Chronology of KSC and

KSC Related Events for 1993

Ken Nail, Jr.

(NASA-TM-lOg19&) CHRONOLOGY OF KSC

AND KSC RELATED EVENTS FOR 1993

(NASA. Kennedy Space Center) 289 p

N94-33072

Unclas

0005513

Technical Memorandum 109196 March 1994

Chronology of KSC and

KSC Related Events for 1993

Ken Nail, Jr.

Sherikon Space Systems, Inc.

Kennedy Space Center, FL

Technical Memorandum 109196 March 1994

FOREWORD

This 1993 Chronology is published to fulfill the requirements of KMI 2700.1 (as revised) to

describe and document KSC's role in NASA's 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.

(Sherikon Space Systems, Inc.). The 1992 Chronology includes an index beginning on page 272.

For the added convenience of researchers, each entry has been headlined.

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

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

Walter L. Covin_on

Center Services
lip "
_J

Table of Contents

January 1

Febnmry. ............................... 18

March .................................. 36

April .................................. 60

May ................................... 80

June

July

98 ! I I • • l I I ! t • t I I • I t I l ! I ! • I I I I I I I I J J ! !

124 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

August ................................ 150

September .............................. 180

October 210

November .............................. 229

_ber .............................. 253

Index ................................. 272
t-, =7
JANUARY

January 2: A BUSY NEW YEAR BEGINS

According to KSC spokesman Mitch Vames, "the first three weeks of the new

year will be pretty busy." Endeavour will be launched on its STS 54 mission on

January 13 and, then, "we'll have (Endeavour's) landing here on the 19th." A

number of pre-launch activities still remain on the schedule including the

installation of EVA spacesuits and servicing of payloads. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 3, 1992.]

II ,CREATIVE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AWARD

"We're absolutely ecstatic about this contract," said CMT President Jacob Dixon,

referring to the award recently of a $7 million contract with his Creative

Management Technologies Inc. (Cocoa Beach, FL). The new contract is for

support services to McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. at Kennedy Space

Center. CMT will perform administrative support services for McDonnell Douglas

facilities at KSC and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and will provide

employment for 51 people. ["Cocoa Beach Firm Wins Contract," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Jan. 3, 1993.]

January 4: STS 54: ENDEAVOUR READIES FOR LAUNCH

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have opened the crew compartment of

Endeavour and its payload bay doors which have been extended to accommodate

payload access platforms. Endeavour has been powered up for the final prelaunch processing before the youngest Shuttle begins its STS 54 mission on

January 13. Work in progress: aft main engine compartment closeouts; launch

countdown simulation exercise; solid rocket booster electrical checks; solid rocket

booster thermal curtain installation; TDRS battery charging; IUS battery checks;

preparations for IUS Simulated countdown and the installation of EVA spacesuits.

Work scheduled: EVA spacesuit installation on third shift tonight; IUS countdown

simulation beginning the second shift tomorrow; TDRS/IUS payload stray voltage

checks on January 6; DXS interim servicing; ordnance connections/hypergolic tank

pressurization January 7; start of launch countdown for STS 54 at 12:01 a.m.

January 10. Mission managers currently have no issues to resolve or concerns

about the launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 5, 1993;

Status Report, Jan. 4, 1993.]

II KRISTOFFERSON _ FROM PA

Karl Kaistofferson (Public Affairs) today ends 30 years of government service with

his retirement as news chief at the KSC Press Site. "If I could figure out a way

to revoke his retirement, I would," said Dick Young, KSC's Chief of Public

Information. "He is a polished writer, a great editor, and I'm going to miss him.
[1

II

II

I may have to go back to work." Kristofferson said, "I've been here almost 30

years; that's enough. This will be the first time in a long time that I've been

unemployed and it already feels pretty strange." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY.

p. 1A, Jan. 4, 1993.]

STS 54: EVA SPACESUITS INSTALIA_

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have installed EVA spacesuits in Endeavour

in preparation for the STS 54 launch on January 13. Additional work completed:

launch countdown simulation exercise; solid rocket booster electrical checks and

thermal curtain installation. Work in progress today: aft main engine

compartment closeouts; removal of aft compartment access platforms and portable

lights; removal of main engine protective covers; loading Orbiter mass memory

unit software; star tracker inspections; fuel cell purges; external tank purges;

external tank electrical checks; TDRS battery charging; IUS simulation

countdown; EVA spacesuit checkout in Orbiter airlock; launch countdown

preparations in Firing Room 3. Work scheduled: TDRS/IUS stray voltage checks;

range safety command checks; DXS interim servicing; removal of main engine

compartment access platforms; ordnance connections; hypergolic tank

pressurization; closing payload bay doors; beginning of launch countdown on

January 10 at 9 a.m. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 5, 1992.]

MAGLEV LINE FOR KSC?.

John Morena has a vision; the Executive Director of American Maglev Star Inc.

wants to build a 15 mile maglev train system from Kennedy Space Center south.

The project is designed - by Drs. Cordon Danby and James Powell to

demonstrate the technical capability of superconducting technology and would

include a research and development facility as well. Estimates of costs suggest

that the high-speed rail system would cost $8 to $10 million per mile. [-Merx,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 16C, Jan. 6, 1993.]

PLAYAIJNDA BEACH ACCESS ROAD

The new access road to Playalinda Beach will not be completed until the spring

of this year. Shuttle launches during 1992 and delays on railroad electrical work

has put off an official completion date till May 3, according to Wendell Simpson,

Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent. "Such delays," he said, "are not

unusual for this type of project because we are doing much more than just

building a road. Simpson continued, "I know people have been waiting for this

for a long time, and we get people coming in from all over the state and country

to see our beach. That amount of visitors will definitely have an impact on the

economy of Titusville." ['White, STAR-ADVOCATE, Jan. 6, 1993.]

2
January6: STS 54: PURGES C_MP_

Endeavour continues to undergo preparations for its upcoming STS 54 mission.

At Launch Complex 39B, fuel cell and external tank purges have been completed.

Other completed tasks include: aft main engine compartment closeouts/flight door

installation; removal of main engine protective covers; loading Orbiter mass

memory unit software; star tracker inspections; electrical checks of both the

external tank and the solid rocket boosters; SRB thermal curtain installation; IUS

simulated countdown; EVA spacesuit checkout in Orbiter airlock. Today,

technicians' tasks include: aft main engine compartment confidence testing;

installation of flight crew equipment items and the crew escape pole; range safety

command checks; launch countdown preparations in Firing Room 3; TDRS battery

charging; IUS/TDRS power-on stray voltage checks and payload closeouts; and

Diffuse X-Pay Spectrometer interim servicing. Scheduled work: ordnance

connections; hypergolic tank pressurization; external tank closeouts; solid rocket

booster closeouts; IUS battery voltage checks; beginning launch countdown at 9

a_m. January 10; astronaut arrival at 3:30 p.m. and payload bay door closing at 8

p.m. January 10. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 7, 1993; SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 6, 1993.]

January 7: STS 54: ESCAPE POLE INSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have installed the crew escape pole in

Endeavour. The pole was designed after the 1986 Challenger accident to enhance

astronaut chances of survival in a Shuttle accident. Other tasks completed: range

safety command checks; TDRS battery charging; IUS/TDRS power-on stray

voltage checks; DXS interim servicing; external tank and reactant system purges.

Ordnance connections are underway as is hypergolic tank pressurization.

Scheduled work for STS 54 includes: external tank closeouts; solid rocket booster

closeouts; IUS battery voltage checks; final payload closeouts; start of launch

countdown at 1 p.m. January 10. The crew of STS 54 is expected to arrive at

3:30 p.m. and the payload bay doors will be closed at 8:45 p.m. on the 10th.

[SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS REPORTS, Jan. 7, 1993.]

I1 STS 55: COLUMBIA IN OPF BAY ,,2

OPF Bay 2 workers have completed their fuel cell checkout of Columbia as they

ready the Orbiter for its STS 55 mission scheduled for February. Workers have

also completed a freon coolant loop checkout, main engine installation and the

Spacelab tunnel installation. Work in progress: troubleshooting payload bay door

latching; installation of main engine heat shields; functional testing of waste

containment system; testing of OMS/RCS redundant electrical system. Work

scheduled: payload bay door cycle and latch tests; installation of Spaeelab D-2

laboratory module; mating of the external tank to the STS 55 solid rocket boosters

3
(onJanuary13.) Engineers are troubleshooting a difficulty in latching the payload

bay doors. As a result Spacelab D-2 installation has been rescheduled from today

until Monday (January 11). The initial troubleshooting will focus on the

strongbacks attached to the doors. It is not clear at this time whether there might

be a direct schedule impact. In the VAB, the left forward booster segment which

was destacked immediately before the Christmas holidays has been restacked and

leak checks have been successful. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS

REPORTS, Jan. 7, 1993.]

[1 DISCOVERY: STS 56 PROCESSING

Discovery's drag chute hardware has been removed and inspected during the

Orbiter's stay in OPF Bay 3. As part of the processing activities prior to

Discovery's STS 56 mission, the forward reaction control system has been

removed and the waste management system has been flushed and drained. Work

in progress: inspections of the 17-inch quick disconnect; liquid oxygen main

propulsion system leak checks; reinstallation of the wheel and tire assembly;

Orbiter hydraulic servicing; Ku-band antenna testing; radar altimeter testing;

potable water servicing; tile removal and replacement/tile repairs. Scheduled work

includes: hypergolic deservicing this weekend; reconfiguration of the payload bay

for ATLAS-2 and humidity separator flow performance testing. [SPACE

SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS REPORTS, Jan. 7, 1993.]

January 8: STS 54: TANKS PRF.SSURIZED

Endeavour's hypergolic propellant tanks have been pressurized for its STS 54

mission and final ordnance operations have been completed. Work in progress

today: checkout of the solid rocket booster forward and aft skirts; launch

countdown preparations; removal of protective covers from the reaction control

system thrusters; preparing the crew compartment for flight; preparing the

hazardous gas detection system for launch; removal of service platforms from the

pad area; moving the booster flame deflectors to the launch position; standard prelaunch inspection of the launch pad; closeouts of the TDRS and IUS payload.

Work scheduled: STS 54 launch team on station in firing room 3 for the start of

the countdown at the T-43 mark; flight crew arrival at the Shuttle Landing

Facility; closing of payload bay doors; launch on January 13 at 8:52 a.m. EST.

The weather outlook for the launch of STS 54 continues to suggest a 70 percent

chance of favorable weather at launch time. The primary weather concern is the

potential for thunderstorm debris clouds in the area. [SPACE SHI.YI'TLE

STATUS REPORT, Jan. 8, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 9,

1993.]

4
II STS 55: COLUMBIA

Main engine heat shields have been installed and the left forward assembly of the

left solid rocket booster for Columbia's STS 55 mission have been stacked. Work

in progress today: preparations to install the Spacelab D-2 payload; tests of the

payload bay doors; functional test of the Orbiter's waste containment system;

electrical redundancy test of the orbital maneuvering and reaction control systems.

Scheduled work includes the installation of the Spacelab D-2 payload into the

Orbiter's payload bay January 11 and rollover to the VAB targeted for early in

February. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 8, 1993.]

II STS 56: DISCOVERY PROCESSING

All flight tires have been installed on the main and nose landing gears of

Discovery in preparation for its upcoming STS 56 mission. Today, workers are

conducting pulse purges of the main propulsion system; preparing to remove APU

ferry flight plugs; conducting a voltage test of the fuel cells; troubleshooting the

Ku-band antenna and inspecting the 17-inch umbilicals. Scheduled work includes

inspections of the orbital maneuvering system thrusters and removal of the main

engine heat shields. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 8, 1993.]

January 10: PAYLOADS GErrlNG SCARCE

Budget cuts have caused several science experiments to be canceled which would

have flown aboard the Space Shuttle in the mid-1990s. The next big assignment

for the Space Transportation System is hauling Space Station components into

space starting in 1996. Congress and/or President Clinton may create other delays

in implementing the Space Station. Bob Tucker whose office decides which

payloads will fly aboard the Shuttle says, "There haven't been any new payload

starts...because we're shifting to Space Station." [Date, THE ORLANDO

SEN-'ITNEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, Jan. 11, 1993.]

January 11: ENDEAVOUR: AT LC39B

The crew of STS 54 arrived at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility

yesterday at 3:30 p.m. Endeavour's payload bay doors were closed last night in

preparation for launch January 13. Navigation aids have been activated and the

pad at LC 39B has been washed down and inspected for debris. The Orbiter's

mass memory has been checked out as has been the main engine controller. Work

in progress today: launch countdown operations in Firing Room 3; cryogenic

reactamt loading operations will continue until 4:30 p.m.; main engine final

preparations; IUS battery voltage checks; communications system activation;

inertial measurement unit checkout; potable water microbial sample; commander

and pilot Shuttle Training Aircraft flights; astronaut fit checks of launch and entry

5
{}

II

suits. Tasks remaining to be done: demating the Orbiter mid-body umbilical;

installation of flight crew mission items and personal effects; closeout tail service

masts; retraction of rotating service structure; final launch pad debris inspections;

payload mid-deck late stowage including rodents; IUS guidance system calibration;

activation of inertial measurement units; checking of main engine steering (gimbal

checks) and external tank fuel loading beginning at 12:32 a.m. January 13.

Weather continues to rate 70 percent favorable for launch. The five-member

crew of STS 54 includes: Commander John Casper, Pilot Donald McMonagle;

Mission Specialists Gregory Harbaugh, Susan Helms and Mafio Runco.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 11, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 5A, Jan. 13, 1993; SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 11,

1993.]

STS 54: ENDEAVOUR READIED

Workers at Launch Complex 39]3 have completed cryogenic reactant loading

operations for Endeavour's STS 54 mission. Other completed tasks include:

retracting Orbiter mid-body umbilical and activation of the communications system

and the navigation aids. Work in progress today: launch countdown operations

in Firing Room 3; retracting rotating service structure at 11 a.m.; eloseout of tail

service masts; final launch pad debris inspection; payload mid-deck late stowage

including rodents; activation of inertial measurement units; OMS gimbal profile;

alignment of IUS Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit (RIMU); Shuttle Training

Aircraft flights by STS 54 Commander and Pilot and countdown status briefings

for the STS 54 crew. Tanking should begin at 12:32 a.m. tomorrow. The

astronauts will be awakened at 4:02 am. and leave for the pad at 5:37 a.m.. The

crew access hatch will be closed and sealed at 7:22 a.m. [SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT. Jan. 12, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 10,

1993.]

BOC SETTLEMENT LOOMS

NASA management said today that a hearing on the BOC has been delayed "to

allow the [three protesting parties] to reach an accord," according to Public Affairs

Chief Hugh Harris. GSA officials suggested three scenarios which might provide

a end to this unusual procurement effort:

a)

b)

c)

Protesters will conclude they don't have a strong case after reviewing

material and querying KSC officials. They'll settle by dropping the protest.

Protesters will convince KSC - through their investigations - that it was the

space center's mistake, and KSC could settle by opting to ask for another

round of bids.

KSC, the protesters [EG&G Florida, Inc. (the incumbent); Westinghouse

Electric Corp. and BAMSI Inc.] and Lockheed Space Operations Co.

6
(announced winner of BOC competition in November 1992) would agree

to subcontract work on the contract. This is considered least likely of the

three scenarios.

[Liden, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 12, 1993.]

January 12: SPACE STATION WORK CONTINUES IN 1993

"We are quickly approaching the point in space exploration where astronauts will

be conducting valuable research on a permanent basis," according to Space Station

Director Richard Kohrs. "In the years to come, we are going to use the Space

Shuttle to give us additional research capability and confidence in the techniques

to be used aboard Freedom." Beginning with the first Shuttle flight in January

and ending with the eighth mission in December, astronauts will conduct

spacewalks, materials and life sciences research in the Spacelab scientific

laboratories and small-scale experiments to prepare for long-duration stays in

space aboard Freedom. [NASA Release 93-10, Jan. 12, 1993.]

[1 IJRERTY STAR RESCUES CUBANS

The NASA ship Liberty Star rescued 3 Cuban refugees afloat in the Atlantic on

inner tubes. Liberty Star was at sea to support for tomorrow's STS 54 Endeavour

launch and pick up one of the spent solid rocket boosters after the liftoff. The

three starving and dehydrated Cubans - Raciel Garcia Laguna, 30, Jose Sainz

Balmacedas, 22, and Gerardo Pepe Gonzalez, 39 - were all natives of the Cuban

province of Matanzas. The three were transferred to the Coast Guard cutter

Matagorda to receive medical attention; Matagorda Commander John Kapfinski

said, "They are suffering from severe dehydration, and for the last four days they

drank their own urine." [Halvorson and Weiss, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan.

13, 1993; "Crew of NASA Ship Picks Up 3 Cubans," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Jan. 13, 1993.]

January 13: LAUNC H OF STS 54

The Space Shuttle Endeavour performed a normal launch and ascent to orbit this

morning at 7:59:30 a.m. CST, following a few minutes long delay to allow extra

analysis of high-altitude winds and their predicted effect on Endeavour. After

reaching a 164 by 160 nautical mile orbit, the crew activated the Diffuse X-Ray

Spectrometer to allow ground commanding of the instrument to begin from the

Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD). The crew's main focus for the

remainder of today will be the deployment of the Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite-F scheduled for about 2:12 p.m. CST after the satellite is checked out and

powered up. Among the many persons viewing the launch was the first American

launched into space 32 years ago, Alan Shepard. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 5A, Jan. 13, 1993; Halvorson, FLO..RIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Jan. 14, 1993;

7
Broad, TI-IE NEW YORK TIME.S, p. A 13, Jan. 14, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTIN'EL, p. A-4, Jan. 14, 1993; Shields, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Jan. 14,

1993; "Endeavour Helps Lift NASA Into New Year," USA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan.

14, 1993; MISSION CONTROL CENTI3R, STS 54 STATUS REPORT #1, Jan.

13, 1993.]

January 14: STS 55: COLUMBIA PROCESSING WORK

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2, technicians continue to process Columbia for

its upcoming STS 55 mission. Completed tasks include: ammonia boiler

servicing; water spray boiler leak checks; Spacelab potable water sampling;

installation of external tank door latches; solid rocket booster stacking and leak

checks in the VAB; external tank mating to solid rocket boosters. The Spaeelab

D-2 interface verification test is currently underway. Ammonia boiler sampling

and external tank door latch cycling is also in progress. Scheduled tasks include:

Spacelab D-2 IVT; removal and replacement of the helium regulator valve in the

aft compartment; installation of the Spacelab tunnel adapter and preparations for

aft closeouts. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 14, 1993.]

January 15: STS 55: EXTERNAL TANK WORK

An external tank latch pull test has been completed as part of the preparations of

Columbia for its STS 55 mission. The tank was mated to its solid rocket boosters

on January 13. Other completed work includes: ammonia boiler GSE servicing

and sampling; water spray boiler leak checks; installation of external tank door

latches and solid rocket booster stacking and leak checks. Workers are proceeding

with cabin depressurization valve checks; ammonia boiler servicing and the

Spacelab D-2 interface verification test (IVT). The verification test is scheduled

to run through tomorrow. Work continues to remove and repiaee a helium

regulator valve in the aft compartment; install the Spacelab tunnel adapter;

complete the avionics bay closeout; stow the Ku-band antenna and prepare for aft

closeouts. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Jan. 15, 1993.]

[1 D_COVERY: COMPUTER TASKS COMPLETED

In OPF Bay 3, technicians have completed the removal and replacement of

Discovery's mass memory unit #2 and have reloaded the MMU #2 software. They

have reinstalled the general purpose computer and finished main engine drying.

STS 56 work in progress: preparations for main engine removal; fuel cell and

PRSD system testing; OMS pod thruster checkout; auxiliary power unit lube oil

deservicing; solid rocket booster stacking in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Scheduled work: main engine removal; aft main propulsion system leak and

functional checks; retest of MMU #2; installation of the remote manipulator arm;

8
head-up display system checkout; S-band air-to-grourid antenna testing; auxiliary

power unit leak and functional testing; installation of drag chute mortar and chute

retractor and the of the chute itself. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS

SUMMARY, Jan. 15, 1993.]

January 18: STS 54 LANDING AT KSC

Nearly six days after the launch of Endeavour on its STS 54 mission, the Orbiter

is preparing to return home tomorrow morning. Endeavour is now scheduled to

land at the SLF at 7:02 a.m. EST. The doorbit burn to bring the Shuttle back to

Earth is planned to occur at 6:02 &m., an hour before the landing on Kennedy

Space Center's runway. The second of two KSC landing opportunities tomorrow

is at 8:38 a.m. EST. Endeavour also has a chance to land at Edwards Air Force

Base (CA) at 10:05 EST. Flight controllers are aiming to bring Endeavour in on

the initial KSC landing opportunity. If the weather cooperates on the first try,

Endeavour will reenter Earth's atmosphere over the South Pacific and head

eastward toward the three-mile-long Shuttle Landing Facility. Endeavour will pass

over Baja California, Mexico, southern Texas and the Gulf of Mexico before

reaching the west central Florida coast. Mission Commander John Casper will

then guide the Shuttle high over Orlando and Timsville before landing the Orbiter

at Kennedy Space Center to conclude its third mission of Endeavour and the 53rd

Space Shuttle mission. Endeavour's next mission will be STS 57 scheduled for

late spring of this year. ['NASA/KSC Release No. 7-93. Jan. 18, 1993.]

January 19: CEA_ INC. WINS KSC CONTRACT

CEA, Inc. (Canton, MA) has been awarded a $1,473,935 contract to install fiberoptic, copper audio and coaxial cable as a part of an underground communications

system at Kennedy Space Center. Work began January 6 and is expected to be

completed by January 5, 1994. The contract calls for the installation of cable

between the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) and other payload

processing and launch support facilities at KSC. This is the eleventh such contract

of its type at the space center and is part of a long-range plan to upgrade the

center's communications capabilities.

Under the contract, links will be made to the Communications Crossconnect

Facility (CXT), a satellite switching station of the Communication Distribution and

Switching Center in KSC's Industrial Area. The CXT will serve as a

communications hub with cable linking it to the SSPF, the Operations and

Checkout Building, the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the Hypergol

Support Building, the Vertical Processing Facility, and the SSPF Chiller Building.

Coaxial audio cable will be installed between the SSPF and the Engineering

Development Laboratory. In the long term, most KSC facilities will be linked by

fiber-optic cable, which carries digitized communications data at a much higher

9
capacity than the X-band copper wire currently in place. Fiber-optic cables now

in use at KSC allow high-speed computers to relay Space Shuttle and payload

processing information to the Launch Control Center, improving the efficiency of

Shuttle processing and launching operations. ['NASA/KSC Release No. 4-93, Jan.

19, 1993.]

January 20: (_0LUMBIA: STS 55 PROCESSING

The Spacelab D-2 interface verification test (IVT) has been completed in

preparation for Columbia's STS 55 mission which is to begin late next month.

The Orbiter's payload bay has been cleaned and its ammonia boiler serviced.

Work in progress today: installation of the Spacelab tunnel; hydraulic test of

flight controls; positioning of flight control elements for rollover of Columbia to

the VAB; Orbiter/external tank door functional test; Orbiter aft compartment

closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts. Scheduled work: payload bay door

radiator inspections and the crew equipment interface test (CEIT).

Endeavour (OV-105) touched down at 08:38:17 a.m. EST yesterday, landing

approximately 1,500 feet from the Runway 33 threshold about three feet right of

the centerline, and rolling out approximately 8,700 feet. "From a pilot's point of

view, it was an excellent landing," said NASA Space Flight Chief Je_miah W.

Pearson Eft. Brake and tire wear was normal, except for a cut 5/16th-inch deep

and two plys of scuffing on the right inboard tire. There were 57 debris impacts,

with 13 greater than one inch. Four to five tiles are expected to be replaced.

Endeavour arrived at OPF Bay 1 at about 3 p.m. yesterday where deservieing of

the vehicle is presently underway. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A,

Jan. 20, 1993; SPACE St-IUTI_E STATUS REPORT, Jan. 20, 1993.]

II DRAG CHUTE MODIFICATIONS

When Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center last September, its drag chute

was fully deployed, but, because, it opened slightly to the right of the tail, the

Orbiter was pulled to the left. Commander Robert L '_oet" Gibson had to steer

the Orbiter back to the runway midline. Discovery will use a modified drag chute

on its March flight (STS 56); the chute will open to only 90% of its capacity.

John Kennedy, Drag Chute Manager for Johnson Space Center said, "We're

looking to see if it gets better, and how much better." He also said the full chute

would be used on Columbia's next flight (STS 55); subsequent flights will use the

modified chute. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-13, 1993.]

January 22: WEEKLY ORBrIT_ UPDATES

10
[1

[1

Columbia's ammonia boiler servicing has been completed in OPF Bay 2. Other

tasks completed: water spray boiler servicing; installation of Spacelab tunnel;

Spacelab Interface Verification Test 0VT). Work in progress on Columbia:

external tank door test cycles; Orbiter aft main engine compartment closeouts;

reaction control system trickle purge; routine thermal protection system tile work.

STS 55 processing work scheduled: avionics bay closeout; astronaut crew

equipment interface test (CEIT); main propulsion system cioseouts; aft structural

leak check; Orbiter composite pressurization test; tile eloseouts; Ku-band antenna

testing and stowage; rollover to the VAB and extemal tank/solid rocket booster

eloseouts in VAB. [SPACE SHUTTI._ WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Jan.

22, 1993.]

DISCOVERY: STS 56 PROCESSING

Discovery is undergoing processing for its STS 56 mission in Orbiter Processing

Facility Bay 3. Work completed: head-up display system checkout; tests of Sband air-to-ground antenna; auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks.

Work in progress: preparations for left OMS pod removal; connections of waste

containment system; Ku-band antenna testing; stacking of solid rocket boosters in

the Vehicle Assembly Building and main propulsion system functional testing.

Work scheduled: main engine installation; right OMS pod functional test; forward

reaction control system installation; solid rocket booster stacking; Ku-band antenna

testing continues; potable water servicing; drag chute installation; crew hatch seal

leak check; testing of flight deck data display systems; auxiliary power unit lube

oil servicing. [SPACE SHUTrLE WEEKLY STATUS S_Y, Jan. 22,

1993.1

ENDEAVOUR: OPF BAY 1

Endeavour, just returned from its third mission, STS 54, is being readied for its

STS 57 mission in OPF Bay 1. Work in progress: preparations to open the

payload bay doors; ordnance sating; preparations for hypergolic deservieing; tile

waterproofing for the upcoming mission; installation of window covers; dumping

of flight data recorders. Scheduled work: opening of payload bay doors; postflight mechanical inspections; waste containment system functional check; drag

chute hardware removal; wheel and tire removal; TACAN post-flight checkout;

preparations for DXS and IUS airborne support equipment removal. [SPACE

SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Jan. 22, 1993.]

11
January24: 30TH SPACE CONGRESS SPEAKERS

Planners for the 30th annual Space Congress (Cocoa Beach, FL) have drawn up

a preliminary list of speakers for the event:

General Merrill McPeak, Air Force Chief of Staff

General Charles Homer, Commander in Chief of U.S. Space Command (Colorado

Springs, CO).

Samuel Durrance, Shuttle Payload Specialist wilia the Center for Astrophysical

Science at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD).

Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator.

Jeremiah W. Pearson HI, NASA Space Flight Chief.

Miles '_ike" Ross, former Deputy Director of Kennedy Space Center.

Lee Schercr, former Director of Kennedy Space Center, now a consultant to

General Dynamics Launch Services.

JoAnn Morgan, Director of Payloads Projects Management at KSC.

John Mannix, Chief of NASA's Office of Commercial Space.

Richard Kohrs, Director of Space Station Project Office, NASA.

Robert L. Crippen, Director of Kennedy Space Center.

[I

James E. Beggs, former Administrator of NASA and Chairman of Spacehab Inc.

(Washington, D.C.)

["Speakers Line Up For Annual Space Congress," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Jan.

24, 1993.]

STS 55 CREW ARRIVES TODAY

The seven-member crew of Columbia's STS 5 5 mission arrive today at Kennedy

Space Center to look over the Orbiter and inspect it for sharp edges and to

practice using the foot and hand holds to determine whether they are in the proper

places for flight. The STS 55 crew includes: Commander Steven Nagel; Pilot

Terrence Hemicks; Payload Commander Jerry Ross; Payload Specialists Hans

Schlagel and Ulrich Walter, Mission Specialists Bernard Harris and Charles

Precourt Next month, the crew will return to KSC for emergency egress training.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 24, 1993.]

12
January 25: AMBASSADOR SHU _ TO KOREA

At Spaceport USA, the Shuttle Ambassador replica is being dismantled for

shipment to Korea. A new replacement replica is being built now in Apopka (FL)

by Guard-Lee Inc. and will be on site at the Spaceport by the end of 1993 or early

1994, according to Spaceport Marketing Supervisor Tom Blair. The vehicle will

be named by Florida school students in a state-wide contest in the fall of 1993.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 25, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA'S PAYLOAD DOORS REPAIRED

Several weeks ago workers discovered a problem with the payload bay doors of

Columbia; the 60-foot-long doors wouldn't close properly. Now workers have

replaced a dry lubricant on several pins which guide the doors into a dosed

position. The lubricant has successfully passed tests. KSC spokesman George

Diller said the replacement and testing "means we understand what caused the

problem and we're cleared to press on. But we've still got a lot of work to do."

STS 55 is currently targeted for liftoffon February 25. ["Workers Fix Columbia's

Payload Doors," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A. Jan. 26, 1993.]

,b.nuary 26: STS 55: SPACELAB D-2 MISSION

The Space Shuttle Columbia remains in OPF Bay 2 where it is being prepared for

its STS 55 mission which features the Spacelab D-2 payload. Completed work:

payload bay door test cycles; tire leak check; Ku-band antenna stowage; crew

equipment interface test (CELT); Spacelab laboratory module closeouts; avionics

bay closeouts; payload bay door radiator stowage. Work in progress: crew

compartment closeouts and closing of crew access hatch; Orbiter aft main engine

compartment closeouts; main propulsion system closeouts; Orbiter mid-body

closeouts; thermal protection system tile closeouts. Scheduled work includes: an

aft structural leak check/Orbiter composite pressurization check; weight and center

of gravity determination; installation of the vehicle on the Orbiter transporter;

closing payload bay doors and rollover to the VAB on February 2 or 3.

["Columbia's Engines Will Get Attention," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 25,

1993; SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 26, 1993.]

January 27: STS 55: FUNCrlONAL TESTING

In OPF Bay 2, Columbia has undergone functional tests of its external tank doors

and of the payload bay doors. The avionics bay has been closed out, as well.

Work in progress today: Spaeelab module positive pressure check; crew

compartment closeouts/closing of the crew access hatch; Orbiter aft main engine

compartment closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts; thermal protection system tile

closeouts. STS 55 work scheduled: removal of the BREMSAT GAS canister;

13
closing of payload bay doors; aft structural leak check/Orbiter composite

pressurization test; weight and center of gravity determination; installation of

Columbia upon the Orbiter transporter; rollover to the VAB; mating to external

tank and solid rocket boosters. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 27,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 28, 1993; SPAC_E .SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Jan. 27, 1993.]

January 28: STS 55: SPACELAB D-2 CLOSEOU'IS

Spacelab D-2 closeouts were completed in OPF Bay 2 today; Columbia continues

to undergo preparations there for its upcoming STS 55 mission. Work in progress:

removal of the BREMSAT GAS canister; Spacelab module positive pressure leak

check; crew compartment closeouts/closing of the crew access hatch; main landing

gear strut hydraulic fluid level checks; Orbiter aft main engine compartment

closeouts; main propulsion system closeouts; thermal protection system tile

closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts. STS 55 work scheduled: installation of

aft flight doors; waste containment system electrical verification checks; aft

structural leak check/Orbiter composite pressurization test; closing payload bay

doors for flight; weight and center of gravity determination; installation of

Columbia upon the Orbiter transporter; rollover to the VAB. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY. Jan. 28, 1993; SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, Jan. 28, 1993.]

II ASTRONAUTS REMEMBERED IN TITUSVILLE

"The facts are that we lose more people crossing the street every day than have

been lost in all of space exploration. We have to remember the price that has

been paid, but we don't want to stop moving forward," said STS 47 Pilot Curtis

Brown Jr. at the annual ceremony to honor astronauts who died during space

exploration efforts. The Titusville ceremony has been handled annually since the

Challenger accident of January 28, 1986. Lockheed Media Relations Chief • B.

Knmp said, "There are the lives we come to celebrate today. They already paid

the price for a better future for all of us." The even honored Gregory Jarvis,

Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair, Judith Resnik, Chrism McAuliffe, Michael Smith

and Dick Scobee; Virgil '_3us" Grissom, Edward White and "Roger Chaffee.

[Fiorini, FLORA TODAY, p. Jan. 29, I993.]

January 29: BOC PROTESTS SEITLED

NASA announced today that the protests of EG&G Florida, Inc., BAMSI Inc., and

Westinghouse KSC Company, Inc. have been settled on the Kennedy Space Center

(KSC) Base Operations Contract (BOC) procurement. NASA had selected

Lockheed Space Operations Co. on Nov. 17, 1992, for negotiations leading to

award of the BOC. The three companies protested the selection to the General

Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals in early December. Settlement

14
I1

[1

was prompted by the determination that certain deficiencies in the agency's

activities occurred during the original proposal submission and discussion phase

of the procurement. This resulted in a deficiency in certain critical information

which remained unrequested and therefore, unavailable for NASA's source

evaluation board to fully consider and evaluate.

As part of the settlement, NASA will rescind its original selection. An

amendment to the BOC solicitation also will be issued. Each of the four

competitors then will have the opportunity to submit a revised proposal. Selection

of an awardee is expected to occur sometime during the late summer. The BOC

provides a variety of services to KSC, primarily in the area of management,

operation, maintenance and engineering for KSC facilities and utilities, technical

and administrative support operations, and health, fire and security services. The

BOC will be a cost-plus-award fee contract, with an incentive fee feature, for an

initial period of 4 years with three priced 2-year options. EG&G Florida, Inc., the

incumbent contractor, will continue to provide base operations support during the

recompetition period. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. C-1 & C-6, Jan.

29, 1993; Liden, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Jan. 30, 1993; Liden, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 30, 1993; NASA RELEASE; 93-!8, Jan. 29, 1993.]

STS 55: PROC_SING UPDATE

Technicians working in OPF Bay 2 have removed the BREMSAT GAS Canister

from Columbia and installed the vehicle's aft flight door as part of the STS 55

processing cycle. The workers have also conducted closeouts of the aft main

engine compartment and of the crew compartment. Work in progress today:

Spacelab module positive pressure leak check; aft main engine compartment

positive pressure leak check; Orbiter crew hatch functional check; crew access

hatch closed for reliever; waste containment system electrical verification checks;

landing gear strut hydraulic fluid level checks and leak checks; Ku-band antenna

stowage; thermal protection system closeouts. Scheduled work: final payload bay

cleaning; closing of payload bay doors; Orbiter composite pressurization test;

weight and center of gravity determination; installation of Columbia upon the

Orbiter transporter; rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. [l-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 30, 1993; SPACE SHUTILE WEEKLY STATUS

SUMMARY, Jan. 29, 1993; Halvorson, FLOR/DA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 31,

1993.]

DISCOVERY: PROCT_SING FOR STS 56

Workers in OPF Bay 3 have completed OMS pod functional checks on Discovery

as they ready it for its next mission, STS 56. Other completed tasks include:

initial auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing; auxiliary power unit leak and

functional check; drag chute installation and tests of S-band air-to-ground antenna.

15
W

Work in progress today: sleep station installation; preparations for payload

installation; preparations for main engine installation; radiator functional checks;

waste containment system functional checks; potable water servicing; Ku-band

antenna testing; vertical tail closeouts; OMS pod removal; tile water proofing;

stacking solid rocket boosters in the VAB. Scheduled activities: heads up display

system checkout; main engine installation; payload bay cleaning; heat shield

installation; checks of air data system; TACAN checkout; crew hatch seal leak

check; main computer display system checkout; removal and replacement of spare

general purpose computers; liquid hydrogen system leak and functional check;

potable water servicing; forward reaction control system installation; testing of

cockpit data display system; auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing. [SPACE

SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS S.IJMMARY, Jan. 29, 1993.]

[1 ENDEAVOUR: STS 57 PROCF_SING

Endeavour is in OPF Bay I being readied for its next mission, STS 57. The

Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer has been removed from Endeavour's payload bay;

other removals include the IUS airborne support equipment and the drag chute

hardware. Technicians have also completed inspections of the payload bay door

radiator. Work in progress: nose landing gear hydraulic leak checks; fuel cell

checkout; payload bay door inspections; radiator functional checks; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; thruster inspections. STS 57 work

scheduled: hypergolic system deservicing; main engine removal; installation of

wheels and tires; TACAN system testing; S-band air-to-ground system testing;

radar altimeter testing; forward reaction control system functional checks;

OMS/RCS electrical checks; auxiliary power unit leak checks; air data system

functional check. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Jan. 29,

1993.]

January 31: NASA Buys R,ethevai Shivs

The recently revived NASA "meatball" logo now rides aboard the two solid rocket

booster retrieval ships, Freedom Star and Liberty Star which are based at Hangar

AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Both vessels had originally been built

for USBI Inc., sold to Lockheed Space Operations and operated under a lease

arrangement with NASA. The purchase price for NASA was $7.25 million; the

lease, according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone, as $1.7 million annually.

["Retrieval Ships Bought by NASA," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Jan. 31, 1993.]

I1 KSC READY TO RECEIVE SPACEHAB

The Spacehab module is expected to be moved to Kennedy Space Center on

February 2; it will be housed in the Operations & Checkout Building to await

16
installation in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS 57.

["Spacehab to Move to KSC," FLORIDA TODAY. p. 10E, Jan. 31, 1993.]

17
u

FEBRUARY

February 1: ,C_,,,LUMB,_._.._; STS 55 CLOSEOUTS

The Space Shuttle Columbia continues to undergo processing for its STS 55

mission while in OPF Bay 2. Work completed to date: Spacelab D-2 closeouts

and leak checks; aft compartment close, outs and leak checks; payload bay door

closure; Orbiter structural leak check; avionics bay closeouts; Orbiter mid-body

closeouts and crew compartment closeouts. Work in progress: Orbiter weight and

center of gravity determination and installation of the vehicle upon the Orbiter

transporter. STS 55 work scheduled: rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building

between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. tomorrow; mating to the external tank/solid rocket

booster stack also tomorrow; the Shuttle Interface Test (SIT) and rollout to Launch

Complex 39A at 8 a.m. February 7. Engineers are evaluating data on the strength

of a titanium weld in the high pressure fuel turbopump on main engine number

3. A decision on whether the pump should be changed will probably be made

tomorrow. The work would be done in parallel with other work while Columbia

is in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The potential for schedule impact will be

assessed if the work is to be done. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, Feb.

1, 1993; SPACE SHUTYLE STATUS P,_EPORT, Feb. 1, 1993.]

I] RODDENBERRY RECEIVES NASA MEDAL

Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star Trek television series, posthumously

received NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal on January 30. The medal

was presented to his widow, Majel Banett Roddenberry, by NASA Administrator

Daniel S. Goldin in a ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and

Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Roddenberry is credited with popularizing

the exploration of space through the original Star Trek television series, six motion

pictures and the spin-off television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. His

vision of a positive future for the human race, as well as the social and artistic

content of the series, have enjoyed enormous success and popularity since the

original Star Trek premiered on television in 1966. The impact of his program

was recognized in the U.S. space program as the first Space Shuttle was named

Enterprise after the spaceship in Star Trek. Many people, including astronauts and

others involved in the space program, cite Star Trek as being an early influence

on their lives. The citation accompanying the medal reads: "For distinguished

service to the Nation and the human race in presenting the exploration of space

as an exciting frontier and a hope for the future." Gene Roddenberry died in

October 1991. [["NASA Honors Late "Star Trek' Creator," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 9E, Feb. 14, 1993; NASA Release: 93-019, Feb. 1, 1993.]

18
February2: WEIGHT & GRAVITY DETERMINATION

Columbia's weight and gravity determination for its upcoming STS 55 mission has

been completed in OPF Bay 2; the Orbiter is now atop the Orbiter Transporter

being readied for rollover to the VAB between 1 and 2 p.m. this afternoon. A soft

mating to the external tank and solid rocket booster stack is scheduled for tonight

in the Vehicle Assembly Building; a hard mating will be completed tomorrow.

A Shuttle Interface Test (SIT) starts February 4 and rollout to Launch Complex

39A is set for 8 &m. February 7. Engineers have determined that the titanium

weld in question on Columbia's # 3 main engine fuel turbopump has acceptable

strength for flight. A changeout of the pump in the VAB will not be necessary.

[SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 2, 1993.]

February 3: STS 55: RO|J.OVE R COMPLETED

The Space Shuttle Columbia has completed its rollover to the VAB looking

toward a February 7 rollout to Launch Complex 39A for its STS 55 mission. The

Orbiter arrived in the VAB transfer aisle at 2:38 p.m.; first motion from the OPF

came at 2:11 p.m. In the VAB an Orbiter left main landing gear door limit switch

was replaced; the vehicle was raised for stacking beginning at 2 a.m. this morning

and a soft mate to its stack was completed at 11 a.m. Technicians are now

working to establish a hard mate of Columbia to its external tank and solid rocket

boosters, to establish connections with mobile launch platform tail service masts

and external tank/solid rocket booster battery installation. Scheduled work

includes: establishing electrical connections with the stack tomorrow; replacement

of main engine #1 hydraulic accumulator; SIT February 4-6; rollout to LC 39A

on February 7 at 8 a.m.; terminal countdown demonstration test February 11-12;

launch readiness review February 8 and flight readiness review on February 11.

Launch is planned for February 25 barring unforeseen delays. [SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Feb. 3, 1993.]

[l STARNES,t BUILDER OF KSC_ DIES

Retired Maj. Gen. William L Statues, 73, who supervised the construction of

Kennedy Space Center for the Army Corps of Engineers died today in San

Antonio, Texas. Starnes became a NASA engineer in the late 1950s. In the fall

of 1962, he came to Brevard County to assist in the development of the Cape

Canaveral District in 1963; he was district engineer from 1964 through 1966.

Starnes's deputy, retired Col. ,1[.Newton Cox (Orlando, FL) said, "Gen. Statues

was there during the most crucial days of forming the (Corps) team, getting the

total construction project started and placing the important early construction, such

as the Titan 3 Complex, the Vertical Assembly Building, launch pads 39 A & B,

administrative facilities, and numerous support buildings." Survivors include his

19
wife, Mary DeeStarnes(SanAntonio) andsister,Mildred Lundberg (Melbourne,

FL). [Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3B, Feb. 5, 1993.]

II ATLAS CENTAUR TO LAUNCH IN MARCH

"Arias Centaur should soon return to the reliable system we've seen in the past,"

said Forrest S. McCarlney, former Director of Kennedy Space Center. He lead the

oversight board which investigated an August 22 accident in which one of two

Centaur upper stage rocket engines failed to start causing the failure of a Galaxy

1R cable "IV satellite mission to fail. McCartney continued, "I think we're very

confident we have identified the problem, and the problem lends itself nicely to

a solution." A valve will have to be redesigned and procedures changed before

a suspect engine pump is allowed to fly again. General Dynamics officials are

hoping for a March launch of their next mission. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

4A, Feb. 4, 1993.]

February 4: STS 55: COLUMBIA HARD MATED

Technicians have completed the hard mating of Columbia with its external tank

and solid rocket booster stack; they have also completed external tank/solid rocket

booster battery installation and established connections with tail service masts.

Work in progress for STS 55: establishing electrical connections with Space

Shuttle stack; validating checks of mechanical connections and changcout of main

engine #1 hydraulic accumulator. Scheduled STS 55 work: Shuttle Interface Test

(SIT); rollout to LC 39A; TCDT; launch readiness review and flight readiness

review. [SPACE SI-KYFTLE STATUS REPORT. Feb. 4, 1993.]

I] PEGASUS SET TO ARRIVE AT KSC

A NASA B-52 aircraft carrying the Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus rocket

is set to arrive at KSC on February 7 looking toward a February 9 launch from

under the wing of the B-52. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 1A, Feb. 8,

1993; KSC Release No. ]0-93, Feb. 4, 1993.]

February 5: STS 55: MECHANICAL CONNECTIONS VALID

In Vehicle Assembly Building Bay 3, Columbia's mechanical connections have

been validated. The hard mating of Columbia to its external tank/solid rocket

booster stack has also been completed. Work in progress today: the Shuttle

Interface Test (SIT); changeout of #1 main engine hydraulic accumulator; final

Pad A validations for Space Shuttle arrival. STS 55 scheduled work: rollout to

Launch Complex 39A February 7 no earlier than noon (based on a preliminary

weather forecast); KSC Launch Readiness Review; STS 55 astronaut arrival at

KSC on February 9; STS 55 Flight Readiness Review February 11; and Terminal

2O
Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT). [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

Feb. 6, 1993; SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 5, 1993; Amended.]

