSION EARLY

"Houston, wheels have stopped. We're home," Commander Vance Brand

radioed to Johnson Space Center as Columbia came to a halt on the

runway at Edwards Air Force Base this morning at 12:54 EST.

Communication Liaison Mike Baker in Houston returned Brand's message

with, "Beautiful landing; welcome home." Total mission duration was 8

days, 23 hours, 5 minutes and 8 seconds. Bad weather forced Columbia

to land a day earlier; forecasts predicted rain both in California and

Florida. Ground control temporarily lost radio contact with Columbia

during its descent when a computer at a primary tracking center failed but

there was no impact on the landing. The Orbiter's landing weight was

225,886 pounds - including the Astro-1 observatory; the only heavier

mission was Columbia's return with the Long Duration Exposure Fadlity

in January when its combined weight was 228,335 pounds.

The crew underwent routine post-flight physicals before leaving the

Orbiter. The data gained from these checkups will be added to knowledge

gained during longer missions as the program moves toward extended

duration Orbiter missions. The crew members plan to return to Houston

with their families later today.

KSC turnaround crews were on station at Dryden Flight Research Facility

in preparation for the landing. By 6:55 a.m. today, the crews had

Columbia in the mate-demate device. Sling, jacking and hoisting

operations were underway by 10:25 a.m. An initial look at the Orbiter

revealed about 85 "dings" of various sizes. After about six days of

turnaround operations, the Orbiter will be ferried back to Florida. The 747

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft will need to make several refueling stops across the

country because of the Shuttle's extra weight due to the Astro-1

observatory. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 11, 1990, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 10, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Dec. 11, 1990, Marshall, USA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 11, 1990,

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, Dec. 11, 1990.]

241
AIM AT NEW GOALS: AUGUSTINE

"We are concerned that the Space Shuttle may be the thin reed that

supports our entire civil space program," said Norman Augustine,

Chairman of the panel established by Vice President Dan Quayle.

Augustine's report says that NASA should develop an alternative to the

Space Shuttle, focus on science instead of "glitzy megaprojects" and

recommended redesign of Space Station Freedom. The report also warned

that another Space Shuttle accident is likely. Vice President Quayle

remarked, '_l'his report clearly points out the need...for fundamental

changes." He also called it a shot in the arm for NASA.

The report did not call for the abandonment of the Space Shuttle, saying:

"The committee recognizes the important role of the Space Shuttle for

missions where there is a need for human involvement." NASA

Administrator Richard Truly said NASA would "look at every single

recommendation and deal with it." [A tape recording of Truly's press

conference remarks is held in the KSC Library Archives.] He said that,

overall, he saw no major change in NASA's pace of science programs.

[Haason, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 11, 1990, Sham and Flynn, USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Dec. 11, 1990, Leary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, pp. 1A

and B9, Dec. 11, 1990, Crawford, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 &

A-6, Dec. 11, 1990.]

COLUMBIA'S COMPUTERS INVESTIGATED

Two key computers which failed during the STS-35 Columbia mission

which ended today will be investigated by NASA. The agency will also

investigate Columbia's waste management system plumbing problems at

Kennedy Space Center. Early speculation by NASA suggested that Shuttle

processing teams may have failed to clean the computer panels prior to

launch. '_We think the lint [found inside the computers] probably came

with the panels when they were given to us to install in the Orbiter,"

according to Bascom Murrah, Columbia's Processing Manager. [Lint, hair

and even a piece of a peanut - items found in a filter after the flight -

reduced air circulation and caused the machines to overheat.] Regarding

the plumbing problem, Murrah said technicians replaced a waste water

line and a plumbing valve prior to the flight but evidently didn't catch all

debris in the system. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 12, 1990,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 21, 1990.]

242
['] GUARDS WORK WITHOUT CONTRACT

Until a new labor agreement is reached, Kennedy Space Center's security

force will work without a contract. The Union Plant Guard Workers of

America Local No. 128 represents between 200 and 250 KSC security

guards who are employed by EG&G Florida Inc. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 11, 1990.]

D DISCOVERY: POWER-UP TESTING

Powered-up testing of Discovery was briefly interrupted today when a

power supply went down. However, backup power was brought on-line,

and testing continued without further incident. Freon cooling loop #1 is

undergoing vacuuming and drying. Workers are preparing for a main

engine Flight Readiness Test (FRT) on December 14. [KSC SHUTI_E

STATUS REPORT, Dec. 11, 1990.]

U ATLANTIS: MAIN ENGINE REMOVAL

Atlantis is scheduled to have its main engines removed starting December

12, with two engines scheduled to be pulled out on Wednesday and the

third on Thursday. Powered-up testing continues. Tacan system testing

also continues. Auxiliary power unit valve resistance checks are also

underway. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 11, 1990.]

December 12: COLUMBIA RETURN: DECEMBER 17

Officials at Kennedy Space Center are optimistic that the Space Shuttle

Columbia will return from California on December 17. "The bird looks in

great shape and we're looking forward to getting it back here," said KSC

Director Forrest S. McCartney. KSC spokesman George DiUer said, "It

still looks good for departure at first light on Sunday."

The fuel cell cryogenic reactants were offioaded tonight from the onboard

storage spheres; the waste containment system [toilet] was also removed

and awaits evaluation on return of the Orbiter to KSC. Scheduled for

tomorrow is the removal of the payload Data Display Units; they will be

flown back to KSC to begin troubleshooting the problem that developed

with them inflight. Dumping of the Orbiter's flight data recorders

continues. The installation of the protective cover over the star

tracker was rescheduled for December 14 and rescheduled for December

15 is the removal of film from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT).

243
The weather at Dryden continues to have a generally favorable forecast for

completing work on schedule and to depart Edwards Air Force Base

December 16 for the two-day ferry flight aboard the Shuttle Carrier

Aircraft. The cold front approaching southern California is not predicted

to reach the area until December 15 bringing with it some increase in wind.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Dec. 13, 1990, COLUMBIA STATUS

REPORT, Dec. 13, 1990, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 12, 1990

and Dec. 13, 1990, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, Dec. 12,

1990.]

December 13: EG&G'S NINTH YEAR WITH BOC

Kennedy Space Center has awarded EG&G Florida, Inc. a one-year

extension of its existing contract for base operations services valued at

approximately $182.8 million. The extension, effective January 1, 1991

through December 31, 1991, brings the cumulative value of the contract to

$1.26 billion. This is the eighth extension to the base operations contract

competitively awarded to EG&G in January 1983. [Kristofferson, KSC

NEWS RELEASE NO. 197-90, Dec. 13, 1990.]

fl WEATHER COULD DELAY SHUTFLE RETURN

A storm front approaching Edwards Air Force Base could delay the return

of Columbia to Florida. If winds are greater than 15 miles per hour, some

of the work needed to prepare the Orbiter for its ride aboard The Shuttle

Carrier Aircraft would have to be delayed. Today Kennedy Space Center

workers will drain remaining liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the

Orbiter's underbelly tanks. Bascom Murrah III, Shuttle Manager for

NASA, said, "Everything is right on schedule and we haven't had any

problems." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 14, 1990, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Dec. 16, 1990.]

December 15: KSC BOOSTS BREVARD ECONOMY

In fiscal year 1990, Kennedy Space Center contributed $1.32 billion to the

Florida economy; that represented a $132 million increase over the

previous year. Contractors at the space center received about $940 million

and another $224 million went to off-site businesses in the county. Florida

businesses not located in Brevard County received about $18 million and

out-of-state purchases and contracts amounted to roughly $61 million.

Civil service salaries through the end of fiscal 1990 amounted to $131

million, an increase of $29 million over 1989. Of the 18,500 workers

employed at KSC, 12,700 were employed by KSC contractors; 2,600 were

civil servants and another 3,250 were employed in construction and tenant

244
D

D

D

jobs. ["KSC Economy Boost Goes Over $1 billion," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

10E, Dec. 16, 1990.]

MAY OPENING FOR ASTRONAUT MEMORIAL

The official opening of the Astronauts Memorial has been set for May 9,

1991, AMF officials announced. Appearing at the opening will be

government dignitaries, NASA officials and former astronauts will be on

hand for the memorial's unveiling. Surviving members of astronauts'

families will also be on hand. The memorial honors Theodore Freeman,

Charles Bassett, Elliot See Jr., Clifton Williams Jr., Virgil "Gus" Grissom,

Edward White, Roger Chaffee, Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald

McNair, ElUson Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis

and Christa McAuliffe. ["Memorial to be Unveiled in May," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Dec. 16, 1990, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Dec.