[1 DISCOVERY: STS 56 PROCESSING

The Space Shuttle Discovery is being processed for its upcoming STS 56 mission

in OPF Bay 3. Completed tasks: installation of main engines; initial ammonia

boiler servicing; payload bay door inspections and cycle tests; radiator inspections;

fuel cell testing; range rate radar receiver testing. STS 56 work in progress: left

OMS pod installation; SUVE interface verification test; potable water servicing;

S-band air-to-ground transmitter checks; TACAN testing; payload bay cleaning;

preparation of payload bay for ATLAS-2 payload installation; stacking solid rocket

boosters in the VAB. Scheduled tasks: fuel cell changeout and ATLAS-2

payload installation; installation of forward reaction control system; MSBLS

checkout; checkout of data display systems on the flight deck; ammonia boiler

servicing; main engine electrical interface checks; OMS/RCS flight control

checkout; brake anti-skid test; deployment of remote manipulator arm for testing;

liquid hydrogen system leak and functional tests; checkout of Orbiter crew cabin

and payload bay lighting system. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb.

5, 1993; Amended.]

II ENDEAVOUR: SIS 57 PROCESSING ACIIVH'I.ES

The Space Shuttle Endeavour has been undergoing processing activities supporting

its upcoming STS 57 mission targeted for April. The Orbiter's wheels and tires

have been installed; checks have been made of the nose landing gear hydraulics

and the Spacehab has been installed in the CITE stand in the Operations and

Checkout Building. Work currently in progress in OPF Bay 1: main engine

removal; preparations for ammonia boiler servicing; fuel cell testing; forward

reaction control system functional testing; waste management maintenance; file

water proofing; air data system functional testing; TACAN testing; window

polishing; structural inspections and Ku-band antenna inspections. STS 57 work

scheduled: Spacehab CITE testing; Orbiter power system validations; testing of

flight control hydraulics; installation of Spacehab water lines; installation of the

remote manipulator arm; OMS pod functional tests; payload bay door latch

installation; heads up display system testing; Ku-band radar testing; tire pressure

checks. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 5, 1993.]

February 8: STS 55: ROLLOUT OF COLUMBIA

The Space Shuttle Columbia began its rollout to Launch Complex 39A with first

motion from the VAB coming at 12:35 yesterday; the Orbiter was harddown on

the pad by 6:01 p.m. Columbia had undergone its STS 55 Shuttle interface test

in the VAB and the of its #1 main engine accumulator. Work in progress:

21
establishing electrical connections between LC 39A and Columbia; powering up

the Orbiter; connecting the mid-body umbilical (OMBUU); hydraulic servicing of

main engine #1 accumulator. STS 55 scheduled tasks: testing of#l main engine

hydraulic accumulator; validating pad connections with Space Shuttle Columbia;

inertial measurement unit (IMU) alignment; KSC launch readiness review;

astronaut arrival at 9:00 p.m. February 9; flight readiness review Feb. 1 l; terminal

countdown demonstration test (TCDT), Feb. 11-12. Meanwhile, the ATLAS-2 and

Spartan payloads for the STS 57 mission are being transported from the

Operations and Checkout Building to OPF High Bay 3 this morning and are

scheduled to be installed into Discovery this afternoon. SSBUV arrives for

installation tomorrow. [SPACE SHLrrTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 8, 1993.]

February 9: COLUMBIA AT LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A

Electrical connections have been established between Columbia and Launch

Complex 39A. The Orbiter has been powered up in anticipation of the STS 55

mission. The Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit (OMBUU) has been connected and

the # 1 main engine hydraulic accumulator has been tested. STS 55 work in

progress: a Flight Readiness Test of main engines and aerosurfaces; KSC Launch

Readiness Review and astronaut arrival set for 9 p.m. Work scheduled: inertial

measurement unit (IMU) alignment; STS 55 Flight Readiness Review; Terminal

Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and hypergolic propellant loading this

weekend. Rollout began at about noon February 7 and was hard down at Launch

Complex 39A six hours later. In OPF Bay 3, installation of the ATLAS-2 into

Discovery's payload by (for STS 56) was completed at 6:10 p.m. yesterday;

Spartan will be installed today. In the VAB, mating of the external tank to the

solid rocket boosters is set to occur tomorrow. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Feb. 7, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 9, 1993; SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 9, 1993.]

!1 STS 56: PAYLOADS INSTALLED

KSC's payload processing team today completed installing the STS 56 payloads

into the Shuttle Discovery's 60-foot-long payload bay, including the Atmospheric

Laboratory for Applications and Science-2 (ATLAS-2), the SPARTAN and the

Shuttle Solar Backseatter Ultraviolet (SSBUV) payloads. "This event marks the

culmination of a year-long effort to prepare these important payloads for flight.

They will increase our knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere and its interaction

with the sun," said Mike IOmmn, STS 56 payload processing manager. ATLAS-2

is managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) and features six

experiments that will perform studies in atmospheric and solar physics. This

marks the second of 10 ATLAS flights planned over an 11-year period, which is

the length of one solar cycle. SPARTAN is sponsored by the Goddard Space

Flight Center (GSFC)(Greenbelt, MD), and contains several solar wind

22
tt

investigations. SSBLrV, also sponsored by GSFC, consists of two getaway special

canisters that will check the calibration of ozone sounders on orbiting satellites.

Early next week, workers will conduct an interface verification test of connections

between the payloads and Orbiter. In addition, the five-member flight crew will

visit KSC later this month for the routine Crew Equipment Interface Test. These

significant events indicate KSC is on target for the third scheduled Shuttle launch

of the year. Discovery's launch is targeted for late March. A five-member flight

crew will fly aboard Discovery for the nine-day mission. [KSC Release NO. 13-

93. Feb. 9, 1993.]

February 10: STS 55: ISSUES & CONCERNS

A question has arisen about the configuration of the turbine blade tip seal retainers

in the high pressure oxidizer turbopumps on Columbia's main engines. There are

two versions of this component - an old version and a newer one. Each has

different inspection requirements. On engines using the older version of the tip

seal retainers, there is a requirement to remove the pumps and inspect the position

of the retainers before each flight. This requirement does not exist for the newer

version of the retainers. Although all indications are that the pumps on

Columbia's main engines have the new seal retainers, in reviewing the paperwork

associated with the engines, it could not be conclusively determined which version

of the retainers had been installed in the engines.

Therefore, as a precautionary measure, a decision has been made to remove and

replace the pumps on all three main engines. The purpose of the tip seals is to

minimize the flow of gas around the tips of the turbine blades to enhance pump

performance. The retainers hold these seals in place. Columbia was moved to

Complex 39's Pad A February 7, and changeout of the high pressure oxidizer

turbopumps will be accomplished at the pad. Spare pumps are available. A final

work schedule has yet to be developed but removal, replacement and checkout of

the pumps is expected to begin immediately and will require approximately 20

days. In addition, approximately 12 days of work will be required to complete the

flow. At this time, launch of Columbia on the STS 55 mission is not expected

prior to early March.

A review of the pumps on Orbiters Discovery and Endeavour is in work and those

on Discovery will be changed out after rollover from the Orbiter Processing

Facility. This work will be accomplished while the vehicle is in the vertical

position in the Vehicle Assembly Building or at the launch pad. Discovery's next

launch - on the STS 56 mission - is tentatively scheduled for late March. [SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Feb. 10, 1993.]

23
I1 STS 55: STATUS

At Launch Complex 39A, Columbia has undergone a Flight Readiness Test of the

vehicle's main engines and aerosurfaees in preparation for its STS 55 mission.

The mission is now delayed due to a concern about each engine's turbopump tip

seal retainers. The KSC Launch Readiness Review has been completed and the

astronauts have arrived for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Work

in progress: preparations to remove high pressure oxidizer turbopumps;

preparations in Firing Room 1 for TCDT countdown; potable water microbial

sampling; astronaut fit check of launch and entry suits; astronaut M113 orientation

and driver training and astronaut emergency egress classroom training. Scheduled

work for the STS 55 mission: a Flight Readiness Review February 11; the TCDT

begins tomorrow; the high pressure oxidizer turbopumps will be removed February

13. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 11, 1993; SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Feb. 10, 1993.]

February 11: STS 55: REVIEW COMPLgrED

NASA managers today completed their review of the flight readiness of Shuttle

Mission STS 55, a mission dedicated primarily to the German Space Agency for

research in life and mierogravity sciences. Because of a decision reached

yesterday to remove and replace Columbia's high pressure oxidizer pumps, a

launch date for the mission was not set. Managers are still assessing the time it

will take to perform the work and resume launch preparations. Tom Utsman,

Director of the Space Shuttle Program, said a launch date for STS 55 would be

set the last week in February. At the conclusion of the FRR, managers

recommended February 25.

The pumps being replaced feed super cold oxygen to the Shuttle's three main

engines. They are being removed because a search of processing paperwork could

not conclusively determine that the pumps are equipped with a newer version of

turbine tip seal retainers. The tip seals minimize the flow of gas around the tips

of the turbine blades to enhance pump performance and the retainers hold the seals

in place. The major payload for Columbia and her seven-member crew is the

pressurized Spacelab module - designated Spacelab D-2 - which will allow the

astronauts to conduct a wide range of experiments in the microgravity environment

of space. Some 90 experiments are planned during the vacation. This will be the

14th flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the 54th mission of the program.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Feb. 10, 1993; Note to Editors: N93-7,

Feb. i 1, 1993.]

24
February12: STS 55: PROCESSING A_

Astronaut pre-launch safety training has been completed in anticipation of the STS

55 mission which has now been delayed. Work in progress: terminal countdown

demonstration test; inertial measurement unit alignment; preparations for

changeout of oxidizer turbopumps; hatch seal decay check; crew compartment

cleaning. The major scheduled activity is the changeout of the suspect

turbopumps. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY. Feb. 13,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 15, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8A, Feb. 14, 1993.]

[1 STS 56: DISCOVERY MISSION PROCESSING

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians have concluded a large number

of tasks with regard to Discovery's upcoming STS 56 mission: SUVE Interface

Verification Test; airlock crew hatch functional test; potable water servicing;

installation of forward reaction control system; S-band air-to-ground transmitter

checks; installation of main engines; TACAN testing; potable water sampling;

payload bay cleaning, door inspections and door cycle tests; stacking solid rocket

boosters in the VAB; radiator inspections; fuel cell testing; range rate radar

receiver testing; MSBLS Checkout. STS 56 work in progress: tile repair; tile

waterproofing' remote manipulator arm installation; configuring payload bay for

Spacelab; payload bay door radiator repair. STS 56 work scheduled: OMS/RCS

cross-feed connections; ATLAS/SPARTAN Interface Verification Test; OMS

thruster inspections; air data system functional test; main engine electrical interface

checks; potable water servicing; fuel cell changeout; remote manipulator arm

testing. [SPACE SHUTI_E WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Feb. 13, 1993.]

II STS 57: ENDEAVOUR PROCESSIN G

The Space Shuttle Endeavour remains in OPF Bay 1 where it is being processed

for its next mission - STS 57. Technicians have completed a lengthy list of

processing tasks: main engine removal; installation of wheels and tire; checks of

nose landing gear hydraulics; fuel cell testing; forward reaction control system

functional test; TACAN testing; waste management system drain and flush; waste

containment functional test; tile water proofing; Orbiter power system validations;

Ku-band antenna inspections; air data system functional testing; OMS pod

functional tests; payload bay door latch installation; heads up display system

testing; Ku-band radar testing; tire pressure checks. STS 57 work in progress: air

data system functional test; main engine electrical interface checks; potable water

servicing; fuel cell changeout; remote manipulator arm testing. Work scheduled

to be done for STS 57: installation of drag chute mortar and retractor; ammonia

boiler servicing; replacement of thruster RIR; installation of Spacehab tunnel

25
adapter;potable water servicing; external tank door latch pull test. [SPACE

SHUTI_E WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY. Feb. 13, 1993.]

February 15: CHALLENGER PHOTOS RELEASED

I

NASA today released photographs of the rear of the Challenger crew cabin which

was surrounded by scaffolding. The photos, published for the first time today,

showed parts of the airlock hatch window frame the astronauts passed through.

New York artist Ben Sarao sued under the Freedom of Information Act to have

the photographs released. The photographs themselves become public documents

after their release to Sarao, who said, "I did it to help people understand what

happened to that structure, and to help them learn how to build better ones." Dr.

Thomasz Wierzbicki, an engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

who has written considerably about the Challenger cabin said, "This is a

tremendous asset. Any information on the damage is telling you the story of what

happened, and that can help you think about improving the design." The pictures

were made after the cabin was recovered from the Atlantic off Cape Canaveral.

The seven members of the crew were killed in the explosion of the Space Shuttle

Challenger January 28, 1986. [Banke and THE NEW YORK TIMES. FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 14, 1993; "NASA Releases Challenger Photos," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL. Feb. 14, I993; "NASA Releases Photos of Challenger's

Crew Cabin," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 15, 1993.]

il DEBUS AWARD TO BILL NELSON

"Because of his continuing support of the space program, Bill Nelson is the ideal

choice for the [fourth Debus Award.], said George English, Director of the

Executive Management Office at Kennedy Space Center and on the board of

directors of the National Space Club which sponsors the Debus Award annually.

Nelson was formerly a member of the House of Representatives representing the

Space Coast and chaired the House subcommittee for space science and

applications. He also flew aboard STS 61C as a payload specialist. Floridians

who have contributed to the national space program are eligible for the award;

it was established in 1990 and was named for the first Director of Kennedy Space

Center, Kurt IL Debus. ["Fourth Debus Award Goes to Bill Nelson," FLORIDA

TODAY, Feb. 14, 1993.]

[1 BIONETICS WINS SAFETY AWARDS

Kennedy Space Center Director Robert L Crippen presented two safety awards

to The Bionetics Corp. for the company's work on its Life Sciences Support

Contract at KSC. Bioneties received the Accident Prevention Certificate and the

Center Director's Plaque, the latter of which is the most prestigious safety award

26
given to a space center contractor. ["Bionetics Corp. Earns Two Safety Awards,"

FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 14, 1993.]

February 16: STS 55:#1 TURBOPUMP REMOVED

At Launch Complex 39A, pad workers have removed Columbia's #1 liquid oxygen

turbopump and have hoisted engine #1's replacement turbopump to the aft main

engine compartment. Work in progress: removal of main engine #2 high pressure

liquid oxygen turbopump; troubleshooting main engine #2 hydraulic yaw actuator;

crew compartment cleaning. Work scheduled: hoisting engine #2 turbopump to

the main engine compartment tonight; changeout of main engine #3 liquid oxygen

turbopurnp tomorrow night and changing out of Orbiter refrigerator/freezer. The

turbopump changeouts are proceeding according to schedule. The Interface

Verification Test (IVT) for ATLAS/SPARTAN was successfully completed with

Orbiter Discovery over the weekend. The Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT)

with the STS 56 astronauts scheduled for tomorrow. [SPACE SHUTTLE

WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Feb. 16, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

4A, Feb. 17, 1993.]

II SPACEPORT USA LABOR CONTRACI"

Labor union employees have culminated weeks of negotiation with the signing of

a contract agreement with TW Recreational Services which operates Spaceport

USA. TW spokeswoman Elaine Richner said, "We know it was a difficult

decision for the employees to make. We appreciate their working together to

reach an agreement that was acceptable to both parties without any work

stoppage." [Hahn, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 20C, Feb. 17, 1993.]

February 17: STS 55:#1 PUMP IN/#2 OUT

Pad technicians at LC 39A, have completed the removal from Columbia of main

engine #2 high pressure liquid oxygen turbopump and installed a replacement

main engine #1 high pressure liquid oxygen turbopump. Work in progress for

STS 55: hoisting engine #2 turbopump to the aft main engine compartment;

turbopump inspections in VAB main engine maintenance facility; troubleshooting

main engine #2 hydraulic yaw actuator; inspection of main engine heat shields;

crew compartment cleaning. STS 55 work scheduled: lower main engine #3

turbopump tonight and hoist its replacement to the aft main engine compartment

and to install new Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units by February 23. The

changeout of Columbia's main engine liquid oxygen turbopumps is running

somewhat ahead of schedule today. The two pumps which were removed from

the main engines have been examined and, as was expected, the correct seal

retainers were installed. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY,

Feb. 17, 1993.]

27
.

February 18: STS 55: CHANGEOUTS ON SCHEDULE

Changeout work for Columbia's main engine liquid oxygen turbopumps is running

on schedule today: All three pumps removed from Columbia have now been

examined and, as was expected, the correct seal retainers had been installed. The

next phase of work, which is securing the new pumps to the engine power heads,

is scheduled to take six days. The installation of new main engine liquid oxygen

high pressure turbopumps in the aft main engine compartment for STS 55 has

been completed. Inspections of the turbopumps removed from Columbia have

been completed in the VAB main engine maintenance facility. Technicians have

finished troubleshooting main engine #2 hydraulic yaw actuator. Work in progress

for STS 55: establishing aft compartment access for turbopump securing;

inspection of main engine heat shields and crew compartment cleaning. Scheduled

activities include: securing main engine liquid oxygen high pressure turbopumps;

installation of new Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units and main engine heat shields.

[SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS S.UMMARY, Feb. 18, 1993.]

I1 CIJNTON: REWORK STATION._ AGAIN

In his address to a joint session of Congress last night, President Bill Clinton said

he would ask for a 6% increase in NASA's budget but would ask that the space

agency redesign Space Station Freedom once more. The reworking was provoked

by recent cost overruns reportedly totaling $500 million. "The administration is

committed to preserving the jobs, but also to confronting the cost overruns and the

mismanagement problems," according to Vice President A! Gore's press

spokesperson, Maria Romash. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Feb. 13,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 8A, Feb. 14, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Feb. 18, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A-2A,

Feb. 6, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 9, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 12, 1993; Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

pp. A-1 & A-6, Feb. 6, 1993; Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,pp. A-1 & A12, Feb. 18, 1993.]

February 19: STS 55 PROCF__SING

The STS 55 launch team is getting the day off February 21 and no work is

planned for Columbia. New turbopumps have been installed int Columbia's aft

compartment and the heat shields have been inspected. Pad technicians are

occupied in mounting turbopumps to main engine power heads. STS 55 work

scheduled: main engine heat exchanger leak checks; start of securing turbopumps;

crew compartment cleaning continues; opening the payload bay doors on February

22; removal of GAS can experiments for battery changeouts; experimenting with

film magazine removal; installation of Orbiter refrigerator/freezers' potable water

28
sampling and heat shield installation. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS

SUMMARY, Feb. 19, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA PUMPS AT,0,K

"We're still confident that was the right decision to make," said John Plowden,

Rocketdyne Division Manager at Kennedy Space Center. Plowden referred to the

decision to replace all three of Columbia's main engines when a problem was

thought to exist concerning an older version of turbopump blade tip retainer seal.

The decision to change the engines brought with it a three-week delay in the

launching of STS 55. Costs of the delay are not yet available though they are

expected primarily to reflect the costs of overtime labor, according to KSC

officials. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. Feb. 11, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Feb. 12, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 19, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 11, 1993.]

I1 STS 56: CElT & IVT

In OPF Bay 3, the Crew Equipment Interface Test and the ATLAS/SPARTAN

Interface Verification Test have both been completed in the processing flow for

STS 56, Discovery's next mission. STS 56 tasks completed: hydrogen

propulsion system leak check; MSBLS checkout; payload bay door bulb seal

repair; remote manipulator arm installation; water spray boiler servicing and

checkout; potable water servicing; OMS/RCS electrical checks; fuel cell changeout

and checkout and forward reaction control system checkout. Scheduled mission

work: ammonia boiler servicing; OMS/RCS cross-feed connections; final radiator

inspections; crew hatch functional check; air data probe/system functional check;

potable water servicing; Orbiter/external tank door functional test; flight controls

functional check; closeouts of crew compartment; final payload bay doors cleaning

and closing; tile closeouts; closing of payload bay doors and removal of

strongbacks; final nose gear/main landing gear tire pressure checks. Special

topics: as a result of the turbopump inspection requirement, Discovery's engines

will be removed next week in the Orbiter Processing Facility. They will be

reinstalled in the Vehicle Assembly Building using other engines presently in the

main engine maintenance facility. Two of the turbopumps recently removed from

Columbia will be used, and the third one from the remaining engine has already

been inspected and reinstalled. [SPACE SHUTI_E WEEKLY STATUS

SUMMARY, Feb. 19, 1993.]

[1 STS 57: ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING FLOW

Endeavour is being processed for STS 57 in OPF Bay I; tasks recently completed

there include: main propulsion system checkout and remote manipulator arm

electrical connections. Work in progress for the mission: OMS pod functional

29
testing;mid-bodyeloseouts;tile repair; water spray boiler servicing; preparations

in payload bay for Spacehab installation; Spacehab electrical testing in the O &

C Building and stacking of solid rocket boosters in the VAB's High Bay 3.

Scheduled work: ammonia boiler servicing; tunnel adapter installation; auxiliary

power unit lube oil servicing and Spacehab installation. [SPA(_E S_E

WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Feb. 19, 1993.]

February 20: NEW ENGINES FOR DISCOVERY

Discovery will receive the three main engines intended for Endeavour's STS 57

mission in late April. "The bottom line is we now have a requirement to inspect

all pumps before flight. And it's quicker to change out the engines rather than the

pumps," said George Diller, Kennedy Space Center spokesman. Columbia's

replacement engines are expected to be installed shortly to allow for a final round

of testing next week. Diller added, "Along about Thursday or Friday (Feb. 25 or

26) all of the work associated with the replacement operation will be done.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 20, 1993.]

II SPACEPORT USA EXPANSION

"After a few slow years, we had moderate growth in attendance in 1992 and, from

what we know so far, we expect that trend to continue," said Marketing Director

Tom Blair. "We're excited because we expect the Center for Space Education to

increase interest and the number of school groups coming here," Blair added.

AMF President Jim DeSantis noted that construction on the Center is expected to

begin in March with completion scheduled for the following year. "The center is

going to be a show-place for cutting-edge technology. We are going to become

a destination for educators. The space program is still the best the country has to

offer. We're taking a very broad approach. Students and teachers will see the

results of good work and can see it in context. This center will be a very

appropriate living memorial to the astronauts." [White, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

1A-2A, Feb. 20, 1993.]

February 22: STS 55: LAUNCH SECOND MID-MARCH

All replacement turbopumps have been mounted to their main engine power heads

and the pumps have been checked for leaks in preparation of Columbia for its STS

55 mission now set for the second week of March. Work in progress: liquid

oxygen high pressure turbopump connections and securing; main engine heat

exchanger leak checks; opening payload bay doors; preparation to install new

Orbiter refrigerator/freezers; preparation of main engine heat shields for

installation; resumption of crew compartment cleaning. STS 55 work scheduled:

installation of refrigerator/freezer units; removal of GAUS experiment film

magazine for servicing; potable water sampling; installation of main engine heat

30
shields;removalof GAS can experimentsfor battery servicing and Flight

ReadinessTestof main engine/aerosurfacesnext weekend. [SPACE SHUTTLE

DAILY STATUS-STS 55, Feb. 22, 1993.]

I1 KSC: EFFECI" OF CLINTON BUDGET

"I'm very encouraged by what I've seen so far," said Kennedy Space Center

Director Robert L. Crippen about the new Clinton budget proposals. "This budget

is supportive of the kind of things we're doing at KSC. Whatever the final design

turns out to be, the Space Station is going to be prepared for launch at KSC and

the Shuttle is going to launch the Space Station from KSC." Crippen said that

meanwhile, NASA managers and those at KSC will have to continue to find ways

to operate less expensively and more efficiently. "The old philosophy of'If it aint

broke don't fix it' isn't true anymore. You can't sit still," Crippen said. He also

expressed gratitude to local legislators and business leaders for the effort these

groups made to save the Space Station from budget elimination. ['Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 23, 1993.]

February 23: STS SS: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPEN

The Space Shuttle Columbia remains at Launch Complex 39A where changeout

of its main engines and their turbopumps continues. Tasks completed: mounting

turbopumps to main engine power heads; leak checks of high pressure

turbopumps; main engine heat exchanger leak checks; opening payload bay doors.

Work in progress: liquid oxygen high pressure turbopump connections and

securing; installation of new Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units; preparation of main

engine heat shields for installation; removal of GAUS experiment film magazine

for servicing. STS 55 work scheduled: testing of Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units

tonight; potable water sample tomorrow; installation of main engine heat shields

February 25; removal of GAS can experiments for battery servicing February 26;

Flight Readiness Test of main engines/aerosurfaces February 27-28. [SPACE

SHUTYLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, Feb. 23, 1993.]

II BOC EXTENDED FOUR MONTHS

NASA announced today that the Kennedy Space Center's Base Operations

Contract (BOC) currently held by EG&G Florida, Inc. has been extended for a

four-month period. The contract extension exercises four, one-month priced

options on their current contract, which will extend it from March 1 through June

30, 1993. The extension's potential value is $68,442, 687. It is expected that an

additional contract option to cover the time between June 30 and award of the new

Base Operations Contract will be negotiated with EG&G Florida, Inc. _['](SC

Release No. 14-93, Feb. 23, 1993.]

31
I1 COLUMBIA LAUNCH DATE NEXT WEEK

NASA managers may announce early next week whether Columbia can meet the

launch target date of March 13. Replacement of three turbopumps on the main

engines and their testing must be completed before a date can be set, according

to KSC spokesman George Diller. "So far the schedule is going exactly as it was

laid out, and we haven't had any surprises," he said. Discovery's main engines

will be removed this week as part of inspection efforts prior to Discovery's STS

56 mission. That mission has been delayed from late March to the first week of

April. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 23, 1993.]

February 24: STS 55: GAUS REMOVED FOR SERVICING

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A have removed the GAUS experiment film

magazine for servicing. Other tasks leading to Columbia's STS 55 launch are

currently in progress: liquid oxygen high pressure turbopump connections and

securing; troubleshooting enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer unit; potable water

sampling; GAS can experiment removal preparations for battery charging. STS

55 work scheduled: removal of GAUS experiments; reinstallation of GAUS film

magazine; flight readiness test of main engines/areosurfaees; installation of main

engine heat shields beginning February 28; loading of Orbiter mass memory units

and helium signature leak checks at the beginning of next week. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 25, 1993; SPACE SHUTTLE DAH.JY STATUS - STS

55. Feb. 24, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA EXPERIMENTS NEED BATrERIKS

Because the STS 55 mission has been delayed three weeks, technicians will need

to replace or recharge batteries on two experiments at the pad; this type of work

has never been done on the launch pad, according to George Diller, KSC

spokesman. He said that the payload bay doors were opened to support the

operation on February 22. Two new refrigerator/freezer units should be installed

in the Orbiter's middeck by early today. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb.

24, 1993.]

February 25: STS 55: GAUS REMOVAL

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A are continuing STS 55 prelaunch

preparations; they have removed the GAUS experiment film magazine for

servicing and completed potable water microbial sampling. Work in progress:

conclusion of high pressure turbopump connections and securing; troubleshooting

enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units; GAS can experiment removal

preparations; hydraulic fluid particle sampling. STS 55 work scheduled: final

turbopump leak checks; removal of GAS experiments for battery charging;

32
reinstallation of GAUS film magazine; flight readiness test of main

engines/aerosurfaees; installation of main engine heat shields; loading Orbiter mass

memory units; helium signature leak checks. [SPACE SHU'YI'LE DAILY

STATUS-STS 55, Feb. 25, 1993.]

!1 REDESIGN OF SPACE STATION

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin has named Dr. Joseph F. Shea to oversee

the redesign of the Space Station and has provided new policy direction for Space

Station contract cost management during the design transition. Shea has been

appointed Assistant Deputy Administrator of the agency and will be directly

responsible for leading NASA's efforts to develop options for the redesign of the

Space Station, its mission and management structure. A candidate also will be

named, shortly, to establish and chair a blue ribbon panel of outside experts to

review and assess NASA's redesign concept and approach.

"I have asked Joe Shea to come back to NASA to head the redesign effort. He

has recently been serving as the Acting Chair of the NASA Advisory Council and

brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this critical task," Goldin said.

"Joe will be responsible for assembling a team that will involve a variety of

individuals from across NASA and our international partners and will call upon

the expertise of individuals both within and outside of the government and

academia. The NASA/contractor Space Station team also will be called upon and

Joe will work with Dick Kolus [Richard Kohrs] to assure access and insight to

ongoing program activities. This team will truly reflect the cultural diversity of

the agency and country," Goldin added. Kohrs is Director of the Space Station

Program Office. Goldin also announced agency-wide measures to conserve

resources and restrict new spending during the redesign transition. In general, no

new awards or new work modifications which relate to the current Space Station

program, including support service contracts, will be solicited or issued. Work on

existing contracts is not to be accelerated and Space Station contractors are being

advised to discontinue overtime and any further staffing increases. [NASA

Release: 93-038, Feb. 25, 1993.]

February 26: STS 55: TURBOPUMPS INSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians have completed main engine turbopump

installation, connections and securing aboard Columbia for its delayed STS 55

mission. Work in progress: turbopump pressurized leak checks; turbopump

electrical checks; GAS can experiment removal and testing of secondary Orbiter

refrigerator/freezer units. Scheduled STS 55 work: actuator connections;

reinstallation of GAUS film magazine; primary Orbiter refrigerator/freezer

interface verification test (I'VT); main engine heat shield installation; flight

readiness test (FRT); loading Orbiter main memory units; installation of

33
I1

[l

I1

contingency EVA spacesuits into airlock; beginning the stowage of crew

equipment in the crew cabin; helium signature leak check and hypergolic

propellant loading. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARy, Feb.

26, 1993.]

DISCOVERY: SSME'S REMOVED

The main engines of Discovery have been removed for inspection while the

Orbiter remains in OPF Bay 3 being processed for its upcoming STS 56 mission.

Other completed tasks include: external tank door functional test; landing gear

functional test; OMS/RCS flight control checks; OMS/RCS system leak checks;

final check and securing of Orbiter flight controls; final payload bay door

cleaning; thermal protection system tile work; remote manipulator arm checkout;

MSBLS testing; Ku-band antenna testing; potable water supply system leak

checks; tests of air data probe. Mission work in progress: Orbiter aft main engine

compartment closeouts; crew module closeouts; payload bay closure; crew hatch

closure; structural leak checks; final tile work. Scheduled STS 55 work: landing

gear strut pressurization; completion of tile closeouts; weight and gravity

determination; installation of Orbiter upon its transporter; rollover to the Vehicle

Assembly Building. [SPACE S_HLrlTI,E WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Feb.

26, 1993.]

STS 57: TESTING AND CLOSEOUTS

Endeavour remains in OPF Bay 1 for continuation of processing for the Orbiter's

STS 57 mission in April. The vehicle has completed RMS and OMS/RCS flight

control functional testing. Other completed tasks include: elevon and rudder

speed brake closeouts; ammonia boiler servicing and Spacehab tunnel adapter

installation. STS 57 work in progress: installation of Orbiter Spacehab water

heaters and leak checks of the Orbiter Spacehab coolant lines; potable water

servicing; Ku-band antenna testing; radar altimeter troubleshooting; bulb seal

repair; power control assembly fuse implications; stacking of solid rocket boosters

in the VAB High Bay 3. STS 57 work scheduled: installation of Spacehab into

canister; transporting Spacehab to OPF and installation; auxiliary power unit #1

lube oil servicing; auxiliary power unit #1/#2 controller testing; OMS/RCS

electrical redundancy checks; potable water system leak check; MSBLS system

testing; reinstallation of radar altimeters; star tracker door testing; remote

manipulator arm elbow and wrist heater testing; tile waterproofing. [SPACE

SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, Feb. 26, 1993.]

STS 55: MARt_ 14 LAUNCH DATE SEW

NASA managers today set March 14, 1993, as the launch date for the Shuttle

Mission STS 55 which will see Space Shuttle Columbia and her seven-member

34
crewfly a mission dedicated to the German Space Agency. The major payload

for STS 55, the pressurized Spacelab module - designated as Spacelab-D2 for this

flight - will allow the astronauts to conduct a wide range of experiments in the

microgravity environment of space. Some 90 experiments are planned during this

mission. The launch window on March 14 extends from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

EST. Following launch, Columbia's crew will be divided into two teams, each

working a 12-hour shift, so that science operations can be carried out around the

dock. The Spacelab-D2 mission duration is planned for 9 days and will conclude

with a landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. This date was

chosen primarily because it was the first open date on the Eastern Range during

this time, according to KSC spokesman George Diller. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 26, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Feb. 27,

1993; KSC Release No. 16-93, Feb. 26, 1993.]

February 28: GODDARD AWARD TO MCCARTNEY

Former Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCarmey will receive the

Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy for 1993; the Goddard award is given

annually by the National Space Club at its dinner in Washington, D.C.

McCarmey's citation reads: "For his significant contribution to national security

and prestige in his efforts as Director of Communications Satellite Programs,

Director of the M-X System Program Office, the Commander of Ballistic Missile

Organization, the Commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center and the

Director of Kennedy Space Center." ["McCartney to Receive Annual Goddard

Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Feb. 28, 1993.]

35
MARCH

March

March

[1

1: S'I'S 55: GAU.S RE-INSTALIJ_

Columbia continues to undergo pre-launch processing at Launch Complex 39A.

Leak checks of liquid oxygen high pressure turbopumps have been completed and

the main engine heat shields have been installed. The GAUS experiment film

magazine has been re-installed ad the GAS cans have been removed for

experiment battery charging. Work in progress: alignment of Orbiter inertial

measurement units (IMUs); main engine eyelid installation; GAS can experiment

battery charging at Hangar S. STS 55 work scheduled: contingency EVA

spacesuit installation tonight; flight readiness test (FRT) tomorrow; helium

signature leak check; stowage of flight crew equipment into crew cabin;

hypergolic propellant loading; aft compartment closeouts; reinstallafion of GAS

can experiments; primary Orbiter refrigerator/freezer interface verification test

(IVT). [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55. March 1, 1993.]

2- STS 55: SPACF_UITS INSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians are readying Columbia for its STS 55

launch on March 14. The interface verification test of the primary Orbiter

refrigerator/freezer unit has been completed successfully. Other work completed

for STS 55: alignment of the guidance system for the Inertial Measurement Units

(IMU) and installation of contingency extravehicular activity CEVA) spacesuits

into the Orbiter airlock. STS 55 work in progress: a flight readiness test (FRT)

of the main engines and their flight controls and contingency EVA spacesuit

checkout. STS 55 work scheduled: helium signature leak check; stowage of

flight crew mission items into crew cabin; hypergolic propellant loading; aft

compartment closeouts; reinstallation of the GAS can experiments. [SPACE

SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55. March 2, 1993.]

ORBITER UPDATES

Discovery is scheduled to rollover from OPF Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly

Building transfer aisle this afternoon at approximately 5 p.m. as preparations for

STS 56 continue. Mating to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack will occur

overnight. The two-day Shuttle Interface Test will follow. Installation of

Discovery's three main engines is targeted to start on March 8. (The engines were

removed in the OPF because of the turbopump seal retainer issue.) A rollout to

Launch Complex 39]3 will occur sometime in the mid-March time frame with a

more definite date to be determined later. STS 57 preparations of Endeavour

continue in OPF Bay 1. The Orbiter is awaiting the transfer of its Spacehab-1

payload from the Operations & Checkout Building and subsequent installation

tomorrow. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 2, 1993.]

36
March

[]

3: STS 55: HYDRAULIC LINE REPLACED

At approximately 6:30 p.m. last night, during the STS 55 main engine Flight

Readiness Test, a hydraulic flex hose broke which caused hydraulic fluid to spray

inside the aft compartment around the main propulsion system and in the vicinity

of main engine number 2. The line was capped five seconds after the rupture

occurred. This line supplies hydraulic pressure to the LH 2 umbilical retract

actuator associated with external tank separation. An assessment of the remedial

action to be taken is under evaluation. Impacts, if any, to the March 14 launch

date could be known later today. The ruptured hydraulic line has been replaced.

Work in progress: hydraulic fluid cleanup in aft main engine compartment;

examination of main engines and main propulsion system including lines,

transducers, fittings, electrical connectors and thermal blankets in the aft main

engine compartment. The reinstallation of the GAS can experiments has been

scheduled for March 4. STS 56: Discovery's rollover from OPF Bay 3 to the

VAB transfer aisle occurred last night at 5:41 p.m. and the Orbiter was hoisted for

mating to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack at 1:50 this morning. STS

57: Installation of Spacehab into Endeavour has been rescheduled for tomorrow

morning to allow some payload bay work to be completed. [SPACE SHUTTLE

DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 3, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, March 4, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 4, 1993.]

STS 55: HYDRAULIC HOSE RUPTURE UPDATE

At approximately 6:30 p.m. last night, near the conclusion of the main engine

portion of the Flight Readiness Test, a 3/8-inch hydraulic flex hose broke which

caused hydraulic fluid to spray inside the aft compartment around the main

propulsion system and in the vicinity of main engine number 2. This line

provides hydraulic actuator pressure to retract the LH 2 umbilical plate before

external tank door closure. A preliminary assessment of the remedial action to be

taken shows that launch could occur no earlier than March 16. A more definite

date may be available at the end of the week after a full assessment of the work

to be done has been completed. Discovery's rollover from OPF Bay 3 to the VAB

transfer aisle for further STS 56 processing occurred at 5:41 p.m. last night and

the Orbiter was hoisted for mating to the external tank/solid rocket booster stack

at 1:50 &m. this morning. The soft mate process is complete; the hard mating is

in progress. STS 57: Installation of Spacehab into Endeavour has been

rescheduled for this morning to allow some payload bay work to be completed.

[SPACE SHLYl"TLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55. March 3, 1993.]

March 4: STS 55: HYDRAULIC LINE REPLACED

37
March

II

At Launch Complex 39 technicians have replaced the ruptured hydraulic line into

the aft main engine compartment of Columbia; launch of STS 55 will now occur

no earlier than March 16, a further delay of two days. Work in progress on

Columbia: reinstaUation of the GAS can experiments; GAS can interface

verification testing (IVT); hydraulic fluid cleanup in aft main engine compartment;

examination of main engines and main propulsion system including electrical

connectors and harnesses, solenoid valves and thermal insulation within the aft

compartment; removal, inspection and cleaning of #2 main engine heat shields;

failure analysis of the ruptured hydraulic hose. STS 55 work scheduled: GAS can

(GAUS) experiment mirror changeout tomorrow; RKGM experiment film

magazine reinstallation tomorrow; closing payload bay doors tomorrow night;

flight readiness test; helium signature leak checks; hypergolic propellant loading

March 8-9; reinstallation of the enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer (EORF)

March 10. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 4, 1993.]

5" OZONE STUDY DELAY POSSIBLE

Discovery's STS 56 mission, presently scheduled for April 3, may be pushed back

to mid-April because of delays in launching Columbia's STS 55 flight. If

launched on time, Discovery has an opportunity to study ozone depletion in the

northern hemisphere; "It would be good for us to go as soon as possible," said

Tim Miller, a NASA scientist working on the environmental mission. "It would

increase our chances of being able to address the key issue of ozone depletion in

the northern hemisphere." Columbia's problems with hydraulic hoses may push

its launch beyond March 16 and, if so, there are other complicating factors. The

launch dates of March 18 and 19 have already been booked for an Air Force Delta

2 liftoff and that will involve tracking and safety services provided by the Air

Force's Eastern Test Range. In addition, a commercial Atlas has booked March

22 and March 23 as launch dates. If these events go as scheduled, Columbia has

March 25 available for launch. If Columbia is launched that late then Discovery's

launch would revert to mid-April based on launch safety rules which require three

weeks between Shuttle launches. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

March 6, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 6, 1993.]

STS $5: HOSE REMOVAL FROM AFT

At Launch Complex 39A, the GAS can experiment has been reinstalled into

Columbia's payload bay. An evaluation has been completed of the hydraulic fluid

contamination in the aft main engine compartment. Work in progress on STS 55:

removal of hydraulic flex hoses from Columbia's aft compartment; failure analysis

of the hydraulic hose; installation of heat shield carrier panels on engines 1 & 3;

preparation for the helium signature leak test and preparations to close the payload

bay doors tonight. Scheduled tasks: X-rays of hydraulic flex hoses; reinstallation

of the enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer late today; helium signature leak

38
1]

March

[]

check; loading of hypergolic propellants on March 7 and 8; a flight readiness test

of the main engines on March 9. Launch Schedule Note: Space Shuttle managers

and engineers are continuing to assess the launch schedule impact attributable to

inspections of the hydraulic flex hoses and clean-up and inspection of the aft

engine compartment and number two main engine. At the present time, it appears

unlikely that we will be able to meet the previously targeted launch date of March

16. A better launch day estimate should be available by March 9. [SPACE

SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 5, 1993.]

STS 56 & STS 57 PROCESSING WORK

Discovery (STS 56): The mating of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen connection

lines between the external tank and the Orbiter have been completed. Installation

of main engines begins March 8. Work in progress: continuation of

Orbiter/external tank mating and preparation for installing the main engines into

Discovery. Endeavour (STS 57): In the Orbiter Processing Facility, technicians

have completed the mechanical installation of Spacehab into Endeavour's payload

bay. Work in progress: electrical connections between Spacehab and Endeavour;

aft compartment closeouts; testing of main landing gear. [SPACE SHIfFTLE

DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 5, 1993.]

6" MAI ONV TO NEWS om r

Today, Lisa Malone becomes Kennedy Space Center's first female news chief.

She was the first female launch commentator and has served as editor of the

Spaceport News, and as a public affairs specialist. She began her career at KSC

as a co-op student in KSC's Public Information Office. The space center's public

information chief Dick Young said Malone was chosen because of her

"experience, judgment and talent." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March

6, 1993.]

ATLAS LAUNCH DELAYED FOR TESTS

The General Dynamics Atlas which was to be launched March 22 will now be

delayed for testing purposes. "We just need more time to complete our testing,"

said company spokeswoman ,Iulie Andrews. On August 22, a failed Atlas launch

was traced to an upper stage engine valve which performed improperly just prior

to launch. That launch was the second failure in 18 months for General Dynamics

which has decided to perform additional prelaunch engine tests for the upcoming

liftoff. Andrews said, "We have a very high degree of confidence that we've

found the problem and have taken the proper corrective action. We're anxious to

get back to launching again." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 6,

1993.]

39
March

[!

II

March

8: STS 55: T-TFJJUM CHECK COMPLETED

The helium signature leak check of Columbia's main engines and the main

propulsion system was completed at Launch Complex 39A on March 6. The

payload bay doors have been closed for flight and there was a successful bench

functional check of EORF this morning. STS 55 work in progress: loading of

OMS/RCS fuel and offline X-rays of hydraulic replacement hoses. STS 55 work

scheduled: reinstallation of the enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer ('EORF unit);

reinstallation of hydraulic hoses March 9; flight readiness test today. Engineers

are discussing the failure analysis of the failed hydraulic hose from Columbia and

what impact this might have on upcoming activities, if any. Discovery's three

main engines for STS 56 will undergo installation starting today and running

through March 10; The mating of the external tank to the solid rocket booster

stack for Endeavour's upcoming STS 57 flight is occurring today. [SPACE

SHUTTL_ E DAI_y STATUS-STS 55, March 8, 1993.]

S,,TS, 55: HYDRAULIC HOSES DEFECTIVE

The rupture of Columbia's hydraulic hose in the aft main engine compartment is

being blamed on a manufacturing error, according to NASA officials. Space

agency inspectors found that the hose had come from a group (lot) manufactured

by Titeflex Division (Springfield, MA) between March and July 1977, according

to KSC spokesman James Hartsfield. He said that tests showed that hoses from

that period were prone to problems because of a manufacturing process in use

then. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 9, 1993.]

STS 55: LAUNCH NOW SET FOR MARCH 25

Liftoff of Columbia upon its STS 55 mission will come March 25, despite the

likelihood that the Orbiter would be ready for launch on March 19. KSC

spokesman Dick Young explained, "We had asked for an earlier date but we were

constrained by earlier missions." Preparations for Discovery's STS 56 mission

continue in the Vehicle Assembly Building; rollout to Launch Complex 39B is

expected to occur on March 13. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, P. 2A, March

7, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 9, 1993.]

9: HOSE PROBI,EM DATES TO 1977

STS 55 issues and concerns: The failure analysis from Columbia's ruptured

hydraulic hose indicated that it was due to a change in the manufacturing process

that occurred during a short period of time in 1977. Spare hydraulic hoses and

hoses from Atlantis will replace suspect hoses from Columbia. All have been

checked by lot number, passed inspections, high pressure checks and X-rays.

Officials are exploring several schedule options with regard to the STS 55 and

40
March

March

II

STS 56 launches. No decisions are expected today. NASA is continuing to

process both Columbia and Discovery to support launches at the earliest possible

dates.

Storable hypergolic propellants have been loaded into Columbia at Launch

Complex 39A; the enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer (EORF) has also been

installed. STS 55 work in progress: reinstallation of hydraulic hoses; hydraulic

system servicing for a flight readiness test and auxiliary power unit leak checks.

Scheduled: the flight readiness test mentioned above for March 10 and external

tank purges. [SPACE SHLrI'ILE DAILY STATUS-STS 55. March 9, 1993.]

10: STS 55: HOSES REINSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians have reinstalled Columbia's hydraulic hoses

in the Orbiter's aft main engine compartment. A flight readiness test (FRT) of the

main engines' flight controls is in progress. STS 55 work scheduled: conclusion

of the flight readiness test on March 13; enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer

('EORF) interface verification test (IVT) tomorrow night; Orbiter aft confidence

test also tomorrow night; begin aft compartment closeouts, avionics bay eloseouts

and external tank purges on March 12. Discovery's rollout from the Vehicle

Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B has been scheduled for 8 a.m. March

13. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55. March 10, 1993; SPACE

SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 11, 1993.]

11: AIR FORCE TO LAUNCH NASA TETHERED PAYLOAD

The first flight of NASA's Small Expendable-tether Deployer System (SEDS) is

scheduled to be launched aboard a U.S. Air Force Delta 2 rocket from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, no earlier than March 18. The SEDS tether

system will be a secondary payload on the Delta 2 launch vehicle. The launch

window opens 10:55 p.m. and extends until 11:22 p.m. EST, if the launch occurs

on March 18, according to Air Force officials. The tether deployment process is

planned to begin about 60 minutes after the Delta 2 launch and end approximately

1 hour and 40 minutes later. SEDS is intended to demonstrate a low-cost method

for using a tether to deploy small payloads, such as satellites, to higher orbits or

downward toward Earth's atmosphere. It also is being flown to expand the limited

amount of existing data on the dynamics of tethered bodies in space. [Launch

Advisory: "NASA Tethered Payload to be Launched by Air Force." March 11,

1993.]

NASA CHANGES ORGANIZATION

A series of organizational changes to improve the focus on programs and enhance

external relationships were announced today by NASA Administrator Daniel S.

41
Goidin. In a move to strengthen the top-level management of the agency, Goldin

has named John R. Dailey as Acting Deputy Administrator. Dailey has been

serving as Associate Deputy Administrator since November 1992 after retiring

from a highly distinguished 36-year career in the Marine Corps. The

Administrator also announced that Dr. Joseph Shea, recently named as Assistant

Deputy Administrator for Space Station Analysis, will have oversight of all Space

Station related development activities.

The organizational changes particularly target NASA science and exploration

programs and the agency's relations with American industry, academia,

government and non-government laboratories, and international partners. "Science

and exploration are what NASA is all about," the Administrator said. "These

changes will reestablish that focus." New program offices for Life and

Microgravity Sciences and Applications and for Advanced Concepts and

Technology have been formally established and will report directly to the

Administrator.

The official formation of the Office of Planetary Science and Astrophysics and the

Office of Mission to Planet Earth also are being implemented effective today. The

plan to form these offices out of the former Office of Space Science and

Applications was announced in October 1992. Named as Associate Administrator

for Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications is Dr. Harry C. Holioway,

Deputy Dean of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

(Bethesda, MD). Dr. Holloway has performed extensive study into the impact of

extreme environments on human adaptation. He has been Chairman of the NASA

Aerospace Medicine Advisory Committee since 1988 and a member of NASA's

U.S./U.S.S.R. Joint Working Group on Space Biology and Medicine.

Assisting Dr. Holloway in setting up this new organization will be Dr. Bonnie ,If.

Dunbar, a NASA astronaut since 1981. Dr. Dunbar is a veteran of three space

flights and has logged more than 761 hours in space. Dunbar most recently served

as Payload Commander for Shuttle mission STS 50, conducted during the summer

of 1992. She received her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from the

University of Houston in 1983 and a master of science degree in Ceramic

Engineering from the University of Washington in 1975. Dr. Amauld E.

Nicogossian will become Deputy Administrator for Space Flight Activities, Life

and Microgravity Sciences and Applications. He is presently Chief Medical

Officer in NASA's Office of Space Flight and has been with NASA since 1972.

In announcing the new organization for Life and Microgravity Sciences and

Applications, Goldin said it is critical to the President's stated objective for a

strong and productive space program, which includes development of a Space

Station. He said, "The President wants the current Space Station redesigned as

part of a program that is more efficient, effective and capable of producing greater

42
returns on our investment. The redesigned Space Station must provide for

significant long duration space research in materials and life sciences during this

decade. To assure the right emphasis in the redesign effort and also within

NASA," the Administrator said, "I am elevating Life and Microgravity Sciences

and Applications to report directly to the Administrator, and I am bringing all the

elements together into a strong organization.'

The decision also was recommended in a NASA study led by Roy Estess, Director

of Stermis Space Center which reviewed the agency's life sciences activities.

"Applications is also a key element of this new organization," Goldin said,

"because providing benefits here on Earth must be an important consideration."

The Administrator pointed out additionally, "Turning back the pages of NASA's

history, the agency's greatest scientific research in life sciences was during the

Skylab program, in which there was a similar emphasis placed on the activity in

an organizational sense."

Dr. Wesley Huntress will become Associate Administrator for Planetary Science

and Astrophysics. He was named as acting in that position in October and

previously had been Director of the Solar System Exploration Division since 1990.

Prior to joining NASA in 1988, he had a distinguished 20-year career at the Jet

Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA). The new Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE)

Office will be headed by Dr. Shelby G. Tilfont, named as the Acting Associate

Administrator. The MTPE office will consist of divisions for flight systems, for

operation, data and information systems, and for science.

The Administrator also has taken measures to strengthen NASA's space programs

and the commercialization of technology. The Office of Advanced Concepts and

Technology has been formally established with Gregory Reek as Acting Associate

Administrator. Reck served as Director of the Space Technology Program at

NASA Headquarters before his selection to this post and has over 20 years of

experience in technical research, management and oversight of various technology

programs.

In the Office of Aeronautics, Dr. Krislin A. Hessenius has been named as Deputy

Associate Administrator. She has been the Director of Aeronautical Research in

the Office of Aeronautics. Prior to coming to NASA Headquarters, Dr. Hessenius

was Deputy Director of Aerophysics at NASA's Ames Research Center (Mountain

View, CA). In I992, she was one of 10 women honored by the National Aviation

Club for outstanding contributions to the field of aviation. Administrator Goldin

has named Deidre A. Lee as Associate Administrator for Procurement. She has

been acting in that position since early January and had been Deputy Associate

Administrator of Procurement since September 1992. She has an extensive

background in a variety of military and government procurement positions.

43
March

II

II

Procurement reform is a vital element in NASA's new management approach.

['NASA RELEASE:. 93-044, March 11, 1993.]

12: STS 55: COLD FRONT APPROACHES

STS 55 mission work was suspended at Launch Complex 39B for the period

covering the third shift tonight through first shift on tomorrow. An approaching

cold front will produce squalls and thunderstorms with the possibility for hail

between midnight tonight and noon tomorrow with the highest potential for severe

weather occurring at about 6 a.m. Work at the pad is scheduled to resume at 4

p.m. March 13. STS 55 work completed: the flight readiness test of main

engines/flight controls and the Orbiter aft confidence test. Work in progress:

main engine compartment closeouts; avionics bay closeouts; external tank purges;

washdown of the mobile launcher platform and testing of the enhanced Orbiter

refrigerator/freezer (EORF). Scheduled work for STS 55: ordnance installation

and connections; hypergolic tank pressurization and a washdown of the LC 39B

pad surface and the flame trench. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS

S.UMMARY, March 12, 1993.]

DISCOVERY ROI,IDUT REqCHEDUI,t2D: MARCH 15

Rollout of Discovery has been rescheduled for 6 a.m. March 15 due to weather

concerns for tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile preparations for the Orbiter's STS

56 mission continued with a number of tasks completed: installation of main

engines; installation of main engine heat shields and the Shuttle interface test.

STS 56 scheduled work: moving the rotating service structure around the vehicle

after it is harddown on the pad; extending weather protection panels after hard

down; establishing vehicle access and electrical connections with the Launch

Complex 39A pad; opening payload bay doors to establish access and a terminal

countdown demonstration test set for March 17-18. [SPACE SHUTTLE

WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, March 12, 1993.]

ENDEAVOUR PROC'T_SING CONTINUES IN OPF BAY 1

The Space Shuttle Endeavour remains in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 where

the vehicle is being readied for its STS 57 mission which features Spacehab-1 and

EURECA 1-K Installation of Spacehab-1 is complete as is auxiliary power unit

lube oil servicing. Work in progress: Spacehab interface verification test (IVT);

crew hatch functional check and electrical interface checks between the external

tank and the solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) bay 3.

STS 57 work scheduled: crew equipment interface test (CEIT); Spacehab

closeouts and closeouts of the Orbiter midbody next week. [SPACE SHWI'rLE

WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, March 12, 1993.]

44
I1

March

STS 55: MARCH 21 SET FOR LAUNCH DATE

NASA managers today set March 21, 1993, as the launch date for STS 55 which

will see Columbia and its 7-member crew fly a mission dedicated to the German

Space Agency. The major payload for STS 55, the pressurized spacelab module -

designated as Spacelab-D2 for this flight - will allow the astronauts to conduct

a wide range of experiments in the microgravity of space. The launch window on

March 21 opens at 9:52 a.m. EST. Following launch, the crew will be divided

into two teams working 12-hour shifts so space operations can be carried out

around the clock. The Spacelab D2 mission duration is planned for 9 days and

will conclude with a landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.

Columbia's launch date will have an influence on the next mission to be flown.

Space Shuttle Discovery, flys the Atlas 2 payload on STS 56, now targeted for

sometime around April 7. The actual launch date for STS 56 will be set at a

flight readiness review meeting which will be held approximately two weeks

before launch. "The Shuttle team has done a great job in addressing and closing

issues such as the hydraulic flex hose problem and putting together a new plan for

processing activities" said Shuttle Program Director Tom Utsman who was

formerly Deputy Director at KSC. "Also the cooperation we've received from the

United States Navy, the United States Air Force and Hughes Space and

Communication Company made the March 21st launch of Columbia possible."

[KSC Release NO. 22-93, March 12, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL.

March 13, 1993.]

15: HIGH WINDS DELAY STS 55 PAD WORK

The highest wind at the Shuttle Landing Facility on March 13 was 63 miles per

hour and at Pad 39A the peak gust was 71 mph. While the high wind precluded

any work by the launch team from the pad structures on the 13th, there was no

damage to the vehicle and only minor damage in the area around the launch pad.

During the day of March 13, the Complex 19 freeze protection plan was

implemented and Columbia's heaters were turned on. The lowest temperature over

the weekend was 32 degrees March 14. Tasks completed: external tank purges

and enhanced Orbiter refrigerator/freezer (EORF) interface verification test (Iv'r).

Work in progress: ordnance installation and connections and hypergolic tank

pressurization. STS 55 work scheduled: resumption of aft main engine

compartment closeouts tonight; resumption of avionics closeouts tonight;

washdown of mobile launcher platform, pad and flame trench; installation of flight

doors on the aft compartment; arrival of astronauts and start of countdown at 4:00

p.m. March 18. [SPACE SHLVI'FLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 15, 1993.]

45
II

March

II

II

STS 56; 57 PREPARATIONS

Discovery's rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building - the first step on its STS

56 journey - began at 7:28 a.m. today. The astronauts are scheduled to arrive at

3:30 p.m. today to begin the required launch pad safety training and for the

terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT) to be conducted March 17 and 18.

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, astronauts of the STS 57 crew completed the

crew equipment interface test (CEIT) for Endeavour March 13. The payload bay

doors are to be closed on March 18. Rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building

is set for March 25. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 16, 1993;

SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 15, 1993.]

16: WEATHER FAVORABLE FOR STS 55

The preliminary weather forecast for STS 55 suggests that the chance of meeting

launch weather criteria is 60% on launch day and rising to 70% with a one-day

delay. Wind is expected to be between 10-18 knots. Ordnance installation and

cormections for the STS 55 Columbia configuration have been completed as has

been the hypergolic tank pressurization. Work in progress for Columbia's mission:

aft main engine compartment closeouts, inspections and photo documentation; the

compartment will also be cleaned again; avionics bay closeouts; washdown of the

mobile launcher platform; testing of data link between the Orbiter mid-deck

refrigerator/freezers (EORF) and Spacelab D-2 module and final crew

compartment cleaning. Scheduled work: washdown of the pad and flame trench;

installation of flight doors on the aft compartment and the performance of the final

aft confidence test; aft positive pressure check; astronaut arrival March 17;

commencement of countdown on March 18. [SPACE SHLVI'I'LE DAILY

STATUS-STS 55, March 16, 1993.]

STS 56; 57 UPDATES

Discovery's rollout from the VAB began at 7:28 a.m. yesterday. Pad arrival

occurred at 1:49 p.m. with hard down atop the launch pad pedestals coming at

2:28 p.m. The astronauts of the STS 56 crew will begin launch pad safety

training today. The terminal countdown demonstration test starts tomorrow,

ending at 11 a.m. March 18. STS 57's external tank/solid rocket booster stack

is being relocated today to VAB High Bay 1 to permit planned modification work

to begin in High Bay 3. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March

16, 1993.]

NASA UNDERSTANDS ENDEAVOURS POWER SURGE

When Endeavour lifted off on its STS 54 mission, there was a sudden burst of

power at 1 minute 7 seconds into the flight. NASA's engineers now think they

46
March

I!

March

know why the power surge occurred. According to the Shuttle Program's Deputy

Director Bn_wster Shaw, it is believed that "a piece of the nonflammable

insulation used to separate the booster's four, fuel-loaded segments broke off,

traveled down the rocket's interior and shot out the nozzle." The power jump was

three times the largest previously recorded. These surges have been more frequent

during the last 15 Shuttle launches and an investigation is underway to find out

why. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 16, 1993.]

17: STS 55: HEATER PROBLEM

Yesterday afternoon it was discovered that the secondary heater associated with

Columbia's main engine #1 fuel valve was inadvertently left on after testing due

to a failed indicator. This resulted in the overheating of the associated fuel valve

actuator. An inspection of the actuator showed some damage to soft rubber-like

components within the unit. There was no damage to the main engine fuel valve.

The actuator was removed and replaced last night. An abbreviated flight readiness

test of main engine #1 will run today. While aft main engine compartment

closeouts will not be finished until after the countdown begins, there is no impact

to the March 21 launch date for STS 55. The chance of meeting launch weather

criteria improved to 70%.

The mobile launcher platform has been washed down and testing of the data link

between the Orbiter mid-deck refrigerator/freezers and Spacelab D-2 module has

been completed. Work in progress: flight readiness test of main engine #1;

washdown of LC 39B pad surface and flame trench; final crew compartment

cleaning and astronaut arrival at 8:30 p.m. STS 55 work scheduled: resumption

of main engine compartment work and avionics bay closeouts; start of the

countdown March 18 at 4 p.m.; installation of flight doors on aft compartment and

performance of the final aft confidence test at 12:01 a.m.; aft positive pressure

check and loading of cryogenic reactant (PRSD). [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, March 17, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 18,

1993; SPACE SHUIq_E DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 17, 1993.]

STS 56: TCDT COMMENCF__

The countdown for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) began

at 8 a.m. today and will conclude at l l a.m. tomorrow. The astronauts are

continuing with safety training and are having briefings on the status of Columbia

and Spacelab D-2. The commander and pilot are flying the Shuttle Training

Aircraft. Yesterday the crew had fit checks of their launch and entry suits.

[SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS-STS 55, March 17, 1993.]

18: STS 55: LAUNCH SET FOR MARCH 22

47
w

II

March

The Air Force's decision to scrub the launch of its Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station will force a one-day delay in the launch of Columbia on its STS

55 mission. The mission will now commence during a window which runs from

9:51 a.m. and 12:21 p.m. on Monday, March 22. Countdown for the mission

began on schedule today at 4 p.m. and preparations for the launch at 39B have

continued without incident. The Delta launch has been rescheduled for between

10:51 and 11:18 p.m.; weather forecasts suggest a 90 percent chance of favorable

weather, though high winds remain a concern. The Delta will deploy a Navstar

Global Positioning Satellite and a $10 million NASA science experiment. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 19, 1993.]

DELTA SET TO LAUNCH TONIGHT

The Air Force is ready tonight to launch its Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station; the mission is to deploy a Navstar Global Positioning Satellite

and a small NASA experiment called the Small Expendable Deployer System.

The deployer is basically a 12.4-mile tether and is a smaller version of the

unsuccessful tether experiment flown on Atlantis last year. [Banke,

TODAY, p. 1A, March 18, 1993.]

19: COLUMBIA/SPAC'T.LAB PROCESSING HISTORY

Processing of the Space Shuttle Columbia began after the KSC landing of

Columbia's previous mission, STS 52. The Orbiter was towed to Bay 2 of the

Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) on November 1, 1992, for deservicing and

preparations to reconfigure its payload bay for the STS 55 mission. The Spacelab

D-2 experiments arrived at KSC in July 1992 to begin integration into the

Spacelab racks. Installation of the racks into the laboratory module followed in

September. The Mission Sequence Test which replicates the mission activities,

including flight crew participation, was run last November. The Spaeelab D-2

laboratory module was installed into the payload bay of Columbia on January 11,

1993, while the Orbiter was in the OPF. An interface verification test (IVT)

between the Spacelab and Columbia was conducted January 16 to verify all

connections.

Meanwhile, in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), build-up of the solid rocket

boosters on mobile launcher platform 3 occurred in November and December of

last year. The external tank arrived at KSC by barge on September 29, 1992, and

was transferred to a test cell in the VAB for checkout and final preparations. It

was mated to the solid rocket booster stack on January 12, 1993. The external

tank/solid rocket booster stack was fully assembled and tested by January 12.

After 77 work days in the OPF, Columbia was transported to the VAB on

February 2 and mated to the awaiting external tank/solid rocket booster stack.

The two-day Shuttle interface test to verify vehicle connections began on February

48
I]

[1

5. Rollout of the Space ShuttleColumbia from high bay 3 of the VAB toLaunch

Pad 39A occurred on February 7.

During launch preparations on the pad, a question arose concerning whether the

correct set of turbine blade tip seal retainers had been installed inside main engine

liquid oxygen high pressure mrbopumps. As a result, a precautionary decision

was made to replace these pumps. On February 14, work began to changeout the

turbopumps from each of the three main engines and installation was completed

by Feb. 25. Another unplanned event at the pad involved a ruptured hydraulic

line in the aft main engine compartment. This occurred on March 2 during the

flight readiness test and a decision was made to remove and inspect all 12

hydraulic lines in the aft. Nine lines were reinstalled in addition to three

precautionary lines. This work was finished on March 9, and the flight readiness

test was completed March 10. As of March 21, a total of 41 work days will have

been spent at the launch pad creating 123-work-day flow for STS 55 processing

activities. [KSC RELEASE NO. 26-93, March 19, 1993.]

COLUMBIA LAUN(TH POSTPONED

The launch of Columbia was postponed 24 hours after a planned launch of an Air

Force Delta II rocket at Complex 17 was scrubbed due to high winds. The

countdown clock at LC 39A is currently in a 24-hour hold at T-35 hours and will

resume counting at midnight tonight. The launch window on March 22 opens at

9:51 a.m. EST. A second launch opportunity is available on Tuesday if necessary.

Aft compartment closeouts and the checkout of navigational aids are complete.

STS 55 work in progress: installation of aft compartment flight doors; aft

compartment confidence test and positive pressure leak test; checkout of flight

controls. Pyrotechnic initiator checks are set for 8 a.m. tomorrow; at noon

technicians will begin loading cryogenics reactants. The probability of favorable

weather at launch time remains at 70%. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUSSTS 55, March 19, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. March 19, 1993.]

SHU'ITLE PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS

NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Flight, Jeremiah W. Pearson IH today

announced that Leonard Nicholson is leaving his current position as Space Shuttle

Program Manager to take over the key Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX), the

position of Acting Director of Engineering. As a result of this action, Brewster

Shaw, currently Deputy Director for Space Shuttle Operations (Kennedy Space

Center, FL), will take over the duties formerly performed by Nicholson in the

position of Director of Space Shuttle Operations. Johnson Space Center Director

Aaron Cohen has assigned current Director of Engineering Henry Pohl to a new

position on his staff, where he will be responsible for leading ISC's support of the

agency's effort to redesign the Space Station. Pohl will spearhead the center's

49
March

l]

efforts and serve as a focal point for JSC support to Assistant Administrator

Joseph Shea who was appointed by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin to

oversee the redesign. Shaw will move from Kennedy Space Center to JSC. In

addition to his current duties, he will direct the day-to-day management and

execution of the Shuttle Program, including detailed program planning, scheduling

and Shuttle systems configuration management.

As Acting Director of Engineering at JSC, Nicholson will be responsible for

managing the work of eight functional divisions and providing support to program

and project offices for current and future space flight programs assigned to JSC,

including the Shuttle and Space Station. JSC's Engineering Directorate also

performs complete in-house design, development and testing of certain

government-furnished equipment and maintains expertise in test facilities and

computational complexes. JSC Flight Crew Operations Director David Leeslma

has appointed astronaut Linda Godwin (Ph.D) to replace Lomn Slniver as Deputy

Chief of the Astronaut Office. Shriver is being reassigned to the Space Shuttle

Program Office to assist in the management of this program. "I'm very pleased

to make these appointments," said Pearson. "These are extremely talented

individuals whose knowledge and experience in space flight make them excellent

choices for these key positions." [NASA RELEASE: 93-49, March 19, 1993;

Holton, THE ORLANDO SEbITIN-'EL, pp. A-1 & A-16, March 3, 1993.]

20: S'IS 55: FLIGHT DOORS INSTALLED

Columbia's aft flight doors have been installed in anticipation of its March 22

liftoff on the STS 55 mission. Also completed were the aft confidence test and

an aft positive pressure leak check. Meanwhile, technicians continue testing

pyrotechnic initiators by means of the PC resistance test and are loading cryogenic

reactants. STS 55 work scheduled: retracting Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit

(OMBUU) tonight; beginning the chilldown of the Orbiter refrigerator/freezer

units; loading time critical life sciences experiments; retracting the mobile service

structure; configuring cockpit switches for launch; beginning fueling of the

external tank at 1:32 a.m. March 22; ingressing astronauts at 7:07 a.m. March 22.

Weather forecasts remain positive. [SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS

SUMMARY, March 20, 1993.]

SIS 56: TCDT COMPLEFED

Discovery is harddown at Launch Complex 39B awaiting the launch of Columbia's

STS 55 mission and the commencement of its own STS 56 flight. The Orbiter

completed its terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT) on the 18th and the

helium signature leak check was completed yesterday. Discovery also underwent

an inertial measurement unit (IMU) warm-up and calibration yesterday. There is

no work planned on Discovery over the weekend. STS 56 work scheduled:

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March

!1

loading of storable hypergolic propellants; leak check of the Orbiter mid-body

umbilical; a flight readiness test and the installation of contingency EVA

spacesuits. German Space Agency spokesman Rudolf Teuwsen had said earlier

in the week, "We'd better not slip beyond Tuesday. We wouldn't be slipping, we'd

be skidding." Several of Columbia's experiments are time critical. [I-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 20, 1993; SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY

STATUS SUMMARY, March 20, 1993.]

DELTA SCRUBBED AGAIN

The Air Force again failed to launch its Delta 2 rocket from the Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station. Launch commentator Ray Adams said, "We have decided it is

unsafe to launch and we have scrubbed it for the evening." The proximate cause

of the scrubbing was a low temperature in the helium system of the rocket's first

stage; it was 15 degrees colder than Air Force launch rules allow. The earliest

possible chance for a third try to launch the rocket would be April 17. An attempt

to launch Thursday was scrubbed due to low cloud cover. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, March 20, 1993.]

21: STS 55: FIRING CIRCUITS TESTED

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians have completed testing of Columbia's firing

circuits and a PIC resistance test of the pyrotechnic initiators in preparation for the

Orbiter's March 22 STS 55 mission. Cryogenic reactants have been loaded; the

Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit has been retracted and the chilldown of the

Orbiter refrigerator freezer units (EORF) is finished. Work in progress: loading

of time critical life sciences experiments; removal of Orbiter window covers;

retraction of mobile service structure; configuring of cockpit switches for launch;

inertial measurement unit (IMU) warm up and calibration; checks of data link

between refrigerators/freezers and Spacelab; spaeelab clean air purge; microbial

clean air purge; astronaut status briefing covering vehicle, payload, weather;

Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) flights by commander and pilot. STS 55

scheduled work: activation of fuel cells; stowage of flight crew personal effects

tonight; begin fueling of external tank and ingress astronauts at 7:06 a.m. March

22. [SPACE SHUTTLE DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 21, 1993.]

ENDEAVOUR_ TII_ WATERPROOFING COMPLETE

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, technicians processing Endeavour for STS

57 have completed thermal protection system tile waterproofing. Other tasks

completed include: functional check of the waste containment system; final tire

pressure topoff; landing gear test cycling; payload bay cleaning; closure of payload

bay doors; crew compartment closeouts; closure of crew access hatch. [SPACE

SHU'I'FLE DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 21, 1993.]

51
[] _.. ,.NTRACrORS HONORED FOR SAFETY

Lockheed Space Operations Company and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace

Division have been honored with safety awards for 1992. Lockheed's safety

record annually rated between 90 and 94 percent. Honored along with Lockheed

was its contractor team of Grumman Technical Services, Thiokol Corp. and

Johnson Controls. McDonnell Douglas's rating for 1992 was 98%. The Central

Florida Safety Council also recognized the achievements of McDonnell Douglas

by making the company one of eight winners of its 1992 Excellence in Safety

Award. ["Two Shuttle Contractors Honored for Safety," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9E, March 21, 1993.]

I1 LSO EMPLOYEES WIN SNOOPYS

Astronaut Mark Lee recently award Silver Snoopys to eight Lockheed Space

Operations Co. employees: Kip Anderson, Louis Ayala, Shan)n Delaune, Gene

Greathouse, Cindy Oats, Joseph Sherman, David Rechkemmer and Roger Romine.

["8 Lockheed Employees Win Silver Snoopy," FLORIDATODAY, p. 9E, March

21, 1993.]

[1 BCC DESIGNS EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR NASA

Brevard Community College has received a $35,000 research grant from NASA

to design "an educational delivery system that will be distributed nationally to

benefit the space program." Bill Martin, University Liaison Manager of the

Technology and Advanced Projects Office of KSC said, "BCC's Instructional

Systems Design Project will meet industry needs while developing an educational

delivery system that will permit curricula to eventually be distributed nationally,

in support of the growth of aerospace education." ["BCC to Design Education

System for NASA," FLORA TODAY, p. 9E, March 21, 1993.]

March 22: STS 55: LAUNCH ABORT AT 3 SECONDS

"I wouldn't call it fear," said astronaut Steve Nagel of his aborted launch. "I

mean, there's a couple of moments wondering what happened because all you see

on board are red lights indicating an engine shutdown. So you know the

computers (shut down) the engines, but you don't know why or exactly what went

wrong with them." STS 55 Commander Nagel added, "It happened in a second

or two. I saw the red light on the right main engine [control panel], followed real

quickly by the left red light and then the center, and they were all shut down, in

less time than it took me to tell you that."

While igniting Columbia's three main engines which began at T-6.6 seconds the

onboard computers initiated a main engine abort sequence. Shutdown was

52
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March

completed at approximately T-3 seconds at 9:51 a.m. EST today. The reason for

the abort appears to be that main engine #3 did not fully ignite due to a liquid

oxygen preburner check valve which apparently experienced an intemal leak,

causing the purge system to be pressurized above the maximum 50 pounds per

square inch allowed. Ambient pressure would have allowed the full engine

ignition to occur. The onboard computers sensed the higher than allowed pressure

in the line and terminated the main engine ignition sequence. Shuttle Launch

Director Robert B. Sieck said, "Your initial reaction is to make sure there are no

(fuel) leaks or that there's nothing that's broken that's causing a hazardous

condition. You don't have time to think of anything else." Sieck added, "Really,

it was one of those nice boring countdowns until the last few seconds."

While no definite schedule has been developed as yet, the amount of time

estimated to pick up the STS 55 countdown once again is about three weeks.

Schedule options are under consideration this week. Regarding Columbia, the

Orbiter has been safed and the offloading of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen

from the external tank has been completed. The STS 55 crew returned to Houston

at 2:30 p.m. Work in progress includes an external tank liquid hydrogen boiloff

and a powering down of the Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units (EORF). STS 55

work scheduled: closing the rotating service structure around the Orbiter on

March 23; removing the EORF experiment samples; removing mid-deck

experiment lockers; mating the Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit; offioading

cryogenic reactants; removing main engine check valves; disconnecting ordnance

and Spacelab laboratory module experiment servicing. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAy, p. 2A, March 22, 1993; SPACE SHUTrLE DAILY STATUS REPORT,

March 22, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, March 23, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, March 23, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 23, 1993.]

CREW SAFE DURIN G ABORT

"We have safe procedures for the shutdown of the engines, and we could not have

lifted off with this valve in the improper position," said NASA's Shuttle Program

Manager Leonard Nicholson. "And once the valve is in the proper position, we

would have been fine. We would have had a normal flight." NASA officials said

that the crew had been in no danger during the launch abort. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 23, 1993.]

23: STS 55: POST ABORT WORK

While Columbia's aft compartment flight doors are being removed today, work in

the aft and the planned #3 main engine check valve removal will not begin till

March 24 since offloading fuel cell cryogenic reactants will not be completed until

late tonight. No manifest option will be chosen until a check valve failure

53
o

q_

analysis has been completed. A decision is expected March 25. In the meantime,

Launch Complex 39A technicians have completed boiling off external tank liquid

hydrogen and have powered down the Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units (EORF).

Work in progress includes: closing the rotating service structure around

Columbia; tail service mast securing; removal of Orbiter refrigerator/freezer

experiment samples; removal of mid-deck experiment lockers; extension of

external tank access arm; external tank purge; removal of aft compartment flight

doors; tile inspections. STS 55 work scheduled: offloading of cryogenic

reactants; #3 main engine check valve removal/failure analysis; ordnance

disconnection; removal of heat shields. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

March 24, 1993; SPACE SH].ITTLE DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 23,

1993.]

March 24: ENDEAVOUR ROLLED TO VAB

Endeavour has been rolled over to the VAB from the Orbiter Processing Facility

and is being mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters. That done, the

vehicle is in for a wait before it can be rolled out to the launch pad. The reason?

Both Launch Complex 39A and 39B are presently occupied by Shuttles.

Columbia is on 39A and faces a potential three-week delay because of its launch

abort. Discovery is at 39B and managers will meet tomorrow to determine when

the vehicle can start on its STS 56 mission. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

March 25, 1993.]

March 25: DISCOVERY: STS 56 FRR

The flight readiness review for the launch of Discovery's STS 56 mission was held

today with not major issues identified. Shuttle managers will set a target launch

date next week after resolution of the problem which caused Columbia's main

engine shutdown March 22. The primary STS 56 payload, Atlas 2, will

investigate the sun's energy output and the Earth's middle-atmosphere chemical

makeup and how these factors affect levels of Earth's ozone, which prevents much

of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. The

8-day STS 56 mission will be commanded by Kenneth Cameron and piloted by

Steve Oswald. Three mission specialists will round out the five-person crew:

Michael Foale, Kenneth Cockreil and Ellen Ochoa. [LAUNCH ADVISORY:

$TS-56 FLIGHT READINESS RE.VIEW COMPLETED, March 25, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 26, 1993.]

I1 STS 55: I.FAK CHECKS & TESTS CONTINUE

Leak checks and associated valve testing on the #3 main engine will continue

through March 26. Presently, engineers have not been able to replicate the

condition which caused the March 22 launch scrub of Columbia's STS 55 mission.

54
March

II

While preparations are in work to remove the three main engines, a definite engine

removal decision will not be made until March 26 or March 29 after manifest

issues are decided. Full access has been established into the main engine

compartment. Removal of the Orbiter refrigerator/freezer units (EORF) for

servicing is underway and technicians at the pad are troubleshooting the suspect

valve on main engine #3 and conducting ordnance disconnects. Main engine heat

shield removal will be undertaken tomorrow and on Saturday while preparations

for removal of the main engines are being made. [SPACE SHtYITLE DAILY

STATUS REPORT, March 25, 1993.]

STS 56; 57 PROCESSING

At Launch Complex 39B, the loading of storable hypergolic propellants into

Discovery concluded this morning and the pad is open to normal work. Ins of the

contingency EVA spacesuits is scheduled for tonight. On March 26, the STS 56

flight readiness test of the main engines and flight control surfaces is scheduled.

In the Mission Briefing Room the flight readiness review is underway. In the

Vehicle Assembly Building, the Space Shuttle Endeavour continues preparations

for its STS 57 mission; it has been soft mated to the external tank/solid rocket

booster stack. Hard mate activities occur next week followed by the Shuttle

interface test. [SPACE SH[YITLE DAILY STATUS REPORT, March 25, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 25, 1993.]

26: COLUMBIA ANOMALY RECREATED

Yesterday, engineers successfully recreated the anomaly which led to Columbia's

main engine ignition abort on March 22. Overnight the suspect check valve was

removed and is being flown today to's Canoga Park (CA) facility for disassembly

and analysis. Based on test data generated during troubleshooting, a decision has

been made not to remove the remaining check valves unless the pending failure

analysis deems it necessary. A decision has also been made to remove Columbia's

three main engines and replace them with those which had been planned for

installation on Endeavour. Troubleshooting of the #3 main engine check valves

is complete as are the ordnance disconnects. Work in progress: removal of the

Orbiter refrigerator/freezers (EORF) for servicing; removing main engine foam

insulation; main engine heat shield removal; positioning of main engines and flight

controls for engine removal; inspections of the reaction control system thrusters;

offloading of hydrogen from a rail car into the pad storage sphere for top off.

[SPACE SHUTTLE WEEKLY STATUS SUMMARY, March 26, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 27, 1993.]

LAYOFFS LIKELY FOR KSC

55
r

March

March

Lockheed Space Operations Co. and Thiokol Corp. are both asking their

employees to consider taking a voluntary layoff. Memos went out to employees

of both companies this week. Lockheed may have to cut as many as 300

employees from its payroll of some 6,000. Thiokol expects to cut about forty

persons from its work force of 500. [Reid, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 27,

1993.]

28: DEI.TA LAUNCH ATIT.,MPT SCHEDULED

After a one-day delay, the Air Force is expected to launch its Delta 2 tonight.

The rocket will be carrying a $50 million military navigation satellite; launch is

expected to occur between 10:13 p.m. and 10:41 p.m. Air Force meteorologists

predict a 90% chance of favorable weather for tonight's attempt; they expressed

concern about electrically charged clouds in the immediate area. The payload -

a Navstar Global Positioning Satellite - will be the 23rd in a series of satellites

which enable U.S. ships, submarines, fighters, bombers, tanks and troops to

determine their position within 50 feet. The system also provides them with a

velocity measurement accurate to within a fraction of a mile per hour and the

correct time b y a millionth of a second. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

March 28, 1993.]

29: DISCOVERY: FRT COMPLgFED

Over the weekend tests were performed on Discovery's main engine check valves.

These tests are the same as those conducted last week during troubleshooting of

Columbia's check valves. The test results are not conclusive on main engine #1.

Each of five valves passed its individual test. However, the "combined test,"

exercising the complete set of five valves, shows some unexplained leakage.

These tests are being re-run today. A firm launch date will not be set for

Discovery until after these test results are available March 30.

Discovery's STS 56 flight readiness test of the main engines and flight control

surfaces has been completed at Launch Complex 39B. Contingency EVA

spacesuits have also been installed and checked out. Work in progress: ATLAS-2

payload closeouts; installation of crew escape pole; crew hatch functional check;

top off of pad liquid oxygen storage sphere; Orbiter aft compartment closeouts;

main engine #1 check valve testing; stowage of flight crew mission items into

crew compartment and countdown preparations in Firing Room 3. Scheduled STS

56 work: closure of payload bay doors for flight tonight; mate and leak check of

the Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit (OMBUU); ordnance installation and

connections; external tank purges and Orbiter aft confidence test. Analysis of

Columbia's failed check valve has revealed a small black non-metallic particle

which may have come from a seal that is associated with ground support test

56
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March

equipment used during the valve's manufacturing. [DAILY SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, March 29, 1993.]

DELTAS3 FOURTH A'ITEMffF TO LAUNCH

The weather, at least is likely to cooperate for the Air Force's fourth attempt to

launch its Delta 2 rocket; the payload is a military satellite. Launch time will

come between 10:09 and 10:37 a.m. this morning. A third effort to launch the

rocket was scrubbed because of high level winds. The Delta launch has also been

impacted by the "botched launch" of an Atlas rocket on March 25. That mission

began to fall apart some 22 seconds after launch; the rocket's satellite payload was

deployed in the wrong orbit when the first stage of the Atlas lost approximately

35 percent of its thrust. [Halvorson [SEE: "Satellite Can't Be Salvaged,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 27, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

1A, March 27, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 28, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 29, 1993.]

30: LAUNCH SCHEDULING: ATLAS,t SPACELAB

NASA announced today that Space Shuttle Discovery with the STS 56/ATLAS-2

payload will be the next mission to fly with launch scheduled for April 6, 1993,

at 1:32 a.m. EDT. Space Shuttle Columbia and the STS 55/Spacelab D-2 payload,

which experienced a launch scrub on March 22, has been assigned a new target

launch date no earlier than April 24. The decision for STS 56 to be the next

mission flown came after the main engine team finished analyzing the purge valve

which caused the STS 55 launch scrub. The team's investigation concluded that

the valve from the number 3 main engine failed to operate properly because of

contamination that had been in the valve since it was manufactured. The team

also determined that this condition could exist in other engines. A series of tests

designed to reveal such a condition has been performed on Discovery and one

suspect valve from one engine is being removed and replaced.

"Flying the missions in this order is the most effective use of all our resources,"

said Shuttle Director Tom Utsman. "The oppommity to observe changes in the

Earth's ozone during the seasonal transition between spring and summer in the

northern hemisphere. At the same time, the launch team at Kennedy will be

working to get Columbia back to launch configuration for launch on April 24.

NASA is very pleased with the cooperation given by our friends in the German

space agency. They have been involved as all possible options are considered.

Their willingness to let the STS 56 mission have an early April launch will give

the ATLAS folks the chance to collect some very important data on the Earth's

ozone." [LAUNCH ADVISORY: ATLAS 2 Launch Date Set, Spacelab D-2

Mission Rescheduled," March 30, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

March 29, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 30, 1993.]

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March

DISCOVERY VALVE FAH.,S TEST

In repeating the combined test as well as individual leak checks of Discovery's #1

main engine check valves yesterday, one valve did not pass these tests. While it

is the same valve which failed on Columbia it is not known at this time if there

is any correlation. Overnight it was removed and today it is being flown to

Rocketdyne in California for failure analysis. A spare valve is being installed

today and will be leak checked tonight. Technicians at Launch Complex 39B

have completed ATLAS 2 payload closeouts; closed payload bay doors for flight;

installed crew escape pole; performed crew hatch functional check; topped off pad

liquid oxygen storage sphere.

STS 56 work in progress: installation of replacement check valve on main engine

#1; Orbiter aft compartment closeouts; avionics bay closeouts; mate and leak

cheek Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit; stowage of flight crew mission items into

crew compartment; troubleshooting crew cabin instrument panel electrical system;

countdown preparations in Firing Room 3. Work scheduled: leak check

replacement check valve tonight; ordnance installation and eormections;

pressurization of hypergolie propellant tanks; external tank purges; final Orbiter

aft confidence test; removal of main engine protective covers and installation of

aft compartment flight doors. At LC 39A, the changeout of Columbia's three main

engines is underway. Yesterday main engine #2 was removed and replaced. Main

engine #3 is being removed and replaced today. Main engine #1 is scheduled to

be removed and replaced tomorrow. [D,AII.Y SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT. March 30, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 1, 1993;

"Discovery's Woes Perplex NASA," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 30,

1993.]

31: STS 56: ]REPLACEMENT VALVE INSTALLED

Technicians at Launch Complex 39B have installed a replacement check valve on

Discovery's main engine number one as a result of the STS 55 launch abort. The

Orbiter has also been mated with the orbital mid-body umbilical unit (OMBUU).

Discovery's STS 56 mission is now scheduled to launch on April 6 between 1:32

and 3:58 a.m. EST. Work in progress for STS 56: pad closed for ordnance

installation followed by hypergolie pressurization and fuel cell storage tank purges;

aft engine compartment closeouts; launch countdown preparations in Firing Room

3. STS 56 work scheduled: continued troubleshooting on check valves on main

engine number 1 when the pad reopens tonight; retest of the crew cabin electrical

system; temperature sensor checks on OMS crossfeed line; hydraulic circulation

pump retests; external tank purges; crew arrival at 10:00 p.m. April 2; countdown

starts at 5:00 a.m. April 3; aft engine compartment closeout for flight also April

3. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT. March

31, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, March 31, 1993; Halvorson,

58
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[1

[I

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 31, 1993; "NASABooks Shuttle Discovery For

A Nighttime Liftoff Next Week," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 31, 1993.]

REPLACEMENT TITAN MOVES TO PAD

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, an Air Force Titan rocket is being moved

to a launch pad to replace one which had stood on the pad for a year and now

needs to be disassembled. Two Titans had been rolled back to their assembly

building because over the past 18 months. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, March 31, 1993.]

ATLAS LAUNC H TO BE INVESTIGATED

General Dynamics Corp. plans to investigate the unsuccessful launch of an Atlas

Centaur from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station last week. Spokesman Michael

Wynne said, "A preliminary look at the data indicates we have a problem with a

much narrower focus than the previous Centaur failure. That could mean a far

shorter launch stand-down as we establish the corrective actions necessary to

return Atlas to flight." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 31, 1993.]

S,'!'S 55_ 57 UPDATES

Columbia's reaction control system regulator flow checks have been completed

along with ordnance disconnects and safmg. Work in progress: removal and

replacement of main engines; thruster drying and inspections and liquid hydrogen

actuator hose leak checks. Work scheduled for the rescheduled STS 55 mission

includes continued installation and mating of main engines. KSC are now

estimating a target date of April 24 for launching STS 55. Meanwhile,

preparations for Endeavour's STS 57 mission continue in the Vehicle Assembly

Building. Work in progress today for STS 57: electrical mates between the

Orbiter and the external tank and umbilical closeouts and leak checks. Scheduled

STS 57 work: SRB hydraulic tests; start of main engine installation on April 12

and rollout to LC 39B targeted for April 19. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, March 31, 1993.]

59
APRIL

Apdl 1: STS 56: HAZARDOUS PAD JOBS DONE

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed their hazardous operations,

including the installation of explosive devices which separate the Orbiter from its

boosters and external tank after launch; the pad has reopened. Hypergolic

pressurization activities are complete as are the fuel cell storage tank purges. STS

56 work in progress: continued leak checks for additional data points on check

valves on main engine number 1; testing of crew cabin electrical system;

temperature sensor checks on the OMS crossfeed line; hydraulic circulation pump

tests; aft engine compartment closeouts; launch countdown preparations.

Scheduled tasks: external tank purges; crew arrival at 10:00 p.m.; start of

countdown at 5:00 a.m. April 3; aft engine compartment closeout for flight.

[KE..NNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 1,

1993.]

[1 STS 55; 56 UPDATES

Ordnance disconnects and sating of Columbia at LC 39A have been completed.

Work in progress for STS 55: installation of last (#1) of three main engines;

thruster drying and inspections and liquid hydrogen actuator hose leak checks.

Scheduled work: continuation of mating and electrical checks on the main engine

and reaction control system regulator flow checks. Endeavour continues to be

processed for its May STS 57 mission. Completed tasks include: T-O umbilical

leak checks; hydraulic circulation and sampling; liquid oxygen monoball closeouts.

In progress today are electrical mates between Endeavour and its external tank and

umbilical closeouts and leak checks. STS 57 work scheduled: SRB hydraulic

tests; beginning of main engine installation and rollout to Launch Complex 39B

on or about April 19. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, April 1, 19931]

April 2: STS 56: WEATHER A CONCERN

The extended weather forecast for launch of Discovery on April 6 indicates a 30

percent chance of violating launch constraints due to cloud ceilings below 8000

feet, a chance of showers and thick clouds. The 24 hour delay predicts a 30

percent chance of violation, 48 hour delay a 20 percent chance. At Launch

Complex 39B several tasks are now completed: leak checks on valves on the

main engines were favorable; crew cabin electrical system test; temperature sensor

checks on OMS crossfeed line; ordnance installation; hypergolic fuel tank

pressurization. Work in progress today: aft engine compartment closeouts

(scheduled to be completed by 4:00 p.m. tomorrow; Orbiter midbody umbilical

leak checks; external tank purges and inspections; hypergolic quick disconnect

60
II

[1

eloseouts; launch countdown preparations. STS 56 work scheduled: crew arrival

at 10:00 p.m. tonight; countdown beginning at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow; removal of

main engine protective covers; installation of aft compartment doors tomorrow and

Orbiter aft confidence test tomorrow. KSC spokesman Brace Buckingham said,

"We've got enough time to do all the work we need to do. Given no problems we

should be in good shape for Tuesday [launch day]. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUT_.E STATUS REPORT, April 2, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY p. 1A, April 2, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, April 3,

1993.]

OCHOA: FIRST HISPANIC WOMAN

Ellen Ochoa, a crew member for Discovery's STS 56 mission, is the first female

Hispanic to go into space. "We're all very tickled that finally there is going to be

a Hispanic female representing us in space," said Oscar Gamboa, KSC's Hispanic

Employment Program Director. He added that the Hispanic work force had grown

at Kennedy Space Center, as well. "We have better than doubled our numbers

here at KSC since 1985. NASA is making a very strong effort to diversify the

work force so it reflects what we have in the nation." NASA officials said that

Ochoa had all the academic qualifications to become an astronaut. "But I

remember she also was a concert flutist and was a very well-rounded person. She

handled herself very well in our interviews and just looked like the type of person

that we would like representing NASA," said a space agency spokesperson.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY., pp. 1A-2A, April 3, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, April 4, 1993.]