8, 1990.]

KSC BLACKOUT

A relay in the uninterruptible power supply system at Kennedy Space

Center apparently overheated and failed about 8:45 p.m. last night leaving

the space center without power in the Launch Control Center for about 16

hours. The relay's failure caused a small fire in an electrical panel on the

LCC's first floor; the fire was quickly extinguished by KSC firefightersi

according to space center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. There were no

injuries to personnel nor any damage to any ground-based processing

equipment or flight hardware, according to Buckingham.

Processing work on Atlantis and Discovery in the Orbiter Processing

Facility was halted during the blackout. Workers completed their

troubleshooting efforts, replaced the failed relay and returned to routine

operations by 1:48 p.m. today, according to John Williams, spokesman for

Lockheed Space Operations Center. Shuttle managers foresee no delay in

the upcoming launch of Discovery in March 1991. On April 2, there was

another interruption in the power supply when plumbing broke and water

was accidentally sprayed on electrical equipment. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 16, 1990, "Shuttle Work is Set Back by Power Failure,"

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-8, Dec. 17, 1990.]

NASA/AUGUSTINE PANEL MEET

NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly and his senior managers from

across the agency met today with Chairman Norman B. Augustine and a

majority of the other members of the Advisory Committee on the Future

245
of the U. S. Program. The advisory committee issues its full report this

week. "The meeting was candid and very constructive," said Truly

following the 3-hour, closed-door session in Easton, MD. "We find the

committee's report to be extremely supportive of NASA during the civil

space program, and we clarified a number of points during our meeting

that will help us move forward quickly." The report makes 15 specific

recommendations and a number of suggestions for changes in the direction

and scope of future U. S. initiatives in space.

Truly also announced he had named Donald R. Puddy, Director of the

Flight Crew Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center (Houston,

TX) to head a small team to assist him in determining how best to

implement those recommendations in the report under the purview of

NASA. "Many of the report's recommendations are consistent with

initiatives already underway at NASA," Truly said. "Others can be put in

place fairly soon, while some, by their very nature, will take longer. Many

of the most important recommendations are interrelated and resourcedependent and will depend on the strong support of not only NASA, but

also the White House and Congress."

The session with the advisory committee members took place at the end

of a 2-day NASA Senior Management Meeting (which had been previously

scheduled) comprising the top managers from NASA Headquarters and

the Directors and Deputy Directors of all NASA centers. The first day of

the meeting was devoted to an in-depth discussion among the agency's

leaders. The advisory committee members who joined the meeting the

next day including Augustine, Edward C.. (Pete) Aid_ridge, Jr., D. James

Baker, Daniel J. Fink, Robert T. Herres, David T. Kearns and Louis J.

Lanzerotti. [Vincent, NASA NEWS RELEASE #90-161, Dec. 17, 1990.]

ASTRO-1 FILM RETRIEVAL

The retrieval of exposed film from an Astro-1 Observatory Telescope will

be attempted today by a dozen Kennedy Space Center workers who will

crawl into Columbia's cargo bay. The retrieval has required special

planning, training and the construction of special equipment, according to

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. Payload Operations worker Ralph

Moore. "All the data is on that film," said Ted Stecher, Goddard Space

Center's LIlT Chief Scientist, "and we are very anxious to see it." The

entire retrieval operation should take twelve hours. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Dec. 15, 1990.]

246
December 17: COLUMBIA MAY HEAD HOME TODAY

Columbia may begin its trip home to Kennedy Space Center today as a

result of NASA managers meeting. Forecasts for the flight path are

looking somewhat better, but the ferry team was pessimistic about a 11:00

a.m. EST departure for Florida. The route includes a trip to Davis

Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson, AZ) for fuel, then on to Kelly Air Force

Base (San Antonio, TX) for an overnight stay. The next day, the Shuttle

Carrier Aircraft and Columbia will head to Barksdale Air Force Base

(Shreveport, LA) and from there to Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle

Landing Facility.

Yesterday, workers at the space center tested components on Discovery's

three Rocketdyne main engines to make sure they worked properly. They

also removed one of Atlantis' two pods that house the orbital maneuvering

engines and steering thrusters. The pod was moved to Discovery's hangar

where it will be attached to the Orbiter later this week. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 17, 1990.]

D SDI STARBIRD LAUNCHED

The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization launched a $10 million

Starbird rocket tonight at 10:37 p.m. from Launch Complex 20 at Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station. That site was last used in the 1960s to launch

Titan missiles. SDIO Program Manager Lt. Col. Lanny Larson said, "It

looks like it was a 100 percent success. We know of nothing at all that

went wrong." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 18, 1990.]

U GAO: MAINTENANCE POOR AT KSC

"Many of NASA's facilities have not been adequately maintained and are

in degraded conditions," according to a General Accounting Office report

issued today. The GAO report said that NASA was working to correct

the faults and suggested that the space agency develop a comprehensive

maintenance strategy, spend more money on upkeep and conduct annual

surveys to determine which of its centers most needs repairs. John E.

O'Brien, Assistant Deputy Administrator of NASA, called the document "a

useful assessment" and said that the space agency is correcting the

problems. At KSC, the report cited:

*A leaky roof on the Vehicle Assembly Building which allowed rain to

splash down on computers in the adjacent Launch Control Center.

247
*Ventilation systemsand heating boilers so old that replacement parts are

now unavailable.

*Obsolete circuit breakers at KSC and Ames Research Center which are so

dangerous that power must be turned off to allow testing.

Congress has ordered NASA to spend $20 million this year on longdelayed repairs; $4.12 million of the money will be spent at KSC to: fix

leaks in the LCC; modernize the sewage treatment plant; replace water

pipes in the VAB; replace inaccurate electrical meters and faulty lights, and

repair roads and parking areas. [Brown and FLORIDA TODAY wires, p.

1A, Dec. 18, 1990, "NASA Lets Repair On Facilities Slip, Report Confirms,"

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Dec. 18, 1990.]

fl CAUSE OF FIRE DETERMINED

NASA officials have traced the cause of the small fire inside the Launch

Control Center on December 14. A wire had been accidentally severed on

December 12, according to French Johnson, Chief of the Electrical

Mechanical Systems Branch. The system affected by the fire provided

continuous power to critical computers that monitor the "health" of the

Shuttle fleet. Lockheed Space Operations Co., the Shuttle Processing

Contractor, will oversee a $1.2 million refurbishment which is expected to

be completed by January 12. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 18,

1990.]

0 COLUMBIA RETURN DELAYED

Due to weather conditions, the departure of Columbia atop its Shuttle

Carrier Aircraft, has been rescheduled for December 18. Today's forecast

showed a low freezing line located at 8,000 feet, air turbulence, and a

significant crosswind at Biggs Army Airfield (El Paso, TX). Conditions are

expected to be favorable as far as central Texas tomorrow. [Diller,

COLUMBIA STATUS REPORT, Dec. 17, 1990.]

December 18: NASA CREATES NEW MANAGEMENT lOBS

Administrator Richard I-L Truly said today that NASA will "move out

aggressively across the board" on all the Augustine Report

recommendations and will create two new management jobs to oversee

exploration and to recruit technical talent for the space agency. Truly also

discussed the possibility of separating the Space Shuttle Program from

other development programs in a NASA-wide television address.

"Assuming we do eventually go that way, the transition must be very long

248
[]

and carefully laid out because it would mean the moving of literally

billions of dollars of our programs," he said. "And there is also the need

to make sure that 'safety first' is maintained within the Shuttle Program."

The new Office of Exploration will be positioned under an associate

administrator; its first duty would be to lay out "well thought-out" options

to meet the challenges or returning to the moon and exploring Mars. The

new Office of Human Resources will insure that NASA has the

engineering, scientific and administrative talent necessary to fulfill its

missions. These include the high priority space program, the 75-year-old

aeronautical research program, Mission to Planet Earth to help protect the

environment and the planetary exploration program - the Mission from

Planet Earth.

Truly pledged that NASA would seek ways to implement the committee

report. He said that the agency would place considerable emphasis on

beginning the committee's recommendations to develop a heavy lift launch

vehicle and to insure the vigor of the nation's entire civil space

transportation system. The heavy lift vehicle was proposed to insure

access to space. The backbone of the U.S. access to space is the Space

Shuttle, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary of flight next April. The

advisory committee said that the United States will be "unalterably

committed to the Space Shuttle for many years". Therefore, NASA "must

take steps needed to enhance the Shuttle's reliability, minimize wear and

tear, and enhance launch schedule predictability."

The panel declared that "the Space Shuttle is essential to America's civil

space program for the next decade or more. Truly also noted his

appointment of Donald Puddy to head a small team to help the

Administrator determine how to implement the Augustine Panel's

recommendations. Currently Puddy is Director of the Flight Crew

Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX).

[Vincent, NASA PRESS RELEASE NO. 90-162, Dec. 18, 1990, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 19, 1990.]

COLUMBIA DEPARTS DRYDEN RESEARCH FACILITY

Perched atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, Columbia departed Dryden

Research Facility in California this morning at 10:03 EST en route to its first

refueling stop at Biggs Army Air Field (El Paso, TX). At Biggs, NASA

managers will conduct a cross-country weather assessment to ascertain

whether the mated vehicles may safely continue to the preferred overnight

stop at Barksdale Air Force Base (Shreveport, LA), or if safety requires

249
landing at Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX). Arrival at Kennedy

Space Center is expected for early afternoon December 19.

Once back at KSC, about four days of deservicing is required to safe the

vehicle before ground crews can take time off for the holidays. After

demate from the SCA, Columbia will be transported to the Vehicle

Assembly Building where it will remain for about a month, until Discovery

is moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the VAB. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 19, 1990, KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Dec. 18, 1990.]

U DISCOVERY: PAYLOAD TEST

The STS-39 payload integration verification test continues in the Orbiter

Processing Facility. The fight-hand orbital maneuvering system pod was

lifted from Discovery last night and installation procedures are continuing

today. The forward reaction control system will be positioned and

installed December 20. Mass spectrometer leak checks of the main

propulsion system have been completed. Nose cap installation is

complete, pending final duct installation. In the Vehicle Assembly

Building, the STS-39 external tank is being lifted to the twin solid rocket

boosters and mating will begin this afternoon. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Dec. 18, 1990.]

[l ATLANTIS: PAYLOAD BAY DECONFIGURATION

Payload bay deconfiguration of Atlantis is scheduled to be completed

today. Auxiliary power unit relief valve work is in progress. APU water

valve replacement occurred December 17 as part of normal unit

maintenance. Modifications to install carbon brakes on the Orbiter

continued today and should be completed tomorrow. [KSC SPACE

SHLrTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Dec. 18, 1990.]

December 19: COLUMBIA STILL HEADING HOME

Stormy weather across the country has held up the return of Columbia to

its home at Kennedy Space Center. It is expected to arrive at

approximately 10:15 a.m. tomorrow. If weather does not prevent the

journey, Columbia and its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft should depart Barksdale

Air Force Base (Shreveport, LA) at 8 a.m. tomorrow. The final route to the

space center will be determined by the pilot and is dependent on weather

and wind direction; if conditions permit, the mated vehicles will pass low

over Brevard beaches between Patrick Air Force Base and Port Canaveral.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 13A, Dec. 20, 1990.]

250
December 20: HOME AT LAST!

Columbia, atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, finally ended its cross-country

ferry flight when it landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility here at Kennedy

Space Center this afternoon at 1:01 p.m., about three hours behind

schedule. The departure of the mated vehicles from Barksdale Air Force

Base (Shreveport, LA) was postponed until weather over the Florida

Panhandle cleared. NASA Pilot Ace Beall flew over Titusville, FL, then

turned south over Merritt Island, FL, and headed back northward to KSC,

landing just after a brief rainshower moistened the runway. The vehicle

was demated tonight and protective window covers were installed.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 21, 1990, KSC SPACE SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Dec. 21, 1990.]

December 21: MERGE SHUT_E CONTROL AT KSC

Among other recommendations made by the recent Augustine Report is

the suggestion that NASA should plan. to consolidate Shuttle Program

responsibility at Kennedy Space Center. Center Director Forrest S.

McCartney said, "As the program transitions from a development program

to a recurring operation, the center of activity naturally gravitates toward

KSC. It's too early to say what will happen. I certainly don't see any

diminished role for KSC. I see it possibly enhancing." He went on to say

that astronaut training and mission control would probably not move from

Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX), but that managers located at NASA

Headquarters and a Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) could

be moved to KS(:; MSFC employs about 1,000 people in the Shuttle

Program. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 22, 1990.]

STS-39 PROCESSING: DISCOVERY

The payload bay doors on Discovery were closed early this morning;

hydraulic operations to reconfigure the aerosurfaces and landing gear have

also been completed. Electrical checks of the right hand orbital

maneuvering system will continue today as will installation operations of

the forward reaction control system on the nose of the vehicle. Power

down of the vehicle for the holidays is scheduled for the end of the first

shift today. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 21, 1990.]

U ATLANTIS: BRAKE INSTALLATION WORK

Work to install the new carbon brakes on the Orbiter's wheels will

continue today. Brakes on the right hand wheel were completed

251
yesterday. Work on the left hand wheel will pick up this morning. The

payload bay doors were closed on time yesterday and modifications to

upgrade the general purpose computers will continue today and through

the end of the first shift. Processing operations will resume after the first

of the year. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 21, 1990.]

n COLUMBIA HOUSED IN VAB

Kennedy Space Center officials said today that the Space Shuttle Columbia

will stay in the Vehicle Assembly Building until late January, 1991.

Columbia's protective tail cone will be removed inside the VAB, according

to KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. While in the VAB, workers can't

open up the Shuttle's cargo bay doors so the Astro-1 payload will remain

inside the vehicle, but work will proceed on the Orbiter's

thermal protection system and some tasks in the rear engine compartment,

said Bascom Murrah, Columbia Processing Manager. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9A, Dec. 22, 1990.]

December 22: KENNEDY PARKWAY PAVING CONTRACT

Goodsen Paving (Sharpes, FL) has been awarded a $1.2 million contract to

widen Kennedy Parkway South from two to four lanes. The local paving

company will have 250 days to complete widening of the two-way portion

of Kennedy Parkway South between the NASA Causeway and Gate 2, the

main south entrance to the space center. The 2.3 mile, asphalt-topped

stretch will tie in to the four-lane expansion of State Road 3 now being

carried out by Brevard County. ["Sharpes Fh-m Wins Contract," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Dec. 23, 1990.]

December 27: KSC SPACE STATION PLANT

NASA is revising its budget plans for the $37 billion Space Station and that

has put construction of Kennedy Space Center's Space Station processing

plant on hold. Bids were solicited for the construction in August, but

Congress cut the Space Station budget by $600 million and ordered NASA

to look at restructuring the program. Associate Administrator for Space

Flight William Lenoir said, "If we cannot come up with what we consider

a reasonable program then...we ought to hang it up. We have $6 billion

more program planned than we have money for." KSC's Director of

Procurement Wes Dean said, "Our position is that the processing plant is

needed regardless of the final size or configuration of the space station."

[Brown and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 28, 1990.]

252
December 31: TOURISM UP AT KSC

"When citizens of countries that don't have a space program visit Florida,

they want to see the American space program first-hand. At the same

time, Americans continue to show great interest and pride in the space

program," said Tom Blair, Marketing Supervisor at KSC's Spaceport USA.

More than 3.1 million people toured the space center in 1990, an increase

of 5.2 percent; December's increase over 1989 was 5.1 percent. Spaceport

USA is operated by TW Recreational Services for NASA; company officials

cite a number of events at Florida's fourth largest tourist attraction

accounted for the 1990 visitorship: the arrival of Ambassador, a Space

Shuttle replica; groundbreaking for the $6 million Astronauts Memorial

and construction of the 80-seat SateUite Sky Theater. [Banke and Willmore,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 29, 1990, Boylan, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Jan. 5, 1991, "1990 Highlights of Kennedy Space Center Spaceport

USA's 6th Record Breaking Year," SPACEPORT USA PRESS RELEASE

NO. NT0581, Jan. 3, 1991, Bumpus-Hooper, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

pp. A-1 & A-2, Dec. 9, 1990.]