STS 55: PRE-LAUNCH UPDATE

As part of the effort to have Columbia ready at the earliest possible date, all three

main engines are being removed and will be replaced with ones originally

scheduled for use during the STS 57 mission with Space Shuttle Endeavour which

is now scheduled to fly in May. The rest of the Space Shuttle missions planned

for 1993 will stay in their planned order and schedule. Main engine installation

has been completed on Columbia. Thruster drying and inspections and liquid

hydrogen actuator hose leak checks have also been completed. Work in progress

for STS 55: securing main engines following replacement; hydraulic operations;

close rudder speed brake; cavity purges; and preparations to open payload bay

doors today to replace GAUSS camera film. STS 55 work scheduled: continuing

electrical checks on the main engines; reaction control system regulator flow

checks and preparations to enter Spacelab to service experiments. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, April 2, 1993.]

61
I1 STS 57: ENDEAVOUR IN VAB

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians have completed electrical mates

between Endeavour and its external orbiter. Hydraulic circulation and sampling

and liquid oxygen monoball closeouts have also been completed. STS 57 work

in progress: Shuttle interface test; T-O umbilical closeouts and leak checks and

cavity purge; reposition body flap and rudder speed brake. Scheduled tasks: SRB

hydraulic tests; beginning main engine installation April 12 and rollout to pad 39B

targeted for April 19. The STS 57 mission, which will involve the first flight of

the SPACEHAB commercial payload and the retrieval of the European Space

Agency's EURECA satellite, is now set to fly in late May. The remainder of the

1993 schedule is expected to remain unaffected by the problems in launching

Columbia on its STS 55 mission. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. April 2, 1993.KSC Release No. 29-.93, April 1,

1993.]

April 5: STS 56; LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

Operations at Launch Complex 39]3 are running smoothly and without problems

for the launch of Discovery's STS 56 mission tomorrow at 1:32 a.m. Late

stowage of time critical items is underway this morning. In the afternoon workers

will begin to make a final purge of the fuel cell lines, mission control in Houston

will configure communications networks and Discovery's purge system will be

switched from air to gaseous nitrogen. The countdown clock will enter the

planned one hour hold at the T-6 hour mark as last minute checks are made prior

to loading the external tank with over 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and

liquid oxygen.

Once the pad is cleared of all personnel, tanking will begin at about 5:12 p.m.

today and conclude some three hours later. After tanking, the ice team will be

deployed to the pad for final assessments of the vehicle. All payloads have been

closed out for flight and require no specific monitoring prior to launch. The fivemember crew has been divided into two shifts for around-the-clock monitoring of

operations aboard Discovery. The blue team includes: Commander Kenneth

Cameron, Pilot Stephen Oswald and Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa The red

team is Payload Commander Michael Foale and Mission Specialist Kenneth

Cockrell. The weather forecast for launch tomorrow indicates a 20 percent chance

of violating launch constraints during the window opening at 1:32 a.m. The

primary concern is a possible cloud ceiling a the Shuttle Landing Facility. There

is a 20 percent chance of violating tanking constraints due to lightning within 5

miles of the pad. The 24 hour and 48 hour delay predictions show a 20 percent

and a 30 percent chance of weather constraints violation, respectively.

62
NASA officials said today that the SpaceShuttle Atlantis, currently undergoing

extensive modifications in California, will not rejoin the fleet at KSC until late

1994. The delay will allow the Orbiter to be outfitted to fly missions lasting as

much as a month. Shuttle Program Director Tom Utsman said, "It will provide

us with a capability to start using the Space Station very early." Atlantis, he said,

will have the capacity to hold fuel for a mission lasting 28 days. It will receive

eight fuel tanks to augment the four or five sets of tanks currently installed in the

other three Orbiters. The modifications will cost approximately $38.7 million.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 4, 1993; KENNEDY SPAC.E.

CENTER SPACE SHLrr_.F. STATUS REPORT: STS 56 L-1 DAY, April 5,

1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-4, April 5, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 6, 1993.]

April 6: DISCOVERY LAUNCH ABORTED

The launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery was aborted this morning at T-11

seconds by the onboard computers when instrumentation on the liquid hydrogen

high point bleed valve in the main propulsion system indicated off when it should

have indicated on. Follow-up analysis showed the instrumentation was faulty and

that the valve was in the proper configuration for launch. Managers will be

meeting later this afternoon to further evaluate the situation. At this time, the

launch team is working under the 48-hour scrub turn-around schedule with the

understanding a final decision will be made later today by the mission

management team. If the 48-hour scrub turn-around schedule is verified the

countdown clock will be recycled to the T-11 hour mark and paced for a T-0 at

1:29 a.m. Thursday, April 8. At this time, there are no plans to rotate the service

structure around the vehicle or service the onboard cryogenic fuels. The crew has

returned to their quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building and are

essentially following their L-2 day timeline.

Initial sating and securing of Discovery has been completed; pad technicians have

the secured liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen system and have begun draining

back cryogenic fuels from the external tank. The 48-hour scrub turn-around

schedule has been initiated. Work in progress today: vehicle sating and securing;

liquid hydrogen boiloff; flight crew equipment destow; re-configuring OMS/RCS

crossfeed heaters; main engine purging and re-positioning and re-fill of the water

deluge system. STS 56 work scheduled: changing the liquid hydrogen system to

an inert gaseous purge; opening pad for non-hazardous work and beginning a

change-out of time critical mid-deck payloads. [Kennedy Space Center Space

Shuttle Status Report, April 6, 1993.]

63
April 7: STS 56; L-1 DAY

The countdown clock for the launch of Discovery was recycled yesterday to the

T-27 hour mark and the count resumed at 6:29 p.m. for launch at 1:20 a.m. April

8. Mission managers are confident Discovery is ready for flight and the problem

that caused the abort of the launch attempt April 6 has been understood and fixed.

The problem was associated with instrumentation on the high point bleed valve

in the main propulsion system. Indications were the valve was in an improper

position for launch. Tests conducted yesterday, including five cryogenic cycles

of the valve, confirmed the valve was working properly. It will be checked again

this afternoon when fast fill of the liquid hydrogen begins. Currently, operations

at Launch Complex 39]3 are continuing without problem. Late stowage of time

critical items and mid-deck payloads is underway and should be concluded by

11:00 a.m. All the payloads in the Orbiter's payload bay have been closed out for

flight and require no specific monitoring prior to launch.

Later today, the launch team will begin the final purge of the onboard fuel cell

lines, mission control in Houston will configure communications networks, and

Discovery's purge system will be switched from air to gaseous nitrogen. The

countdown clock will enter a planned hold at 9:39 a.m. at the T-11 hour mark and

remain there for 90 minutes. The clock will resume counting at 11:09 a.m. today.

The next hold will be the one hour built in hold at the T-6 hour mark at 4:09 p.m.

At that time, final checks of the main propulsion system will be made prior to

loading the external tank with over 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid

oxygen. Once the pad is cleared of all personnel, the clock will again start

counting at 5:09 p.m. as tanking begins. This operation takes about three hours.

Following tanking, the ice team will be deployed to the pad for final assessments

of the vehicle. The weather forecast for launch tomorrow morning indicates a 10

percent chance of violating launch constraints during the window opening at 1:29

a.m. The concern is a possible cloud ceiling below 8,000 feet. There is a chance

of violating tanking constraints. The 24 hour and 48 hour delay predictions show

a 20 percent and a 40 percent chance of violation, respectively. [I-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1-2, April 7, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT: STS 56 L-1 DAY. April 7, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 8, 1993.]

April 8: DISCOVERY BLASTS OFF

In its second launch attempt, the Space Shuttle Discovery lift off from LC 39B

right on time at 1:29 a.m. EST. It rose to orbit 140 miles due east of Atlantic

City, NJ. "The disappointment is there from the other night, from the scrub, but

that goes with this business. You got to have patience and you're going to have

disappointments," said Launch Director Robert B. Sieck Discovery is expected

to land at Kennedy Space Center on April 16. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

64
p. 1A-2A, April 8, 1993;Halvorson,FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 15,

1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 9, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 8z A-13, April i5, 1993.]

[] CI.INTON PROPOSES NASA INCREASE

NASA is one of the few federal agencies slated for an increase in President

Clinton's budget which has just been submitted to Congress. The president has

proposed a 6.5 percent increase in the space agency's budget. NASA's

Administrator Daniel S. Goldin responded to the news of the budget increase

saying, "It represents our independence from old ideas, from old assumptions."

He added that spending would be redirected toward "new technology investments."

[Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 8, 1993.]

April 9: ATLAS MISSION A TOTAL FAILURE

The U.S. Navy conceded today that the recent Atlas mission launched from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station (FL) cannot be salvaged. The communications

satellite carried aboard the Atlas was to have been the first of 9; the second will

be launched later in the year after General Dynamics finishes investigating the

March 25 failure. ["Atlas Mission A Total Failure," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

April 10, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 10, 1993.]

[1 2000 SHUTrI,E JOBS AT KSC TO VANISH

h

April

President Bill Clinton's five-year budget plan for NASA includes the elimination

of some 2,000 Shuttle-related jobs at Kennedy Space Center by 1997. KSC

Director Robert L. Cdppen said, "The good news is that we're still working on

[the] station, and we're still flying eight flights a year." Crippen spoke after

Administrator Daniel S. Goldin finished a NASA-network broadcast statement.

The Shuttle budget, currently at $940 million annually, is expected to shrink to

$900 million by 1997. From three to four hundred cuts in Shuttle processing jobs

had already been announced; another four to eight hundred jobs will follow.

KSC's Jay Honeyeutt estimates that an average of 400 workers a year will lose

their jobs for a total of about 2000 by 1997. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

April 9, 1993.]

13: STS 55 READIED FOR ANOTHER TRY

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A have conducted Spacelab power-up and vent

checks on Columbia's prime cargo for its STS 55 mission. The Orbiter's payload

bay doors have been opened; helium signature leak check preparations have been

completed along with a main engine flight readiness test. At the SLF, workers

completed tests of the microwave scanning beam landing system (MSBLS). Work

65
in progress: helium signature leak checks and main engine leak checks. Work

scheduled: continuance of engine check valve leak checks after the helium

signature tests; liquid hydrogen cavity purge; orbital maneuvering system heater

checks; preparations to enter Spacelab to make final service of experiments;

external tank purges; begin aft engine compartment closeouts; close payload bay

doors for flight. Meanwhile, the Space Shuttle Discovery remains in orbit on its

STS 56 mission. Landing is scheduled for Friday, April 16 at 7:33 a.m.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTrI.E STATUS REPORT, April 13,

1993.]

I1 ENDEAVOUR PREPARED FOR STS 57

Main engine inspections of Endeavour have been completed in the Vehicle

Assembly Building as the Orbiter continues to undergo preparations for its STS

57 flight. T-0 umbilical closeouts, leak checks and a cavity purge have also been

completed. Work in progress: Shuttle interface test; external tank foaming

operations; pre-rollout inspections. STS 57 work scheduled: SRB hydraulic

closeouts; start of main engine installation on April 16; rollout to Launch Complex

39B targeted for April 22. [KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, April 13, 1993.]

April 15: COLUMBIA PIIk'_ARED FOR LAUNCH,

Once again, the Space Shuttle Columbia is being readied for launch on its STS 55

mission. The main engine leak checks were completed and were positive. In

addition, the orbital maneuvering system heater checks and helium signature leak

checks were finished. STS 55 work in progress today: operations to enter

Spacelab for final service of experiments; external tank purges; payload bay

closeouts; countdown preparations. Scheduled work includes: closing the payload

bay doors for flight; beginning aft engine compartment closeouts; ordnance

installation; hypergolic fuel pressurization. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 15, 1993.]

[1 DISCOVERY IN ORBIT

The Space Shuttle Discovery remains on orbit following launch on April 8 at 1:29

a.m. Landing is scheduled for Friday, April 16, at Kennedy Space Center. There

are two opportunities for landing at KSC on Friday - 7:33 a.m. and 9:06 a.m.

There is one KSC landing opportunity on Saturday at 7:39 a.m. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 15, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 15, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

2A, April 14, 1993.]

66
v

I]

II

STS 57 PROCESSING IN VAB

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is undergoing final processing for its STS 57

mission while in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Engineers and technicians have

completed the STS 57 countdown simulation as well as main engine interface

inspections and T-0 umbilical closeouts, leak checks and a cavity purge. STS 57

work in progress today: the Shuttle interface test; SRB hydraulic eloseouts;

external tank foaming operations; pre-rollout inspections. Work scheduled: main

engine installation and rollout to Launch Complex 39B set for April 22.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. April 15, 1993.]

SPACELAB MODULE SERVICFJ): STS 55

The STS 55 payload test team is concluding its Spacelab D-2 servicing activities

today, leading to closing Columbia's payload bay doors for flight on April 16.

After Columbia's initial launch attempt on March 21, the team moved to

implement a plan which would assure that the Spacelab D-2 experiments would

meet all mission success criteria. This meant, replacing some experiment samples

and testing other experiments, or their associated flight hardware. The task at

hand is to implement the "MVAK" plan, which stands for Module Vertical Access

Kit.

The work is performed in three phases. Phase on (April 8) was to destow, or

remove the experiment samples which had to be replaced or refurbished. This

occupied 40 continuous hours with a team working inside the German Spacelab

D-2 laboratory module, as well as in the payload changeout room (PCR) at the

launch pad. In some cases, the sample exchanges could be done during Phase 1.

Principal investigators were stationed in the PCR and could exchange their

experiment samples with fresh ones and the trays were reinstalled the same day.

The four elements of the Holographic Optic Laboratory, as well as other materials

and life sciences experiments, were removed and taken to Hangar L for a

refurbishment process which took approximately four days to complete.

Phase two was "powered maintenance." This was performed on April 12 and

lasted 18 hours. This included operation and checkout of video recorders, the

experiment water pumps, a turbomolecular pump, two lesser systems, and the

Biolabor and Anthrorack experiment racks. Phase 3, which is underway today,

involves restowing experiments which were removed for replacement or

refurbishment during Phase 1. This work takes about 12 hours. Being restowed

today are the four elements of the Holographic Optics Laboratory, the Chemical

Garden, and the materials samples taken from the MEDEA experiment. The two

Orbiter refrigerator freezer units which support the mission were also removed

from the mid-deck for servicing and will be reinstalled April 16. The life sciences

samples such as the frog embryos were also removed from the mid-deck and will

67
q

be reinstalled one day before launch with fresh samples. Once fresh experiments

are aboard Spacelab D-2, another MVAK Spacelab servicing would not be

required before the end of May. Launch is presently scheduled for 10:52 a.m. on

April 24. [KSC Release No. 37-93, April 15, 1993.]

II S'IS 51: PAYLOAD MILESTONE

As Discovery continues to orbit the Earth on its STS 56 mission, its next major

payload is being readied for launch. A milestone in payload processing for the

upcoming STS 51 mission was achieved this week when the Advanced

Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was mated to its upper stage

booster, a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). This processing milestone occurred at the

Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) and will be followed with integrated

tests between the two payload flight elements. The ACTS/TOS combination will

be moved to KSC's Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) during the first week of

May for testing to assure its compatibility with the Space Shuttle and readiness

for integration with Discovery.

ACTS arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station runway on February 11

aboard a C-5B military aircraft and was taken to NASA's Spacecraft Hangar AO

nearby for checkout activities. It underwent a complete set of stand-alone tests

before being moved to the PHSF at Kennedy Space Center March 8. ACTS is a

communications satellite designed to test an experimental advanced satellite

communications concept. ACTS will be deployed from Discovery shortly after

launch which is currently targeted for mid-July. [KSC Release No. 36-93, April

15, 1993.]

April 16: DISCOVERY GETS EXTRA DAY IN SPACE

The Shuttle Discovery remains on orbit today after NASA managers canceled the

scheduled landing because of unacceptable weather conditions at KSC's Shuttle

Landing Facility. Landing is now set for 7:38 a.m. EDT at Kennedy Space

Center. Deorbit bum is scheduled for 6:34 a.m. tomorrow. Meanwhile,

technicians continue to process Columbia for its April 24 launch on its STS 55

mission. Spaeelab closeouts and final servicing of experiments have been

completed. Workers have also conducted external tank purges and main

propulsion system foam insdation work. Work:in_progress: launch countdown

preparations; payload bay closeouts; closing of payload bay doors for flight and

aft engine compartment closeouts. STS 55 work scheduled: ordnance installation;

hypergolic fuel press_zation; fuel cell storage tank purges; countdown beginning

at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and crew arrival on the morning of April 21. There is a

slight chance of precipitation for the STS 55 launch on April 24. There is a

possibility that the ceiling for visibility may be below 8,000 feet. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 16, 1993; L-_._A4

68
Day Weather Outlook for STS 55, April 20, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, April 16, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL.]

II STS 57 PROCESSIN G

External tank foaming operations have been completed in preparation for the STS

57 mission of Endeavour. The Shuttle interface test and SRB hydraulic closeouts

are also finished. Today, the main engine installation on Endeavour will be

underway. STS 57 work scheduled: hydraulic fluid circulation and sample tests

and rollout to Launch Complex 39B set for April 26. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 16, 1993.]

April 17: DISCOVERY: READY OR NOT.r HERE I COME

Poor weather continues to plague Kennedy Space Center, but NASA plans to bring

Discovery home from its STS 56 mission one way or the other. That usually

means a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Landing Flight Director Rich

Jackson said, "We'll try to get into the Cape if at all possible." Discovery is short

of cryogenics - the liquified gases which help produce water and electricity - and

must come home. Possible Edwards landings could come at 9:04 a.m. and 10:38

a.m. EDT. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. April 17, 1993.]

II DISCOVERY MAKES KSC LANDING

"A week from now we should be at T minus one hour and counting," said Shuttle

Launch Director Robert B. Sieck just after Discovery landed at Kennedy Space

Center. The countdown he referred to was that of Columbia currently being

prepared at the launch pad for its STS 55 mission. In what astronaut Kevin

Clailton called "a beautiful piece of flying," Commander Ken Cameron brought

Discovery home to a landing at 7:37 a.m. Landing controllers had been concerned

about a strong, 160-mph jet stream of wind Cameron would have to pass through

on landing. The mission commander banked steeply and brought the vehicle in

without incident. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 18, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, April 17, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SI-IUTYLE STATUS REPORT, April 19, 1993; Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 18, 1993.]

April 18: FREEDOM OVERSIGHT PANEL NAMED

President Clinton has named a group of experts to oversee the reworking of

NASA's plan for Space Station Freedom. Chairman Charles Vest, President of

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, "America's future in science and

technology and as a world leader in space demands our utmost attention and care.

We have assembled a diverse panel of experts that, I believe, will bring the

69
appropriatemeasuresof insight, integrity and objectivity to this critical task."

Panelmembersinclude: BobbyAlford, Deanof Medicine atBaylor Collegeof

Medicine; Frederick Hauck, former astronaut and president/chief executive officer

of International Technical Underwriters; Jay Chabrow, president of JMR

Associates; Lou Lanzerotli, Chairman, National Research Council's Space Sciences

Board; Paul Chu, Director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity (University

of Houston); William Lilly, National Academy of Public Administration; Ed

Crawley, Professor of aeronautics and astronautics (MIT); former astronaut John

Fabian, president/chief executive officer of ANSER; Brad Parkinson, Professor of

aeronautics and astronautics (Stanford University); Major General James Fain,

Deputy Chief of Staff at Air Force Materials Command; Robert Seamans, former

NASA Deputy Administrator; Edward Fort of the W. M. Keck Foundation; Lee

Silver, professor of Resource Geology (North Carolina A&T State University;

Mary Good, retired Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Allied Signal Corp.;

Albert "Bud" Wheelon, Senior Vice President of technology for Hughes Aircraft.

["Space Station Freedom Oversight Panel Named," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E,

April 18, 1993.]

April 19: STS 55: ORDNANCE INSTALLATION

"A week from now we should be at T-minus one hour and something, and we're

looking forward to that," said Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck about the

upcoming STS 55 launch. Deputy Shuttle Program Manager BrewsterShaw said,

"If somebody's not ready, we will wait until they are, but if everybody's

comfortable with flying Saturday (April 24), we'll press on and go fly." Ordnance

installation on the STS 55 stack has been completed. The Orbiter's auxiliary

power unit catch bottle has been vented and drained. Columbia's hypergolic fuel

has been pressurized and the payload bay doors have been closed for flight. The

payload by doors have been readied for flight. Spacelab closeouts and the final

servicing of experiments have been completed for STS 55. Work in progress

today: launch countdown preparations; aft engine compartment closeouts; fuel cell

storage tank purges. Work completed: ordnance installation; auxiliary power unit

catch bottle vent and drain; hypergolic fuel pressurization; closing payload bay

doors for flight; payload bay closeouts; Spacelab closeouts and final servicing of

experiments. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, April 19, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 19, 1993.]

I1 ENDEAVOUR: SSME 3 INSTALLED

Endeavour's third Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) has now been installed

while the Orbiter was in the VAB for pre-rollout processing. The hold down post

plunger has also been installed. STS 57 work in progress: installation of SSME

1 and 2; hydraulic fluid circulation and sample tests. Scheduled tasks include:

heat shield installation; aft securing for rollout and rollout to LC 39B on April 26.

70
.. C

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATIJS REPORT, April 19,

1993.]

II LAWRENCE TO HEAD NASA PA

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Geldin today announced the appointment of Jeff

lmvmnce, a senior congressional staff aid with extensive experience in space and

aeronautics matters, as the agency's Associate administrator for Legislative Affairs.

"With his considerable knowledge of the legislative and appropriations processes,

as well as space, environmental and technology issues, Jeff Lawrence is ideally

suited to serve as NASA's chief representative to the Congress today," CJoldin

said. Mary D. Kerwin, currently acting head of Legislative Affairs, has been

named that office's Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs. Lawrence

served on Capitol Hill as Legislative Director for former Pep. Bill Green (D-NY).

[NASA Release NO. 93-70, April 19, 1993; "Jeff Lawrence to Head NASA

Legislative Affairs," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11E, April 25, 1993.]

April 20: STS 55: TANK PURGES

At Launch Complex 39A, Columbia has had its fuel cell storage tank purged, its

hydraulic systems tested and has had its prime cargo - Spacelab - closed out with

a final servicing of its experiments. Work in progress today: launch countdown

preparations; aft engine compartment closeouts; Spacelab trace contaminant purge

and hypergolic stabilization. Work scheduled: crew arrival at 9:15 a.m. April 21

with the countdown beginning at 4:00 in the afternoon and an aft confidence test

and closeouts. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, April 20, 1993.]

II

II

STS 57: SAMPLE TESTS

In the VAB, workers have completed hydraulic fluid circulation and sample tests

on Endeavour in preparation for the Orbiter's STS 57 mission. Work in progress

today: installation of main engines and hydraulic operations. STS 57 work

scheduled: heat shield installation; aft securing for rollout; rollout to Launch

Complex 39B on April 26. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STA..TUS REPORT, April 20, 1993.]

STS 56: POST-FLIGHT MAINTENANCE

After its landing on April 17, Discovery was rolled from the Shuttle Landing

Facility to the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. There the payload bay door

strong back was installed and the Orbiter's thrusters inspected. Work in progress

today: Orbiter hydraulic operations; access to aft engine compartment; installation

71
II

II

April

of main engine locks; aft thruster inspections. Post-STS 56 work scheduled:

opening the payload bay doors; payload bay door latch and functional tests;

removal of forward reaction and control system access panels; removal of SUVE

payload; removal of ATLAS and Spartan payloads. "Discovery looks great," said

NASA Manager Dave King who is in charge of readying the Orbiter for launch.

The Shuttle had 156 tiles damaged during the mission, a slightly higher number

than the average of 132 per mission. "It's really nothing major or of any concern,"

King said. During the mission, a radio channel failed and one of three electricitygenerating fuel cells may need replacing because of unexpected voltage readings

during the mission. No delay is expected in the timetable for Discovery's next

flight, STS 51 which is set for about July. [KENNEDy SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 20, 1993.]

STS $5 CREW ARRIVAL

The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia on Mission STS 55 is scheduled for the

opening of a two hour and 30 minute window or at 10:52 a.m. EDT on Saturday,

April 24. The seven STS 55 flight crew members are scheduled to arrive at KSC's

Shuttle Landing Facility at about 9:15 a.m. today. KSC spokesman Miteh Vames

said, "We're on target for Saturday. And this time I'm going to get further than

T minus three seconds in the countdown." A pre-eountdown status briefing will

take place at 11 a.m. Varnes will be the NASA Launch Commentator for this

mission and had been on duty when Columbia shut down with three seconds left

in the countdown; a valve problem forced the Shuttle's computers to order the

countdown halted. [KSC Release No. 40-93, April 20, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAy, p. 1A, April 21, 1993; "Columbia Gets Tired of Waiting, Starts

Countdown," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 22, 1993.]

PLAYAIJNDA BEACH CLOSED

Playalinda Beach will be closed to the public beginning today at dusk due to the

Space Shuttle launch planned for Saturday, April 24. Given a successful launch

on Saturday, the beach will reopen to the public at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 25.

Launch of Columbia is set for 10:52 a.m. Saturday, April 24. The countdown

leading to the 55th Space Shuttle flight is set to begin at 4 p.m. on April 21. A

closing of Playalinda Beach is required throughout the duration of a Space Shuttle

launch countdown. [KSC Release No. 39-93, April 20, 1993.]

21: ENDEAVOUR MISSION DELAYED

Endeavour's STS 57 mission has been postponed on account of darkness. KSC

spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "We've never landed at KSC at night, and if

we don't absolutely have to, the question is why should we? The mission will be

delayed two weeks so the Orbiter can both take off and land in daylight. Current

72
II

plans are for a June 3 launch with a landing at Kennedy Space Center on June 11.

The next mission for Endeavour is the Hubble Space Telescope repair flight and

Buckingham said the STS 57 launch delay will not impact the December Hubble

mission. He said, "We'll still have a lot of time to get the work for the Hubble

mission completed." The upcoming mission will carry a crew of 7 astronauts who

will retrieve a European satellite deployed originally in August of last year. The

astronauts will also deploy a commercial experiment-filled module. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, April 22, 1993.]

STS 55: COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Columbia's most recent commander .lames Welherbee has given current Columbia

commander Steve Nagel for insuring that Columbia gets off the ground on its

second try April 24. "He said he forgot to tell me that when you turn the key,

you're supposed to jiggle it to get it started. So now that I know that, I think we'll

get going," Nagel joked. NASA Test Director Bill Dowdl said today that "all

three engines look good and we're ready to go in that concern." The mission

consists of 88 experiments and will require the crew to work in teams around the

clock to complete them all. Crew members include, beside Nagel: Pilot Tom

Henficks, Payload Specialists Jerry Ross, Hans Schlegel and Ullich Walter and

Mission Specialists Bernard Harris, Charles Precourt [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAy, p. 1A, April 22, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 24,

1993.]

April 23: STS 55: L-I UPDATE

Operations at Launch Complex 39A are continuing to run smoothly and without

problem for the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on its STS 55 mission. Launch

remains on schedule to occur at the opening of the window at 10:52 a.m.

tomorrow, April 24. The countdown clock held at T-11 hours for the next 12

hours and 32 minutes. Rotation of the service structure away from the Shuttle

remains set for 11:00 a.m. today. Following RSS rotation, crews will continue

with the installation of time critical list checks. Operations will commence to

activate the fuel cells. Tonight, Mission Control (JSC, Houston, TX) will

configure and check communication links between mission control, Kennedy

Space Center and Columbia. NASA Test Director A! Sofge said, "The [launch]

team is not the least bit hurried. The team is very relaxed, very comfortable and

looking forward to the launch."

The countdown clock will enter the planned one-hour hold at the T-6 hour mark

as last minute checks are made prior to loading the external tank with over

500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. Once the pad

is clear of all personnel, tanking will begin at about 2:30 a.m. tomorrow.

73
Following the three-hour tanking procedure, the "ice team" will be deployed to the

pad for final assessments of the vehicle. The seven members of the flight crew

have been divided into two shifts for around-the-clock operations once in orbit.

The blue team consists of commander Steve Nagel, Pilot Tom Henficks, Mission

Specialist Jerry Ross and Payload Specialist Ulrich Walter. The red team

members are Mission Specialists Charles Plecourt and Bernard Harris, and Payload

Specialist Hans Sclflegal. The weather forecast for launch tomorrow is very

optimistic with Air Force forecasters allowing a zero percent probability of

violating launch constraints during the window that opens at 10:52 a_m. The 24

hour and 48 hour delay predictions show a 10 percent chance of violation each

day. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

April 23, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 23, 1993.]

April 24: SIS 55: POSTPONED ANOTHER 48 HOURS

The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia with Spacelab D-2 aboard has been

postponed for 48 hours, until 10:50 a.m. April 26. While placing Columbia's three

inertial measurement units into the operational mode prior to tanking, data was

displayed by IMU #2 that is symptomatic of an intermittent power supply

problem. Though this IMU was then successfully test cycled five times, there

could be no assurance that the unit would not fail during the mission. Should this

occur, flight rules call for a precautionary return to Edwards Air Force Base (CA).

In order to assure a full duration mission, a decision was made to remove and

replace IMU #2. Weather conditions for launch on Monday (April 26) are

forecast to remain acceptable with an 80 to 90 percent chance of having

acceptable liftoff conditions. There existed a slight chance of showers, mostly

offshore with a possible increase in clouds and showers. [KSC Release No. 44-93,

April 24, 1993; "L-1 Day Weather Forecast for STS 55," April 25, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. April 25, 1993.]

April 25: SPACE CONGRESS OPENS TODAY

The 30th Annual Space Congress opens tomorrow at the Holiday Inn in Cocoa

Beach (FL). Exhibits will be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through

Friday at the Cocoa Beach Hilton and the Comfort Inn & Suite Resort (also in

Cocoa Beach, FL). Exhibits are expected to include: computer graphics

demonstrations and displays of the Space Shuttle, Shuttle payloads, Space Station

and expendable launch vehicles. The Space Congress is chaired this year by

McDonnell Douglas's George Faenza and NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin

will speak to the Monday night banquet. ["Four-Day Event Features Industry,

Government Experts On Space," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4E, April 25, 1993;

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12E, April 25, 1993; "Space Congress Opens

Monday," FLORIDATODAY, p. 12E, April 25, 1993; "Exhibit Halls Open to the

74
Public," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12E, April 25, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, April 27, 1993.]

[] COLUMBIA READY TO GO

The Space Shuttle Columbia is ready to go on its STS 55 mission at last. The

window for the launch is from 10:50 a.m. until 1:20 p.m. tomorrow. KSC

spokesman Mitch Vames said today, "We'll be testing the unit (IMU) to make sure

it works properly and then we'll press on for launch Monday (April 26)." The

faulty IMU was one of three located in the nose of Columbia; it was removed and

replaced yesterday. Rudolph Teuwsen, a spokesman for the German Space

Agency said, "We are a bit disappointed [about the Saturday delay], but it would

have been far worse to have launched and then had to come back without

completing the science." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 26,

1993.]

Apdl 26: STS 55: LAUNCHED AT LAST

"We're extremely relieved that after a very difficult period, we're finally up in

orbit. That's the first step," said the Program Manager for the German Space

Agency Heinz Stoewer. He added, "We're in this for the long-term. We need to

really be consistent and constant in our policies. I think this mission will be a

success and prove that manned space has an important role in the overall space

scenario." At 10:50 this morning, the Space Shuttle Columbia lifted offLC 39A

for its 14th mission into space. KSC Launch Director Robert Sleek said,

"Columbia always seems to be a tough one to get off the pad, but when it does,

it flies well." Columbia's launch is the third of eight planned for the year and the

55th in Space Shuttle history. The crew of Columbia includes Commander Stephen

Nagel, Pilot Tom Henficks, Payload Commander Jerry Ross, Flight Engineer

Charles Precou_, Dr. Bernard Harris and German scientists Ulrich Walter and

Hans Schlegel. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 27, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 27, 1993.]

I] ADMINISTRATOR GOLDIN ON COLUMBIA'S LAUNCH

"Today's launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia carries with it a clear signal that

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is deeply committed to the

safety and success of our missions. Given the options of assuring success or

launching on any given date, there is little question that mission success has, is

and always will be our priority. The Space Shuttle's record speaks for itself and

is unrivaled in history. I also must commend and thank our German partners for

their patience, professionalism and their commitment to the success of this

important scientific endeavor." ["Statement by NASA Administrator Daniel $.

Goldin." April 26, 1993.]

75
April 28: STS 55: COLUMBIA UPDATE

The Space Shuttle Columbia remains on orbit. Landing is set for about 8:53 a.m.

Wednesday (May 5) at Kennedy Space Center. If sufficient onboard cryogenic

fuels are available, the mission may be extended one day. The solid rocket

boosters are back at Hangar AF (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) and are on the

stands. Initial inspections are in progress and washdown is set for April 29. Both

boosters look good with nothing out of the ordinary to report. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 28, 1993.]

II UPDATES: ENDEAVOUR AND DISCOVERY

The Space Shuttle Endeavour began its rollout to Launch Complex 39B at 7:22

a.m. today. The vehicle wa hard down at the pad at 2:00 p.m. Technicians have

begun launch pad validations. The rotation of the service structure around the

Orbiter has been scheduled as have been the opening of the payload bay doors and

inertial measurement unit calibrations. Discovery, meanwhile, remains in Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 3 where it is being prepared for its next mission, STS 51.

The vehicle's forward reaction control system has already been removed and the

drag chute is being removed currently. The Orbiter's MADS recorder has been

replaced main engine carrier panels and hat shields have been removed.

Discovery's payload bay doors have been opened and the door latch and functional

tests have been conducted. ATLAS, Spartan and SUVE payloads have been

removed. Today, technicians will be conducting structural inspections of

Discovery; deservieing hypergolic fuels and making modifications to auxiliary

power unit controllers. The Orbiter is scheduled: to transfer its FRCS to the

hypergolic maintenance facility; to have its main engines removed and serviced;

remove its fuel cell; to extend the nose cap for thermal system repairs.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 28,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, April 27, 1993.]

II WRENCH FOUND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT

An L-shaped Allen wrench was found recently in Discovery's engine compartment

and had probably been there for 7 1/2 years, according to Dave King, NASA

manager in charge of preparing Discovery for launch. The wrench was so small -

perhaps 2 1/2 inches in length - was too small to have caused any problem for

the Shuttle. "It could not have done any damage where it was - or anywhere, for

that matter," said King. There was no serial number on the wrench; it is thought

to have been inside Discovery since August 1985 which was the Orbiter's last

mission before Challenger's accident in 1986. Post-Challenger work rules require

that all tools be tied to a worker's wrist when in use and an accident report must

be filed when a tool is missing. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 27,

1993.]

76
April 28: AGREEMENT SIGNING SET

Kennedy Space Center Director Robert L Cdppen and Spaceport Florida

Authority Executive Director Edward O'Connor will sign a formal agreement at

noon today to permit the construction of a $34 million Apollo/Saturn V visitor

facility as part of the space center's public bus tour. The agreement, which spells

out the terms under which Spaceport Florida will help finance the costs of

building the new 99,000 square tour facility, will be signed in a brief ceremony

at the current Saturn V rocket exhibit since the rocket, will be signed in a brief

ceremony at the current Saturn V rocket exhibit, located in the southwest comer

of the Vehicle Assembly Building parking lot.

KSC's Saturn V is one of only three remaining flight vehicles left over from the

Apollo program. In its present location since the 1976 Bicentennial Exposition

on Science and Technology, the rocket has been subject to deterioration to the

elements. Plans call for the rocket to be restored and permanently housed in the

new building which will be constructed at the Banana Creek launch viewing site

north of the Vehicle Assembly Building. In addition, two new theater shows and

a number of associated artifacts and exhibits will be included in the facility. The

agreement calls for Spaceport Florida Authority to issue bonds to finance the

facility construction. A portion of the revenues from the bus tour tickets will be

assigned to Spaceport Florida Authority to repay the bonds. The facility will be

constructed and operated by KSC's Spaceport USA concession operator, TW

Recreational Services, Inc. [KSC Release No. 45-93, April 28, 1993.]

April 29: STS 57: ROLLOUT COMPLgFED

Endeavour, whose next mission is STS 57, began its first full day on the pad

today. The rotating service structure has been-positioned around the Orbiter.

Work in progress today: launch pad validations; opening the payload bay doors;

inertial measurement unit calibrations; main engine securing; heat shield removal.

STS 57 work scheduled: mating with Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit; installation

of SHOOT payload; preparations to replace fuel turbopump on main engine

number 1. The pump is being replaced due to the potential for cracking in the

turbine inlet sheet metal. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHI.YITLE

STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1993.]

II DISCOVERY: STS 51 PREPARATIONS IN OPF 3

In OPF Bay 3, Discovery has had its forward reaction and control system

removed; Ku-band integrated testing has also been completed. STS 57 work in

progress today: structural inspections; deservicing of hypergolic fuels; auxiliary

power unit controller modifications; transfer of FRCS to hypergolic maintenance

facility; helium system leak and functional tests. Work scheduled: removal and

77
servicingof main engines; TACAN system test; removal of fuel cell; extended

nose cap for thermal system repairs. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1993.]

April 30: STS 57: ENDEAVOUR AT LC 39A

The Space Shuttle Endeavour has completed launch pad validations for its

upcoming STS 57 mission which is targeted for a June 11 launch. The Orbiter's

payload bay doors have been opened and hook-up and leak checks of he Orbiter

Mid-Body Umbilical Unit have been completed. STS 57 work in progress today:

preparations to remove the fuel turbopump from main engine #1; inertial

measurement unit calibrations; heat shield removal and installation of SHOOT

payload. Scheduled work involves the removal and replacement of the fuel

turbopump on main engine #1 on May 3. The pump is being replaced due to the

potential for cracking in the turbine inlet sheet metal. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 30, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, April 30, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

April 30, 1993.]

II LAYOFFS IN WORKERS' FUTURE

"As we go forward...there are going to be reductions in force. There is just no

way to get around it," said Shuttle Project Director Richard Kohts at the 30th

Annual Space Congress (Cocoa Beach, FL) today. McDonnell Douglas

spokesman Jim Jannette said, "Until a decision is made, no one is speculating on

what may or may not happen." McDonnell Douglas is a major Space Station

contractor. I-Hall, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, April 30, 1993.]

I1 DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3: KU-BAND TESTING

Discovery's Ku-band integrated testing has been completed while the Orbiter

remains in OPF Bay 3 for processing. The forward reaction and control system

(FRCS) has also been removed. Processing work today: structural inspections;

deservice hypergolic fuels; auxiliary power unit maintenance facility and helium

system leak and functional tests. STS 51 work scheduled: removal and servicing

of the main engines; TACAN system test; removal of fuel ceil; extension of nose

cap for thermal system repairs. Meanwhile, Columbia remains on orbit on its STS

55 mission. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, April 30, 1993.]

II APOIJD EXHIBIT GETS NEW FACILITY

NASA announced today that bonds from the Spaceport Florida Authority will

finance the construction of a $34 million facility to house relics from the Apollo

78
program. The documentof agreement will be signed by Kennedy Space Center

Director Robert L Cfippen and Spaceport Florida Director Edward O'Connor.

"The agreement will enable us to open the exhibit seven to 10 years sooner than

planned," said Ed Harrison, Chief of the NASA Visitors Office at Spaceport USA.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, April 30, 1993.]

79
MAY

May 3: STS 55 TO LA.ND. MAY 6

The Space Shuttle Columbia continued its STS 55 mission today looking toward

a May 6 landing at Kennedy Space Center at approximately 9:03 a.m. Should

weather become a concern, the vehicle can land one orbit earlier at 7:28 a.m. The

STS 55 crew includes Commander Steve Nagel, Pilot Tom Henficks, Mission

Specialists Jerry Ross, Charles Pmcourt, Bernard Harris and Payload Specialists

Ulrich Walter and Hans Schlagel. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, May 1,

1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHIYI'rLE STATUS REPORT. May

3, 1993.]

[1 ENDEAVOUR WAITS ITS TURN

The newest Space Shuttle - Endeavour - is awaiting the start of its June 3 STS 57

mission. Pad workers have finished calibrating the Orbiter's inertial measurement

units and installed the SHOOT payload. An interface test between SHOOT and

Endeavour has been conducted and the heat shields have been removed from

around main engine #1. Preparations are underway today to remove the fuel

turbopump from main engine #1 and for loading of the pre-launch onboard

propellants. STS 57 work scheduled: removal of the turbopump from engine #1

is set to begin late today. The replacement unit should be installed and torqued

to launch specifications by Friday (May 21). The pump is being replaced due to

the potential for cracking in the turbine inlet sheet metal. Removal of the 3D

Microgravity Accelerometer experiment from Spacehab is scheduled for May 20.

Vertical access equipment (MVAK) will be installed May 19; the experiment is

being removed in response to concerns of the customer. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. May 3, 1993.]

[] DISCOVERY READYING FOR STS 51

Discovery's next mission is STS 51; it is scheduled for the mid-July time frame.

The vehicle is currently undergoing pre-rollover processing in OPF Bay 3;

technicians there have removed the Orbiter's three main engines and deserviced

the hypergolic propellants. Today workers are conducting structural inspections,

checking the Orbiter's communications system and cleaning the payload bay and

crew module. Scheduled work includes tests of the main engine controllers, a

TACAN system test and lubrication oil deservicing. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 3, 1993.]

80
May 4: STS 57: SHOOT TEST DON E

Technicians and engineers have completed a SHOOT payload interface

verification test on Endeavour on Launch Complex 39B; the Orbiter is being

prepared for its upcoming STS 57 mission. Leak checks of gaseous oxygen,

liquid oxygen and hot gas systems and main engine nozzle inspections have also

been completed. Currently, technicians are conducting main engine leak checks

and insulation foaming; removal of the main engine #1 fuel turbopump; a

forward/aft reaction control system fuel regulator flow test; retrieving a potable

water microbial sample, preparing for hypergolic propellant loading and cleaning

the avionics bay filter. STS 57 work scheduled: preparations for removing the

Spacehab-3 DMA experiment; removal of the 3-DMA experiment also from

Spacehab; hypergolic fuel loading; a flight readiness test and the terminal

countdown demonstration test May 13-14. The KSC landing of Columbia at the

conclusion of its STS 55 mission is still on track for 9:03 a.m. May 6. Favorable

weather for landing is predicted. [DATLy SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

May 4, 1993.]

May 5: STS 55 CONCLUDES AT KSC TOMORROW

Ten days after its launch from Kennedy Space Center, the Space Shuttle Columbia

is preparing to land at KSC tomorrow morning. Landing is set for 9:03 a.m. with

dcorbit bum coming at 8:02 a.m. The planned landing time is the second of two

opportunities Columbia has to touch down at the center's Shuttle Landing Facility.

The crew's sleep cycle and a chance for better weather later in the morning led

mission managers to bypass the 7:28 a.m. opportunity. Should weather prohibit

a KSC landing, Columbia could land at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) at 10:29

EDT tomorrow morning.

Columbia, which is NASA's oldest Space Shuttle in terms of service, launched on

its STS 55 mission at 10:50 &m. EDT. The mission is Columbia's fourteenth and

the 55th Space Shuttle mission. During the course of the ten-day mission, the

astronauts successfully conducted numerous biomedical and materials science

experiments inside the dedicated German Spacelab D-2 module. Columbia will

fly next on STS 58, targeted for launch in late summer this year. Tomorrow's

expected landing of Columbia will be the 16th KSC landing on the Shuttle

Landing Facility. The first was at the conclusion of STS 41B on February 11,

1984, and the most recent was Discovery's STS 56 mission which landed on April

17, 1993. [KSC Release NO. 51-93, May 5, 1993.]

May 6: SHUTrLE LANDS AT EDWARDS

The Space Shuttle Columbia's STS 55 mission came to a conclusion today with

a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.; cloudy weather in Florida forced the

81
west coast landing. The seven astronauts, including two from Germany, landed

at 10:30 a.m. EDT, concluding a 10-day flight. The cost of having to land in

California rather than Florida will range between $1 and $3 million. When it

came time for NASA to make a decision about where to land the Shuttle, clouds

were expected to obscure the Shuttle Landing Facility; that turned out not to be

the case at landing time. "When you look at the stability of the weather and take

into account the consequences of being wrong, we clearly made the right

judgment," said Shuttle Program Manager Leonard Nicholson. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 7, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, May 7, 1993; SEE ALSO: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 10, 1993.]

II VAB FAI J, CAUSES MINOR INJURIES

Two VAB workers fell ten to twelve feet, but escaped serious injury today. They

fell from an I beam located some 400 feet above the floor of the building. One

worker landed on a cat walk some 10 to 12 feet beneath the beam he was working

on and suffered minor injuries which were treated at Jess Parrish Medical Center

(Titusville, FL). The other worker was able to grab a beam that was nearby; he,

too, suffered minor injuries, but was not hospitalized. A NASA statement said,

"In the process of installation on the 41st floor of the VAB, the beam became

unstable, causing the workers to fall." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A,

May 7, 1993.]