253
INDEX

Abbey, George 48, 66

Accidents 42, 131, 201, 208, 209, 211

Adams, Ray 7, 138, 200, 202

Adamson, James (Astronaut) 68

Advanced Launch System 146

Advanced Solid Rocket Motor 86, 151

Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics FaciLity

Aerospace Education Fund 41

228

Aft Compartment 14, 15, 28, 42, 44, 71, 101, 154, 155, 158, 160, 162-165, 167, 170, 172,

173, 187, 188, 190, 193, 195-197, 199, 203, 205-209, 213, 215, 225, 229

Air Force Space Museum 108

Akers, Thomas (Astronaut) 97, 151, 186

Aldridge, Edward C. "Pete" 128

Allen, Joseph P. 128

Alien, Lew 101, 156, 228

ALS (SEE: Advanced Launch System)

Alston, Jim 24

Ambassador, Space Shuttle Replica

Ambassador Award 239

Amertron Inc. 130

AMF

SEE: Astronauts Memorial Foundation 8

101

175, 179, 181

85, 232, 239, 253

Angel, Roger (Dr.)

Anti-Nuclear Activists

APAC-Florida Inc. 70

Apollo 11 Society 217

Apollo 13 23

Apollo Soyuz Test Project 120, 190

APUs (SEE: Auxiliary Power Units)

Argon 63, 79, 96, 118, 129, 145, 184, 187, 188, 205, 211, 221, 230

AS-204 58

Astm-1 Observatory 67, 144, 241, 246

Astronaut Crew Quarters 2, 110

Astronaut Support Team 144

Astronauts 6, 8, 14, 15, 21, 23, 26, 33, 35, 51, 52, 55, 57-60, 66, 67, 69, 74, 92, 93, 94, 99,

102, 105, 123, 126, 129, 144, 147, 154, 160, 172, 179, 198, 215, 224, 230, 235,

239, 240, 245, 253

Astronauts Memorial Foundation 8, 15, 66, 239

254
Atlantis 5-18,20, 21, 23-26,28-30,32, 34, 43, 48, 66, 72, 79, 81-84, 88-91,93, 94, 95,

96, 98-100,104,106,107,109,110, 112-119,122-124,128, 129, 131-136, 140,

142-144, 147, 150, 156, 162, 164, 166, 167, 170, 172, 174, 177-180, 183-186,

188-198, 200, 203-208, 210, 211, 212-218, 220-225, 228, 230, 2311 234-236, 238,

243, 245, 247, 250, 251

Atlas Centaur 72, 120

Arias Rocket 73, 108, 111, 113, 114, 117

Attendance, Spaceport USA 3, 27, 127, 145, 177

Augustine, Norman B. 245

Augustine Report 248, 251

Augustine's Laws 122

Automobile Accident 84

Auxiliary Power Units 10, 25, 113, 139, 196, 205, 221, 225, 231, 234

Avionics 144, 237

Awards 61, 65, 198, 206, 239

Ayers, Jim 61

Baggies 184, 193

Bailey, Chris 41

Baker, Craig 118

Baker, Michael A. (Astronaut)

Ball, James 234, 240

Barksdale Air Force Base (Shreveport, LA)

Barney, Kerry 61

Base Operations Contract 244

Bassett, Charles 245

Beail, Ace 251

Bechtel National Inc. 90

Beggs, James 111

Bishop, Peter 126

Blaha, John E. (Astronaut) 68, 90

Blaikie, Jay 61

Blair, Tom 19, 253

Boil Off 195, 199, 203

Boland, Edward 128

24_ 249-251

Bolden, Charles F. (Astronaut) 32-34, 38, 43, 44, 53, 68

Booster Stacking Operations 210, 216, 219

Boykin, Jack 89, 90

Brakes 57, 69, 186, 187, 223-225, 231, 250, 251

Brand, Vance (Astronaut) 55, 69, 70, 105, 120, 141, 143, 147, 148, 160, 162, 163,

201, 229, 230,232, 241

Brandenstein, Daniel (Astronaut) 1

Braun, Bradley 39

Briscoe, Lee (Johnson Space Center Flight Director) 2

British Satellite Broadcasting 138

255
Broad Band X-Ray Telescope 69, 79, 96, 118, 135, 184, 187, 188, 2051 206, 211, 227,

230

Brown, David 239

Browne, Ed 31, 95

Brumfield, Larry 8

Bumper 8 118

Bunner, Alan 75

Bunn, Wiley 202

Burch, Cal 85

Burch, Dean 31

Bush, George (President of the United States)

Business Hall of Fame 34

C-Clamp 174

Cabana, Robert D. (Astronaut)

Cairns, Warm 20

Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate 214

Camardese, Mike 108

Cannon, Dudley 85

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Carpenter, Scott (Astronaut)

Cart, Jeff 68, 87

Casper, John H. (Astronaut)

Castel, Frederic 54

Cavanaugh, Steve 165

88

33, 60

4, 7, 16, 18, 19, 31, 35-37, 43, 47, 51, 54, 63, 72,

75, 76, 82, 84, 85, 88, 94, 95, 108, 109, 111, 113,

123, 126, 133, 158, 171, 183, 197, 213, 214, 218,

227, 233, 234, 236, 239, 247

9, 13, 14, 17, 21, 28

CCAFS (SEE: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station)

CDSC (SEE: Communication Distribution and Switching Center)

CEI Florida Inc. 130

CELSS (SEE: Controlled Ecological Life Support System)

Centaur Upper Stage 73, 75, 239

Central Instrumentation Facility 65

Chaffee, Roger (Astronaut) 58, 245

Challenger (Orbiter)

ChaUenger Commemoration (Kennedy Space Center 8)

Chamberlain, Dennis 85

Chambers, H. B. (General Manager, Spaceport USA) 148, 207

Charles (Prince of Wales)

Chemko Cleaning, Inc. 92

Child Care (SEE ALSO: Tutor Time International, Inc.) 240

Chilton, Kevin P. (Astronaut) 126

Christa Award 239

Christic Institute (SEE: Lawsuit) 175

256
CIF (SEE:

Civil Service

Clayton, Geoffrey

Clean Room

Clontz, Kenneth

Codd, Jim 15

Central Instrumentation Facility)

14, 45, 140, 141, 167, 168, 172, 173, 209, 222, 225, 244

71

38, 240

207

Columbia 1-6, 8-11, 13, 14, 18, 22, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 44, 48-50, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59-65,

67-73, 75, 77-85, 89-92, 94-100, 104, 106, 109, 112, 116, 118, 119, 122-125,

128-150, 152-156, 158-167, 170, 172-174, 177, 178, 180, 183-185, 187, 188,

190-194, 196, 199, 201, 203-211, 213, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 224-232, 235-237,

239, 240-244, 246-252

Colvin, Bill 47

Combinational Board Test System 61

Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite 36, 94, 108, 113, 120

Communication Distribution and Switching Center 107

Community Service Award 239

Construction 5, 8, 10, 14, 16, 30, 53, 65, 72, 76, 88, 90, 93, 102, 104, 110, 116, 130,

157, 162, 170, 175, 202, 209, 237, 241, 244, 246, 252, 253

Controlled Ecological Life Support System 237

Constantine (King of Greece) 22

Conway, John 137

Cool, John It. 165

Cooley, Calvin 61

Cooling System 59-65, 67, 131, 149-151, 153-155, 173, 176, 230, 231

Cooling Towers 6

Cooper, Gordon (Astronaut) 33, 60

Corporate Award, AMF 239

Corundum 161, 164, 167

CosteUo & Sons Corp. 98, 123

Countdown 1-3, 7-9, 12-14, 21, 23, 25, 26, 32-34, 44-46, 48, 55, 64, 65, 67, 70, 83, 89, 91-94,

140, 141, 143, 147, 151, 152, 154, 155, 158, 159, 164, 170, 177, 178, 182, 212,

213, 215, 218, 226, 229, 230, 232

Covey, Richard O. (Astronaut) 200

Cox, Thomas Jr.

Crawler Transporter 50, 53, 185, 186, 220

Creighton, John O. (Astronaut) 9, 13, 14, 17, 21, 23-25, 28

Crippen, Robert L. (Director, Shuttle Program) 165, 171

Crisafulli, Bob 110

Cromer, Donald 133

CRRES (SEE: Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite)

Culbertson, Frank L. Jr. (Astronaut) 91-94, 200, 212, 215, 218, 224

Data Display Units 243

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson, AZ) 8

Dean, Wes 252

257
Debus, Kurt H. (SEE: Business Hall of Fame)

Defense Committee of the Soviet National Legislature 21

Delgado, Hector 81

Delta 2 4, 7, 18,35-37,47, 72, 75, 76, 85, 138,139,175-178,227

Delta Debris 88

Department of Defense 9

Department of Environmental Regulation (Florida)

Detent 155

Digital Communications Networks 145

Disconnect Valve 143

Discovery Mishap Board Report 125

Discovery

108

5, 7, 9, 13, 16, 21-23, 29, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38-50, 53, 54, 56-58, 63, 77, 78-82, 91,

97, 99, 103, 113, 118, 119, 123, 125, 128-133, 135, 137, 138, 141-143, 146-155,

162, 164, 166, 169, 171-183, 185-192, 196, 197, 199, 201, 204, 206, 2081 210,

212, 216, 218, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 230, 231, 233, 235, 236, 238, 239, 243,

245, 247, 250, 251, 9

Distinguished Prime Contractor of the Year

Drug-Free Work Place Program (SEE: Drugs)

Drugs 45, 208

Daffin, Eric 233

Daffy, Brian (Astronaut) 68, 186

Dunbar, Bonnie (Astronaut) 1, 3

Durrance, Samuel T. (Astronaut)

Earth Observation System 172

Eastern Space and Missile Center

Economy 39, 116, 126, 244, 245

37

55, 69, 70, 142, 147, 148, 160, 229, 230

108, 118

Edwards Air Force Base, CA 28, 30, 41, 56, 58, 171, 188, 218, 233, 236

EDL (SEE: Engineering Development Laboratory)

EG&G Florida, Inc. 195, 244

Eglm Air Force Base (Fort Walton Beach, FL) 8

Ehl, Jim 2O2

Electrical Connections Test 135, 137

Electronics Box (SEE: X-Ray Telescope)

Emergency Egress 93, 152

Endeavour (Orbiter) 13, 87, 88, 90, 96, 97, 103,104, 123, 133, 134, 164, 195, 204, 223,

235

Engineering Development Laboratory 98, 123

Entinger, Jim 61

EOS (SEE: Earth Observation System)

ESA (SEE: European Space Agency)

Esenwein, George P. 121

European Space Agency 46, 63, 86, 171

Everidge, Ben (President, Astronauts Memorial Foundation) 8

Excellence Award 194, 195

258
Exercise Trail

External Tank

206

2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 28, 29, 42,45, 49, 67, 78-81,83, 85, 89-92,961 101, 102,

104, 113, 116, 117, 119, 122-125, 129, 131, 132, 136, 137, 141, 142, 146,

156, 160, 162, 170, 172, 173, 175, 176, 179, 193, 196, 197, 199, 207, 213,

224, 226, 250

EzeU, Lin 63, 73

Faenza, George 61

Faga, Martin C. 82, 214

Faith 7 33

Fairey, Chris 187

Fatigue 114

Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center 179

Fiber-Optic Cable 107, 145, 194

Field Productions (Vienna, VA) (SEE:

Fields, W.E. 76

Filter 62, 242

Fink, Daniel J. 128, 246

Fire 5, 50, 58, 63, 109, 181, 188, 200, 209, 211, 214, 215, 238, 245, 247, 248

Ambassador, Space Shuttle Replica)

Firing Circuits 173, 199, 213

Fisk, Lennard A. (Dr.) 53, 101, 106, 111

Flash Evaporator System 205, 207

Fletcher, James (Dr.) (Former NASA Administrator)

Flight Crew Training Building 99, 123

163

Hight Readiness Review 1, 15-17, 36, 41, 58, 59, 67, 98, 135-137, 166, 169, 190, 194, 197,

198, 200, 205, 210, 215, 219, 224, 226-229

Florida Bureau of Historical Preservation 217

Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice (SEE: Lawsuit)

Floyd, Charlie 86

Foale, C. Michael (Astronaut) 68

Fortney, Madeleine 198

Foundation on Economic Trends (SEE: Lawsuit)

Frankle, Edward (NASA General Counsel) 176

Freedom Star (SRB Recovery Ship) 4

Freeman, Theodore 245

Freon 59-63, 65, 129, 131, 141, 152, 154, 155, 170, 173, 176, 212, 225, 227, 230, 231, 233,

235, 236, 243

Friedman, Louis 111

FRR (SEE: Flight Readiness Review)

Fuel Cells 66, 213

FueLing Operations 70, 177

Fuqua, Don 128

Furlough 141, 143, 173

Gagnon, Bruce 168, 182

Gallery of Spaceflight 105

259
Gamma Ray Observatory 10, 11, 15,20, 82, 224,234

Gardner, Guy S. (Astronaut) 55, 69, 70, 141, 147, 148, 160, 229, 230, 232

Gaseous Nitrogen 65, 92, 93, 114, 140, 176, 194

Gast, Larry 207

Gemar, Charles D. "Sam" (Astronaut) 91-94, 200, 212, 215, 218, 224

General Accounting Office 247

General Dynamics 72, 73, 75, 76, 84, 94, 108, 113-117, 120, 239

General Manager's Award 61

General Purpose Computers (GPC) 219, 252

Genesis VII Inc. 77

George M. Low Trophy (SEE: ExceLlence Award)

Germany, Dan 201

Ghais, Abroad 202

Glenn, John (Astronaut, U. S. Senator)

Global Positioning System Satellite (SEE:

Goforth, Bob 110

Gore, Albert (U. S. Senator, D-TN)

Green, WiUiam 87

Greenfield, Michael (Dr.)

Griffith, EUis 138

Grissom, Virgil "Gus" (Astronaut)

Gruhler, Elizabeth 81

Guerra, Alan 85

Haddad, Peter (Brevard County Judge)

Hail Damage 134

Hamilton Roofing Inc. 110

Hangar AF Booster Disassembly Facility

33, 60

Navstar)

106

165

33, 58, 109, 245

200

4, 220

Hangar AO Planetary Spacecraft Check-Out Facility 63

Hangar L 171

Hard Down 185, 188

Harlan, Charles 97

Harrington, James 225

Hartman, Roger 18

Harwit, Martin 64

Hauck, Frederick "Rick" (Astronaut) 2

Hawley, Steven A. (Astronaut) 32, 34, 38, 43, 44, 53

Health Maintenance Test 193

Heater (SEE: External Tank)

Heavy Equipment Area Restorations

Heimmer, Henry 128

Helium 17, 18, 73, 75, 77, 95,100, 106,114, 115, 117, 131, 136, 137, 152-155, 166, 184,

188, 190-192, 194, 208, 236, 238

Hendricksen, Douglas 81

Hennessy, Donald 207

260
Henricks, Terence T. "I'om" (Astronaut)

Her_es, Robert 128

Hewlett-Packard Co. 61

Hilmers, David (Astronaut) 9

Hirsch, Daniel 168

68

HMF (SEE: Hypergolic Maintenance Facility)

Hoaglund, Wes 218

Hobday, Charles 207

Hoffman, Jeffrey A. (Astronaut)

HoUinshead, Chuck 66

HoUoway, Tommy 56

Honeycutt, Jay 27, 39, 56, 94, 137

Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope 69

Houston, Cecil 100

Howlington, Ralph 115

HST (SEE: Hubble Space Telescope)

Hubble, Edwin PoweU 46

Hubble, Edwin IV

55, 69, 70, 142, 1471 148, 160, 229-231, 233

Hubble Space Telescope 7, 13, 16, 21, 23, 38-44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 53, 55, 57, 99, 101, 106,

111, 124, 125, 134, 156, 225, 228

Huddleston, Bill 149

Hudkins, Keith 117, 160

Hughes Danbury Optical Systems (SEE ALSO: Perkin Elmer) 156, 157

Hussain, Abid 85

Hydraulic Power Unit Testing

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility 14, 118, 174, 197, 199, 204, 208, 210, 212, 216,

219, 225, 230, 231, 233, 235, 236, 238

198

107, 118, 1.'30, 190, 202, 206, 217, 241

Hypertech Systems (Melbourne, FL)

I-Net Inc.