May 7: ACt S MOVES TO VPF

Moving only one mile, the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

(ACTS) passed its latest major milestone this morning. The spacecraft was

transported from the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) to the nearby

Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) in the KSC Industrial Area. This milestone

signifies the end of integrated testing between ACTS and its upper stage booster,

a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). The tests verified that the two payload elements

operate in unison. Prior to mating, each flight element was readied and treated

separately, ACTS in Hangar AO on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and TOS

in the PHSF. Now in the VPF, the ACTS-TOS payload will use the unique Cargo

Integrated Test Equipment (CITE) for the Interface Verification Test 0VT). This

test will demonstrate the payload's compatibility and readiness to be mated with

the Space Shuttle Discovery. It will also prove that the payload can be checked

out by the astronauts before deployment, and that the planned deployment

sequence can be executed as intended. All of these will be repeated after ACTSTOS is installed into Discovery's payload bay next month. The IVT is scheduled

for May 19. The ACTS-TOS payload is scheduled to be moved to Launch

Complex 39B on June 22 based on a mid-July targeted launch of STS 51. ACTS

82
is designed to test advanced experimental satellite communications concepts.

[NASA/KSC Release No. 54-93, May 7, 1993.]

May 8: STS 58: NEXT COLUMBIA FLIGHT DELAYED

"I think we're going to come out with a schedule that shows a September launch,"

said KSC's Columbia Processing Manager Bascom Murrah. Part of the reason for

the launch delay is the unplanned landing in California which cost KSC a week's

processing time; in addition there was a month's delay in launching Columbia on

its STS 55 mission. Launch dates of September 3 or September 10 are being

discussed for the Columbia's STS 58 mission. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

May 9, 1993.]

May 10: COLUMBIA LANDS AT k--TtWARDS; READIED FOR TRAVEL

The Space Shuttle Columbia landed May 6 at Edwards Air Force Base, CA; the

time was 10:29 a.m. EDT. Post-landing servicing of the Orbiter continues on

schedule today. The aerodynamic tail cone will be placed around the Orbiter's

engines today. Columbia atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are set to begin their

cross-country ferry flight to Florida tomorrow morning. If weather permits, the

Shuttle will be flown from California to the Biggs Army Air Field (El Paso, TX),

for an overnight stop. The next morning Columbia will leave Texas and head to

Florida for a Kennedy Space Center landing at KSC by late afternoon.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 10,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 11, 1993.]

II STS 57 & 51 PROCESSING ACI'IVITI_

Endeavour is at Launch Complex 39B waiting to start its STS 57 mission in early

June. Completed tasks include: mechanical hook-up of the main engine #1

replacement turbo pump; inspections of the external tank/Orbiter aft strut

connections; and inspections of tail service mast T-O connections. Pad technicians

are securing the main engine #1 replacement turbo pump today; making

preparations for loading of pre-launch onboard propellants; undertaking engine

insulation foaming operations and inspecting oxygen feedline brackets. STS 57

scheduled work: terminal countdown demonstration test on May 13-14 and the

crew arrival at KSC at 4:30 p.m. May 11. Discovery is in Orbiter Processing

Facility Bay 3 being readied for its mid-July STS 51 mission. The Orbiter will

deploy the ACTS-TOS configured payload and ORFEUS-SPAS. The mission will

last almost ten days. In the OPF, workers have completed pre-installation

checkouts of main engine controllers; functional checkouts of orbital maneuvering

system pods and installation of the waste containment system (WCS). Today

workers are making structural inspections of the vehicle and fuel cell single

83
voltage checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, May 10, 1993.]

May 11: STS S7: RCS .TFSTED

Pad technicians at LC 39B have completed regulator flow testing of Endeavour's

reaction control system as part of the pre-launch processing for the Orbiter's STS

57 mission. Today, workers are conducting leak checks of main engine #1 high

pressure fuel turbo pump; leak checks of main propulsion system; a flight

readiness test of the main/engines flight control elements; preparations for

hypergolic propellant loading and are awaiting astronaut arrival for the terminal

countdown demonstration test. STS 57 scheduled activities include: astronaut

launch pad safety training on May 12-13; the terminal countdown demonstration

test May 13-14 and, on May 14-15, a helium signature leak check of the main

propulsion system. At NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility at Edwards Air

Force Base, the Space Shuttle Columbia is being mated to the Shuttle Carrier

Aircraft today. Departure from Edwards is targeted for 3 p.m. EST with an

overnight stop at Biggs Army Field (El Paso, TX). If the weather is favorable,

Columbia should return home to Kennedy Space Center late tomorrow afternoon.

[DAII.Y SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 11, 1993.]

I1 STS 57 CREW ARRIVAL

Endeavour's crew for the STS 57 mission arrived today at Kennedy Space Center.

On arrival, Commander Ronald Grab¢, making his fourth Shuttle flight said,

"We're sure glad to be here because it means we're within a month of flight." The

rest of the crew includes: Pilot Brian Duffy, Payload Commander G. David Low

and first-time mission specialists Janiee Voss, Nancy Sherlock and Peter "Jeff"

Wisoff. [Banke, FLOR/DA TODAY, p. 5A, May 12, 1993.]

[1 DISCOVERY: STS 51 PROCF_SING

Discovery's nose cap has been removed during pre-STS 51 processing in Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 3. Work in progress includes: external tank door cycles;

power reactant storage and distribution system tests; orbital maneuvering system

functional tests; and waste containment system servicing. STS 51 is targeted for

launch in mid-July and is expected to last 9 days and 22 hours. The STS 57

mission will include the retrieval of the European Retrievable Carrier, the first

flight of SPACEHAB (a laboratory for commercial experiments), the Super Fluid

Helium On-Orbit Transfer experiment and a spacewalk. Pre-flight briefings for

STS 57 have been scheduled to occur May 18 at the Johnson Space Center.

[DAILY SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 11, 1993; Notice tO Editors:

N93-26. May 12, 1993.]

84
May 12: 20TH NAVSTAR LAUNCHED

The 20th NAVSTAR Global Positioning Satellite was lifted into orbit aboard a

$45 million Delta rocket tonight. "It was beautiful, simply beautiful," said Master

Sgt. Brace Zielsdorf, a spokesman for the Air Force's 45th Space Wing. The

launch came from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 8:07 p.m.; its vapor trail

was still visible 15 minutes after launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May

13, 1993.]

May 13: COLUMBIA'S FERRY FLIGHT HOME

The Space Shuttle Columbia, atop its Shuttle Cartier Aircraft, departed Edwards

Air Force Base, CA, May 11 and was ferried to Biggs Army Air Field (El Paso,

TX) where it remained that night. The following day - May 12 - a weather

assessment precluded further flight to Florida and the resumption of the ferry

flight was expected to occur today. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 13, 1993; Banke, FLOR/DA TODAY. p. 6A,

May 13, 1993.]

[1 STS 57 PAD PROCESSING

Endeavour's main engine readiness test has been completed at Launch Complex

39B; pad technicians have also finished cryogenic servicing of the SHOOT

payload. STS 57 processing tasks now underway: borescope inspections of the

left hand main landing gear bungee mechanism; the start of the terminal

countdown demonstration test and the installation of engine number one's heat

shield. Workers are also scheduled to begin the prelaunch propellant loading.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 13,

1993.]

I] STS 51: AEROSURFACES REPOSITIONED

In OPF Bay 3, Discovery's aerosurfaces have been repositioned and the Orbiter's

nose cap has been removed. STS 51 processing currently underway: external

tank door cycles; power reactant storage and distribution system tests; orbital

maneuvering system functional tests; waste containment system servicing;

installation of window number 2. The STS 51 mission is set to launch in midJuly with a crew of five. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 13, 1993.]

May 14: STS 57: PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT

The Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS)

payload has now joined the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

85
[1

(ACTS) at the Vertical Processing Facility (VPF). The payload made the journey

from the Hangar AM spacecraft checkout facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force

station to the VPF located in the KSC Industrial Area on May 11. Yesterday it

was removed from its shipping container, and today was hoisted into the west test

cell of the VPF high bay. The ORFEUS payload is a German developed payload

for stellar and interstellar observations. It consists primarily of the ORFEUS

telescope and the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph (IMAPS)

which are mounted on the retrievable Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS). Also aboard

the SPAS is an IMAX film camera, the Surface Effects Sample Monitor (SESAM)

which is a materials science experiment, and a video television camera which will

provide pictures of Discovery from space.

On Monday - May 10 - the ACTS spacecraft attached to its upper stage booster,

a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS), was removed from its transporter. The payload had

arrived at the VPF previously on May 7. After inspections and preparations it was

hoisted into the VPF west test cell on May 12. ACTS is designed to test

advanced experimental satellite communications concepts. Next week, the

payloads will independently undergo an interface verification test (IVT) using the

unique cargo integrated test equipment (CITE). The test demonstrates the

payload's compatibility and readiness to be mated with the Space Shuttle

Discovery. It will also prove that the payload can be checked out by the

astronauts before its deployment, and that the planned activities for each payload

can be executed as intended. The IVT for ORFEUS-SPAS is scheduled next week

on May 18 and will be followed the next day by the IVT for ACTS-TOS. And

end-to-end test is also scheduled for ORFEUS-SPAS on May 21 which will verify

communications capability with the spacecraft. The STS 51 payloads are

scheduled to be moved to Launch Complex 39B on June 22 based on a mid-July

targeted launch of Discovery. [PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT: ACTSTOS/ORFEUS-SPAS, May 14, 1993.]

FERRY SAGA CONTINUES

The Space Shuttle Columbia departed Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX)

today at 8:16 a.m. en route to Columbus Air Force Base (Columbus, MS). At

Columbus, the 747 will be refueled and check the weather forecast before

proceeding on to Florida. If the weather permits, the vehicle attached above the

747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft should be arriving at Kennedy Space Center by about

2:00 or 3:00 p.m. today. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 14, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May

15, 1993.]

86
!1 STS 57: JUNE 11 LAUNCH DATE

If everything goes according to schedule, the Space Shuttle Endeavour will

commence its STS 57 mission on June 11 at 5:14 p.m.; the flight is planned to last

for 7 days and 23 hours. At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed

a number of tasks: preparations for prelaunch hypergolic propellant loading;

engine number one heat shield installation; main engine flight readiness test and

cryogenic servicing of SHOOT payload. STS 57 processing work underway today

includes: the mission terminal countdown demonstration test (scheduled to end

tomorrow); flight crew equipment stowage; inertial measurement unit calibrations;

aft compartment X-rays; Orbiter/external tank umbilical foaming operations.

Workers are scheduled to begin prelaunch hypergolic propellants. [KENNEDy

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 14, 1993.]

I1 DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3

In OPF Bay 3, the Space Shuttle Discovery continues to undergo pre-rollout

processing activities. In the OPF, workers have installed the Orbiter's number 2

window; repositioned aerosurfaces and removed the nose cap. Tasks continuing

from earlier in the week include: external tank door cycles; power reactant

storage and distribution system tests; orbital maneuvering system functional tests;

waste containment system servicing; and auxiliary power unit leak and functional

checks. Remote manipulator system functional checks are scheduled.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. May 14,

1993.]

May 15: HARRIS TEAM WINS AWARD

NASA announced that a Space Station Freedom Manned Flight Awareness Team

Award of Merit has been given to Harris Corp.'s Aerospace Division's Audio

Visual Distribution System team. The award recognized the team's work on a $35

million contract for the design, development and production of the internal audio

communications system aboard Freedom. NASA astronaut .lames Halsdl

presented to award to team member A. 2I, Scott ["Harris Team Wins Award for

Space Station Work," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 16, 1993.]

May 17: SIS 57: LAUNCH TARGET IS JUNE 3

Endeavour's terminal countdown demonstration test has been completed and the

target date for the mission is now June 3. The STS 57 crew returned to Johnson

Space Center on May 14. The flight crew equipment has been stowed and inertial

measurement unit calibrations are finished. A borescope examination of the

vehicle's main landing gear has been completed with a positive result for

everything checked. Tasks underway today include: preparations for hypergolic

87
fuel loading operations;X-rays of the main propulsion system; Orbiter/external

tank umbilical foaming operations and closing payload bay operations. Fuel

loading and auxiliary power unit leak checks have been scheduled. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. May 17, 1993.]

II QPF BAY 3 OPERATIONS FOR STS 51

Window number 2 has been installed on Discovery. In addition, aerosurfaces have

been repositioned and the nose cap has been removed. Current processing tasks

include: external tank door ending; power reactant storage and distribution

system tests; orbital maneuvering system functional tests; waste containment

system servicing and auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests. Remote

manipulator system functional tests have been scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 17, 1993.]

May 19: JOINT CAUSED BIB BANG ON ENDEAVOUR

A loud bang which shook Endeavour last month has been attributed to a flexible

joint inside the propulsion system. It is thought to have jammed, followed by a

sudden release during a leak check, causing the noise. Hugh Delgado, an

Endeavour vehicle engineer, said, "I feel very comfortable we now have the most

probable cause and that the analysis will verify it." The joint is not expected to

be replaced. ['Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, May 12, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 20, 1993.]

May 20: STS 57: LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW

Managers and technicians have completed the launch readiness review for

Endeavour's upcoming STS 57 mission. At Launch Complex 39]3, technicians

have opened the payload bay doors and completed leak checks of the main engine

number 1 high pressure fuel pump and of the auxiliary power units. Currently

technicians are continuing an analysis of flexible joints in the main propulsion

system; they are also installing the main engine number 1 heat shield; installing

and checking out the extravehicular mobility units and conducting the Spacehab

late stowage demonstration. STS 57 work scheduled: helium signature leak test;

making main engine number 1 flight control checks; beginning the mission's flight

readiness review and beginning aft compartment closeouts. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 20, 1993.]

II STS 51 OMS THRUSTER REMOVED

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 have removed a thruster from

one of Discovery's orbital maneuvering systems and have made checks of the

vehicle's Ku-band antenna system/ Today, the workers made inspections of

88
flexible joints in the Orbiter's main propulsion system; completed OMS

redundancy tests; maid main engine installation preparations and moved the

vehicle forward reaction control system (Forward Reaction Control System) to the

Orbiter Processing Facility. STS 51 scheduled activities: ORFEUS-SPAS end-toend test; flight control checkouts; FRCS installation. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 20, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA: SPACELAB D-2 REMOVED

In OPF Bay 2, technicians removed the Spacelab D-2 from Columbia and

transported the module to the Operations and Checkout Building as part of postSTS 55 mission activities. The workers also performed an hydraulic power up and

repositioned the vehicle's elevons. The payload bay doors latch and functional

tests were completed, too. Currently, technicians are preparing for hypergolic

deservicing; removing GAS cans from the payload bay; performing a draining

procedure on the auxiliary power unit catch bottle; making post-mission main

propulsion system inspections and making main engine post flight inspections.

The SLS-2 mission sequence test is set for May 24-27. [KENNEDy SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 20, 1993.]

May 21: STS 57: EVA SUITS INSTALLED

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is at Launch Complex 39B awaiting the start of its

STS 57 mission, now targeted for June 3, 1993. Workers have installed and

checked out the extravehicular mobility units (spacesuits) in the Orbiter and have

conducted liquid hydrogen and oxygen system leak checks. They have also

checked the main engine number 1 high pressure fuel pump for leaks. Today pad

technicians will take part in a flight readiness review for STS 57; continue an

analysis of flexible joints in the main propulsion system; conduct a Spacehab late

stowage demonstration and a helium signature test. STS 57 work scheduled: aft

main engine compartment closeouts; main engine number 1 flight control checks

and hypergolic purges. [Y,LENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 21, 1993.]

I1 ACTS-TOS TEST COMPLE-WED

In OPF Bay 3, technicians have completed an ACTS-TOS verification test; flight

control checkouts; hydraulic flight control system checkouts and integrated drag

chute checks. Today workers are conducting inspections of flexible joints in the

main propulsion system; main engine installation preparations; forward reaction

control system (FRCS) installation preparations; orbital maneuvering system

redundant electrical verifications and an ORFEUS-SPAS end-to-end test. The

FRCS installation for STS 57 has been scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 21, 1993.]

89
II

[]

COLUMBIA: POST-FLIGHT PROCESSING

Columbia continues to undergo STS 55 post-flight processing in OPF Bay 2.

Workers there have removed the GAS cans from the Orbiter's payload bay. They

have also removed the Spacelab D-2 module and transported it to the Operations

and Checkout Building. They are finished with the auxiliary power unit catch

bottle draining and a borescopic investigation of the 17-inch propellant lines and

main propulsion system post flight inspections. Currently, OPF technicians are

preparing Columbia for hypergolic deservieing; main engine post flight

inspections; installations of the waste tank and stowing the Ku-band antenna.

Scheduled activities include an SLS 2 mission sequence test May 24-27;

accelerometer installation; removal of payload bay door strongbacks; and removal

of the dome heat shields. Columbia's next mission - STS 58 - is targeted for early

September and is expected to last 14 days. [KI_NNEDY._SPACE CENTER

_,PACE S..HI.JTFLE STATUS REP.ORT, May 21, 1993.]

STS 57: LAUNCH ON JUNE 3_ 1993

Launch of STS 57 has been officially set for June 3. The decision came today at

the conclusion of a flight readiness review by NASA managers. The mission will

see Space Shuttle Endeavour and her six person crew conduct a mission

highlighted by the retrieval of the European observation satellite EURECA and the

first flight of a commercial spacelab facility known as Spacehab. The June 3 date

is based upon successful completion of work in progress to understand the cause

of a noise/vibration event experienced during launch pad processing. The launch

window on June 3 opens at 6:17 p.m. EDT and extends for 1 hour and 11

minutes. The limited launch window time is based on EURECA retrieval

requirements. The mission duration is planned for 7 days. However, it may be

extended by 1 day immediately after launch if projections calculated at that time

for electrical power consumption permit an extra day in space. The extra day will

give two members of Endeavour's crew the opportunity to perform an

extravehicular activity (EVA) or spacewalk. The STS 57 EVA will be the second

in a series of spacewalks designed to refine training methods and expand the EVA

experience level of astronauts, flight controllers and instructors. The STS 57

spacewalk also will assist in refining several procedures being developed to

service the Hubble Space Telescope on Shuttle Mission STS 61 in December.

Leading the STS 57 crew will be Mission Commander Ronald Grabe. Pilot for

the mission is Brian Duffy. Heading up the science team will be Payload

Commander David Low who is also designated as Mission Specialist-1. The three

other mission specialists for this flight are Nancy Sherlock (MS-2), Jeff Wisoff

(MS-3) and Janice Voss (MS-4). This will be the fourth flight of Space Shuttle

Endeavour and the 56th flight of the Space Shuttle system. [NASA/KSC Release;

57-93 May 21, 1993.]

90
May 22: CRAWLERWAY RENOVATION

The erawlerway at Kennedy Space Center will get its first complete refurbishment

since 1965; the project will be implemented over the next 2 years. The

crawlerway has continually withstood weights of up to 18 million pounds over the

years so that the limerock is no longer level. NASA will use 280 million pounds

of Alabama river rock to cover the crawler transporter's highway. That much rock

would cover a football field to a depth of 140 feet; even so the huge quantity of

rock will only cover the top layer of the crawlerway. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 10E & 9E, May 23, 1993.]

May 23: RED TIGRK_S ROCKET LAUNCHED

The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, under its new name - Ballistic

Missile Defense Organization - launch a Red Tigress rocket this morning at 5:17

a.m. The 15-minute suborbital flight was used to deploy 13 payloads which acted

as nuclear warheads and decoys to test the military's ability to determine whether

its sensors could distinguish between warheads and decoys in space. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, May 25, 1993.]

May 24: STS 57: FRR COMPLEI'ED

The Flight Readiness Review for STS 57 has been completed with the result that

the chosen launch date is June 3, 1993; the launch window extends from 6:17 p.m.

until 7:28 p.m. The landing is targeted for 7 days, 23 hours later at Kennedy

Space Center at approximately 5:14 p.m. The mission's seven-day length depends

upon the cryogenics supplies. Workers at Launch Complex 39B conducted a

Spacehab late stowage demonstration; conducted both a helium signature leak test

and hypergolic purges. Finally, the pad crew conducted main engine number 1

flight control checks and heat shield installation. Today, the workers continued

with aft engine compartment closeouts; continued with analysis of flexible joints

in the main propulsion system; preparations for hypergolic pressurization and

launch countdown preparations. STS 57 work scheduled includes: ordnance

installation; pressurization of hypergolic fuel tanks and external tank purges.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, May 24,

1993.]

[1 STS 51.: FRCS INSTALLATION

In the Orbiter Processing Facility's Bay 3, technicians have installed Discovery's

forward reaction control system (FRCS) and have conducted orbital maneuvering

system redundant electrical verifications. They have also conducted an ORFEUSSPAS end-to-end test; main engine installation preparations; integrated hydraulic

operations and stacking of the left-hand solid rocket booster in the Vehicle

91
AssemblyBuilding. Today, techniciansare inspecting the flexible joints in

Discovery's main propulsion system; making freon coolant loop checks and

replacing temperature transducers; conducting Orbiter/payload pre-mate checkouts

and stacking of the right-hand solid rocket booster in the Vehicle Assembly

Building. STS 51 work scheduled: freon coolant loop servicing and

Orbiter/FRCS interface verification checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, May 24, 1993.]

11 STS 58: INSTAIJ.ATION OF WASTE WATER TANK

In Orbiter Processing Bay 2, alongside Discovery, Columbia has had both its

accelerometer and waste water tank installed. In other preparations for its next

mission - STS 58 - the Ku-band antenna was stowed. Today, workers prepared

the Orbiter for hypergolic deservieing; inspected the main engines; opened the

payload bay doors and conducted an SLS-2 mission sequence test. STS 58 work

scheduled: hypergolie deservicing and the removal of the dome heat shields.

[K_ENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTYLE STATUS REPORT, May 24,

1993.]

May 25: HELIUM SIGNATURE TEST COMPLETED

At Launch Complex 39B, workers have completed a helium signature test and

hypergolic line purges on Endeavour. STS 57 processing activities today include:

clearing the pad of all non-essential personnel; pressurization of hypergolic fuel

and oxidizer tanks; ordnance installation; aft engine compartment closeouts;

continued analysis of flexible joints in the main propulsion system and launch

countdown preparations. Scheduled activities: external tank purges and final

ordnance installation. STS 57 is targeted for launch on June 3 with a KSC

landing nearly eight days later at KSC. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 25, 1993.]

II STS 51: SET FOR MID-JULY

Freon coolant loop checks and replacement of a temperature transducer (sensor)

have been accomplished during Discovery's processing in OPF Bay 3. Orbital

maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications,main engine installation

preparations and integrated hydraulic operations have also been completed.

Currently, technicians are servicing freon coolant loops; conducting

Orbiter/payload pre-mate checkouts; potable water servicing; lowering nose

landing gear; performing auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks and

stacked the right hand solid rocket booster in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Scheduled STS 51 work includes checks to verify the Orbiter/FRCS interface and

to determine whether the external tank doors are functional. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE S.HUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 25, 1993.]

92
[] STS 58: COLUMBIA'S PROCESSING STATUS

Columbia's payload bay doors have been opened and preparations have been made

to deservice the Orbiter's hypergolics and to install the waste water tank.

Currently, OPF technicians are configuring the payload bay for receiving the SLS2. They are also preparing to deservice the Orbiter's hypergolics; remove the

dome heatshields; replace the main landing gear tires; conduct the main engine

flight inspections and the SLS-2 mission sequence test. STS 58 work scheduled:

auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing and a TACAN system test. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 25, 1993.]

II ANALEX: TOP SMAIJ_ FIRM AT KSC

The Brevard Small Business Assistance Council today named Titusville's Analex

Space Systems Inc. the premier small business at Kennedy Space Center. "Their

performance has been very, very good," said NASA's Anne Watson. "It is a very

professional company." Last year Analex won KSC's small contractor award.

["Liden, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 18C, May 26, 1993.]

May 26: STS 57: SPRING MAY BE DAMAGED

There is a concern among launch managers that a misplaced inspection stamp

[penetration verification stamp] on a spring in the high pressure oxidizer

turbopump (HTOTP) on Endeavour's main engine number 2. Evidence was

disclosed by the engine manufacturer, Rocketdyne, that indicates the misplaced

stamp may reduce the strength of the spring. The springs are designed to keep the

pump's ball bearings in place. A decision whether to replace the pump or to fly

as is, is expected within 24 hours. Meanwhile technicians at Launch Complex

39B have completed the Orbiter's helium signature test; they have also pressurized

the hypergolic fuel and oxidizer tanks and installed the mission ordnance.

Currently, technicians are conducting aft engine closeouts; analyzing flexible joints

in the main propulsion system and preparing for the launch countdown. External

tank purges and final ordnance installation will be completed shortly.

[I_NNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 26,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 26, 1993.]

II STS 58: KU-BAND ANTENNA DEPLOYED

In OPF Bay 2, technicians have deployed the Orbiter's Ku-Band Antenna and

inspected the vehicle's payload bay radiators. The payload bay doors have been

opened and preparations for hypergolie deservicing have been concluded. The

waste water tank has also been installed. Today's processing activities include:

configuring Columbia's payload bay for part of its STS 58 cargo, the SLS-2. The

dome heat shields from the main engines are being removed and the landing gear

93

E-2_-
tires are being replaced. Main engine post flight inspections continue along with

an SLS-2 mission sequence test. Scheduled STS 58 activities: auxiliary power

unit lube oil servicing; TACAN system testing; fuel cell single voltage tests and

hypergolic deserviee operations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

S.HLrITLE STATUS REPORT. May 26, 1993.]

I1 TWO MISSIONS TO REPAIR HUBBLE

An independent task force has recommended that NASA use two Shuttle missions

to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. The group believes that NASA may have

too much work to do on the HST for one mission and suggests a second mission

to take place no later than 6 to 12 months after the December 1993 repair mission.

The second mission, the group said, should "complete any unfinished tasks and

correct new problems and anomalies which may develop." Joseph Shea, an

adjunct professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology, headed the task force. Other members included: MIT professor

Eugene Covert and former Apollo astronaut Thomas Stafford. NASA spokesman

Dave Gar_tt acknowledged that the agency is studying the report. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, May 27, 1993.]

May 27: STS 57: DELAY NOT OFFICIAL YET

The concern still exists regarding a spring in the high pressure oxidizer turbopump

on Endeavour's main engine number 2 that has a misplaced inspection stamp

(penetration verification stamp). Mission managers are discussing whether or not

the misplaced stamp could reduce the strength of the spring which is designed to

keep the turbopump's ball bearings in place and reduce vibration. NASA

spokeswoman Lisa Malone said that, in main engine manufacturer Rocketdyne's

California plant, additional tests are underway. A decision on replacing the pump

has not yet been made and work continues toward a June 3 launch. Mass memory

unit loads and hypergolic fuel tank pressurization have been completed. Today,

workers at Launch Complex 39B are completing aft engine compartment

closeouts; external tank purges; launch countdown preparations and SHOOT

payload health checks. STS 57 work scheduled: installation of aft compartment

doors; final ordnance installation; start of the countdown at 11:00 a.m. Monday

(May 31); crew arrival set for 3:30 p.m. on the 31st; final servicing of the SHOOT

payload with liquid helium and closing of the payload bay doors for flight.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 27,

1993; Banke, FLORA TODAY. p. 6A, May 27, 1993.]

[1 STS 51: OMS WORK COMPLETED

The Space Shuttle Discovery remains in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 where

the vehicle is being readied for its mid-July STS 51 mission. Completed tasks

94
[1

[1

include: freon coolant loop checks/temperature transducer replacement; auxiliary

power unit leak and functional checks; orbital maneuvering system redundant

electrical verifications and aft control checkouts and main engine installation

preparations. Today, OPF workers are servicing freon coolant loops; conducting

forward reaction control system (FRCS) electrical mates to the Orbiter; external

tank doors functional checks; Orbiter/payload pre-mate checkouts; stacking of right

hand solid rocket booster in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Orbiter/FRCS checks

are scheduled along with the installation of the vehicle's main engines.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SI--IUTTI,E STATUS REPORT, May 27,

1993.1

STS 58: TACAN SYSTEM TEST DONE

Columbia continues to undergo processing for its next mission - STS 58. The

Orbiter's TACAN system has been tested; the payload bay doors have been cycled;

the landing gear tires have been changed and the dome heat shields have been

removed from the main engines. Today in OPF Bay 2, technicians will configure

Columbia's payload bay for the SLS-2 payload; perform liquid hydrogen line leak

and functional checks; preparations to remove the main engines; hypergolic

deservice preparations; SLS-2 mission sequence test. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTYLE STATUS REPORT, May 27, 1993.]

NASA: TURBOPUMP TO BE REPLACED

NASA managers have decided to changeout Space Shuttle Endeavour's #2 main

engine liquid oxygen turbopump because of an issue which was raised with a part

on the pump. The decision to remove and replace the pump will move the launch

of Endeavour on Shuttle Mission STS 57, originally set for June 3, to sometime

around mid-June. A firm launch date will-be set after the replacement pump has

been installed and checked out. The specific issue with the turbopump is with one

of two springs which are designed to keep the pump's ball bearings in place and

in their proper positions. During inspection of the pump, engineers discovered

evidence of an inspection etch mark in a high stress region of the spring. While

there is data which indicates the spring will work as designed, NASA managers

decided to replace the unit since they could not firmly determine that the pump

would operate in a safe manner. If a spring were to fail, the rotor position may

not be held accurately and the potential exists for higher vibration. Springs are

etched for a variety of reasons. They are marked to document individual serial

numbers, to verify that materials penetration inspections have been complete,

and/or to note that the part has been used in ground test operations. The

misplaced etch mark on Endeavour's engine was a penetration verification stamp.

The pumps on the main engines to be used on the upcoming flights of Space

Shuttle Discovery (STS 51/July 1993) and Space Shuttle Columbia (STS

58/September 1993) will be examined as part of their pre-launch processing.

95
[[LAUNCH ADVISORY - JUNE 3 LAUNCH OFENDEAVOUR POSTPONED,

May 27, 1993, 6:00 p.m.]

II E_i_DEAVOUR'S DI_JAY IMPACTS LATER FLIGHTS

Because of the delay caused by a suspect turbopurnp in Endeavour, other Shuttle

flights will be impacted. Specifically, the December HST repair mission may slip

until early January, according to NASA officials. Inspections showed that a small

spring inside the turbopump attached to main engine #2 was marked with a quality

stamp of approval in the wrong place. NASA spokesman Miteh Varnes said,

"Although we believe the turbopump may be acceptable, we can't conclusively

prove that it is, so changing out the pump is the safest way to go." Meanwhile,

NASA is reviewing the quality control practices of Rocketdyne which makes the

turbopump. "I think we've gone back to do a very thorough self-reassessment and

look in the mirror to make sure that we uncover every issue," said Rocketdyne's

A! Halladen, vice president in charge of main engines at Rocketdyne. He added,

"It's a business where 100 percent is the minimum requirement." Problems with

Rocketdyne engine hardware have already played a part in four delays this year.

[Banke, FLOR/DA TODAY, p. 4A, May 28, 1993.]

II FREEDOM SAH_ THROUGH BUDGET TEST

The same subcommittee which two years ago voted to kill the Space Station

Freedom Program has endorsed a new NASA budget proposal for the program

though with a reduction from $2.1 billion to $1.85 billion. A spokesman for Rep.

Am Bacchus (D-Merritt Island), said: "This is the first step to preserving Space

Station funding, and it really sailed through. It is a much more positive show of

support than we had anticipated." Referring to the smaller budget figure, the

spokesman said, "We will be talking to NASA to make sure safety isn't

compromised with that lower figure." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

May 28, 1993.]

May 28: STS 57: TURBOPUMP REPLACEMENT

A decision was made last night to replace the high pressure oxidizer turbopump

on Endeavour's main engine number 2. Officials could not conclusively determine

whether the misplaced inspection stamp on an internal spring could reduce its

strength. The spring is designed to keep the turbopump's ball bearings in place

and reduce vibration. Also last night, officials determined the most probable cause

for the loud noise and vibration in Endeavour's aft compartment last month. Tests

conducted at the manufacturing plant proved that a loud noise and vibration could

be caused by the ball strut tie-rod assembly, inside the 17-inch liquid hydrogen

line. Workers at Launch Complex 39B have conditioned the liquid oxygen

portion of the external tank. Today, pad workers will remove the heat shields

96
around No. 2 main engine; prepare to remove the suspect oxidizer turbopump and

the launch team will begin backing out of launch countdown preparations. The

turbopump itself will be removed next week. [Date, _ ORLANDO

SENTINEL, May 28, 1993; KE..NNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E

STATUS REPORT, May 28, 1993.]

[1 STS 51; STS 58 UPDATES

The Space Shuttle Discovery is undergoing pre-rollover preparations in OPF Bay

3 for its upcoming STS 51 mission. Workers have completed functional checks

of the external tank doors and connected the forward reaction control system to

the Orbiter. Today, work includes: payload interface verification tests; freon

coolant loop servicing; and Orbiter/payload pre-mate checkouts. Mating of the

external tank to Discovery's solid rocket boosters will occur next week. The STS

51 mission is slated to last nearly l0 days and is expected to commence in midJuly. Columbia is undergoing processing operations for its STS 58 mission,

currently scheduled for mid-September. Today, OPF workers in bay 2 are

conducting fuel cell voltage tests; configuring the payload bay of Columbia for

SLS-2; preparing to remove the Orbiter's main engines and are conducting

hypergolic deservice preparations. Scheduled STS 58 activities include: removal

of the vehicle's main engines; auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing; hypergolic

deservice operations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 28, 1993.]

May 29: LAUNCH DATE DEPENDENT ON PUMP REPLACEMENT

"We're not going to be able to nail down a new launch date [for Endeavour's STS

57 mission] until we can get the [suspect turbopump] removed and replaced," said

Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center News Chief. Replacement is set to begin

next week and new certification tests will be conducted. The Memorial Day

holiday will cause a pause in the processing efforts at Launch Complex 39B.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 30, 1993.]

97
JUNE

June 1: STS 57: ENDEAVOURS BleAT SHIELDS REMOVED

Endeavour's heat shield around main engine number 2 have been removed by

workers at Launch Complex 39B; the external tank has also been purged. Today

workers will be conducting pressurization checks of the reaction control system

and the orbital maneuvering system. They will also prepare to remove and replace

the high pressure oxidizer turbopurnp (also known as HPOTP) from main engine

number 2. The removal and replacement of the HPOTP is set for June 3. The

STS 57 mission is scheduled to last for 7 days and 23 hours providing the

cryogenic supply is sufficient for the mission's duration. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 1, 1993.]

II STS 51 ACIaVrrW_s

Discovery remains in OPF Bay 3 undergoing pre-rollover processing activities.

Completed tasks include: functional checks of the external tank doors; FRCS

electrical mates to the Orbiter; IMAX/Orbiter interface verification test; orbital

maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications and aft control checkouts

and main engine installation preparations. Today workers will conduct

Orbiter/payload pre-installation testing and Orbiter/payload pre-mate checkouts.

STS 51 work scheduled includes: Orbiter/forward reaction control system (FRCS)

interface verification checks; installation of main engines; freon coolant loop

servicing; external tank/solid rocket booster mate on June 2. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 1, 1993.]

I1 STS 58: TACAN TEST

In OPF Bay 2, work on Columbia's upcoming STS 58 mission continues; the

payload bay doors have been cycled; the TACAN system has been tested and the

landing gear fires have been replaced. The dome heatshields have been removed

from the Orbiter's main engines and fuel call voltage tests are completed. Today,

workers will configure Columbia's payload bay to receive the SLS 2; conduct

liquid hydrogen line leak and functional checks; prepare to remove the main

engines and conduct hypergolic deservicing operations. Scheduled STS 58 work:

removal of main engines; auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing and hypergolic

deservice operations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 1, 1993.]

II SPACE STAMP CEREMONY AT SPACEPORT USA

The U. S. Postal Service today unveiled its latest space-theme stamp at Spaceport

USA. The $2.90 stamp features the image of a futuristic space plane soaring

98
through space. Deputy Postmaster General Michael S. Coughlin and KSC

Director Robert L. Crippen were on hand to dedicate the stamp in a ceremony

inside the Spaceport Central annex of Kennedy Space Center's visitor's complex.

Stamps with space themes have historically been favorites among both philatelists

and collectors of space memorabilia. Popular stamps of the past include a 1969

issue commemorating the manned lunar landing and a 1992 joint venture with

Russia that culminated in the release of four stamps depicting international

cooperation in space exploration. The Titusville Postmaster established a

temporary post office facility at the Spaceport to sell the stamp. [NASA/KSC

Release No. 60-93, June 1, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 3,

1993.]

I1 PAPERWORK DELAYED ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH

Paperwork mistakes at Rocketdyne's California plant resulted in a two-week delay

in the launch of Endeavour and may yet impact the mid-July launch of Discovery

on STS 51, according to a top NASA manager. Shuttle Program Director Tom

Utsman said that the quality control foul-up was traced to an inadequate

paperwork system at Rocketdyne's engine plant in Canoga Park, CA. Utsman

added, "We did not have good manufacturing controls, and we're going to correct

that." Paperwork problems at Rocketdyne delayed another Shuttle mission earlier

this year, according to NASA officials. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, June 2, 1993.]

June 2: STS 57: ENGINE LOCKS INSTALLED

Endeavour's engine locks have been installed and tests of the microwave landing

system have been finished. Today, workers at Launch Complex 39]3 are

conducting operations to remove and replace the high pressure oxidizer turbopump

(I-IPOTP) on main engine number 2; pressurization checks and trickle purge of the

reaction control system ('R.CS) and the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS). STS

57 work scheduled includes: hypergolic depressurization; securing the newly

installed HPOTP and conducting engine and HPOTP checks. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 2, 1993.]

II DISC0,VERY: STS 51 PROCESSING UPDATE

Orbiter/payload pre-installation and interface verification tests on Discovery in

OPF Bay 3 have been completed. Other finished tasks include: functional checks

of the external tank doors; forward reaction control system (FRCS) electrical

mates to the Orbiter; orbital maneuvering system (OMS) aft control checkouts; and

main engine installation preparations. Today, workers will mate the STS 51 tank

to its solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 and service

the freon coolant loop. STS 51 work scheduled: microwave landing system tests;

99
[1

II

Orbiter/forward reaction control system interface verification checks; crew

equipment interface tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 2, 1993.]

STS 58: LEAK AND FUN C"_.,0NAL TESTS

In Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 2, technicians have completed liquid

hydrogen line leak and functional checks on Columbia. Today, STS 58

preparations include: orbital maneuvering system quick disconnect checks;

removing and replacing the thruster from the left OMS pod; hypergolic

deservieing preparations; configuring the payload bay to receive SLS-2;

preparations to remove the main engines and operations to remove the fifth

cryogenic tank set. Removal of the main engines and hypergolic deservicing

operations are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 2, 1993.]

CAMERA ON ITS WAY TO KSC VIA GODDARD

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's new Wide Field/Planetary Camera, designed to

replace the current camera on board NASA's orbiting Hubble Space Telescope,

was shipped yesterday to Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) for testing

before being sent on to Kennedy Space Center for integration with the Space

Shuttle, according to Larry Simmons, WF/PC-2 Program Manager at JPL. "The

Wide Field/Planetary Camera-2 was designed to restore nearly all of the original

imaging capability lost when an optical flaw was discovered in the Hubble

telescope's primary mirror," Simmons said. "We modified the camera's internal

relay optics and made several other design changes to enhance WF/PC-2's overall

imaging capability." After the camera has been tested at Goddard, it will be

delivered in mid-September to Kennedy Space Center, where it will be readied for

a December 2, 1993, launch aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The camera is

expected to be installed on the orbiting telescope on the third day of astronaut

extravehicular activities during STS 61, the first of several Hubble Space

Telescope servicing missions designed to replace major components of the space

telescope and science instruments. About one month after installation, the new

camera will be ready to begin imaging science targets with its three wide-field

camera systems and one planetary camera system. The wide-field cameras will

provide extraordinary sensitivity for the detection of star clusters and distant

galaxies, while the planetary camera will perform high-resolution studies of

individual objects, including planets and their satellites, nearby galaxies and other

stellar objects. WF/PC-2 will be able to detect objects 100 times fainter than

those visible from Earth-based telescopes, with about 10 times greater spatial

resolution. The camera also has the unique capability of imaging in the far

ultraviolet, a capability that is impossible from ground-based telescopes and

limited, at best, from space. The Wide Field/Planetary Camera-2 was designed

100
andbuilt by the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for

NASA's Office of Space Science. [JET PROPULSION LABORATORY PRESS

RELEASE, June 2, 1993.]

,]_ne 3: STS 57: TURBOPUMP REMOVED

A suspect high pressure oxidizer turbopump has been removed from main engine

number 2 at LC 39B. In process today: the installation of a new HPOTP on

Endeavour's main engine; re-positioning of the Orbiter's body flap and main

engines 1 and 3 for HPOTP installation and powerhead checks; pressurization

checks and trickle purge of the reaction control system and orbital maneuvering

system. STS 57 work scheduled: hypergolic depressurization and engine and

HPOTP leak checks. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 3, 1993; Peltz,

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 3, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 3, 1993.]

[] STS 51: TANK/BOOSTER MATING

Technicians in OPF Bay 3 have completed the external tank/solid rocket booster

hard mating for the STS 51 mission of Discovery. Also completed: freon coolant

loop servicing and Orbiter/payload pre-installation and interface verification tests.

Today, workers will implement Orbiter aft compartment closeouts and electrical

mating of the external tank and solid rocket boosters in the VAB's high bay 1.

STS 51 work scheduled: microwave landing system tests; Orbiter/forward reaction

control system interface verification checks and crew equipment interface tests.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTFI,E STATUS REPORT, June 3,

1993.]

[1 STS 58: PAYLOAD BAY READIED FOR SLS-2

Columbia is being processed for its STS 58 mission in Orbiter Processing Facility

Bay 2; technicians there have completed liquid hydrogen line leak and functional

checks. Today's processing activities include: orbital maneuvering system

hypergolic deservice preparations; auxiliary power unit catch bottle drain; removal

and replacement of the thruster from the left OMS pod; configuring the payload

bay for SLS-2; preparations to remove the main engines and operations to remove

the fifth cryogenic tank set. Removal of the main engines and hypergolic

deservice operations are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, June 3, 1993.]

June 4: STS 57: TURBOPUMP ATTACHED TO ENGINE

"Things are going well. We're looking at getting the [turbopump replacement]

completed late Tuesday or early Wednesday," said KSC spokesman Brace

101
e

Buckingham. Endeavour was brought a bit closer to launch-ready status by the

bolting of the replacement high pressure oxidizer turbopump to main engine

number 2. Workers at Launch Complex 39B also repositioned the Orbiter's body

flap and main engines 1 and 3 and completed HPOTP powerhead checks. Today

workers preparing Endeavour for its STS 57 mission are securing the new

turbopump to engine number 2 and conducting pressurization checks and a trickle

purge of the vehicle's reaction control system and its orbital maneuvering system.

STS 57 work scheduled: engine and HPOTP leak checks and a helium signature

leak test. Launch is currently targeted for the third weekend in June.

[KE ,NAN'E. DY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 4,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 5, 1993.]

I! STS 51: TANK AND BOOSTER MATING

Freon coolant loop sampling has been completed in OPF Bay 2 where technicians

are preparing Discovery for the STS 51 mission. Workers have also completed

the external tank/solid rocket booster hard mate and Orbiter/payload preinstallation and interface verification tests. Today, workers are conducting aft

compartment closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts; external tank/solid rocket

booster electrical checks in the VAB high bay 1 and tests of the microwave

landing system. STS 51 tasks scheduled: Orbiter/forward reaction control system

(FRCS) interface verification checks; crew equipment interface tests; main landing

gear functional checks. The STS 51 mission will have a crew of five and, after

its mid-July launch, is set to last 9 days/22 hours. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 4, 1993.]

[1 COLUMBIA: PROCESSING UPDATE

Columbia is being processed for its mid-September STS 58 mission. Technicians

have been working on the oldest Space Shuttle in OPF Bay 2 and have removed

and replaced a thruster from the left OMS pod. Today, the OPF workers have

conducted operations to remove Columbia's fifth cryogenic tank set; conducted

orbital maneuvering system hypergolic deservice preparations; commenced an

auxiliary power unit catch bottle drain; configured the payload bay for SLS-2; and

prepared to remove the vehicle's main engines. This weekend the OPT bay will

be closed for hypergolic deservice operations; the main engines will also be

removed. The STS 58 crew will number seven persons and is planned to last 14

days. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

June 4, 1993.]

June 5: COMPUTER CONTRACI" COMPLETED EARLY

Honeywell Inc.'s Space System Division (Clearwater, FL) recently delivered the

final shipment of 30 main engine controllers to main engine manufacturer

102
L r _

Rocketdyne. The shipment came two years ahead of schedule and at a final cost

of $79 million rather than the $90 million that Rocketdyne had agreed to pay

Honeywell. ["Contract Completed Early," FLORIDA TODAY, June 6, 1993.]

June 7: ENDEAVOUR: TURBOPUMP CHECKS

Endeavour's new turbopump [HPOTP] has undergone preliminary leak checks and

torque checks on main engine number 2. Today, further STS 57 activities are

underway: securing the new high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) to main

engine number 2; reaction control system helium tank pressurization and

pressurization checks and trickle purge of the reaction control system and the

orbital maneuvering system. STS 57 tasks scheduled are: engine leak checks;

engine 2 heatshield installation and a helium signature test. The STS 57 mission

duration is planned for 7 days/23 hours if a sufficient cryogenic supply lasts. The

target date for launch is June 20 with a June 28 landing at Kennedy Space Center.

[KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 7,

1993.]

II STS 51: CElT FINISHED

Processing work continues for Discovery's STS 51 mission which is expected to

commence in mid-July. Workers in OPF Bay 3 have conducted crew equipment

interface tests; nose landing gear functional checks; microwave landing system

tests; and external tank/solid rocket booster electrical checks in VAB high bay 1.