Ice 3

Impala Electronics Co. 47

Indian River Lagoon 54

Industrial Area, Kennedy Space Center

Inertial Upper Stage 154, 166, 169, 173

Information Line, Space Shuttle

Inhibitor 225, 236

INMARSAT 2-F1 Spacecraft 200

INSAT-1D Satellite 96

Inspections 4, 9, 11, 17-20, 28, 42, 44, 57, 62, 66, 73, 89, 108, 113, 125, 134, 149, 158,

164-167, 173, 174, 180, 187, 189, 199, 204, 206, 208, 212, 215, 216, 220, 230,

231

Integrated Software (Palm Bay, FL) 198

Intelsat 17, 19, 31, 32, 34-36, 40, 62, 76, 84, 86-88, 95

Interface Verification Test 154, 155

261
Interferometer 157

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

International Maritime SateLlite Organization 200, 202

International Telecommunications Satellite 36

Investigation Board 43, 66, 81, 84, 101, 103, 113, 118, 125, 134, 174

Irminger, Larry 81

Isles, Shirley 103

IUS (SEE: Inertia/Upper Stage)

Ivey's Construction Inc. (Merritt Island, FL) 65, 202

Ivins, Marsha S. (Astronaut) 1

Jannette, Jim 25, 227

Jarvis, Gregory (Astronaut) 245

Jenkins, George 61

Jobs (SEE ALSO: McCartney, Forrest S.)

Johnson, French 248

Joint Long Range Proving Grounds 118

Joint Working Group 121

Jones, ElUott 210

Jones, Rosalyn

Jones, SaUy 61

JWG (SEE: Joint Working Group)

Kaiser, Carol 8, 10

Kaltenbach, Volker 75

Keegan, Sarah 101

KeLly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX)

Kerns, David T. 128

Kicklighter, Elliot 81

Kimbrell, Andrew 175, 176

Kinard, WiLliam 3, 10, 12, 44

Kohrs, Richard 76

Koning, Robert C. 103

Ku-Band Antenna 219, 233, 235, 236, 238

Kubasov, Valery 105

Kuwait 133

Labor Relations 19, 20, 22, 78, 83

Lampton, Michael 68

Landing Gear 28, 32-34, 131, 142, 222, 223, 235, 251

Lang, John 4

Langley Research Center (SEE: AS-204)

Lanouv, William Kirby 132

Large Prime Contractor of the Year 37

Larson, Lanny (Lt. Col., U. S. Army) 247

Launch Complex 39A

19, 20, 22, 78,

83

4, 39, 88, 116, 213, 217, 245, 248

8, 185, 187, 247, 2so

135, 137, 141, 149, 158, 159, 170, 173, 183, 186, 190, 191, 195,

262
Launch Complex 39B

Launch Control Center

Launch Guests 142

197,199,212,213,218-220

91, 95, 981141, 143, 146, 148, 183-185, 187, 188, 199, 210,

219-221, 224, 225, 230

22, 42, 61, 107, 217, 222, 245, 247, 248

Launch Schedule 3, 49, 77, 81, 82, 84, 142, 181, 197, 201, 249

Launch Umbilical Tower 190

Launch Vehicles

Launches 3, 7, 11, 26, 29, 50, 54, 76, 82, 84, 89, 95, 113, 116, 120, 133, 144, 145, 148,

153, 168, 213, 217

Lauts, Douglas 61

Lawrence, John 63

Lawsuit (SEE ALSO: Gagnon, Bruce) 175, 176, 179

LDEF (SEE: Long Duration Exposure Facility)

Leaks 17, 62, 64, 65, 72, 77, 85, 89, 94, 95, 97, 99-101, 104, 106, 107, 109, 112, 113, 114, 117,

135, 137, 139, 140, 143, 147, 149, 150, 152, 153, 156, 159-164, 166, 167, 169, 172,

175-178, 180, 181, 183, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192-194, 197, 199, 201, 203, 208, 215, 218,

221, 227, 232, 248

Leestma, David C. (Astronaut) 68-69

Leinbach, Mike 50, 70, 148, 159, 230

Lenoir, William (Associate Administrator, Space Hight)

Leonov, Aleksey 105, 122

Liberty Star (SRB Recovery Ship) 4, 233

License Plates (SEE: Astronauts Memorial Foundation)

Lichtenburg, Byron 68

Life Sciences Program 171

Lindstrom, R. E.

Liquid Hydrogen

2, 41, 57, 59, 99, 104, 106,

107, 109, 111, 112, 119, 132,

139, 140, 141, 145, 147, 150,

166, 167, 172, 181, 202, 209,

223, 252

11

3, 6, 26, 42, 43, 58, 72, 73, 78, 80, 89, 91, 94, 96, 98, 101, 104, 106, 110,

112, 115, 117, 119, 139, 144, 150, 152, 154, 155, 159, 160, 163, 170, 178,

186, 188, 189, 191, 193, 195, 196, 199, 201, 203, 208, 213, 215, 221, 238,

244

5, 50, 61, 78, 103, 143, 145, 164, 165, 179, 185,

191, 248

1, 8-11, 18, 24, 29, 241

55, 69, 70, 142, 147, 148, 160, 229, 230, 233

Lockheed Space Operations Co.

Logdoni John 124

Long Duration Exposure Facility

Long,Irene (Dr.) 39

Lounge, John M. "Mike" (Astronaut)

Low, G. David (Astronaut) 1

Lucid, Shannon W. (Astronaut) 68

Lynn, Patricia 118

263
Lyon, John R. "Dick" 6

Mackey, Skip 178

Magellan Spacecraft 135

Magnet School 66

Main Engines (SEE: Space Shuttle Main Engines)

Main Propulsion System 17, 18, 21, 39, 58, 75, 89, 95, 98, 100, 104, 136, 137, 139, 152,

153, 155, 158, 161, 163, 1701 173, 174, 184, 186, 187, 188-193,

195, 199, 201, 203, 208, 236, 238, 250

Mainstream Engineering (Rock/edge, FL) 198

Malone, Lisa (Launch Commentator) 2

Management 2, 4, 6, 27, 33, 56, 63, 65, 68, 73, 85, 94, 122, 129, 137, 142, 167, 195,

224, 225, 235, 238, 242, 246, 248

Manager of the Year, Martin Marietta 76

101

131

Mangus, John D.

Manning, Pat

Marchese, David

Marcopolo 2

Marianetti, Eugene

138, 139

142

Marotta Scientific Controls 194

Martin, Albert 37

Martin Marietta Corp. 34, 90

Martinez, Bob (Governor of Florida)

Mass Memory Unit 211, 221

Mate Demate Device 187

72

Mating 6, 31, 102, 123, 141, 175, 183, 219, 236, 250

Mattingly, Thomas 23

McAuliffe, Christa (Astronaut) 245

McCartney, Fox'rest S. (Director, KSC) 3, 4, 8, 84, 88, 100, 118, 156, 159, 163, 179,

191-194, 202, 206, 208, 221, 240, 243, 251

McCombs, Carol 207

McCord, Scott 214

McCulley, Michael J. (Astronaut) 22, 55, 143, 144, 198, 207, 233

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. 7, 18, 35, 96, 123, 138, 200, 227, 246

McManus, Laurie 61

McMillan, James 61

McNair, Ronald (Astronaut) 245

Meade, Carl J. 200, 224

Medaris, John Bruce (Major General, U. S. Army, Ret.) 107

198

Meeks, Howard S. 103

Meeks, WilIis 97

Meguiar, George 20

Melnick, Bruce E. (Astronaut) 171

Menasco Manufacturing Co. 32, 34

Merritt Systems (Merritt Island, FL)

264
Mertz, Charles 202

Metering Rods 157

Meyer, Gene 86

Meyer, John 43

Middle East 144,212,220

Midges 38

Mikulski, Barbara (U. S. Senator, D-MD) 111

Miller, Debra 61

Misalignment 104

Mishap(s) 81, 82, 84, 85, 103,125, 174,191,192,211

MitcheU, Royce 5

MLP (SEE: Mobile Launcher Platform)

MMU (See: Mass Memory Unit)

Mobile Launcher Platform 3, 170, 210,212,219, 220

Monomethylhydrazine 190, 192

Moore, Ralph 246

Moorman, Thorns Jr. (Lt. Gen., U. S. Air Force)

Morocco (Ben Guerir) 148

Morris, Jim 168

Morton, Melinda 182

MPS (SEE: Main Propulsion System)