Today workers continued with Orbiter aft compartment closeouts; Orbiter midbody closeouts; and preparations to replace the Ku-band deploy assembly. STS

57 work scheduled: main landing gear functional tests; closing payload bay doors

and aerosurface checks and operations. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. June 7, 1993.]

II STS 58: OM$ POD THRUSTER REPLACED

In OPF Bay 2, workers have replaced the thruster from the left OMS pod of

Columbia; the eldest of all Shuttles is being readied for a mid-September STS 58

mission. Workers have also finished the auxiliary power unit catch bottle drain

and the orbital maneuvering system hypergolic deservice preparations. Today the

OPF workers are conduction operations to remove the fifth cryogenic tank set

from the Orbiter; configuring the payload bay to receive the SLS-2; preparing to

remove the Ku-band deploy assembly and preparing to remove the vehicle's main

engines. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

June 7, 1993.]

103
II ENDEAVOUR TO LAUNCH JUNE 20

NASA managers today set June 20, 1993, as the new launch date for the next

flight of the Shuttle system. The STS 57 mission will see Space Shuttle

Endeavour and her six person crew conduct a mission highlighted by the retrieval

of the European observation satellite EURECA and the first flight of a commercial

spacelab facility known as Spacehab. The decision to go with a June 20 launch

date follows the completion of work to remove and replace the liquid oxygen

turbopump from Endeavour's main engine #2. The pump was changed out

because of an issue which was raised with a part on the pump. The decision to

remove and replace the pump delayed the launch of Endeavour which was

originally scheduled for June 3. The launch window for June 20 opens at 9:37

a.m. EDT and extends for 1 hour and 11 minutes. The limited launch window

time is based on EURECA retrieval requirements. The mission duration is

planned for seven days. However, it may be extended by one day immediately

after launch if projections calculated at that time for electrical power consumption

permit an extra day in space. The extra day will give two members of

Endeavour's crew the opportunity to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA) or

spacewalk. This will be the fourth flight of Endeavour and the 56th flight of the

Space Transportation System. [NASA/KSC Release No, 61-93, June 7, 1993.]

June 8: ENDEAVOUR: COUNTDOWN FOR STS 57

The countdown for STS 57, Endeavour's fourth launch, will begin at 2:00 a.m. on

June 17; launch is set for 9:37 a.m. EDT on June 20. Workers at Launch

Complex 39B have completed preliminary I-IPOTP checks and torque checks on

main engine #2. Today, workers are securing the new turbopump on main engine

#2; conducting reaction control system helium tank pressurization; and

pressurization checks and trickle purges of the reaction control system and the

orbital maneuvering system. STS 57 work scheduled: engine leak checks June

9 and engine 2 heatshield installation and a helium signature test. [I-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 8, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 8, 1993.]

II STS 51: ORFEUS/ACTS-TOS

Workers in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 have installed Discovery's hot water

tank and conducted nose landing gear checks. Today, OPF workers are making

Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts; removing the Ku-band deploy

assembly; conducting holddown post closeouts in the VAB on the mobile launcher

platform; performing aerosurface checks and operations and implementing landing

gear functional tests. Scheduled STS 51 work: OMS pod structural leak checks;

dosing payload bay doors for the rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

104
[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. June 8,

1993.]

]1 STS 58: ENGINE REMOVAL PREPARATIONS

In OPF Bay 2 preparations continue for Columbia's STS 58 mission targeted for

mid-September. Workers have completed: preparations for engine removal;

auxiliary power unit catch bottle drain; orbital maneuvering system hypergolic

deservice operations; removal and replacement of the thruster from the left orbital

maneuvering system pod. Workers today began operations to remove the fifth

cryogenic tank set; remove the main engines from Columbia; configure the

payload bay to receive the SLS-2; drag chute installation; remove the Ku-band

deploy assembly; preparations to install the extended duration orbiter (EDO)

pallet. Waste containment system checks and tests are scheduled. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 8, 1993.]

June 9: STS 57: PRELIMINARY LEAK CHECKS DONE

The countdown for STS 57 will begin at 2:30 a.m. on June 17. Preliminary higli

pressure oxidizer turbopump leak checks of Endeavour's main engine number 2

have been completed at Launch Complex 39B; workers have also finished the

reaction control system helium tank pressurization. Today, workers are

completing the securing operations of the new turbopump installed on main engine

#2; leak checks of main engine number 2 and engine 2 heatshield installation have

also been finished. STS 57 work scheduled: helium signature test; flight

readiness test; launch countdown preparations; final helium servicing of the

SHOOT payload. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHI.YI'IZ,E STATUS

REPORT. June 9, 1993.]

[l STS 51: PRE-LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

The Space Shuttle Discovery remains in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 where

the vehicle is being readied for its STS 51 mission July 17. The mission will

require a crew of six and last 9 days/22 hours. Technicians have completed main

landing gear functional tests; aerosurface and flight control final cycling and

checks; and removed the Ku-band deploy assembly. Today workers are installing

Columbia's Ku-band deploy assembly inside Discovery. They are also conducting

Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts and completing holddown post

closeouts in the VAB's mobile launcher platform. STS 51 activities scheduled:

testing of the newly installed Ku-band assembly and antenna; closing the payload

doors for the rollover to the VAB and preparing for main engine installation.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPAC_ SHU'I'_E STATUS REPORT, June 9,

1993.]

105
11 STS 58: COLUMBIA PROCESSING UPDATE

Columbia continues to undergo preparations inn OPF Bay 2 for its upcoming STS

58 mission. The vehicle's Ku-Band deploy assembly has been removed and

preparations made for engine removal. Today workers will prepare to install the

extended duration orbiter pallet and conduct waste containment system checks and

tests. The EDO pallet installation is scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT. June 9, 1993.]

[1 LOOSE SCREW DOOMED ATLAS LAUNCH

"You don't ever want to lose a bird, but to have it come from something like this

is just unfortunate," said Hughes Communications Director Don O'Neal about the

recent Atlas launch failure. That failure has been attributed to a loose screw in

the first stage Rocketdyne engine which led to a series of events which resulted

in loss of thrust and failure of the mission. General Dynamics spokeswoman &lie

Andrews said, "This was basically a workmanship problem; it was a quality

control problem." [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 9, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 9, 1993.]

June 10: STS 57: MAIN ENGINE LEAK CHECKS

Main engine #2 leak checks have been completed at Launch Complex 39B where

Endeavour awaits the start of its STS 57 mission; liftoff is set for June 20 at 9:37

a.m. EDT. Workers at the pad also completed securing operations of the new

replacement high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) to main engine #2.

Installation of engine #2's heatshield begins today. Other STS 57 work scheduled:

launch countdown preparations; helium signature test (June 11); flight readiness

test (June 12); beginning aft compartment closeouts; external tank purges;

ordnance installation and final helium service of the SHOOT payload. STS 57 is

planned to last 7 days and 23 hours, cryogenics permitting. [.KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 10, 1993.]

II STS 51: HOLDDOW}N,, POST CLOSEOUTS

In the VAB, workers on the STS 51 mission processing team have completed

holddown post closeouts in the mobile launcher platform. In OPF Bay 3,

technicians have installed the Ku-Band deploy assembly shipped to KSC from

California and conducted aerosurface and flight control final cycling and checks.

The Ku-Band deploy assembly will be tested today and workers will implement

Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts and make preparations for main

engine installation. STS 51 work scheduled: closing payload bay doors for

reliever and proceed with main engine installation on June 12. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 10, 1993.]

106
[] STS 58: COLUMBIA PROCESSING STATUS

The Space Shuttle Columbia continues to undergo processing for its midSeptember STS 58 mission. In OPF Bay 2, technicians have removed Columbia's

fifth cryogenic tank set, all three main engines and the vehicle's Ku-Band deploy

assembly. Today preparations continue to install the extended duration Orbiter

(EDO) pallet in Columbia and workers will conduct waste containment system

checks and tests. The Orbiter's drag chute and the EDO are scheduled for

installation. Columbia's 14-day mission will carry seven crew members to an

orbital altitude of 176 miles. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 10, 1993.]

[] OPTION B HA S BROAD SUPPORT

Broad support has surfaced for "Option B," the second of three new Space Station

proposals that NASA will present to President Clinton this week. Senator Barbara

Miknlski (D-MD) said, " My recommendation to the vice president (AI Gore)

would be to go with (the Freedom-derived) option. I think we get more science

with minimum disruption (to the Station program). The key players on this issue

and the ones who've been at this the longest seem to favor it." The plan would

cost $19.3 billion to construct and put astronauts to work on it. The plan is also

the favorite of NASA's partners - Canada, Japan and the European Space Agency -

in part because the option uses European-developed equipment. Maryland, which

Mikulski represents in the United States Senate, is home to the Goddard Space

Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD), near Washington, D.C. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 7, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June

8, 1993; Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 8, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, June 9, 1993; Holton, THE ORLANDQ SENTINEL, June 10,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, June 10, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

1A, June 11, 1993.]

June 11: STS 57: HEATSHIELD INSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed both the installation of the

main engine number 2 heatshield and preparations for today's helium signature

test. Other activities occurring today: launch countdown preparations and the

start of aft compartment closeouts. Scheduled STS 57 work: flight readiness test

(June 12); external tank purges (June 14); ordnance installation (June 15);

countdown beginning at 2:30 a.m. (June 17); crew arrival at KSC at 3:30 p.m.

(June 17). [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT. June 11, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 12, 1993.]

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II

II

STS 51: KU-BAND INSTALLATION

In OPF Bay 3, Discovery has had its Ku-band deploy assembly installed and

technicians completed aerosurface and flight control final cycling and checks.

Today, Discovery's pre-STS 51 processing includes: a test of the Ku-band deploy

assembly; Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts and preparations for main

engine installation. STS 51 work scheduled: final payload bay cleaning; main

engine installation (June 12 and June 14) and closing of the payload bay doors for

rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 11, 1993.]

STS 58: MAIN ENGINES REMOVED

All three of Columbia's main engines have been removed as part of the processing

efforts for its next flight: STS 58, targeted for mid-September. Cabin heat checks

and removal of the fifth cryogenic tank set have also been accomplished. Today

preparations are underway to install the extended duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet;

make waste containment system checks and tests; install the drag chute.

[KENNEDY SPAC.E CENTER SPACE SHUTTL.E STATUS REPORT, June 11,

1993.]

I1 WHITE HOUSE PANEL EYES STATION pLANS

All three plans submitted by NASA to the Clinton Administration are feasible and

would cost less than the $34 billion currently projected. None, however, were

within spending limits set by the president. The panel said two of the three were

"most deserving of further consideration." The third option, Plan B, was rejected

as being too similar to the old design. President Clinton has not yet chosen a plan

he would support. ["Space Station: Truth, Whole Truth, Nothing But Truth,"

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 6, 1993; "Panel Likes Options A & C for

Station," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 12, 1993.]

,June 12: PRE-LAUNCH PACE PICKS UP

"We're right on schedule for our launch on Father's Day. Everything is going fine,

and we are not working on any problems," said KSC spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. Barring the unforeseen, launch is set for June 20 at 9:37 a.m.; the

launch window extends until 10:48 a.m. EST. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, _lune 13, 1993.]

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[] GRINDLE WINS SERVICE MEDAL

Douglas Gfindle was recently awarded NASA's Public Service Medal by Kennedy

Space Center Director Robert L Clippen. Grindle is Vice President and Director

of Human Resources for Lockheed Space Operations Co. which processes Shuttles

for launch at KSC. He was recognized specifically for creating and executing an

effective plan for reducing the number of Shuttle workers at KSC without

adversely affecting processing schedules, safety or efficiency. ["Human Resources

Director Wins Service Medal," FLORJDA TODAY. p. 9E, June 13, 1993.]

June 13: DEKE SLAYTON: DEAD AT 69

One of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, Donald K. '2)eke" Slayton died today

of brain cancer; he was 69. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie, and stepdaughter,

Stacy. Slayton died at his home in League City, "IX. Memorial services for

Slayton have been set for 1 p.m. CDT Saturday, June 19, at the Johnson Space

Center. The family requests that memorials be sent to The Mercury Seven

Foundation at 6225 Vectorspace Boulevard, Titusville, FL, 32780; or to Give Kids

the World at 210 S. Bass Road, Kissimmee, FL, 34746. "Deke will be

remembered for the significant contributions he made to NASA," said KSC

Director Robert L. Crippen whom Slayton hired as an astronaut in 1969. Crippen

added, "He combined courage and daring with engineering competence, strong

leadership skills and great regard for the safety of the people he worked with."

NBC correspondent Jay Barbme said, "Nobody really knew what a giant he was.

He was probably the single driving force behind the whole astronaut corps to

make it what it is today." Slayton never flew on a Mercury mission; he was

grounded because of an irregular heartbeat. He did make it into space, however,

and in a big way. He was chosen to be a part of the American crew to take part

in meeting the cosmonauts in 1975% Apollo Soyuz Test Project and a wait of 16

years was over. Former NASA Launch Pad Manager Guenter Wendt said of

Slayton, "It was always said you better be on the good side of Deke or you were

going to be sitting behind a desk instead of flying. He used to run the astronaut

office with an iron hand." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 14,

1993; NASA/KSC News Release: 93-044; June 14, 1993.]

June 14: STS 57: FRT COMPLEWED

The flight readiness test has been completed for Endeavour's STS 57 mission; the

launch is set for 9:37 a.m. EST on June 20. Workers at Launch Complex 39B

have also completed the helium signature test and the installation of the number

2 engine heatshield. Today, pad technicians are conducting launch countdown

preparations; external tank purges and aft compartment closeouts. Tomorrow,

ordnance installation is scheduled; final SHOOT [payload] servicing is set for June

16. The countdown is planned to begin at 2:30 a.m. June 17; that afternoon at

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about 3:30the six-member STS 57 crew will arrive at Kennedy Space Center.

STS 57 is designed to last up to seven days and 23 hours if cryogenics supplies

permit. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, June 14, 1993; .KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, June 14, 1993.]

I1 STS 51: KU-BAND TESTED AND STOWED

Discovery's main engines 1 and 3 have been installed and its Ku-band deploy

assembly has been tested and stowed. The first leg of the vehicle's STS 51

mission comes June 19 when it is rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building

for mating with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. Today, workers are

implementing Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft eloseouts; installing main engine

number 2 and giving the payload bay a final cleaning. Before rollover, the

Orbiter's payload bay doors will be closed. The target date for STS 51 is now set

for July 17 and the mission will run for nine days and 22 hours. [KENNEDY

SPACE _CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 14, 1993.]

II STS 58: DRAG CHUTE INSTALLED

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2, workers have finished installing Columbia's

drag chute. Today, preparations will be made to install the extended duration

Orbiter (EDO) pallet; workers will also conduct waste containment system checks

and tests and install the Ku-band deploy assembly. STS 58 work scheduled:

installation of the EDO on June 17; orbital maneuvering system functional checks

and helium system leak and functional checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SI-KITTLE STATUS REPORT, June 14, 1993.]

June 14: PETERSON NAMED ACTING NASA COMPTROLLER

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced the appointment of

Malcolm L. Peterson as Acting Comptroller for the agency. Peterson's

appointment follows the retirement last Friday of Acting Comptroller Gary B.

Allison. Peterson, a NASA employee since 1972, recently led the control/cost

estimating group within the agency's Space Station Redesign Team which last

week submitted its final report to the President's Advisory Committee on the

Redesign of the Space Station. Since 1989 Peterson was the Director of the

Resources Analysis Division in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer at NASA

Headquarters (Washington, D.C.). During that time he was assigned by then

Administrator Richard Truly to the National Space Council for a year, where he

conducted various studies including procurement reforms. Peterson began his

career in federal service in 1969 and in 1972, began working in the Comptroller's

office at NASA Headquarters. From 1972 through 1979, he was a program

analyst in the Resources Analysis Division where he had the responsibility for

several programs, including tracking and data acquisition, space applications, space

110
scienceandexpendablelaunchvehicles. During that time he spent a year at the

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD), working in the Landsat/Nimbus

project office.

In 1979 he was tasked with leading the Comptroller's independent analysis of the

Space Shuttle program. After completion of the Shuttle's orbital flight test phase

in 1982, he became the Branch Chief for Space Transportation Systems programs

in the Resources Analysis Division. Peterson became Assistant Comptroller for

Program Status Review and Cost Assessment in 1985. In that capacity, he was

a member of the NASA Headquarters planning team formed in response to the

Challenger accident. In 1986-1987 he led the independent cost estimate team for

the Space Station. He is a member of the Senior Executive Service and is a

recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. [NASA/KS_ New_ Release:

93-112, June 14, 1993.]

June 16: STS 57: COUNTDOWN STARTS TOMORROW

Final ordnance installation has been completed for the STS 57 mission of

Endeavour. Technicians at Launch Complex 39B also completed aft compartment

and basic payload closeouts. Launch countdown preparations are underway today

as well as an aft confidence test and the last SHOOT servicing before liftoff.

STS 57 work scheduled for June 17: countdown beginning at 2:30 a.m.

tomorrow; crew arrival at 3:30 p.m.; closing of payload bay doors for flight. On

June 18, technicians will conduct Spacehab late stowage operations. Launch is set

to occur at 9:37 a.m., June 20. Forecasters are predicting a 90% chance of

favorable weather at launch time.[KFNNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 16, 1993; L-3 DAY LAUNCH WEATHER

FORECAST FOR STS 57. June 17, 1993.]

[1 DISCOVERY: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS CLOSED

The Space Shuttle Discovery is being readied for rollover to the VAB for the final

preparations leading to its STS 51 flight July 17. In OPF Bay 3, technicians

working on Discovery have completed the final payload bay cleaning; closed the

payload bay doors; finished hydraulic operations for aerosurface positioning; and

removed the strongbacks after closing the payload bay doors. Today, workers are

working on aft compartment closeouts; main engine securing and preparations to

roll the vehicle over to the VAB. STS 51 work scheduled: Orbiter jackdown,

weight and center of gravity checks; mating to Orbiter transport vehicle; rollover

to the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:01 a.m. June 19. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 16, 1993.]

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I1

II

I1

STS 58: DRAG CHUTE INSTALLATION

Columbia is in OPF Bay 2 where it is being readied for the STS 58 mission.

Technicians have completed installation of the vehicle's drag chute; repositioned

aerosurfaces; installed the Ku-band deploy assembly. Today, workers will

continue preparations to install the extended duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet; make

waste containment system checks and tests; inspect ball strut tie-rod assembly

joints and make orbital maneuvering system functional checks. STS 58 work

scheduled: installation of the EDO and implementation of the helium system leak

and functional checks. The upcoming mission is set for early or mid-September.

['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 16,

1993.]

PMG MATED TO DELTA

NASA's Plasma Motor Generator (PMG) experiment is being mated today to the

second stage of an Air Force Ddta II rocket at Launch Complex 17. PMG is

scheduled for launch as a secondary payload no earlier than Saturday, June 26.

The liftoff time is 9:04 a.m. The primary payload is an Air Force Navstar Global

Positioning Satellite. There are four PMG elements being mated to the second

stage: the Near End Package which is the control center for the experiment, the

Far End Package, which is deployed attached to the tether and has its own selfcontained experiment electronics and events sequencer, the Plasma Diagnostics

Package which contains an ion spectrometer, and a Small Expendable Deployer

System (SEDS) electronics box which provides the primary electrical system and

telemetry interfaces with the Delta second stage. [NA_SA/KSC Release No. 64-93,

June 16, 1993.]

STS 57: COUNTDOWN BEGINS TOMORROW

The countdown to launch Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS 57 is

scheduled to begin at 2:30 a.m. EDT on June 17, at the T-43 hour mark. This

will be the fourth launch of Endeavour and the 56th overall in the Space Shuttle

program. The countdown includes 36 hours and 3 minutes of built-in hold time

leading to the opening of the launch window at 9:38 &m. (EDT) on June 20; the

window extends until 10:49. A primary objective of this mission is the retrieval

of the European Space Agency's free-flying platform, EURECA. This spacecraft

was deployed from the Shuttle on mission STS 46, launch on July 31, 1992.

EURECA is primarily a microgravity mission specifically designed for materials

processing and life sciences payloads. Endeavour's crew will grapple the platform

and return it to Earth. Endeavour will carry into orbit the commercial spacelab

facility called SPACEHAB, a small pressurized module situated in the forward

section of Endeavour's payload bay. It was designed by the privately financed

corporation, SPACEHAB, Inc. Also in the payload bay are several other

112
experimentsincluding the Super Fluid Helium on Orbit Transfer (SHOOT)

Demonstration experiment and ten Get-Away Specials (GAS) experiments.

Another of Endeavour's mission objectives is to allow two of the astronauts to

perform a spaeewalk for training and practice of deploy and retrieval techniques

which will support Space Station assembly and the Hubble telescope servicing

mission. [NASA/KSC Release No. 66-93, June 16, 1993.]

June 17: CIJNTON ANNOUNCES STATION SUPPORT

Statement of the President

At a time when our long-term economic strength depends on our technological

leadership and our ability to reduce the deficit, we must invest in technology but

invest wisely, making the best possible use of every dollar. That's why I asked

for a review of NASA's Space Station program. Concerns over rising costs and

mismanagement raised serious questions about a program vital to our technological

leadership. I instructed NASA to redesign the Space Station program in a way

that would preserve its critical science and space research, and ensure international

cooperation, but significantly reduce costs and improve management. NASA has

met that challenge, offering a plan that will substantially reduce costs to taxpayers,

improve management, preserve research, and allow the United States to continue

to work with its international partners and keep its international commitments.

That was the conclusion of an outstanding panel of independent experts who

carefully reviewed NASA's proposals. And, that is my conclusion as well, after

thoroughly considering their report and recommendations. It will take not just a

redesign of the Space Station, but a redesign of NASA itself. I am calling for the

U.S. to work with our international partners to develop a reduced cost, scaleddown version of the original Space Station Freedom. At the same time, I will also

seek to enhance and expand the opportunities for international participation in the

Space Station project, so that the Space ,Station can serve as a model of nations

coming together in peaceful cooperation. Finally, I will be directing NASA to

implement personnel reductions and major management changes to cut costs,

reduce bureaucracy, and improve efficiency. The National Performance Review

team, led by Vice President Gore, has been essential in working with NASA to

develop these management proposals. We are going to redesign NASA at the

same time that we redesign the Space Station.

To make maximum use of our investments and meet the scientific goals we have

set, the specific design we will pursue will be a simplified version of Space

Station Freedom recommended by the review panel. We will work with Congress,

NASA and our international partners during the next ninety days to make the very

best use of this design. The details of this proposal will be delivered to Congress

within the next few days. I have asked Dr. John Gibbons, my Science and

Technology Advisor, to transmit a letter to NASA with more detailed instructions

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I1

for implementing this decision. This redesigned program will capitalize on the

investments we have already made. However, with its deep cuts in future

development and operations costs, this redesigned program will save more than

$4 billion over the next 5 years, compared with our assessments of what the real

costs of funding the planned Space Station Freedom would have been. Over the

two-decade life of the program, these savings will grow to more than $18 billion.

There is no doubt that we are facing difficult budget decisions. However, we can

not retreat from our obligation to invest in our future. Budget cuts alone will not

restore our vitality. I believe strongly that NASA and the Space Station program

represent important investments in that future, and that these investments will

yield benefits in medical research, aerospace and other critical technology areas.

As well, the Space Station is a model of peaceful international cooperation,

offering a vision of the new world in which confrontation has been replaced with

cooperation .... ["Statement of the President," The Wl3ite House, June 17, 1993;

"Clinton Hammers Home Merits of the Space Station Program," FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 16, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 17,

1993; Halvorson, FLOR/DA TODAY. pp. 1A & 4A, June 18, 1993; Thompson,

FLORIDA TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, June 18, 1993; Holton, THE ORLANDO

S..ENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, June 18, 1993; Stinson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, June 22, 1993.]

ADMINISTRATOR GOLDIN ON STATION DECISION

"America took another important step forward on the space frontier today with the

decision by President Clinton to continue the Space Station project. We at NASA

are gratified by the faith the President has placed in us to accomplish this

challenging task, and inspired by his vision for our country's future in space. Only

a few months ago the President charged NASA with a task many called

impossible. But NASA met the challenge. People representing every part of the

agency worked long hours and at great personal sacrifice and in so doing achieved

the impossible. I want all Americans to be aware of the extraordinary effort put

in by all of NASA's employees. I could not be prouder of any group of

individuals than I am of the NASA team; our country is well served by these men

and women. We remain committed to ensuring America's competitiveness in

science and technology now and into the 21st century. And this project will help

us meet that need. The Space Station will be a knowledge engine on the high

frontier, returning dividends to Americans for years to come.

"But there are larger issues at stake, and we are pleased that the debate over this

program is beginning to encompass the landscape we know as the future. In the

wake of the Cold War, it is important for this nation to achieve a consensus on

future goals for the space program. It is important for us to ask ourselves what

kind of a space program we want, what kinds of goals we should pursue, and what

kind of legacy we want to hand down to our children. With the President's

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leadershipand support, I believe we have the opportunity to help define a new era

of intemational peace and cooperation thorough our scientific partnerships in

space. The 20th century has been one long panorama of war and conflict. Now

the world is changing, and with luck and with vision we may be able to replace

a century of war with a new century of peace and understanding. Space cannot

be left out of that equation, for space encompasses the essential challenges we will

face in this new age. "Over the next few months, as we transition the existing

Space Station program structure to support the redesign option selected by the

President, we will pay close attention to NASA's most precious resource - its

people, employees and contractors alike. We will do our utmost to minimize

disruption during the process of restructuring the program. In a larger context, all

of us at NASA must rededicate ourselves to continuing the internal improvements

we have begun. Together, we have made great strides in the last year. We have

begun to fundamentally change NASA for the better. But there is much more to

do, and this is the time to do it. It is an honor that NASA has been asked to

participate in Vice President Gore's National Performance Review. We must use

this opportunity to set our course and make the space agency a model for effective

government research and development. Only by committing ourselves to these

goals can we live up to the faith and trust that President Clinton has placed in us.

As responsible stewards for the nation's space program, we can do no less. I look

forward to working with the entire NASA family on these exciting goals during

the challenging times ahead." ["Statement by Daniel S. Goldin, NASA

Administrator on the Space Station Redesign," June 17, 1993.]

I1 STS 57 CREW ARRIVES

Astronaut Janice Voss demonstrated her delight to be part of Endeavour's STS 57

crew by jumping for joy. The six-member crew for the June 20 liftoff arrived this

afternoon in their T-38 training jets at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Voss could

not contain her enthusiasm, saying, "I'm so excited to be here. It's going to be a

great flight. The best one that's ever been." The STS 57 crew includes, besides

Voss: Commander Ronald Grabe, Pilot Brian Duffy and mission specialists G.

David Low, Jeff Wisoff and Nancy Sherlock [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A,

June I8, 1993; "Sunday's Shuttle Launch Running On Schedule," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 18, 1993.]

June 19: STS 57: LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

Work continues on schedule today for the launch of Endeavour tomorrow at the

opening of the 71 minute window at 9:38 a.m. EDT. Yesterday crews entered the

aft engine compartment to check on higher than expected concentrations of helium

around the main propulsion system. Inspections revealed no problems and the aft

doors were replaced early this morning. No other issues or concerns axe being

worked today. The rotating service structure was retracted late this morning with

115
first motion at 11:26 a.m. Workers are now in the process of making final

stowage of flight crew equipment and mid=deck experiments. The weather

forecast for tomorrow's launch is very favorable with only a 10 percent chance of

launch criteria violation. This slight concern is primarily due to the possibility of

rain in the vehicle's flight path. The STS 57 mission is planned to extend for 7

days/22 hours/46 minutes. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 19, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1

& A-5, June 19, 1993.]

June 20: ENDEAVOUR SCRUBBED ON FIRST ATI'EMFF

Bad weather caused NASA launch managers to scrub Endeavour's STS 57 mission

today at 10:44 a.m. A second attempt to launch the Shuttle will come tomorrow

at 9:07 a.m.; the launch window will last till 10:18 a.m. Mission Commander Ron

Grabe said, "We would have liked to have sent Brian Duffy over the hill in true

style, but tomorrow's another day. Duffy's 40th birthday is today. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 21, 1993.]

June 21: ENDEAVOUR LAUNCHES ON SECOND TRY

The Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched today from KSC's Launch Complex

39B. No technical problems were worked throughout the duration of the terminal

countdown phase. Liftoff was about 22 seconds late, however, due to a Range

Safety hold as a stray aircraft intruded or was about to intrude into restricted

airspace. Endeavour had been scheduled for launch yesterday, but the launch was

scrubbed at T-5 minutes due to low clouds and rain near the Shuttle Landing

Facility and concern for weather at all three available Transatlantic abort sites.

Endeavour is scheduled to land back at KSC on Tuesday, June 29 at about 8:03

a.m. The crew for the STS 57 mission includes: Commander Ronald Grabe, Pilot

Brian Duffy and Mission Specialists G. David Low, Nancy Sherlock, Jeff Wisoff

and Janice Voss [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, June 21, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 22, 1993;

USA TODAY, June 22, 1993; Leafy, THE NEW YORK. TIMES, June 22, 1993;

Harwood, THE WASHINGTON POST, June 22, 1993; Stewart, THE LOS

ANGELES TIMES (Washington edition), June 22, 1993.]

[] SHRIVER REPLACT_ SHAW ON MISSION MANAGEMENT

Lon_n Shriver headed the Mission Management Team for Endeavour's STS 57

mission today. Shriver replaced Bn_wster Shaw when Shaw was transferred to

Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) to become Director of Shuttle Operations.

Shriver had been Shaw's deputy at Kennedy Space Center. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, June 22, 1993.]

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II

[]

DISCOVERY PROC"ESSING UPDATE

Discovery remains in the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 1 where it is

undergoing final processing for its mid-July STS 51 mission. Discovery has been

mated to the Orbiter transfer vehicle and has undergone Orbiter jackdown, and

weight and center of gravity checks. Rollover to the VAB occurred June 18.

Today, technicians will implement electrical mates to the external tank and

conduct Shuttle interface tests. Rollout to Launch Complex 39B is scheduled to

occur this weekend. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, June 21, 1993.]

STUDENT IJ',b"ESCIENCES PROGRAM AT KSC

Forty college students today started an intensive 6-week Space Life Sciences

Training Program (SLSTP) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL. The summer

residence training program is for college students interested in life sciences,

bioengineering, ecology or related fields. The SLSTP is designed to attract

college students towards a career in space life sciences research. Selected students

work with NASA researchers in planning flight and ground support experiments.

In addition to offering research experience, the curriculum includes lectures, tours

and special projects to provide a complete overview of the field of space life

sciences. The special project areas this year will involve plant space biology,

global environment and monitoring of microbes in the Shuttle crew water system.

The program will be held from June 21 through July 31, 1993. [NASA/KSC

Re!.ease 93-117. June 21, 1993.]

June 22: PAD DAMAGE MINIMAL

KSC engineers are reporting no unusual damage to Launch Complex 39B as a

result of yesterday's launch of Endeavour on its STS 57 mission. The solid rocket

boosters have arrived at Port Canaveral and are making their way up the Banana

River to Hangar AF. Disassembly and flight analysis will begin June 23.

Preliminary inspections showed no peculiarities following the launch and

separation from Endeavour and its external tank. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 22, 1993.]

I1 STS 51: MECHANICAL MATES COMPLETED

In the Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 1, technicians processing Discovery

for its mid-July STS 51 mission have completed Orbiter mechanical mates to the

external tank. Today they are working on electrical mates to the tank, Shuttle

interface tests and heatshield installation and checks. STS 51 work activities

scheduled: 17-inch disconnect functional checks; umbilical closeouts; rollout to

Launch Complex 39B, set for this weekend and delivery of the mission payload

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to the pad on June 24. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 22, 1993.]

[1 STS 58: EDO INSTALLED

The EDO (extended duration Orbiter) pallet has been installed in the payload bay

of Columbia as part of STS 58 processing activities. Technicians have also

completed waste containment system checks and tests. Current processing

activities include: electrical mates to the extended duration Orbiter pallet; hall

strut tie-rod assembly joint inspections; orbital maneuvering system functional

checks; auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks; helium system leak and

functional checks and main propulsion system leak checks. Hydraulic flight

control checks axe scheduled. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 22, 1993.]

June 23: STS 57: BOOS_ RECOVERED AND EXAMINED

At Hangar AF (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station), Endeavour's twin solid rocket

boosters axe set to undergo disassembly and flight analysis. Preliminary

inspections show no peculiarities following the launch. The STS 57 crew

includes: Commander Ronald Grabe, Pilot Brian Duffy and Mission Specialists

G. David Low, Nancy Sherlock, Jeff Wisoff and Janice Voss. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, June 23, 1993.]

[1 STS 51: MECHANICAL MATES COMPLETED

The Space Shuttle Discovery is now housed in the VAB's high bay 1 where

Orbiter mechanical mates to the mission's external tank have been completed. TO quick disconnect leak and functional checks axe also finished. Today workers

are making electrical mates from the Orbiter to the external tank; conducting

Shuttle interface tests; installing heatshields and checking them; main engine leak

checks; external tank interface leak checks; Launch Complex 39B validations.

STS 51 work scheduled: removal of the mobile launcher platform from the launch

pad; Orbiter/external tank 17-inch disconnect functional checks; rollout to Launch

Complex 39B this weekend; delivery of the STS 51 payload to the pad on June

25; solid rocket booster hydraulic checks. The STS 51 mission is target to launch

on July 17 at 9:22 a.m. EDT and to land at Kennedy Space Center on July 27.

['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS ...REPORT, June 23,

1993.]

[1 STS 58: COLUMBIA PROCESSING UPDATE

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, workers have completed the electrical mates

to the extended duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet in preparation for Columbia's next

118
mission, STS 58. Workers' tasks today include: extended duration Orbiter (EDO)

pallet power reactant storage and distribution system checks; orbital maneuvering

system functional checks; auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks; helium

system leak and functional checks; main propulsion system leak checks; solid

rocket booster stacking operations in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3. STS

58 work scheduled: hydraulic flight control checks and forward reaction control

system functional checks. Columbia's STS 58 mission is scheduled to last for 14

days and commence with a launch in early to mid-September. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 23, 1993.]

[! YES TO STATION: 216-215

Kennedy Space Center and its workers breathed a sigh of relief on hearing that the

U.S. House of Representatives had voted 216 to 215 to authorize NASA to spend

$12.7 billion on Space Station Freedom in the next seven years. However, a

second vote actually allowing NASA to spend that much money is set for next

week in the House and opponents think they can marshall the votes to kill the

Space Station. Representative Charles Schumer (D-NY) said, "The redesigned

space station is still a waste of money...a program hopelessly in search of a

mission." Space Station supporter Rep. Newt Gingrieh (R-GA) said, "This is not

about money. This is about whether Americans have enough faith in our children,

in our future." At the space center, Director Robert L Cfippen said, "Congress

has a difficult task in balancing the nation's priorities. I am very pleased the

amendment to kill the Space Station was defeated, but I am disappointed it wasn't

a larger margin because I believe the station is vital to the country and will give

great dividends in the future to all of us." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A,

June 24, 1993; Holton, THE. ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, June 24,

1993.1

June 24: STS 51: HEATSHIELDS INSTALLED

Discovery's main engine heatshields have been installed during the Orbiter's

processing stay in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Work currently in progress:

a Shuttle interface test, both mechanical and electrical); hydraulic testing of the

solid rocket booster control systems; main engine/main propulsion system interface

leak checks; external tank/Orbiter interface leak checks; payload rollout from the

Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) at 8:30 p.m. tonight. STS 51 processing tasks

scheduled: installation of payloads into the Pad B payload changeont room;

retraction of the VAB access platforms tomorrow; positioning of the crawler

transporter beneath the mobile launcher platform (MLP) tomorrow; Space Shuttle

Discovery's rollout from the VAB to Launch Complex 39B tomorrow evening;

Discovery hard-down on the launcher pedestals by 2:00 a.m. June 26; powerup of

the Orbiter; crew hatch functional check; installation of payloads June 27; mate

Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit June 27; KSC launch readiness review June 28;

119
STS 51 flight readiness review July 1. [STS 51 SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, June 24, 1993.]

[! ASTRONAUTS TO HI_ADOUARTERS ASSIGNMENTS

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced the appointment of two

astronauts to senior management positions at NASA Headquarters in Washington,

D.C. Appointed are William M. Shepherd and James D. Welherbee as Assistant

Deputy Administrators - Technical. they will assist the Administrator and the

Acting Deputy Administrator in providing technical oversight of NASA's

programs. In addition to serving in this capacity, they have been designated as

acting leaders of the transition activities for the Redesign Space Station program

under the direction of Bryan O'Connor, the Director, Space Station Redesign.

Shepherd, a 1971 Naval Academy graduate, received the degrees of ocean

engineer and master of science in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology in 1978. He is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions,

STS 27 in December 1988, STS 41 in October 1990 and STS 52 in November

1992. Wetherbee is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a 1974

graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He served as the project officer and

test pilot for the weapons delivery systems and avionics integration for the F/A-18

aircraft. He is a veteran of 2 Space Shuttle missions, serving as pilot on STS 32

in January 1990 and as commander of STS 52 in November 1992. [NASA/KSC

Release: 93-120, June 24, 1993.]

June 25: STS 51: PAYLOAD ARRIVES AT PAD TODAY

While Discovery continues final preparations before rolling out to Launch

Complex 39B, technicians are preparing to deliver the Shuttle's payload to the pad.

The ACTS-TOES/ORFEUS-SPAS payload should arrive at 1:00p.m. today. A

number of processing activities have been completed: installation of main engine

heatshields; the Shuttle interface test (the electrical portion); hydraulic testing of

the solid rocket booster control systems; main engine/main propulsion system

interface leak checks; external tank/Orbiter interface leak checks. Activities

underway today include: installing the ACTS-TOES/ORFEUS-SPAS into the

payload changeout room at Launch Complex 39B; Shuttle interface test (the

mechanical portion); removal of the VAB access platforms; position the crawler

transporter beneath the mobile launcher platform (MLP) in VAB I-Iigh Bay 2.

STS 51 work scheduled: Discovery's rollout from the VAB to Pad B at 12:30

a.m. tomorrow; vehicle hard-down on the launcher pedestals by 7:00 a.m.

tomorrow; moving of rotating service structure; powering up Discovery; crew

hatch functional check; installation of payloads into Discovery; mate Orbiter midbody umbilical unit (OMBUU); flight readiness test; ORFEUS-SPAS argon

servicing; KSC launch readiness review; astronaut arrival for the terminal

countdown demonstration test; ACTS-TOS interface verification test with

120
Discovery; ACTS functional test; ACTS battery charging; TCDT for two days;

STS 51 flight readiness review; inertial measurement unit calibration and the

ORFEUS-SPAS interface verification test. [STS 51 SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, June 25, 1993; NASA/KSC Release No. 70-93, June 25, 1993.]

June 26: DELTA TO, LAUNCH TODAY

If the weather permits, the Air Force is set to launch its Delta rocket from Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station at 9:04 this morning. Forecasters predict a 70 percent

chance of favorable weather for the liftoff. The Delta will deploy a Navstar

Global Positioning Satellite, the 20th in a series. ['Halvorson, FLORID .A TODAY,

p. 2A, June 26, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, June 25, 1993.]

June 28: SPACE STATION VOTE IN HOUSE

The House of Representatives is set to vote today on an appropriation for the

Space Station program. The authorization vote in the House passed 216-215 on

June 23. The Executive Director of the National Space Society, Loft Garver, said

that today's vote is not as crucial as that of last week, because the Senate could

still vote in favor of the space station and, with President Clinton, could save the

program in the conference committee which must negotiate to settle outstanding

budget issues which differ in House and Senate versions of the budget bill.

Another high technology bill facing considerable difficulty in the House is the

super collider program. In 1993, $517 million had been provided for the project.

The House has already voted 250-150 to kill the project during the authorization

process. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAy, pp. 1A-2A, June 28, 1993.]

[1 ENDEAVOUR PACKS FOR RETURN HOME

The crew of Endeavour is spending today packing experiments and flight gear and

checking the Orbiter's flight control systems in preparation for tomorrow's planned

landing at the Kennedy Space Center. Landing is scheduled to occur at 8:44 a.m.

EDT, with a second opportunity available at 10:24 a.m. Weather for tomorrow's

landing in Florida is considered to be marginal but potentially acceptable.

Concerns center around the chance of rain within 30 miles of the Shuttle Landing

Facility and greater than 2/10ths of cloud coverage below 10,000 feet. A

determination on whether or not to land at KSC will be made early tomorrow

morning. If managers choose to land at KSC on the first opportunity, the de-orbit

bum would occur at 7:34 a.m. EDT. Should they choose the second opportunity,

the bum would occur at 9:14 a.m. EDT. [SPACE Stt-UTYLE STATUS REPORT,

June 28, 1993.]

11 DISCOVERY AT LC 39B

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[1

[]

After its rollout to Launch Complex 39B, Discovery is harddown on the pad with

its mechanical connections established between the Orbiter and the pad. The STS

51 payloads are being installed today. Work in progress: KSC launch readiness

review; powering up the Orbiter; installation of foam around the main engines; a

main engine readiness test and argon servicing or the ORFEUS-SPAS payloads

inside the Orbiter. STS 51 work scheduled: ACTS-TOES interface verification

test; astronaut arrival at 7:00 p.m. today for the terminal countdown demonstration

test; start of TCDT at 8:00 a.m. June 30 and the conclusion at ll:00 a.m. July l;

flight readiness review and heliium signature leak check of engines. [SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 28, 1993.]

BOC EXTENDED THROUGH SEP'IqEMBER

NASA announced today that the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Base Operations

Contract (BOC), currently held by EG&G Florida, Inc., has been extended for a

three-month period. The contract extension includes a three-month period priced

at $46,543,269, covering the period from July 1 through September 30, 1993, and

three additional one-month options with a total potential value of $44, 256,267.

The BOC provides a wide variety of services to KSC, primarily management,

operations, maintenance and engineering for KSC facilities and utilities; technical

and administrative support operations; and health, fire and security services.

EG&G Florida has held the Base Operations Contract for the past ten years and

is one of four companies involved in a recompetition. The new contract is

expected to be awarded in late summer for an initial period of four years with

three two-year priced options. The other competitors for the BOC are BAMSI,

Inc. (Titusville, FL); Lockheed Space Operations Co. (Titusville, FL); and

Westinghouse Electric. Corp., Government Business Unit (Pittsburgh, PA).

[NASA/KSC Release No. 72-93, June 28, 1993.]

STATION WINS HOUSE VOTE_ NARROWLY

By a vote of 220-196, the Space Station program has survived the appropriation

process in the House of Representatives for another year. Merritt Island Rep. aim

Bacchus said, "This is a major victory and for all those who seek to look beyond

political rhetoric to glimpse the shape of the future." The Station will face another

difficult vote in the U. S. Senate in July. Arizona Senator Dennis DeConeini of

the vote in the upper chamber, "It's going to be darned close." He suggested that

efforts to reduce the federal deficit might also cost NASA some votes in the

Senate. "I think what has changed this year is that there is this reality that we

must cut expenditures. We need to cut the big-ticket items," DeConcini said. "I

just don't see how we can afford the Space Station. I cannot vote for the Space

Station and then turn around and cut other programs like Medicare." [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 29, 1993.]

122
June 29: WAKE SHIELD FACILrFY ARRIVES

The Wake Shield Facility (WSF), a primary payload for mission STS 60, has

arrived at Cape Canaveral to begin final prelaunch assembly and checkout. The

spacecraft will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery targeted for launch the

second week in November. The parabolic-shaped WSF is 12 feet in diameter and

includes a communications and avionics system, solar cells and batteries, and a

propulsion thruster. The experiment will take advantage of the near vacuum of

space to attempt to grow innovative thin film materials for use in electronics. It

will be deployed by the remote manipulator arm, and fly in formation with

Discovery at a distance of up to 46 statute miles from the Orbiter for 56 hours.

It will then be retrieved from space, again using the remote manipulating arm.

WSF is undergoing initial processing in NASA's Hangar S on Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station. In mid-September it will be moved to the Vertical Processing

Facility in the KSC Industrial Area where tests will verify its compatibility with

the Space Shuttle. The payload is scheduled to be transferred to the pad

approximately one month later, about mid-October. WSF development is

sponsored by the Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center (Houston, TX) which is a NASA

Center for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS). Experiments are also

being sponsored by NASA, the Air Force and Army, and Case Western Reserve

University in Cleveland, also part of NASA's CCDS program. [NASA/KSC

Release No. 73-93, June 29, 1993.]

123
JULY

July 1: ENDEAVOUR COMES HOME

STS 57 Commander Ronald Grabe concluded Endeavour's mission by guiding the

Orbiter to a landing at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility at 8:52

a.m. EDT today. Endeavour will be towed from Runway 33 into Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 1 by mid-afternoon. The mission was extended two days

due to weather concerns at KSC. [SPACE SHUTILE STATUS REPORT. July

1, 1993; Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, July 2, 1993.]

[1 STS 51 SET FOR JULY 17

At the conclusion of the STS 51 flight readiness review a mission launch date of

July 17 was announced by NASA managers. Primary payload activity on the 9-

day mission will include deployment of the Advanced Communications

Technology Satellite (ACTS), and deployment and retrieval of the German-built

ORFEUS-SPAS astrophysics free-flier. A 6-hour Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA),

or space walk, will also be performed by two astronauts. Commanding the STS

51 crew is Frank Culberlson who will be making his second space flight. Pilot

William Readdy has also flown once in space. Three Mission Specialists, each

flying for the first time, round out the 5-man crew: Jim Newman, Dan Bmsch

and Cad Walz. The mission's terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT)

concluded at 11:30 a.m. today. In addition, workers at Launch Complex 39B

finished Discovery's helium signature leak check of the Orbiter's main engines and

C-band links and checkouts of the ACTS payload. Scheduled STS 51 work:

checkout of inertial measurement units and preparations for loading onboard

propellants. The five-member crew of Discovery returned to Johnson Space

Center for further training today. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July

1, 1993; Note to Editors: N93-38, July l, 1993; "Next Flight," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, July 2, 1993.]

July 2: ENDEAVOUR PARKED IN OPF BAY 1

Endeavour is now inside OPF Bay 1 undergoing deservicing from the STS 57

flight which concluded yesterday with a landing at Kennedy Space Center. The

ship's onboard fuels will be offloaded today and Saturday. The payload bay doors

will be opened July 6, and the EURECA spacecraft is scheduled to be removed

on July 9. Preliminary inspections of the Orbiter show the vehicle to be in

excellent condition following the 10-day mission. Endeavour's next mission - STS

61 - will last 11 days and consist in part of a repair effort for the Hubble Space

Telescope. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 2, 1993.]

124
[] STS 51 TCDT COMPLETED

The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test for Discovery's upcoming STS 51

mission has been completed at Kennedy Space Center. A flight readiness review

was also conducted yesterday and the mission is now targeted officially for July

17. Other tasks now finished include: removal and replacement of Mass Memory

Unit #1; calibration of the inertial measurement units and installation of the

gaseous nitrogen flex line. STS 51 is planned for more than 9 days and will carry

a. crew of five persons. Workers at Launch Complex 39B are implementing the

ORFEUS/SPAS interface verification test; securing and reconfiguring subsequent

to the TCDT; and making preparations for loading hypergolic propellants on July

6. The removal and replacement of the TACAN #3 has also been scheduled.

[SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 2, 1993.]

[! STS 58 PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

Columbia, the eldest of the nation's fleet of four Space Shuttles, continues to

undergo preparations in OPF Bay 2 for its mid-September STS 58 mission. That

flight is planned to last two weeks and its main activity will be the utilization of

Spacelab Life Sciences 2. Checkouts and closeouts of work on the Extended

Duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet are finished and moisture checks of the EDO pallet

lines have been completed as well. Workers in OPF Bay 2 are waterproofing the

vehicle's orbital maneuvering system pods and are working on the remote

manipulator system and its connecting mechanism. STS 58 activities on the

schedule: continuation of the items listed above on July 6. No work is planned

for the long July 4 weekend. Early next week, workers will attend to potable

water servicing. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 2, 1993.]

July 4: JULY 4 QUIET AT KSC

With most of the center's 18,000 employees absent because of the Independence

Day holiday, Kennedy Space Center was a quiet place. When the center is again

at full staff, launch preparations for Discovery's STS 51 mission will pick up their

pace. The first task will be to load the Shuttle's onboard propellant tanks to power

the steering thrusters and maneuvering rocket engines. Discovery's launch date

is July 17 between 9:22 a.m. and 10:24 p.m. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

July 4, 1993; "KSC Quiet for Long Holiday Weekend," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

2A, July 5, 1993.]

July 6: STS 51; IVT COMPLgI'ED

Columbia's ORFEUS/SPAS interface verification test for STS 51 has been

completed at Launch Complex 39B. The Orbiter's payload bay doors have been

closed the gaseous nitrogen flex line has been installed. Launch Complex 39B has

125
been cleared of non-essential personnel to permit loading of hypergolic

propellants. STS 51 work scheduled: hypergolic propellant loading through July

8 and aft closeouts are set for the end of the week. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, July 6, 1993.]

II STS 58: LAUNCH IN MID-SEPTEMBER

In OPF Bay 2 workers have concluded moisture checks of Columbia's Extended

Duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet lines. Current processing activities for STS 58

include: waterproofing of the orbital maneuvering system pods; eloseouts of the

extended duration orbiter pallet and feedlines and configuring of the crew

eompartrnent and potable water servicing. The activities listed above are

scheduled to continue throughout the week. [SPACE .SHUTILE STATUS

REPORT, July 6, 1993.]

I] STS 61 PROCESSING BEGINS FOR ENDEAVOUR

Endeavour, recently returned to KSC from the STS 57 mission, is currently

undergoing preliminary processing activities for the Orbiter's STS 61 mission.

Inside OPF Bay 1, the vehicle is being deservieed from its STS 57 flight. The

Orbiter's onboard fuels were offloaded late last weekend. The payload bay doors

were opened today and the EURECA spacecraft and SPACEHAB module are

scheduled to be removed from the payload bay July 9. Inspections which

followed the vehicle's recent landing show it to be in excellent condition after ten

days in space. The STS 61 mission, with a crew of 7, is primarily designed to

begin the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope and will launch in December and

last for 11 days. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS L__EPORT, July 6, 1993.]

July 8: STS 51: HYPERGOLICS LOADED

"Everything is fine. It's just about as good as it gets," said KSC spokesman Mitch

Vames today about the processing operations for Discovery's STS 51 mission. He

added, "There's nothing standing in the way of a launch on the 17th." Workers

preparing Discovery for its STS 51 mission next week have completed hypergolic

loading operations at Launch Complex 39B. Today processing operations include:

aft engine compartment closeouts; opening payload bay doors; TACAN #3 test

and checkout and launch countdown preparations. STS 51 scheduled activities:

loading astronauts' spacesuits aboard Discovery; implementing a mass memory

unit load; hypergolic fuel/oxidizer pressurization; ordnance operations; external

tank purging and beginning of the countdown at 9:30 a.m. July 14. STS 51 will

deploy the ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS payloads. Landing is scheduled for

Kennedy Space Center on July 27. [KENNE_DY SPACE CENTER SPACE

StKJTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 8, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9A, July 8, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, July 9, 1993.]

126
[] STS 58 PROCESSING AC'TIV1TIKS

Columbia is undergoing processing activities for its mid-September STS 58

mission. The Orbiter is currently in OPF bay 2 where workers are conducting:

main propulsion line foaming operations; rudder speed brake checks; orbital

maneuvering system check_, potable water servicing; payload bay closeouts and

solid rocket booster stacking operations in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay

3. Scheduled work includes: air frame structural inspections and aerosurface

positioning and hydraulic operations. Columbia's mission is scheduled to last 14

days and is crewed by 7 astronauts. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 8, 1993.]

July 9: STS 51: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPENED

"We're in our final week before launch, and we continue to be in good shape,"

said KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. While Discovery awaits its July 17

launch of the STS 51 mission, workers at Launch Complex 39B have been busily

finishing last minute tasks. Spacesuits have been loaded aboard the Orbiter; the

payload bay doors have been opened and hypergolic loading operations have been

completed. In progress: aft engine compartment closeouts; TACAN #3 re-test

and checkout; functional checks on the spacesuits; a mass memory unit load; and

other launch countdown preparations. Scheduled STS 51 work: hypergolic

fuel/oxidizer pressurization; ordnance operations; external tank purging; start of

countdown at 9:30 a.m. July 14. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 9, 1993; Banke, FLO.RIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

July 9, 1993.]

II STS 58 PROCESSING WORK

Columbia remains in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 where the vehicle is

undergoing processing for the upcoming STS 58 mission, now scheduled for

early/mid-September of this year. In progress today: main propulsion line

foaming; reinforced carbon/carbon leading edge panel repairs; rudder speed brake

checks; orbital maneuvering system checks; potable water servicing; payload bay

closeouts; solid rocket booster stacking operations in Vehicle Assembly high bay

3. The STS 58 mission may last longer than the 8 days/22 hours it has been

scheduled for; the mission may run an extra day if orbiter cryogenics allow it.

The mission will have a crew of 5. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHU'I'I'LE STATUS REPORT, July 9, 1993.]

July 12: STS 51: WEATHER FAVORABLE

Forecasters indicate that there is a 10% chance that showers might interfere with

launching Discovery's STS 51 mission on July 17. Kennedy Space Center

127
spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "We're not working any problems, and the

Orbiter is ready to go." He added, "There seems to be an excellent chance of

getting off on Saturday [July 17]." At Launch Complex 39B, a number of

prelaunch tasks have been completed: hypergolic fuel/oxidizer pressurization;

ordnance operations; TACAN # 3 re-test and checkout; functional checks of

astronauts' spacesuits; mass memory unit load. Today workers are conducting aft

engine compartment closeouts; purging the external tank and other launch

countdown preparations. STS 51 work scheduled" removal of platforms and

installation of aft doors for flight; countdown beginning at 9:30 a.m. July 14;

closing payload bay doors for flight; crew arrival now set for 2:30 p.m. on July

14. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI_E STATUS REPORT, July

12, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 2A, July 13, 1993.]

I] STS 58: STRUCTURAL X-RAYS COMPLETED

Structural X-rays of Columbia have been completed in OPF Bay 2 as part of prerollout processing for STS 58. Potable water servicing and rudder speed brake

corrosion checks have also been completed. Today workers are making corrosion

repairs on the leading edge of the Orbiter's wings; conducting payload bay

closeouts and completing solid rocket booster stacking operations in Vehicle

Assembly Building high bay 3. STS 58 work scheduled: air frame structural

inspections; aerosurface positioning and hydraulic operations; installation of the

spacelab; main engine installation. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 12, 1993.]

[! STS 61: AMMONIA BOILER CHECKS

Endeavour, having completed its STS 57 mission, continues to undergo processing

in OPF Bay 1 for the STS 61 mission scheduled now for early December. In the

high bay workers have completed post flight hypergolic propellant deservicing

operations; ammonia boiler checks and removal of the SPACEHAB and EURECA

payloads. Work in progress includes: waste containment system servicing;

cycling payload bay door bulkhead latches; auxiliary power unit lube oil

deservicing; Ku-band checks; TACAN system tests; main engine inspections.

Workers are scheduled to remove the Orbiter's heat shields and its main engines.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUSREPORT, July 12,

1993.]

July 13: BEACH CLOSING FOR STS 51

Playalinda Beach will be closed to the public beginning today at dusk due to this

weekend's planned launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Given a successful

launch on Saturday, the beach will reopen to the public at 6 a.m. July 18. Launch

of Discovery is set for 9:22 a.m. EDT on July 17. The countdown leading to the

128
I!

II

II

57th Space Shuttle flight is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. July 14. Safety and security

concerns require that Playalinda Beach be closed to the public throughout the

majority of a Space Shuttle launch countdown. [NASA/KSC Release NO, 80-93,

July 13, 1993.]

STS 51: EXTERNAL TANK PURGED

At Launch Complex 39B, pad workers have purged Discovery's external tank and

have completed aft engine compartment eloseouts. Today, workers are conducting

an aft confidence test; completing payload bay eloseouts and continuing with

launch countdown preparations. STS 51 work scheduled: countdown begins at

9:30 a.m., tomorrow; the crew of five is scheduled to arrive at KSC by 2:30 p.m.

tomorrow; the payload bay doors will also be closed tomorrow for flight on

Saturday, July 17. [KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS

REPORT, July 13, 1993.]

STS 58: PROCESSING CONTINUES

Work continues today in processing Columbia for its STS 58 mission currently

targeted for mid-September. Technicians are conducting Orbiter/external tank

umbilical door functional checks; making corrosion repairs on the leading edge of

wings and rudder speed brake; closing out the payload bay; and conducting solid

rocket booster stacking operations in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3.

The STS 58 mission with a crew of seven will deploy the Spacelab Life Sciences2 during its two week flight. The mid-September launch is expected to occur at

approximately 11:30 a.m. EDT at the start of a 2 hour 30 minute window.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 13,

1993.]

STS 61: PAYLOADS REMOVED FROM ENDEAVOUR

Endeavour has had both the SPACEHAB and EURECA payloads removed from

its cargo bay to ready it further for STS 61 processing. Technicians have

completed waste containment system servicing; cycled payload bay door bulkhead

latches; conducted post-flight hypergolic propellant deservicing operations; and

made ammonia boiler checks. Today, the processing team is working on: payload

bay deconfiguration; tunnel adapter removal; removal of heat shields; auxiliary

power unit lube oil deservicing; Ku-band checks; TACAN system checks; and

main engine inspections. The three main engines are scheduled for removal.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 13,

1993.]

129
w

July 14: STS 51: COUNTDOWN SCENARIO

The countdown for launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its STS 51 mission

began at 9:30 EDT this morning at the T-43 hour mark. This marks the beginning

to the 17th launch of Discovery and 57th overall in the Space Shuttle program.

There are 28 hours and 52 minutes of built-in hold time leading to the opening of

the launch window at 9:2 a.m. EDT on July 17; the launch window extends to

10:24 a.m. A primary objective of the STS 51 mission is the deployment of the

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and the Transfer Orbit

Stage (TOS). ACTS/TOS is the latest in NASA's series of advanced

communication satellites and a test-bed for technology which will be used in

future operational satellites. Also, the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme

Ultraviolet Spectrometer-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (ORFEUS-SPAS) payload will be

deployed and retrieved during this mission. Also on board is the IMAX camera,

the Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment, and Chromosomes

and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment.

Additionally, astronauts ,lim Newman and Cad Walz are scheduled to perform a

six-hour spacewalk on day five of the mission as a continuation of a series of test

spacewalks to increase experience and refine training methods. They will work

with several tools that may be used during the servicing of the Hubble Space

Telescope mission later this year. At the beginning of the countdown, the KSC

launch team in Firing Room 3 of the Launch Control Center will verify systems

indicating the Shuttle is powered up and that the data processing and backup flight

control systems are operating. Verifications will occur throughout the count to

ensure reviews of the flight software stored in the Orbiter's twin memory banks

is being conducted, computer controlled display systems are being activated, and

the backup flight system general purpose computer is being loaded. Over the past

weekend, final ordnance operations and hypergolic fuel/oxidizer loading operations

were conducted at Launch Complex 39B. The Orbiter's aft engine compartment

was closed for flight yesterday morning. After the count begins at 9:30 a.m.,

operations will begin to ready the Orbiter for onboard cryogenic loading. Orbiter

navigation aids will be activated and the inertial measurement units will be turned

on. Also today, ground crews will begin making the final storage of mid-deck and

flight deck supplies and payloads. They will also perform microbial samplings of

the flight crew's drinking water and check water levels in the crew waste

management system. The crew is expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center at

approximately 2:30 p.m. today. The countdown's first hold lasts for 8 hours

tomorrow morning. When the countdown resumes at 9:30 a.m., the launch pad

will be cleared of all personnel for cryogenic fuel loading of the power reactant

and storage distribution system tanks located under the payload bay lining. These

tanks hold the super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants used by the

fuel cells to provide electricity to the Orbiter and drinking water for the crew.

The cryogenic loading lasts about five hours. When that operation concludes,

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anotherhold beginson Thursday lasting from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The pad reopens

for normal work once the cryogenics are aboard. The Orbiter mid-body umbilical

unit used to load the super-cold reactants in the Orbiter's fuel cell tanks will be

demated and retracted into the launch structure.

When the countdown resumes, technicians will complete final vehicle and facility

eloseouts and begin activating the Orbiter's communications systems and

configuring Discovery's cockpit for flight. The Orbiter's flight control system and

navigation aids will be turned on and the stowable crew seats will be installed in

the flight and mid-decks. At 5:30 a.m. Friday the countdown will enter a 13-hour

built-in hold at the T-11 hour mark. During the hold, time critical equipment will

be installed in the Orbiter cockpit and the inertial measurement units will be

activated and warmed up. The Rotating Service Structure will be roiled back from

the vehicle and placed in launch position at about 11 a.m. Friday morning. At T-9

hours, about 9:02 p.m. July 16, the onboard fuel cells will be activated. At T-8

hours, the launch team will begin evacuating the blast danger area and clear the

pad for loading the external tank with the super-cold cryogenic fuels. At T-7

hours, 30 minutes, conditioned air flowing through the Orbiter's payload bay and

other areas of the vehicle will be switched to gaseous nitrogen in preparation for

fueling the external tank. The inertial measurement units will transition from the

warm up stage to the operate/attitude determination mode at T-6 hours, 45

minutes. Chilldown of the lines carrying the cryogenic propellants to the external

tank begins when the clock resumes the count at 1:02 a.m. Filling and topping

offthe external tank is targeted for completion at T-3 hours or 4:02 a.m. Iuly 17.

During the two-hour hold at T-3 hours, an ice inspection team will survey the

external tank's outer insulation and other Shuttle components. The closeout crew

will also be dispatched to the pad to begin configuring the crew module and white

room for the flight crew's arrival. Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be in

a "stable replenish mode" during this time to replace any propellant that "boils"

off. The crew will be wakened at about 4:12 a.m. After breakfast, the crew will

be briefed about weather conditions both at Kennedy Space Center and around the

world via satellite from Mission Control (Houston, TX). The crew will "suit-up"

in their partial-pressure suits, leave the Operations and Checkout Building during

the T-3 hour hold (about 5:52 a.m.). They are set to arrive at the LC 39B white

room at about 6:22 a.m. where the white room personnel will aid the crew in

getting into the crew cabin. Immediately prior to the T-1 hour mark, the test team

and the flight crew get another weather update, including observations from

astronaut Robert 'l:loot" Gibson who will have been flying above KSC in a

Shuttle Training Aircraft. The last two built-in holds will be 10 minutes in length

and occur at the T-20 minute mark (8:42 a.m.) and at the T-9 minute mark (9:03

a.m.). During the latter hold, the flight crew and ground team receive the NASA

launch director's and the mission management team's final "go" for launch.

Milestones after the T-9 minute mark include the start of the ground launch

sequencer; retraction of the Orbiter's auxiliary power units at T-5 minutes;

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pressurization of the liquid oxygen tank inside the external tank at T-2 minutes,

55 seconds, pressurization of the liquid hydrogen tank at T-1 minute, 57 seconds;

and the electronic "go" to the Discovery's onboard computers to start their own

terminal countdown sequence at T-31 seconds. The Orbiter's three main engines

will start at T-6.6 seconds. ['NASA/KSC RELEASE NO,.82-93, July 13, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, July 14, 1993.]

STS 51: SHOWERS A SMALL CONCERN

The countdown for Discovery's launch began at the T-43 hour mark today at 9:30

a.m. Forecasters indicate a 10 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch

with a slight chance of showers being the primary concern. The five member

crew for this mission arrived at KSC about 2:30 p.m. today. Crew members axe:

Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot William Readdy, and Mission Specialists

Daniel Bursch, James Newman and Carl Walz. Work completed at Launch

Complex 39B: aft engine compartment closeouts; hypergolic pressurization

closeout operations; launch countdown preparations; aft confidence test and

external tank purging. Workers today are working a number of tasks: verification

of the Shuttle's power on systems, data processing and flight control systems; final

stowage of mid-deck and flight deck supplies and payloads; preparations for power

reactant and storage distribution system operations; Orbiter closeouts; moving solid

rocket booster flame deflectors to launch position; payload bay closeouts;

retraction of the payload ground handling mechanism. STS 51 tasks scheduled:

closing of the payload bay doors this afternoon; cryogenic reactants loading for

power reactant and storage distribution system; retraction of the rotating service

structure; external tank loading operations. The launch window for STS 51 runs

from 9:22 &m. until 10:24 a.m. EDT on July 17. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SP.A.CE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT; Mission: STS 51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUSSPAS, Launch Minus 3 days, July 14, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

1A, July 15, 1993.]

CAPE CANAVERAL RESTRICI'ED AREAS.I AIRSPACE

A delay in the launch of the Space Shuttle (Endeavour) was once again narrowly

avoided in June when a Federal Aviation Administration ('FAA) patrol aircraft

intercepted a local pilot who crossed into KSC restricted airspace. The intruding

aircraft was escorted out of the area and legal action against the pilot was taken.

Shuttle launch delays are expensive and sometimes jeopardize mission objectives.

One of the ways NASA can help assure an on-time liftoff is to keep operational

airspace clear of aircraft that have no direct involvement in launch activities.

Launch of Discovery on its STS 51 mission is scheduled for July 17 at 9:22 a.m.

As is customary, the airspace around the Kennedy Space Center and Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station will be closed to general aviation beginning three

hours before the scheduled li_ot_ time. Activating the restricted airspace within

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the launch area is primarily intended to protect private aircraft from potential harm

during launch activity, however, this also protects the Space Shuttle and the

astronauts aboard.

During the final portion of the countdown, official aircraft supporting the launch

will be in the air. The surrounding airspace will be congested. For pilots desiring

to view the launch from their airplanes it is suggested that they remain outside an

area bounded by the west shoreline of the Indian River, above the intersection of

U.S. 1 and State Road 3 on north Merritt Island, and south of Port Canaveral and

the Bee Line Expressway (SR 528). Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) regarding

restricted airspace are available from the St. Petersburg Flight Service Station.

Real time advisories are also available from Patrick Approach Control. As is

customary, FAA aircraft will be enforcing restricted airspace on launch day if they

observe or are advised by Patrick Approach Control of violations. It is notable

that some aircraft insurance companies are canceling policies of intruders

convicted of an airspace violation involving the Space Shuttle. [NASA/KSC

RELEASE NO. 84-93, July 14, 1993.]

July 15: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS

The countdown for Discovery's STS 51 launch continues without problem at

KSC's Launch Complex 3913. No technical or hardware issues are being worked.

The primary operation at the pad today features the loading of the onboard

cryogenic tanks with the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants. These

reactants provide the Orbiter's electricity while in space and a by-product of

drinking water. The pad was closed to all non-essential personnel at about 9:30

this morning for the loading operation. Cryogenic flow is expected to begin at

about 11:30 a.m. and continue for about 5 hours. Following this operation the

Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit will be demated. Communications activation and

final vehicle and facility closeouts will begin. Also preparations will be made to

retract the rotating service structure to launch position at about 11:00 a.m.

tomorrow. Forecasters continue to indicate a 10 percent probability of weather

prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers being the primary concern.

The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southwest at 4 to 6 knots;

temperature 84 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 3,000 and

25,000 feet. A 24-hour and 48-hour delay will see about the same conditions with

a forecast 20 percent chance of violation. The five-member astronaut crew for this

mission arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

Today they will be involved with checking out their mission plans and fit checks

of their equipment. They are scheduled for some free time this afternoon and will

be ready for sleep at about 6:30 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at about

2:30 a.m. to prepare for the trip to the launch pad. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 15, 1993.]

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WINCHELL NEW CHIEF COUNSEL

Michael G. Winchell was designated as Kennedy Space Center's new Chief

Counsel on July 11, replacing Ed Parry who retired earlier in the year. As Chief

Counsel, Winchell is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to KSC

Director Robert L. Crippen and to all elements of the Center. In the last 16 years,

Winchell has had an illustrious career. Prior to his new KSC position, Winchell

served as counsel, Marine Corps Logistics Bases, Albany, GA, where he was

responsible for providing the full range of legal services to the logistics operations

of the Marine Corps. In addition, he served as the senior environmental and

contract lawyer for the Marine Corp outside of the Office of the Counsel to the

Commandant, United States Marine Corps.

His federal career began in 1977 with the General Services Administration, where

he attained the position of Assistant Regional Counsel. He subsequently served

as an administrative law judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission and as counsel, Southeastern Bases, U.S. Marine Corps before his

position in Albany. He recently received the United States Marine Corps

Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his significant role in

developing the Marine Corps Logistics Bases Strategic Plan, in leading the

environmental compliance process and his dedication to quality and service. A

native of Oklahoma, Winchell received a bachelor's degree in business

administration in 1974 from Central State University (Edmond, OK), and his Juris

Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK) in 1976.

['NASA/KSC RELEASE No. 86-93, July 15, 1993; "KSC Director's New Legal

Adviser Appointed," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, July 25, 1993.]

DISCOVERY READY FOR LAUNCH

The Space Shuttle Discovery is prepared and ready to launch on its 17th voyage

into space. Launch remains scheduled for the opening of a 62-minute window at

9:22 a.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. Preparations

for Discovery's flight began just hours after the Orbiter returned from its most

recent mission, STS 56, launched April 8, 1993. Discovery landed at KSC's

Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) on April 17 and was towed a few hours later to

Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3. In the OPF, the vehicle underwent

standard turn-around operations and was prepared for transfer to the Vehicle

Assembly Building (VAB) on June 18. Once in the VAB, Discovery was mated

to the external tank (ET) and twin solid rocket boosters (SRB). Following

standard Shuttle interface testing in the VAB, the entire Shuttle vehicle was rolled

out to Launch Complex 39B on June 26. The day before rollout, the primary

payload, the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite/Transfer Orbit Stage

(ACTS/TOS), was delivered to the pad's payload changeout room. The next day

Discovery's payload bay doors were opened and the ACTS/TOS payload was

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transferred to the Orbiter's payload bay. Launch Complex 39B was turned around

in just 4 and 1/2 days from the time Endeavour was launched on June 21 and

Discovery was rolled out to the pad on June 26.

On June 30 the final phase of the terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT)

was conducted. The test involved the KSC launch team as well as the five crew

members of mission STS 51. During the TCDT, STS 51 Commander Frank

Culbel_son made an Orbiter-to-Orbiter communications check with STS 57

Commander Ron Grabe, who had just landed the Shuttle Endeavour at KSC's SLF.

At the pad, Discovery underwent typical pre-launch preparations and the

countdown to launch the fifth Space Shuttle mission of the year began on time at

the T-43 hour mark at 9:30 a.m., July 14. Mission STS 51 is scheduled to last

nine days. An additional day on orbit may be permitted if enough onboard

cryogenic reactants are available. Landing is scheduled to take place at KSC.

The crew members for mission STS 51 are: Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot

William Readdy, and Mission Specialists Daniel Bursch, James Newman and Carl

Walz. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 85-93, July 15, 1993.]

NASA/GERMAN SPACE AGENCY AGREEMENT

NASA and the German Space Agency (DARA) signed an agreement tonight to

cooperate on four space missions using the retrievable German Shuttle Pallet

Satellite (ASTRO-SPAS). Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator, and Professor

Wolfgang Wild, DARA Director General, signed the memorandum of

understanding in Washington, D.C. The ASTRO-SPAS program involves

combined U.S. and German science payloads to be flown on a newly developed

German-designed science satellite. The first phase of the ASTRO-SPAS program

consists of two missions, one involving far and extreme ultraviolet astronomy and

a second, to take infrared and far infrared radiation measurements in the Earth's

atmosphere. The first planned ASTRO-SPAS mission is the Orbiting and

Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph (ORFEUS-SPAS-1). In this

mission, the German ORFEUS instrument will be flown with one German and two

U.S. spectrographs. ORFEUS-SPAS-1 is currently scheduled for a Space Shuttle

launch on July 17, 1993. The objective of ORFEUS-SPAS-1 is to launch a

deployable/retrievable astronomical platform and obtain ultraviolet spectra for both

astrophysically interesting sources and the intervening interstellar medium. The

second planned ASTRO-SPAS mission is the first flight of the Cryogenic Infrared

Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere (CRISTA-SPAS-1). It is comanifested with NASA's Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science

(ATLAS-3) for a planned Space Shuttle launch in September 1994. The objective

of CRISTA-SPAS-1 is to explore the variability of the atmosphere and to provide

measurements to complement the ATLAS-3 science objectives. The CRISTA

instruments and the Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph will

provide trace gas measurements at locations in time and space not available

135
elsewhere,includinganenhancedsetof correlative measurements in support of the

Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite and other Earth-orbiting atmosphere

experiments. In the second phase of the ASTRO-SPAS program, NASA and

DA1LA plan to re-fly 0RFEUS-SPAS in 1995 and CRISTA-SPAS in 1996 on the

Space Shuttle. [NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-129, July 16, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 16, 1993.]

July 16: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

The countdown for Discovery's STS 51 launch continues without problems at

KSC's Pad 39B. No technical or hardware issues are being worked. Yesterday

operations to load the onboard cryogenic tanks with the liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen reactants was completed on schedule and the Orbiter mid-body umbilical

unit, through which the reactants flow, was demated and retracted away from the

vehicle. Communications activation and final vehicle and facility closeouts are

continuing today. Also, time critical equipment and the last two mid-body

payloads, CHROMEX and CPCG, are being installed in the Orbiter. Earlier, the

rotating service structure was rolled to launch position with first motion occurring

at 10:16 a.m. today. At about 1:00 a.m. tomorrow (July 17), operations will

begin to load the external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen

and liquid oxygen. Operations toward that milestone are proceeding without

problem. Forecasters continue to indicate only 10 percent probability of weather

prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers being the primary concern.

The winds at the pad are expected to be from the west-southwest at 4 to 6 knots;

temperature 84 degrees F; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 3,000 and

25,000 feet. A 24-hour or 48-hour delay will see about the same conditions with

a forecast 10 percent chance of violation each day. Today, the five-member

astronaut crew for this mission have been given a briefing on tomorrow's weather

outlook and completed their review of launch day activities and mission plans.

STS 51 Commander Frank Culbertson and Pilot William Readdy will fly in the

T-38 training aircraft this afternoon. The entire crew will be ready for sleep at

about 6:30 p.m.; they will be awakened tomorrow at 4:12 a.m. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SI-IUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 16, 1993.]

July 17: STS 51 SCRUBBED AT '1'-20 MARK

Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its STS 51 mission was scrubbed today

at the T-20 minute mark due to a problem with a switch in the pyrotechnic

initiator controller (PIC) which governs the pyrotechnic circuits on the Shuttle.

"We are disappointed, of course, that this problem caused the launch to be

scrubbed," said Mission Commander Frank Culbemon. "But safety is always of

paramount concern in the Shuttle program," he added. The problem was narrowed

down to a prematurely charged capacitor in the firing circuit of two of the eight

solid rocket booster hold down posts and the T-O liquid hydrogen vent arm,

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located on the side of the external tank. Work to repair the circuit, located on the

mobile launcher platform, will begin tomorrow evening after the external tank has

been emptied of its cryogenic fuels and the ordnance devices on the Shuttle have

been safed. A specific launch date is yet to be determined but early assessments

indicate the vehicle will probably not be ready for launch before next Thursday

or Friday. Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said, "I think the worst we're talking

about is the 26th." At 12:45 p.m.,the five members of the astronaut crew departed

for their homes in Houston, TX, where they will await word as to when Discovery

will again be ready for launch. [KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 17, 1993; "STS-51 Shuttle Status Update,"

July 17, 1993; I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 18, 1993.]

STS 51 UPDATE

After further analysis and troubleshooting, engineers have determined that all eight

of the solid rocket booster hold down bolts and the T-0 liquid hydrogen vent arm,

located on the side of the external tank, were prematurely charged with current,

instead of just two of the bolts. This charge is normally initiated at the T-18

second mark in the countdown. At T-0, when the two solid rocket boosters are

ignited, two additional commands are sent by the Orbiter's computers that send the

signal to ignite the NASA standard detonators inside the frangible nut at the top

of each bolt, freeing the vehicle from its launch platform. Schedules have been

made to drain the Orbiter's fuel cell storage tanks of their liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen reactants and to disconnect or safe pyrotechnic initiator controllers in

various areas of the vehicle and payload. The payload doors will be opened to

allow battery charging for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

and for servicing the ORFEUS payload with argon. Officials estimate this work

will be completed by July 19, allowing troubleshooting of the pyrotechnic racks

inside the mobile launcher platform. ["STS-51 Shuttle Status Update," July 17,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, July 19, 1993.]

KSC WORKERS RECEIVE SILVER SNOOPYS

NASA astronauts were on hand at Kennedy Space Center recently to present their

Silver Snoopy Award to five KSC workers. Astronaut Terence Wiicutt presented

Snoopys to Roy Whitson, Mack McKinney, Raul Caimi and Rudolph Wedink

The award was also presented to Retha Oisen by astronaut Don McMonagle.

["Silver Snoopys Follow Five KSC Workers Home," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E,

July 18, 1993.]

THIOKOL NAMES NASH VP

Dale Nnsh (Titusville, FL) has been named Vice President of Space Services by

Thiokol Corp., the manufacturer of the Space Shuttle's solid rocket boosters.

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Nash,in his new position, will be responsible for oversight of solid rocket booster

and external tank launch processing. ["Thiokol Names Nash to Space Services

Post," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9]3, July 18, 1993.]

July 19: ATLAS LAUNCH TONIGHT

"This is going to be the most closely followed rocket launch of the year," said

John Pike, Director of Space Policy for the Federation of American Scientists

(Washington, D.C.). Pike referred to tonight's launch by General Dynamics of its

Atlas rocket between 6:04 p.m. and 7:26 p.m. Pike added, "If this one ends up

in the water, they might as well turn off the lights and go home." The launch is

part of General Dynamics' effort to capture 30 percent of the commercial launch

business which is currently dominated by the European Space Agency's Ariane

rocket. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, July 19, 1993.]

I1 NEW DISCOVERY LAUNCH DATE TO BE SET

NASA officials are busily trying to decide when to make a second attempt to

launch Discovery on its STS 51 mission. Launch Director Robert B. Sieek said,

"We should have a better handle on things (today)." Mission managers do not yet

know why a bolt firing device was charged prematurely. Engineers were worried

that Discovery's computer might have tried to shut down its main engines just

after ignition, resulting in a dangerous launch pad abort. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, July 19, 1993.]

I1 STS 51: LAUNCH DATE UNDETERMINED

Work to repair a faulty pyrotechnic initiator controller (PiC), located on the

mobile launcher platform, is now underway, but a specific launch date for STS 5 I

remains to be determined. Technicians at Launch Complex 39B have opened

Discovery's payload bay doors and offioaded onboard cryogenic tanks. They have

completed sating the ordnance and removed mid-deck payloads for servicing.

Today workers are troubleshooting the ground pyrotechnic initiator controller

which led to the scrubbing of Discovery's launch on July 17. Pad workers are

also servicing the ORFEUS payload and conducting a trickle charge of the ACTS

batteries. STS 51 work scheduled includes: ordnance installation and reconnect

operations; loading of onboard cryogenic reactants; aft engine compartment

closeouts and aft confidence test; final payload bay closeouts and closing of

payload bay doors for flight. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT. July 19, 1993.]

July 19: ATLAS 2 LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

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The Air Forcesuccessfully launched a General Dynamics-built Atlas 2 rocket at

6:04 this evening. The launch was an important one for the credibility of

General Dynamics' commercial space program. "You've got to build your

reliability one launch at a time," said Michael Wayne, President of General

Dynamics' Space Systems Division. The Atlas payload was a $160 million DSCS111 communications satellite which will allow President Clinton to contact military

forces anywhere in the world. [Banke, FLOR/DA TODAY, p. 1A, July 20, 1993.]

I1 DISCOVERY MAY LAUNCH JULY 23

NASA officials said today that Discovery may launch on its STS 51 as early as

July 23 or delay the next attempt until July 26. The decision on when to launch

Discovery depends upon fixing the problem which halted the launch July 17 and

on resolving a scheduling conflict with the Air Force which has plans to test a

Titan rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Eastern Test Range. The Air

Force can support only one major launch activity at a time. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 2A, July 20, 1993.]

July 20: STS 51: LAUNCH DATE TBA

An announcement is expected later today from NASA managers giving a firm

launch date for Discovery on mission STS 51. At this time, launch will not occur

before Friday, July 23. The problem circuit card in the pyrotechnic initiator

controller which caused the launch scrub on July 17 has been replaced on the

mobile launcher platform. Efforts to duplicate the problem on the suspect card

were successful at KSC's malfunction laboratory. A thermally unstable circuit was

the culprit. The five members of the astronaut crew departed for their homes in

Houston (TX) on the 17th. Their schedule to return to KSC will be determined

by the setting of a new launch date. The crew for the mission includes:

Commander Frank Culbertsen, Pilot William Readdy, and Mission Specialists aim

Newman, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz. Completed tasks include: argon servicing

of the ORFEUS payload and opening of the payload bay doors. In progress today:

extended launch scrub turnaround operations; purge of power reactant storage and

distribution system; ordnance installation and reconnect operations; the pad will

be cleared at 4:00 p.m. today; trickle charge of the ACTS batteries. STS 51 work

scheduled: loading onboard cryogenic reactants; aft engine compartment closeouts

and aft confidence test; final payload bay closeouts and closing of the payload bay

doors for flight. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT July 20, 1993.]

[1 LAUNCH SET FOR JULY 24

NASA managers this afternoon set July 24 as the new launch date for STS 51.

The launch window opens at 9:27 a.m. and extends for 54 minutes. The decision

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to go with July 24th as the new launch date follows the completion of work to

inspect and retest the pyrotechnic initiator controller (PIC) unit on the launch pad.

A problem with the unit caused the KSC Launch Director, Robert B. Sieck, to call

a scrub during a launch attempt on July 17. "The entire July 24 date is the best

date all around for the launch of Discovery on the STS 51 mission," said Shuttle

Program Director Tom Utsman. "It gives enough time for KSC technicians to

complete work on the PIC unit, the payload community time to service the STS

51 experiments and the entire launch team enough time to put the Shuttle system

back into launch configuration. The July 24 date is also one that the Air Force

Range Safety community can support." Air Force Range Safety support is

contingent, however, on whether a planned mock countdown for the Air Force's

Titan mission goes well. "They [NASA] have been offered an opportunity to go

Saturday [July 24]; if the Titan test is delayed or runs long, we will have to take

another look at the schedule," said Air Force spokeswoman Terd Bracber.

Discovery's STS 51 mission will utilize its five man crew to deploy the Advanced

Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) which will give industry, academic

and government organizations an opportunity to investigate new ways of

communicating. The crew will also deploy and retrieve the Orbiting and

Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS-SPAS) which

will gather information on the life-cycle of stars by observing some of the coldest

(several degrees above absolute zero) and the hottest (more than one million

degrees) matter found in our galaxy. [LAUNCH ADVISORY': JULY 24 NEW

DATE FOR STS 51 LAUNCH, July 20, 1993; Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, July 21, 1993.]

July 21: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 3 DAYS

Mission managers yesterday announced July 24 as the new launch date for Space

Shuttle Mission STS 51. The decision to go with July 24 follows completion of

work to inspect and retest the problem circuit card in the pyrotechnic initiator

controller (PIC) which caused the launch scrub July 17. It is also a date the Air

Force range safety community earl support. The countdown for the launch will

begin counting at T-11 hours at 7:07 p.m. July 23. Weather for a launch attempt

on July 17 is favorable with only a 10 percent chance of violating launch criteria.

The primary concern is a slight chance for rain showers. The five members of the

astronaut crew axe scheduled to return to KSC today at about 4:00 p.m. Prelaunch tasks completed at LC 39B: purge of power reactant storage and

distribution system; ordnance installation and reconnect operations; troubleshooting

and replacement of the PIC and a PIC resistance test. Work in progress includes:

extended launch scrub turnaround operations; aft engine compartment closeouts;

trickle charge on ACTS batteries; final payload bay closeouts. STS 51 work

scheduled: aft confidence test; closing payload bay doors for flight tonight and

loading of onboard cryogenic reactants. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTERj SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 21, 1993.]

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I1 SPACE STATION STAFF CUTS LOOM

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Geldin has announced in an open letter to 24,000

space agency employees the broad outlines of a plan to reduce NASA's Space

Station personnel from 3,000 to 1,000. Goldin wrote, "These announcements will

be followed by interviews to identify those talented NASA employees who will

make up the new space station team." The announcement also included a plan for

a "single space station contractor, a single NASA center to host the project and

a single NASA manager" to supervise all portions of the program. The personnel

changes will begin to occur within the month and those not retaining jobs with the

program will have to look for other jobs in the agency, take early retirement or

look for work in the private economy. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 1A,

July 22, 1993.]

II STS Sl: CREW RETURNS FOR NEXT TRY

The five man crew of Discovery returned to Kennedy Space Center today ready

for a second try at launching the Shuttle. "It looks like we're in really good shape

for Saturday [July 24]," said Frank Culbertson who is the Mission Commander.

"We have a lot of confidence that we're going to have a successful countdown and

that the weather is going to be good." [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A,

July 22, 1993.]

July 22: STS 51: COUNTDOWN SMOOTH

The countdown for Discovery's launch continues without problem at Kennedy

Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. No technical or hardware issues are being

worked. Yesterday, the aft engine compartment and the payload bay were dosed

for flight. The primary operation at the pad today features the loading of the

onboard cryogenic tanks with the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants.

These reactants provide the Orbiter's electricity while in space and a by-product

of drinking water. The pad was closed to all non-essential personnel at about 8

a.m. today for this operation. Cryogenic flow began at about 9:30 a.m. and will

continue for about five hours. Following this operation the Orbiter mid-body

umbilical unit will be demated. Communications activation and final vehicle and

facility closeouts will begin. Also preparations will be made to retract the rotating

service structure to launch position at about 11 a.m. tomorrow. For launch on July

24, the countdown clock will begin counting at T-11 hours at 7:07 p.m. Friday,

July 23.

Forecasters indicate a 10 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch with

a slight chance of showers and low ceilings being the primary concerns. The

winds at the pad are expected to be from the southeast at 6 to 8 knots; temperature

83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 3,000 and 25,000 feet.

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A 48-hour delay will see about the same conditions with a forecast 20 percent

chance of violation. (No 24-hour forecast is available since the 24-hour scrub

turnaround is not an option for Saturday's attempt.) The five-member astronaut

crew arrived at the space center's Shuttle Landing Facility at about 3:30 p.m.

yesterday. Today they will be involved with checking out their mission plans and

fit checks of their equipment. They are scheduled for some free time this

afternoon and will be ready for sleep at about 6:30 p.m. They will be awakened

tomorrow at about 2:30 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 22, 1993.]

I] LC 46 MAY BE MODIFIED

If the Air Force approves the plan, Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station may be modified in conjunction with the Spaceport Florida

Authority. The first users of the facility would be a Lockheed commercial launch

vehicle and Orbital Sciences' Taurus rocket. The Navy would also be involved

in this project. Another plan discussed by the Authority called for the

construction of a Titan warehouse at CCAFS by Martin Marietta which also builds

the Titan. [Williams, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, July 23, 1993.]

July 23: ..S_TS51: COUNTDOWN STARTS AT I"-11 HOURS

"The vehicle is in good shape; we're ready to go try again," commented ,lim

ltarrington, Director of Shuttle Operations at Kennedy Space Center. Work

toward Discovery's launch on July 24, continues without problem today at Launch

Complex 39B. Yesterday, operations to load the cryogenic tanks with liquid

oxygen and liquid hydrogen were completed and the Orbiter mid-body umbilical

unit was demated and retracted into the service structure. Today, preparations

continue to retract the rotating service structure to launch position at about 10 a.m.

Also today, time critical equipment and the last two mid-deck payloads,

CHROMEX and CPCG, are being installed into the Orbiter. The countdown will

begin at the T-11 hours at 7:07 p.m. today. At about 12:30 a.m. tomorrow, the

external tank will be ready for fueling with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid

oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

Forecasters continue to indicate a 10 percent probability of weather prohibiting

launch with a slight chance of showers and low ceilings being the primary

concerns. The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southwest at 6 to 8

knots; temperature 83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 2,500

and 25,000 feet. A 48-hour delay will see about the same conditions with a

forecast 20 percent chance of violation. (No 24-hour forecast is available since

the 24-hour scrub turnaround is not an option for tomorrow's attempt.) Today, the

five-member astronaut crew are involved with checking out their mission plans

and taking part in Orbiter and payload systems briefings. They are scheduled for

142
somefreetimethis afternoonandwill bereadyfor sleepat about6:30p.m. They

will be awakenedtomorrow at about4:17 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 13, 1993; LAUNCH WEATHE..R

FORECAST FOR STS 51 L-1 DAY, Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility,

Department of the Air Force, July 23, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p.

1A, July 23, 1993.]

July 24: PERRY REPORT ON PROCESSING

Richard U. Perry, Director, Space Flight Safety and Mission Assurance Division,

NASA Headquarters, recently undertook the chairmanship of a team to study

Shuttle processing at the request of Kennedy Space Center Director Robert L

Crippen. His team has now completed its report which reaffirms that safety is the

number one priority in Shuttle processing at the space center. Perry and Robert

B. Sieck, Shuttle Launch Director at KSC, will brief the press on the Perry report

and answer questions July 26. Teams such as Perry's are periodically

implemented throughout NASA to ensure that the various fields of work of the

agency are being done in the safest, most efficient and cost effective manner. In

the Perry Report, the Review Team indicates "the Space Shuttle Processing is the

best that it has ever been and is continually being evaluated for improvement."

It also makes recommendations of areas where new or renewed emphasis should

be placed to insure that this trend continues. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 89-93,

July 24, 1993.]

[1 STS 51: COUNTDOWN HALTED, 19 SECONDS

Launch of Space Shuttle mission STS 51 was delayed today just 19 seconds

before today's planned lift-off of 9:27 a.m. EDT. The countdown was halted when

the Ground Launch Sequencer detected an unacceptably low measurement in the

fuel system of a hydraulic power unit located inside the Shuttle's righthand solid

rocket booster. Several factors could have resulted in the low fuel reading, but

booster engineers believe the problem is isolated within the suspect hydraulic

power unit. Consequently, a decision was made to remove and replace the

hydraulic power unit and to retest the new system before proceeding with the next

launch attempt. The team will spend the next couple of days offloading cryogenic

and hypergolic fuels from the Shuttle and will not gain access to the booster until

Tuesday. A realistic work schedule will not be available before mid-day July 26,

but managers indicate that another launch attempt will not be made until at least

another week to ten days from today. The five-member STS 51 flight crew has

returned to the Johnson Space Center and will return to KSC a few days before

the next launch attempt. Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said that no new launch

attempt would come before August 2. The second delay in launching STS 51 will

put pressure on the timetable for the upcoming mission to repair the Hubble Space

143
Telescope.[SPACE SHUTTIF MISSION STS 51 STATUS REPORT, July 24,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 25, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAy, pp. 1A & 4A, July 25, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

July 26, 1993.]