Mullane, Richard M. (Astronaut) 9, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26

Mumme, Dave 189

Murphy, Waiter T. 237

Murrah, Bascom III 27

Musgrave, F. Story (Astronaut) 68

Myers, Patti 81, 125

Nagel, Conrad 7, 11, 83, 185

NARA (SEE: National Archives and Records Administration)

NASA/Contractors Conference 195

National Aerospace Plane 53, 55

National Air and Space Museum 63

National Archives and Records Administration 167

National Quality Month 159

National Research Council 27, 128, 147

National Safety Council 131

National Science Teachers Association 131

Navstar 4, 7, 36

Nelson, Bill (U. S. Rep., D-Melbourne, FL) 87, 172, 190, 239

Nickel Cadmium Batteries

North Courtenay Parkway Widening (SEE: Roads)

Novak, Howard 198

NSTA (SEE: National Science Teachers Association)

O'Connor, Ed 116, 126

265
O'DeU, Robert 228

Office of Exploration 249

Office of Science Policy 171

Olson Electric Company 109

OMS (SEE: Orbital Maneuvering System)

Onboard Computers 213, 215

Onboard Fuel Ceils 213

Onizuka, Ellison (Astronaut) 245

Operational Intercommunication System-Digital

Operations Support Building 30, 77

OPF (SEE: Orbiter Processing Facility)

Optical Telescope Assembly

Orbital Maneuvering System

Orbiter Assembly Facility

Orbiter Processing Facility

156

104,

231,

103

5,7,

116,

189,

238, 245, 250

194

118, 165, 190, 192, 204, 208, 210, 212, 216, 219, 230,

233-236, 238, 250, 251

9, 14, 31, 58, 61, 78, 81, 83, 85, 86, 89, 93, 103, 110,

123, 124, 128, 129, 135, 136, 141, 142, 149, 155, 180,

191, 194, 199, 221, 224, 225, 227, 228, 233, 234, 236,

Orbiter(s) (SEE: Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Discovery, Endeavour)

Ordnance 20, 43, 88, 165, 170, 173, 176, 183, 199, 212, 213, 216, 219, 221, 230

Oswald, Stephen S. "Steve" (Astronaut) 28, 57

Overtime 88, 113, 114

Owen, Lonnie 85

Owls 33

Ozone 121

Pace Constructor's Inc. 56

PAFB (SEE: Patrick Air Force Base)

Paine, Thomas O. (Former NASA Administrator) 128

Palmer, Donald 29

PAM (SEE: Payload Assist Module)

PAM-S Assist Module 169

Parise, Ronald A. (Astronaut) 55, 69, 70, 142, 147, 148, 160, 229, 230, 233

Park Seed Co. 10, 24

Parker, Robert Allan Ridley (Astronau0

Parmet, Norman 11, 161, 180

Parrish, Alan 4, 151

Patrick Air Force Base

Patterson, Dan 86

Patton, Gil 83

Payload Assist Module

Payload Bay Doors

55, 69, 70, 90, 142, 147, 148, 160, 229, 230,

233

5, 88, 105, 126, 144, 189, 250

154

78, 80, 104, 149, 162, 174, 178, 188, 192, 196, 205, 212, 216, 227,

266
251,252

Payload Canister Rotation Facility 202

Payload Health Checks 184

Payload Processing 93, 123, 145, 168

Payload Test Team 154

PCRF (SEE: Payload Canister Rotation Facility)

Pennington, A1 240

Perkin Elmer (SEE ALSO:

Petrov, N.N. 121

Phillips, Dave 144

Phillips, Jim 237

Pike, John 26

Playalinda Beach (Brevard County) 72, 162

Plexiglass 193, 196

Plutonium 97, 168, 178, 179, 181, 182, 201

Poole, John 61

Postponement(s) 2, 23, 36, 53, 165, 167

Power Reactant and Storage Distribution System 170

Practice Countdown 9, 12-14, 34, 55, 83, 91, 93, 94

Prange, Merrilu 61

Precision Mechanical Inc. 116

Prevalve 155, 174

Priselac, Ed 45

Processing Control Center 14

Processing Procedures 167

Propellants 10

Protestors 168

Puddy, Donald R.

Quayle, Dan

Quest Award

Quick Disconnect

Radar Altimeter

Radio Waves

Rainey, Jeffrey

246

Hughes Danbury Optical Systems) 157

105, 111, 121, 128, 242

239

219

208, 235

69

61

RCS (SEE: Reaction Control Systems)

Reaction Control Systems 225

Reagan, Ronald Wilson (Former President of the United States) 121, 159

Reagan/Gorbachev Moscow Summit 121

Recirculation Pump Package 152, 155, 165, 174

Records Management (SEE ALSO: NARA) 167

Recycling 103, 198

Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit 169

Reflective Null Corrector 134, 157

Reserves, U. S. Armed Forces 144

267
Resistors 47, 48

Resnik, Judith (Astronaut) 245

Retrieval Operations 219

Return to Launch Site 2, 126, 231

Richards, Richard N. "Dick" (Astronaut)

Richman, Arnold 20

Riddle, Mickey 118

Ride, Sally K. (Astronaut) 92

Rieb, Start 15

RIMU (SEE: Redundant Inertial Measuzement Unit)

Roads 5, 217, 248

Roberts, Charlie (Florida House of Representatives) 66

Robinson, Charlene I. 85

Rocket Fuel Collection Tank 116

Rockwell International 13, 30, 37, 62, 100, 101, 103, 165, 194

Rodney, George A. 101, 195

Roentgen Satellite 37, 75, 76

Roentgen, Wilhelm Conrad 75

Rogers Dry Lake Bed 220, 236

Rollback 72, 75, 79, 82, 84, 101, 113, 122, 124, 133, 140, 184

69, 151, 153, 171, 179, 186

RolIout 5-7, 29, 31, 32, 48, 53, 83, 88, 90, 124, 125, 129, 130, 132, 133, 135, 137, 141,

143, 146, 183, 185-187, 224

Rollover 142, 170, 174

ROSAT (SEE: Roentgen Satellite)

Rotating Service Structure 16, 110, 122, 162, 203, 215

Rotation Processing and Surge Facility 109, 235

Roth, Gll 97, 201

Roy, A.J. 189

RPSF (SEE: Rotation Processing and Surge Facility)

RTLS (SEE: Return to Launch Site)

Runco, Mario Jr. (Astronaut) 55, 68

Ryniewicz, Kevin 61

S-Band Antenna 208

Sargent, Doug 50, 86

Satellite Sky Theater 253

Satellites 4, 16, 18, 26, 31, 34, 35, 38, 86, 92, 93, 105, 108, 115, 146, 147, 172, 175, 200,

202, 227

Saturn Causeway 5, 70

Saucier, Sid 120

Saunders, Steven 135

SBIR (SEE: Small Business Innovation Research)

SCA (SEE: Shuttle Carrier Aircraft)

SCAPE Suit (SEE: Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble)

Schirra, Wally (Astronaut) 33, 60

268
Scobee,Francis "Dick" (Astronaut) 245

Screen Test 210, 212, 216, 219, 230, 231

Scrub Jays 29, 110

Scrubs 2, 25, 71, 149, 169

Schwinghamer, Robert 163, 165

Seal Leak

Security Patrol, KSC 168

See, Elliot Jr. 245

SEEDS (SEE: Space Long Exposed Experiment Developed for Students)

Segert, Randy 78

Seitz, Paul F. 165

Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble 93

Sensors 102, 107, 113, 115, 116, 119, 140, 145, 193, 197, 212

Shannon, It,. "Bob" (Dr.) 68, 101

Shaw, Brewster H. Jr. (Astronaut) 68, 69, 75, 80, 96, 97, 180

Sheehan, William 73

Shepard, Alan (Astronaut) 33, 60, 109

Sheppard Air Force Base (Wichita Falls, TX) 189

Shepherd, William M. (Astronaut) 171

Shevardnadze, Eduard (Foreign Minister, USSR) 240

Shriver, Loren J. (Astronaut) 32-34, 38, 43, 44, 50, 53, 54

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 30, 189, 191, 236, 241, 244, 247-251

Shuttle Interface Test 184, 185

Shuttle Landing Facility 13, 29, 30, 32, 70, 92, 142, 179, 185, 187-189, 213, 214, 216,

221-223, 230, 247, 251

Shuttle Pallet Satellite 92

Shuttle Processing Contract 61, 185

Shuttle Support Office 144

Shuttle Training Aircraft 24, 33, 142, 220

Seick, Robert B. "Bob" (Shuttle Launch Director)

Silver Snoopy Award

Simon, Donald A. 84

Sims, Patricia 198

Sirmons, Roberta 198

Slayton, Donald "Deke" (Astronaut)

SLF (SEE: Shuttle Landing Facility)

Slide Wire Baskets 33

Small Business Innovation Research

Smith, Dorothy Scott 200

Smith, Jackie 4

Smith, Michael (Astronaut) 245

Snyder, Glenn 31

91, 198, 207, 233

120

197

2, 3, 26, 36, 56, 60, 72, 80, 81, 114,

181-183, 201, 203, 217, 218, 222,

232

269
Sofge, Al 149

Solar Winds 138

Solid Rocket Booster(s) 5, 11, 16, 109, 173, 176, 225, 234

Soviet Rockets 105, 126

Soyuz TM-U Rocket 232

Space Commerce Corp. 126

Space Conference 80

Space Congress 50-53, 55, 56

Space Long Exposed Experiment Developed for Students 10

Space Shuttle Main Engines (SEE ALSO: Main Propulsion System) 101, 212

Space Station 5-7, 14, 16, 27, 39, 53, 56, 76, 87, 88, 130, 172, 235, 242, 252

Spacehab, Inc. 240

Spacelab 24, 77, 81, 82, 110, 166, 234, 235

Spaceport Florida Authority 116, 126

Spaceport Gun Club 110

Spaceport USA 13, 15, 19, 20, 22, 27, 53, 98, 102, 103, 105, 121, 127, 131, 132, 145, 148,

158, 168, 177, 207, 217, 232, 239, 253

Spacewalk 41, 62, 140

Spain (Moron) 148

SPAS-01 (SEE: Shuttle Pallet Satellite)

SPC (SEE: Shuttle Processing Contract)

Spear, Tony 135

Speegle Construction Co. 162

Spoelhof, Charles P. 101

Springer, Robert C. (AstronauO 200

Sprinkler System (SEE ALSO: Accidents)

SSME (SEE: Space Shuttle Main Engines)

Starnes, John 202

Stecher, Ted 246

Stephens, Robert 85

Stevenson, Charles 81

Stifling, Frank 214

136

Strategic Defense

Stryker, Laurey 66

STS 35 (SEE: Columbia)

STS 36 (SEE: Atlantis)

STS 38 (SEE: Atlantis)

STS 41 (SEE: Discovery)

SuUivan, KatluTn D. (Astronaut)

Swigert, James (Astronaut) 23

Tacan System 236, 243

Talbert, Rick 92

Talone, John "Tip" (Orbiter Processing Director)

Taylor, Hal 128

9, 11, 16, 18, 107, 218, 234, 247

34, 38, 40, 43, 44, 53, 68

57, 187, 189

27O
Taylor, William E. 53

Taylor, William W.L. 76

Teflon 36, 106,154

Telescopes 63, 67, 69,76, 125,144

Tesch, Gary 101

Test Procedures

Thomas, John

Thomas, Gene

Thompson, J. R.

89, 97, 134,140,167,179,233

86

4, 85, 171, 198

55, 106, 195, 201

Thruster Damage Investigation 118

Thuot, Pierre 9, 13, 14, 17, 22, 26

Thygeson, Jane 144

Tiles 57, 133, 135, 136, 187, 232

Titan 4 Launch Vehicle 82, 90, 151, 153, 158, 164, 169, 175, 213, 214, 218, 239

Tolbert, Terry 93

TOMS (SEE: Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer)

Tornado 138

Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer 121

Total Quality Management 195

TQM (SEE: Total Quality Management)

Towles, Jim 17, 108

Traffic (SEE: Roads)

Trak Microwave Corp. 91

Transporter/Canister Facility 14

Trevitt, Gavin 200

Truemper, Joachim 75

Truly, Richard I-L 54, 121, 128, 195, 245, 248

TRW Inc. 15, 76

Turbopump(s) 11-15, 17, 98, 169

Tutor Time International, Inc. 240

Tutwiler, Don 202

TW Recreational Services 19, 20, 22, 127, 148, 232, 253

UIT (SEE: Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope)

U. S. Astronaut HaL1 of Fame 33, 60

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 29, 110

Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope 69, 70, 211, 221, 243

Ulysses Spacecraft 137, 166, 170, 201

Utsman, Thomas (Former Deputy Director, KSC) 2, 4

Van Hoften, James "Ox" (Astronaut) 38, 41

Van Riper, Joseph 61

Vaughan, Chester 165

Vehicle Assembly Building 5, 7, 9, 30, 32, 34, 42, 49, 59, 61, 65, 70, 75, 79, 80, 82-85,

89, 91, 92, 107, 109, 110, 112, 116, 119, 122-124, 128,

129, 130, 132-136, 138, 141, 142, 146, 148, 151, 170, 174,

271
179, 183, 184-186, 188, 191, 194, 204, 210, 212, 216, 219,

220, 225, 235, 236, 247, 250, 252

Venus (Planet) 124, 135

Video Cameras 172

Visitors 13, 27, 34, 102, 109, 127, 131, 145, 158, 168, 177, 207, 232

68

3O

68

7, 138, 158, 177

Voss, James S. (Astronaut)

W & J Construction Corp.

Waivers 113

Walden, Steven 61

Walker, David M. (Astronaut)

Wails, Laurie 81

Ward, Bob 164

Warren, Ken

Waste Management System 235, 242

Water Heating Pipes $6

Watson, Alan 198

Weather 1, 2, 4, 22-26, 28, 30, 31, 36, 44, 45, 50, 69-71, 75, 117, 120, 134, 138, 175, 177,

179, 181-187, 189, 197, 200, 213-216, 220-223, 227, 229, 231, 240, 241, 244,

248-251

Weber, Edward H. 85

Welds 11, 13, 113, 115

Weiler, Edward J. 54

Wenzel, Peter 183

Wetherbee, James (Astronaut)

Whit_ker, Ann 18

White, Edward (Astronaut)

Whitmore, Dorn 210

Wilders, Bob 90

Wilkening, Laurel 128

1

50, 245

Wildlife (SEE: Owls, Scrub Jays)

Wilkes, Donald 18

Williams, Clifton Jr. 249

WiUiams, Thomas

Winterhalter, David 96

Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment

Womack, James 94

Worlund, A.L. 165

Wuesthoff Hospital 132, 209

X-Ray Telescope

69

63, 69, 71, 79, 96, 118, 129, 132, 135, 145, 146, 148, 184, 187, 188, 205,

206, 211, 221, 227, 230

Yang, Tim 81

Yohn, John 61

Younger, Andy 19, 20

Zelich, Carl 61

272
Report Documentation Page

_n_ _en_nau_cs ,1rid

1. Report No.

KHR-15

4. Title and Subtitle

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.

5. Report Date

CHRONOLOGY OF KSC AND KSC RELATED EVENTS

FOR 1990

7. Author(s)

KEN NAIL, JR9. Performing Organization Name and Address

NEW WORLD SERVICES, INC.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

12. Spon_ring Agency Na_ and Address

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

ADMINISTRATION

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

MARCH 1990

6. Performing Organization Code

8. Performing Organization Report No.

10. Work Unit No.

11. Contract or Grant No.

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

ANNUAL, 1990

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementaw Not_

This Chronology is published to fulfill the requirements of KMI 2700.

(as revised) to describe and document KSC's role in NASA progressMaterials were researched and prepared by New World Services, Inc.,

EG&G Florida subcontractor for KSC Library Services.

"_. A_tmct The document is intended to serve as a record of KSC events

and as a reference source for historians and other researchersArrangement is by day and month and individual articles are

attributed to published sources. An index has been added to this

edition, beginning on page 254.

17. Key Words (Suggested by Author(s))

Chronology, Space Shuttles, Solid

Rocket Boosters, Discovery,

Atlantis, Columbia, Endeavour,

Contracts, Awards, Accidents,

Astronauts, Au@ustine Report

19. S_uriW Classif. (of this re_rt) T_" Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified I Unclassified

NASAFORMI6260CT_

18. Distribution Statement

Unclassified - Unlimited

I21. No. of pages

275 I

22. Price