II U.S./RUSSIA SIGN A,GREEMENT

The United States and the Russian Federation have signed an agreement to explore

the possibility of further joint space exploration efforts. The agreement calls for

a study to "define and determine the feasibility of a cooperative human space

flight program." ["Russian, U.S. Sign Space Pact," p. 10E, July 25, 1993.]

July 26: STATUS OF DISCOVERY: STS 51

The launch of Discovery on its STS 51 mission was halted July 24 at the T-19

second mark due to a problem with the hydraulic power unit (HPU) on the right

hand solid rocket booster. The HPU controls the rock and tilt actuators on the

booster's nozzle. Specifically, the problem was narrowed down to the auxiliary

power unit (APU) which is the power supply of the HPU. This resulted in a

lower than allowable turbine speed. As a result, only the APU will be replaced.

The faulty unit will be returned to the vendor for complete failure analysis and a

new unit will be installed later this week. No additional work is scheduled for the

left hand booster. Early assessments indicate another launch attempt will occur

no earlier than August 2; to support this effort, a complete countdown will be

required and the clock recycled to the T-43 hour mark. Technicians at LC 39B

have drained the external tank of its cryogenic fuels; moved the rotating service

structure back around Discovery; offloaded the onboard cryogenic fuels; demated

the mid-body umbilical unit; opened the payload bay doors and opened the aft

engine compartment doors. Today, workers are continuing the extended scrub

turnaround activity; raising booster service platforms; conducting ordnance

disconnect operations; installing payload access platforms and installing aft engine

compartment entry level platforms. Scheduled STS 51 activities include:

deservicing the HPU hypergolic fuels, removing and replacing the right hand SRB

APU; hot firing the HPU and reconnecting ordnance devices. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 26, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, July 27, 1993.]

II SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES: STS 58

Columbia remains in the Orbital Processing Facility bay 2 where main engines 1

and 2 have been installed on the Orbiter. The Spacelab tunnel has been installed

and the external tank and solid rocket boosters have been mechanically mated.

Today workers are installing main engine heat shields; conducting external tank

and SRB electrical mating in the Vehicle Assembly Building and installing main

144
z

engine 3. Spacelab tunnel integration verification tests and end-to-end tests

remain to be completed. I'KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SttLITTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 26, 1993.]

II HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE REPAIR MISSION

STS 61, also known as the Hubble Space Telescope Repair Mission, continues to

be scheduled for early December 1993; the second delay in launching Discovery

on its STS 51 mission will make it difficult to meet the December target date for

Endeavour's mission. The main engines have been removed from the fleet's

youngest member and the vehicle's Ku-band antenna has been demated.

Preparations are underway in OPF Bay 1 for the installation of the 5th cryogenic

tank set. The installation has been scheduled as have orbital maneuvering system

functional tests. The STS 61 mission is expected to last 11 days and utilize a

crew of 7 astronauts. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 26, 1993.]

I1 NASA: "WORKERS HIDE MISTAKES"

Workers are hiding mistakes for fear that their jobs would be jeopardized if the

errors were revealed, according to a recent NASA study. The study was

conducted under the leadership of Richard Perry and was designed to review

quality control problems at Kennedy Space Center. NASA Administrator Daniel

S. Goldin ordered the study April 20. "There is a fear," the report said, "that

noted mistakes will lead to loss of employment. Therefore, there is a tendency to

not report problems, close calls and incidents because of the fear of reprisal. The

report, however, found no evidence that reporting problems led to punishment

and/or job loss. The fear was attributed to recent layoffs and news reports of

Space Shuttle mishaps. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 27,

1993.]

July 27: STS 58: PAYLOAD STATUS

The primary payload for mission STS 58, the Spacelab Life Sciences 2 (SLS-2)

laboratory module, passed a processing milestone today with the completion of the

Interface Verification Test (1VT) verifying electrical and mechanical connections

between the Spacelab module and the Spaeelab tunnel. The tunnel, which

provides astronaut access between the Orbiter mid-deck and the module itself,

contains lights and air-handling equipment for the Spacelab. It was installed into

Columbia's payload bay July 24-25. Also currently underway is an end-to-end test

to verify communications capability between the laboratory in Columbia's payload

bay and the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Columbia and SLS-2 are in Bay

2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility at KSC. The laboratory module was installed

into Columbia on July 15 and these connections were also verified with an IVT

145
onJuly20-22. Next, limited-lifetime experiment lockers were installed within the

SLS-2 laboratory on July 22-23. The most time-critical of the experiments will

be installed at the pad during launch countdown. After the experiment lockers

wee installed in the OPF, the Spaeelab tunnel installation followed last weekend

on July 24-25. Columbia is targeted to move to the Vehicle Assembly Building

on August 15 and roll out to Launch Pad 39-B about a week later. Once at the

pad, ground support equipment used in experiment activation will be installed

inside the Spacelab module. The actual SLS-2 activation occurs at the beginning

of the STS 58 launch countdown. The SLS-2 mission, like its predecessor, SLS-1,

is dedicated to life sciences research related to the future health, safety and

productivity of humans in space. SLS-2 will re-fly many of the SLS-1

investigations to enable scientists to draw more definitive and statistically

significant conclusions. Fourteen coordinated and complementary experiments will

focus on the physiological mechanisms involved in the adaptation to mierogravity

and readaptation to normal Earth gravity. The STS 58/SLS-2 mission is targeted

for launch the second week of September. [PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT STS

5.8/SLS-2, July 27, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 27, 1993.]

I] STS 61: HUBBLE REPAIR MISSION

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is located in OPF Bay 1 where the Orbiter is

undergoing preparations for its December STS 61 mission. Humidity separator

functional checks, main propulsion system inspections, main engine removal and

demating of the vehicle's Ku-band antenna have been completed. Today workers

are preparing for the 5th cryogenic tank set installation and are conducting orbital

maneuvering system functional cheeks. The installation of the 5th cryogenic tank

set has been scheduled. STS 61 is planned to last for 11 days and will have a

crew of 7 astronauts. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 27, 1993.]

July 28: STS 51 LAUNCH DATE: AUGUST 4

"We're going to give everybody Saturday off, and a good number of people will

have Sunday off, too," said KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. "They have been

working straight through for the past two weekends, and some have been at it

longer than that." NASA announced today that the launch of Discovery on its

STS 51 mission is now scheduled for August 4, 1993. The launch window opens

at 9:06 a.m. EDT and extends to 10:14 a.m. The countdown is scheduled to pickup at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 1, at the T-43 hour mark. Pad technicians

have deserviced the solid rocket booster auxiliary power unit hypergolie fuels and

have raised booster service platforms. Today, workers removed and replaced the

right hand solid rocket booster auxiliary power unit (APU); worked to eloseout the

aft engine compartment; charged the Advanced Communications Technology

146
Satellite (ACTS) batteryand continued countdown preparations. STS 51 prelaunch activities scheduled: reservicing the APU hypergolic fuels; hot firing the

SRB hydraulic power unit; reconnecting the ordnance devices; purging the power

reactant storage and distribution system and powering down Discovery on July 31.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 28,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 28, 1993; "Shuttle Liftoff Set

for Aug. 4," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 28, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, July 29, 1993.]

II STS 58: SPACELAB TES2S

II

Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility's bay 2 have completed Spacelab endto-end tests and Spacelab/tunnel integration verification tests in preparation for

rolling Columbia over to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Main engine installation

and leak checks are finished as is the installation of the Spacelab tunnel and the

mechanical mating of the external tank and solid rocket boosters. Today, workers

are securing the main engines, installing the main engine heatshields and carrier

panels and conducting electrical mates of the external tank and solid rocket

boosters in the VAB. A crew equipment interface test and Orbiter aft closeouts

are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SIKYl'I_E STATUS

REPORT, July 28, 1993.]

STS 61: DECEMBER LAUNCH

In OPF Bay 1, technicians continue to prepare Endeavour for its December STS

61 mission. Humidity separator functional checks and main propulsion system

inspections have been completed. Today workers are preparing for the installation

of the 5th cryogenic tank set; conducting orbital maneuvering system functional

checks and ammonia system leak and functional checks and payload integration

tests. The installation of the 5th cryogenic tank set is scheduled. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 28, 1993.]

July 29: RIGHT HAND SRB APU REPLACED

In the third runup to launch of the STS 51 mission Discovery's right hand solid

rocket booster's auxiliary power unit has been replaced. In addition, pad workers

have completed purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system.

Today, pad workers have serviced the newly replaced APU with hypergolic fuels;

there will be a hot firing of the SRB hypergolic power unit tonight. Countdown

preparations continue and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite has

had its battery charged. STS 51 work scheduled includes: reconnecting the

ordnance devices; closing out the aft compartment; powering down the vehicle

(OV 103) on July 31. The Orbiter's payload bay doors will be closed for flight

and the countdown will begin at 9:30 a.m.

147
August1. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS.REPORT,

July 29, 1993.]

II STS 58: HEA'ESHIELD INSTALLED

In the OPF, main engine heatshield installation has been completed as have

Columbia's electrical system redundancy tests. STS 58 work today includes:

Orbiter aft closeouts; main engine securing, electrical interface and leak checks;

main engine carrier panel installation and external tank and solid rocket booster

electrical mates are underway in the Vehicle Assembly Building. A crew

equipment interface test will be conducted July 31. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. July 29, 1993.]

II STS 61: MAIN AND NOSE LANDIN.G GEAR LOWERED

Endeavour is being processed for its December mission: STS 61. Workers in

OPF bay 1 have lowered the Orbiter's main and nose landing gear. Today

processing work continues: to prepare the vehicle for installation of the 5th

cryogenic tank set; orbital maneuvering system and ammonia system leak and

functional checks are underway as well as payload integration tests. STS 61

activities scheduled: installation of the 5th cryogenic tank set and main propulsion

system leak and functional checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 29, 1993.]

II ST_ 51: METEOR SHOWER MAY DELAY FLIGHT

"The concern is that there might be meteors in the vicinity of the Shuttle in orbit,"

said Bruce Buckingham a NASA spokesman at Kennedy Space Center. "The

concern is with the possibility of strikes on the vehicle. We're still planning on

flying on Wednesday [August 4], but we're going to continue to gather data,

talking to all the experts." The annual Perseid meteor shower will peak,

astronomers say, on the night of August 11 when the Discovery is still in orbit

above the earth. Top NASA flight managers met today to discuss the meteor

shower issue and gave consideration to putting off the upcoming November or

December missions. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 30, 1993;

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, July 31, 1993.]

July 30: PERSEID SHOWER DELAYS LAUNCH

The Perseid meteor shower's activity has caused NASA managers to decide to

delay Discovery's STS 51 launch until August 12, according to NASA spokesman

James Hamfield. Shuttle Director q[laomas E. Utsman said, "Our review of the

data indicates that the STS 51 mission could be flown safely during the Perseid

event. However, we also recognized that this year's Perseid activity is a unique

148
eventthat may not be completely predictable. Therefore, the team felt the best

overall course of action would be to wait until after the comet event to launch

Discovery." Mission managers conceded that the chance of Discovery being hit

by a meteor were 1 in 1,000, but it might have happened with the Shuttle crossing

the path of the meteor shower about 10 p.m. August 11. Only the Hubble Space

Telescope has had its operations affected by the shower. The telescope's solar

arrays and main mirror will be turned away from the path of the meteors. ['Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 31, 1993; LAUNCH ADVISORY: STS 51

LAUNCH DATE MOVED TO AUGUST 12, July 30, 1993.]

July 31: JOURNALISM SEMINARS SET

The first in a series of Alan B. Shepard Seminars for aerospace journalists will be

held in Brevard County September 14. The lectures are "designed to improve

public understanding of space issues." The project is underwritten by a $100,000

grant to the Mercury Seven Foundation from the Freedom Forum, a foundation

dedicated to freedom of speech. ["Shepard Seminars Set for Sept.," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, Aug. 1, 1993.]

II IMPACT OF DISCOVERY'S DELAYS

"We're still analyzing what impact [the launch delay of STS 51] will have and we

haven't made any decisions yet," according to NASA spokesman Ed Campion.

Officials did say that Columbia's STS 58 mission will not be affected by the

delay, but that the November and December missions may well be affected by the

delays in launching Discovery on its STS 51 mission. Referring to the Perseid

meteor shower early this month, KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "It

certainly lets you know you're in the era of spaceflight and there are more things

to be concerned with than what you can put your hands on here on Earth."

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 31, 1993.]

149
AUGUST

August 2: STS 51: ORDNANCE OPERATIONS COMPLETED

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed ordnance operations for STS

51. SRB auxiliary power unit hot firing inspections are finished as are aft engine

compartment closeouts. Workers at the pad are occupied with servicing the newly

replaced right hand solid rocket booster auxiliary power unit with hypergolic fuels.

The results were positive from the SRB APU hot firing. Today pad workers

charged the battery of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite and

installed the solid rocket booster (SRB) thermal curtain. Launch countdown

preparations began and the countdown has been rescheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

August 9. On Friday, July 30, NASA mission managers decided to postpone the

launch of Discovery on Mission STS 51 until August 12; the delay is due to

concerns regarding the Perseid meteor shower which is expected to peak on the

evening of August 11. [Harwood, THE WASHINGTON POST, p. A4, July 3 I,

1993; Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 31, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, August 2, 1993.]

[1 STS 58: LANDING GEAR CHEC'2KS MADE

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 have completed the crew

equipment interface test for Columbia's STS 58 mission; the Orbiter/tunnel "C'

hatch has been installed and inspected; freon coolant loop adjustments have been

made and checks have been completed and the landing gear functional checks are

finished. Today Orbiter aft and mid-body closeouts axe in process as are Spaeelab

closeouts and final payload bay cleaning. STS 58 work scheduled: crew module

with Spacelab leakage tests; closing of the payload bay doors and a frequency

response test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, August 2, 1993.]

II STS 61: HUBBLE MISSION

Ammonia system leak and functional checks and landing gear wheel and tire

assembly installation have been completed on Endeavour. The fifth cryogenic

tank set is being installed in Endeavour for its STS 61 mission; checks are being

made of the vehicle's orbital maneuvering system functions and workers are

conducting payload integration operations. Main propulsion system leak and

functional checks are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, August 2, 1993.]

150
August 3: ACTS BATIT_Y DISCHARGED

Workers at Launch Complex 39B have completed the Advanced Communications

Technology Satellite (ACTS) batter discharge and aft engine compartment

closeouts as part of their preparations for launching Discovery on STS 51 on

August 12. Today, workers will be making accelerometer polarity adjustments to

ACTS; they'll install the solid rocket booster (SRB) thermal curtain and complete

SRB aft skirt finning. They will also continue work to closeout the crew

compartment of the Shuttle. STS 51 work scheduled: transfer orbit stage (TOS)

state-of-health checks; ORFEUS argon servicing; ACTS battery charging; launch

countdown preparations; and starting the countdown on August 9 at the T-43

mark. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Aug. 3, 1993.]

II STS 58: CElT COMPLETED

Columbia's crew equipment interface test (CEIT) has been completed in OPF Bay

2; the eldest of the Space Shuttle fleet is being readied for a mid-September STS

58 mission. Orbiter/tunnel "C' hatch installation and inspections have been

completed as have freon coolant loop adjustments and checks. Workers have

finished landing gear functional checks as well. Today processing technicians are

conducting Orbiter aft and mid-body closeouts; Spacelab external closeouts; crew

module/Spacelab leakage tests and final payload bay cleaning. The payload bay

doors are scheduled for closing and the frequency response test is also on the

upcoming work agenda_ [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Aug. 3, 1993.]

II STS 61: AIMING FOR EARLY DECEMBER

Despite the delays in launching Discovery on its STS 51 mission in the past thirty

days, Endeavour continues to be on track for its December STS 61 mission.

Workers have completed landing gear wheel and tire assembly installation.

Currently workers are preparing for 5th cryogenic tank set installation; orbital

maneuvering system functional checks; payload integration operations and radiator

functional checks. Workers are also scheduled to undertake main propulsion

system leak and functional checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE,

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 3, 1993.]

II KSC QUIETER, DUE TO DELAYS

"It's not like we've got a ghost town out here," according to KSC spokesman

Bruce Buckingham. "It's just not as hectic as it's been over the last several

weeks." Discovery was to have begun its STS 51 mission tomorrow morning; the

liftoff was delayed due to the current activity of an annual phenomenon called the

151
Perseid Meteor Shower. For now, the launch is planned to occur between 9:10

a.m. and 10:07 a.m. on August 12; launch countdown is to begin at T-43 hours

at 9:30 a.m. August 9. Meanwhile, engineers are checking the rocket motor in the

Shuttle's cargo bay; the motor was built by Orbital Sciences Corp. and is called

the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 4,

1993.]

August 4: STS 51: AFT SKIRT FOAMING

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed the Aft skirt foaming

operations as a prelude to Discovery's August 12 launch. Aft engine compartment

confidence checks and ACTS aecelerometer polarity adjustments have been made.

Today, workers are installing the SRB thermal curtain; conducting crew

compartment closeouts; check the state-of-health checks on the Transfer Orbit

Stage (TOS) in the vehicle's payload bay and readying for launch countdown.

STS 51 work scheduled: ORFEUS argon servicing; battery charging for the

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and preparing for the

countdown to begin on August 9. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 4, 1993.]

[1 STS 58: EDWARDS AFB LANDING

Columbia's STS 58 mission is scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force Base, CA,

after its 14 days in orbit. The Edwards landing is necessitated by the great weight

of the Spacelab cargo. The crew equipment interface test has been completed as

have the freon coolant loop adjustments and checks. Currently, workers are

conducting aft, forward and mid-body closeouts; Spacelab external closeouts; crew

module with Spacelab leakage tests; final payload bay cleaning. STS 58 work

scheduled: closing the payload bay doors; frequency response testing; Ku-band

antenna stowage. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 4, 1993.]

I1 STS 61: HUBBLE SERVICING MISSION

Barring further setbacks in the Shuttle schedule, Endeavour will launch on its STS

61 mission in early December to attempt a repair of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Processing technicians in OPF bay 1 have completed radiator functional checks

and landing gear wheel and tire assembly installation. Work in progress: 5th

cryogenic tank set installation; orbital maneuvering system functional checks; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; payload integration operations.

Orbiter hydraulic system checkouts are scheduled. The STS 61 mission is

scheduled to last for 11 days and will involve a crew of 7 at an orbital altitude

(356 miles) nearly twice as high as most Shuttle missions. _NNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 4, 1993.]

152
[]

[]

[]

STS 51: BEACH CI_SING

Playalinda Beach will be closed to the public beginning August 8 at dusk due to

next week's planned launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its STS 51 mission.

Given a successful launch August 12, the beach will reopen to the public at 6 a.m.

the next day. Launch of Discovery is set 2for 9:10 a.m. EDT on the 9th. The

countdown leading to the 57th Space Shuttle flight is set to begin at 9:30 a.m.

August 9; safety and security concerns require that Playalinda Beach be closed to

the public throughout the majority of a Space Shuttle launch countdown. Other

Canaveral National Seashore beaches, such as Apollo Beach, will not be affected

by the referenced closing and will remain open during Discovery's launch. These

beaches may be reached through the seashore's north beach entrance, located south

of New Smyrna Beach. [NASA/KSC Release NO. 94-93, Aug. 4, 1993.]

NEW SAFETY RULES TO BE IMPLEMENTED

When a botched test knocked out some systems aboard Endeavour during its June

mission (STS 57), NASA began a review process which will lead to new safety

rules being implemented. NASA created a Safety Advisory Board to study the

incident which involved the sending of a wrong command to Endeavour. The

signal resulted in a motor and fan short circuiting. The six astronauts aboard the

vehicle were not endangered. "In the future, when we're staring something in the

face that we haven't seen before, we want to make sure the process we have in

place to deal with that is a zero-error type of thing," said NASA Flight Director

Lee Bfiscoe. NASA's Congressional watchdog is the Aerospace Safety Advisory

Panel; member Seymour Himmel said, "One of the inherent dangers in special

procedures is that it's new. It's important to do everything you can to make checks

and double checks. If they have found there wasn't sufficient review, then I think

[the new Safety Advisory Board's] recommendations makes sense." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 5, 1993.]

FLORIDA PANTHERS SIGHTED IN REFUGE

The fish and Wildlife Service Office at the Merritt Island National Wildlife

Refuge gets weekly, sometimes daily, telephone calls from Kennedy Space Center

workers who believe they have spotted an endangered Florida Panther on the land

which serves both the Refuge and the space center. No evidence of Panther has

yet been discovered on the 14,000-acre wildlife refuge - no tracks or tree scratches

or other signs have been seen. KSC electrical engineer Tim Mallow doesn't claim

to have seen a Florida Panther here at the space center either, but believes the

reports of sightings. As founder and president of the Coryi Foundation - the cat's

scientific name is Fells concolor coryi - Mallow devotes much of his spare time

to saving and studying the panther. "When you consider that panthers have a

range of 200 square miles and the fact that we know there are panthers within 50

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miles of KSC, there's no reason why there wouldn't occasionally be a panther or

two on the space center," Mallow said. "I think the sightings speak for

themselves, but word alone is not enough."

The effort conclusively to determine whether Florida Panthers actually do roam

the Kennedy Space Center recently led Mallow and a friend to erect a remote

camera on the south side of the space center. Triggered by a combination of heat

and motion, the 35 millimeter camera is set to photograph any mammal which

crosses in front of the lens. "We're pretty excited to be given the chance to setup

a camera on KSC," Mallow remarked. "Panthers have such a tremendous range,

and there are more than 140,000 acres of land on the space center, but we feel

we've selected a potentially good site," he continued. "It's a big challenge, but

we're willing to stick it out and keep looking for panthers as long as the Fish and

Wildlife Service will let us." FWS Biologist Harvey Hill said, "Tim enjoys a

good reputation for working with panthers, and that's the main reason we approved

his request. We're within the traditional traveling range of panthers, but have

never been able to find any conclusive evidence of their presence on the refuge.

Frankl I would be surprised if Tim finds one, but nothing would tickle me any

more than getting a picture of a panther on our refuge." [NASA/KSC Release No.

Aug. 4, 1993.]

August S: STS 51: AFT SKIRT FOAMING

Workers at Launch Complex 39B have completed foaming of the SRB aft skirt

trailing edges and installing the solid rocket booster thermal curtain in preparation

for the August 12 launch of Discovery. They are on schedule in their pre-launch

processing efforts. Work in progress: crew compartment closeouts; argon

servicing of ORFEUS spacecraft; launch countdown preparations. STS 51 work

scheduled: Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) batter

charging tomorrow; start of countdown August 9 at 9:30 a.m.; the five astronauts

of the STS 51 mission will arrive at the Shuttle Landing Facility about 3 p.m.

EDT, August 9. ['I_ENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 5, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Aug. 6, 1993.]

II STS 58: AFT COMPARTMENT CLOSED OUT

The Space Shuttle Columbia, which remains in OPF Bay 2, continues to be

readied for rollover to the VAB as a first step on its STS 58 mission scheduled

currently for mid-September. Technicians have completed the aft compartment

closeouts; freon coolant loop adjustments and checks and the Ku-band antenna has

been stowed for flight. Current STS 58 activities: Orbiter forward and mid-body

closeouts; Spacelab external closeouts; crew module with Spacelab leakage tests

and final payload bay cleaning. Scheduled activities include: closing payload bay

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doors; frequency response test; rollover from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the

Vehicle Assembly Building early in the evening on August 9. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 5, 1993.]

[I STS 61: CRYO TANK SET INSTALLED

Endeavour's STS 61 mission is dedicated to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope;

it is targeted to launch in early December and will last 11 days. Radar frequency

and power checks have been completed during the processing activities now

underway in OPF Bay 1. In addition, technicians have removed and installed drag

chute hardware and installed the 5th cyrogenic tank set. Currently, technicians are

making orbital maneuvering system functional checks; main propulsion system

leak and functional checks; and conducting payload integration operations.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI_E STATUS REPORT, Aug. 5,

1993.]

August 6: STS 51: CLOSEOUTS FOR FLIGHT

In anticipation of launching on August 12, Discovery's pre-launch preparations

included closeouts of the solid rocket boosters, the aft main engine compartment

and of the external tank. Work in progress: start of launch countdown at 9:30

a.m. August 9; repressurization of OMS pods with gaseous nitrogen; return of

astronauts to Kennedy Space Center from JSC (Houston, TX); payload closeouts;

closure of payload doors August 9 and loading of cryogenic propellants August

10. STS 51 work scheduled: ACTS battery recharging; preparations to

repressurize OMS pods with gaseous nitrogen; countdown preparations in Firing

Room 1. [KENNED.X SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT,

Aug. 6, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 7, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-4, Aug. 7, 1993.]

I1 STS 58: COLUMBIA ROLLOVER PREPARATIONS

Preparations for the STS 58 launch continue on schedule. The Spacelab SLS-2

module has been closed out for flight and the payload bay doors were closed last

night. The aft compartment and mid-body closeouts are complete. The positive

pressure check of the aft nd the orbiter structural leak check have been

successfully performed. Weight and center of gravity determination will begin

August 9. Rollover is targeted for 12:01 a.m. August 12. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 6, 1993.]

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August 8: MET-CON_ INC. CONTRACT

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace at Kennedy Space Center has awarded Met-Con,

Inc. (Cocoa, FL) a contract to install and activate systems and ground support

equipment for the new space station processing facility at KSC. The contract is

worth $8.2 million and runs through December 31, 1995; it has two options that

might be exercised during 1994 and 1995, according to McDonnell Douglas

spokeswoman Deborah Duschi. Some work also will be done on facilities at Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station. ["KSC Contracts With Cocoa Firm," FLORIDA

p. 10E, Aug. 8, 1993.]

August 9: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 3 DAYS

An upper level trough is expected to develop in the Eastern U.S. in conjunction

with a ridge of high pressure over northern Florida. The resulting increase in

moisture together with the high pressure southeasterly wind pattern will bring a

chance for morning offshore shower or thundershower activity with a chance of

local thunderstorms by the end of the week. At the opening of the launch window

at 9:10 a.m. August 12, the forecast conditions are low scattered to broken clouds,

visibility of 7 miles or greater, wind at the pad expected to be from the southeast

at 5 to 7 knots. Temperature at launch time is predicted to be 83 degrees,

dewpoint at 70 degrees and humidity at 69%. There is a chance of showers

moving into the launch area from offshore. There is a 20% chance of launch

weather criteria violation and a 0% chance of a tanking criteria violation. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 8, 1993; LAUNCH WEATHER FORECAST

nOR STS 51:L-3 Days, Aug. 9, 1993.]

II STS 51: COUNTDOWN BEGINS

The countdown for launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS 51

began as scheduled today at 9:30 a.m. EDT, at the T-43 hour mark. This marks

the beginning of the third launch attempt of the Orbiter Discovery since the launch

was scrubbed on July 17 and 24 due to technical problems. Additionally, launch

was postponed from August 4 until August 12 due to concerns regarding the

Perseid meteor shower which is expected to peak on the evening of August 11.

The countdown includes 28 hours and 40 minutes of built-in hold time leading to

the opening of the launch window at 9:10 a.m. (EDT) on August 12. The 57

minute window extends until 10:07 a.m. The five-member crew of STS 51 is

expected to arrive in their T-38 training jets at the Shuttle Landing Facility at

approximately 3:00 p.m. The crew includes Commander Frank Culbomon, Pilot

William Readdy and Mission Specialists &m Newman, Dan Btwsch and Cad

Walz. A primary objective of this mission is the deployment of the Advanced

Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and the Transfer Orbit Stage

(TOS). ACTS/TOS is the latest in NASA's series of advanced communications

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w

satellites and a test-bed for technology which will be used in future operational

satellites. Also, the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet

Spectrometer-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (ORFEUS-SPAS) payload will be deployed

and retrieved during this mission. Also on board is the IMAX camera, the

Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment, and Chromosome and

Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment. In addition, astronauts

Jim Newman and Carl Walz are scheduled to perform a six hour spacewalk on the

fifth day of the mission as a continuation of a series of test spacewalks to increase

experience and refine training methods. They will work with several tools that

may be used during the servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope mission later this

year.

Today in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center, the KSC launch team is

verifying systems to assure that the Shuttle is powered up and that the data

processing and backup flight control systems are operating trouble free.

Verifications will occur throughout the count to ensure reviews of the flight

software stored in the Orbiter's twin memory banks is being conducted, computer

controlled display systems are being activated, and the backup flight system

general purpose computer is being loaded. Operations are also underway to

prepare the Orbiter for on-board cryogenic loading. Later, Orbiter navigation aids

will be turned on and tested and the inertial measurement units will be activated.

Also today, ground crews are making the final storage of mid-deck and flight deck

supplies and payloads. They will also perform microbial samplings of the flight

crew's drinking water and check water levels in the crew waste management

system. The STS 51 crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC at about 3 p.m. today.

At T-27 hours, the countdown will enter its first built-in hold. This is an eight

hour hold lasting from 1:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 10. When the

countdown resumes, the launch pad will be cleared of all personnel in preparation

for cryogenic fuel loading of the power reactant and storage distribution system

tanks located under the payload bay lining. These tanks hold the super-cold liquid

hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants used by the fuel cells to provide electricity

to the Orbiter and drinking water for the crew. Cryogenic flow is scheduled to

start at about 11:30 a.m. August 10 and continue for about five hours. As

servicing of the cryogenic tanks concludes, the clock will enter another built-in

hold at the T-19 hour mark. This hold will last for four hours from 5:30 to 9:30

p.m. August 10.

Following cryogenic loading operations, the pad will be reopened for normal work

and the Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit used to load the super-cold reactants in

the Orbiter's fuel cell tanks will be demated and retracted into the launch structure.

When the countdown resumes, technicians will complete final vehicle and facility

closeouts and begin activating the Orbiter's communications systems and

configuring Discovery's cockpit for flight. The Orbiter's flight control system and

navigation aids will be activated. The stowable crew seats will be installed in the

157
flight and mid-decks. The countdown will enter a built-in at the T-11 hour mark

at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. This 13 hour, 20 minute hold will last until 5:30 a.m.

Wednesday (August 11). This 13 hour, 20 minute hold will last until 6:50 p.m.

During this hold, time critical equipment will be installed in the Orbiter's cockpit

and the inertial measurement units will be activated and warmed up. At about 11

a.m. Wednesday, the Rotating Service Structure is scheduled to be moved away

from the vehicle and placed in launch position. At T-9 hours, about 8:50 p.m.

Wednesday, the onboard fuel cells will be activated. At T-8 hours, the launch

team will begin evacuating the blast danger area and clear the pad for loading the

external tank with the super-cold cryogenic fuels. At T-7 hours, 30 minutes,

conditioned air that is flowing through the Orbiter's payload bay and other areas

on the Orbiter will be switched to gaseous nitrogen in preparation for fueling the

extemal tank. The inertial measurement units will transition from the warm up

stage to the operate/attitude determination mode at T-6 hours, 45 minutes.

The countdown will enter another planned built-in hold at the T-6 hour mark at

11:50 p.m. During this one-hour hold, final preparations for loading the external

tank will be completed and a pre-tanking weather briefing will be conducted.

Chilldown of the lines that carry the cryogenic propellants to the external tank

begins when the clock starts counting again at 12:50 a.m. August 12. Filling and

topping off the external tank should be complete at the beginning of the next

planned hold at T-3 hours, or 3:50 a.m. During the two-hour hold at T-3 hours,

an ice inspection team will conduct a survey of the external tank's outer insulation

and other Shuttle components. Also the closeout crew will be dispatched to the

pad and begin configuring the crew module and white room for the flight crew's

arrival. Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be in a stable replenish mode

during this time to replace any propellant that "boils" off. During the hold at T-3

hours, the five-member STS 51 crew will be awakened at about 4 a.m. Following

breakfast, the crew will receive a briefing on weather conditions both at KSC and

around the world via satellite from Mission Control, Houston. The flight crew

will suit-up in their partial pressure suits, then leave the Operations and Checkout

Building during the T-3 hour hold, or at about 5:40 a.m. They will arrive at the

pad's white room at about 6:10 a.m. where they will be assisted by white room

personnel in getting into the crew cabin. Just prior to the T-1 hour mark, the test

team and the flight crew will get another weather update, including observations

from astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson flying in a Shuttle Training Aircraft in the

KSC area.

The last two built-in holds will be I 0 minutes in duration and will occur at the T20 minute mark, or at 8:30 a.m., and at the T-9 minutes mark at 8:51 a.m. During

the final hold, the flight crew and ground team receive the NASA launch director's

and mission management team's final "go" for launch. Milestones after the T-9

minute mark include start of the ground launch sequencer; retraction of the Orbiter

access arm at T-7 minutes, 30 seconds; start of the Orbiter's auxiliary power units

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at T-5 minutes; pressurization of the liquid oxygen tank inside the external tank

at T-2 minutes, 55 seconds; pressurization of the liquid hydrogen tank at T-1

minute, 57 seconds; and the electronic "go" to Discovery's onboard computers to

start their own terminal countdown sequence at T-31 seconds. The Orbiter's three

main engines will start at T-6.6 seconds. [NASA/KSC News Release No. 98-93.

Aug. 9, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 9, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 9, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 10, 1993; "Countdown No. 3 Begins for Space

Shuttle Mission," THE WASHINGTON POST. Aug. 10, 1993.]

August 10: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS

The countdown for Discovery's STS 51 launch continues without problem today.

The pad will be closed for most of today for the loading of the onboard cryogenic

tanks with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. These reactants

provide electricity to the Orbiter is in space and drinking water for the crew. The

pad was closed to all personnel at about 9:30 a.m.'Cryogenic flow is expected to

begin about 11:30 a.m. and last for about 5 hours. Following this operation the

Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit will be demated, Orbiter communications

activation will start and final vehicle and facility closeouts will begin. Tomorrow,

preparations will be made to retract the rotating service structure to launch

position at about 11 a.m. Tanking is scheduled to begin at about 12:30 a.m.

August 12. The payload bay doors were closed yesterday at 5:30 p.m. following

the completion of all payload bay operations. Two mid-deck experiments will be

installed into the Orbiter tomorrow. The Commercial Protein Crystal Growth

(CPCG) experiment will be installed at 9 a.m. and the Chromosome and Plant Cell

Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment will be installed beginning at about

6 p.m.

Forecasters indicate a 30 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch with

the primary concerns being possible offshore thunderstorms and a low cloud

ceiling. The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southeast at 8 to 12

knots; temperature 83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered to broken

at 2,500 and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay forecast reveal similar

conditions with 30 percent and 20 percent chance of violation respectively. The

five-member astronaut crew for this mission arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing

Facility yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. Today they will be involved with checking

out their mission plans and fit checks of their equipment. They are scheduled for

some free time this afternoon and will be ready for sleep at about 6:30 p.m. They

will be awakened tomorrow at about 2:30 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT: MISSION STS 51 -- ACTSTOS/ORFEUS-SPAS LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS, Aug. 10, 1993.]

159
II STS 51: AN EXTRA DAY LIKELY

The Space Shuttle Discovery may get an extra day in space because of a classified

military operation, according to Lt. Dave Honchul, a spokesman for the Air

Force's 45th Space Wing. "Thee is an activity that was previously scheduled on

the range that will preclude a Shuttle landing prior to the 22nd. It's classified; I

can't talk about it," he said. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 11,

1993.]

[1 FIRE CAUSED BY LIGHTNING

Lightning started a fire and closed State Road 3 this afternoon; the acrid smoke

from the fire welled up east of SR 3 about 2:15 and burned late into the night.

More than 500 acres of trees and undergrowth were consumed by the fire on both

sides of the road. According to KSC spokesman Mitch Varaes, the fire was under

control by about six p.m. Some KSC workers who departed the center after four

o'clock were unable to proceed south on SR 3; it was closed due to the smoke.

"The land hadn't been cleared for several years as far as controlled bums go, so

it was ripe for a fire," Varnes said. ["Lightning Sparks Fire at KSC, West of 1-

95," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 11, 1993.]

August 11: STS 51: LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

The countdown for Discovery's launch continues today. Managers and engineers

decided late last night to replace a faulty liquid oxygen temperature sensor on

main engine #1 following erratic temperature readings. Workers entered the aft

engine compartment earlier this morning to remove and replace the sensor. It is

expected the aft compartment will again be closed for flight by mid to late

afternoon. Following aft compartment closeouts, an aft confidence test will be run

and preparations made to retract the rotating service structure to launch position

at about 7 p.m. today. At about 10 p.m. the pad will be cleared as preparations

are made to load the external tank with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen

propellants. Loading is scheduled to begin at about 12:30 a.m. August 12.

Two mid-deck experiments will be installed into the Orbiter today. The

Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment will be installed by 11

a.m. and the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CI-IROMEX)

experiment will be installed by about 8 p.m. Forecasters continue to indicate a 30

percent probability of weather prohibiting launch with the primary concerns being

possible offshore thunderstorms and a low cloud ceiling. The winds at the pad are

expected to be from the southeast at 6 to 10 knots; temperature 83-85 degrees F.;

relative humidity 70-75 percent; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered to broken

at 2,500, 12,000 and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay forecast reveal

similar conditions with 20 percent and 10 percent chance of violation respectively.

160
The five astronauts for this mission are reviewing their flight data files today.

They will also take part in Orbiter and payload briefings and fly in their T-38

training aircraft prior to preparing for sleep at about 6:30 p.m. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHIYI_JE STATUS REPORT; MISSION: STS 51--

ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY, Aug. 11, 1993; LAUNCH

WEATHER FORECAST FOR $TS 51, Aug. 11, 1993.]

II lIST HARDWARE ARRIVES AT KSC

Preparations for the first servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

began today at KSC with the arrival of the Space Support Equipment (SSE).

Some of this flight hardware will house the delicate Hubble replacement

components inside Endeavour's payload bay during the mission. The SSE was

shipped from Baltimore on August 6, after a checkout at NASA's Goddard Space

Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD). Traveling aboard the Space Shuttle external tank

barge, the hardware is enclosed in shipping containers previously used by the

Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) and the Long Duration Exposure Facility

(LDEF). After being offloaded from the barge, the equipment will be taken to the

Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) located in KSC's Industrial Area for

launch preparations. One of the significant processing milestones will take place

in mid-September when the Hubble replacement components, including the Wide

Field/Planetary Camera II and Hubble corrective optics, are mated with their

carriers. Astronauts will install these components on the 43-foot-long, 14-foot

diameter HST during the mission. The SSE consists of three parts: the Orbital

Replacement Unit Carrier which is a dedicated Spacelab maintenance and repair

pallet; the Solar Array Carrier which will hold the replacement solar panels; and

the Flight Support Structure which will hold and orient the telescope while it is

being repaired by the astronauts in Endeavour's payload bay. This device was

used previously aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984 during the Solar

Maximum Satellite repair mission. Replacement components for the Hubble Space

Telescope are scheduled to arrive at KSC later this month. Mission STS 61 is a

planned l 1-day flight featuring five spacewalks with seven crew members

dedicated to the servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope. Launch is currently

targeted for early December. [NASA/KSC Release No. 97-93, Aug. 11, 1993.]

August 12: THIRD DISCOVERY SCRUB

The main engines of the Space Shuttle Discovery cut off three seconds before

launch due to a problem with a sensor that monitors fuel flow through main

engine number 2. The time of the cutoff was 09:I2:32 EDT. There are two

sensors which are part of the flow meter that monitor the flow of hydrogen

through the main engine. Each sensor has a Channel A and Channel B for a total

of four readings. These sensors are monitoring the fuel flow from main engine

ignition through main engine cutoff. The sensors are redundant so that all four

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II

II

channels must report an acceptable fuel flow rate prior to liftoff. Data indicates

that Channel A on the number two sensor failed. There was no electrical output

at all from this sensors while the others were found to have operated normally.

A completely redundant set of measurements is required to commit to flight.

At this time it is not known when Discovery will be launched, but there will be

a delay of at least three weeks. The STS 51 astronauts returned to Houston this

afternoon. The rotating service structure providing the primary access and weather

protection for Discovery will be rotated into position around the vehicle tomorrow

after boiloff of residual propellant in the external tank is complete. After the

cryogenic reactants have been offloaded from the power reactant storage and

distribution system (PRSD) tanks, the pad will be re-opened for normal about midday Friday (August 13). The delays in launching Discovery already have meant

that one of the two showcase Shuttle flights planned for the fall will be bumped

into 1994. The joint venture with Russian astronaut Sergei Krikalev was to have

been flown in mid-November; the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission had

been scheduled for December. [STS 51 Discovery Status, 4:30 p.m., Aug. 12,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 13, 1993; Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 12, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, Aug. 12, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 13A, Aug. 13, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, Aug. 13, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 13, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 13A,

Aug. 13A, Aug. 13, 1993; "4th Delay," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 13, 1993;

Broad, TI-IE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 13, 1993; Merzer; THE SUN, Aug. 13,

1993; Harwood, THE WASB/NGT.ON POST, p. A8, Aug. 13, 1993; "Shuttle's

Engine Cut 3 Seconds to Launch," THE WASHINGTO.N TIMES, p. A3, Aug. 13,

1993; "Onboard computers aborted....," THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Aug.

13, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 14, 1993.]

4TH S_OWN IN 9 YEARS

When Discovery's launch controllers shut down the vehicle's main engines today,

it marked the fourth such incident in 9 years and more than fifty Space Shuttle

flights. On June 26, 1984, Discovery's launch attempt halted four seconds before

liftoff due to a faulty fuel valve inside a main engine. The Shuttle had to be

rolled back from the launch pad for repairs and a delay of 64 days. On July 29,

1985, Challenger's liftoff came within three seconds of occurring when the attempt

was aborted; the culprit was a faulty coolant valve in one of the main engines.

The delay was 17 days. On March 22, 1993, at T-3 seconds, Columbia's launch

was aborted; a liquid oxygen valve leaked inside a main engine. NASA managers

decided to replace all three main engines at the pad; the delay was 33 days.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 13A, Aug. 13, 1993.]

STS 51: ENGINE REMOVAL PREPARATIONS

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At LaunchComplex39B,workersarepreparing to remove all three Space Shuttle

Main Engines (SSME) and replace them with engines which had been scheduled

for use on Endeavour's Hubble Space Telescope repair mission planned for

December. Currently workers are disconnecting ordnance devices which separate

the Space Shuttle from its SRBs and external tank. On the 17th the SSME

heatshields will be removed and the engine removal process starts on the 18th.

NASA officials are talking about launching Discovery now in the first or second

week of September. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 14, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 15, 1993.]

August 16: STS 51: POST-SCRUB TURNAROUND

At Launch Complex 39B a number of post-scrub tasks have been completed:

installation of engine service platforms under the vehicle; extension of the rotating

service structure around the Orbiter; Orbiter mid-body umbilical mate and leak

checks; off load onboard cryogenic reactants; open aft engine compartment and

install work platforms; ACTS batter discharge; open payload bay doors; removal

and replacement of faulty fuel flow sensor; repositioned main engines and

aerosurfaces; disconnect ordnance. Today workers are engaged in post-scrub

turnaround and securing operations; defoaming main engines and removing main

engine heatshields. STS 51 work scheduled: removal and replacement of all three

main engines at the pad; service of ORFEUS/SPAS with liquid argon; ACTS/TOS

health checks. Unofficially, NASA's target date for the next Discovery launch

attempt is September 10, Determination of an official launch date will be impacted

by a crowded Eastern Test Range launch schedule. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 16, 1993.]

II STS 58: SPACELAB LIFE SCIEN_

In the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 3, technicians have hardmated

Columbia to its external tank; mechanical mates have also been completed as have

been umbilical structural mates and liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen mates.

Today workers are continuing with Orbiter crew module operations. On the

processing schedule: Orbiter/external tank electrical mates and a Shuttle interface

test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug.

16, 1993.]

II HUBB!_E SPACE TFJ_ESCOPE SERVICING MISSION

In OPF Bay 1, Endeavour is being readied for its upcoming Hubble Space

Telescope servicing mission. Orbital maneuvering system functional checks and

Ku-band antenna checks have now been completed; the payload doors have been

closed. Workers today are installing Endeavour's 5th cryogenic tank set;

performing main propulsion system leak and functional checks; payload integration

163
operations; reopening the payload bay doors and conducting ammonia boiler

checks. Master events controller checks are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 16, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA'S ROLLBACK POSSIBLE

The need to service experiment containers in Columbia's payload bay may force

NASA manager's to order the Shuttle rolled back to the VAB from LC 39A. KSC

spokesman Glenn Snydersaid, "The problem is those containers were not designed

to be opened when the Orbiter and Spaeelab are in a vertical position on the

ground." The rollback would also allow workers to replace several batteries in

other experiments. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 16, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY. Aug. 17, 1993.]

August 17: .]SC TO HOST SPACE STATION

BOEING TO BE PRIME CONTRACTOR

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced that the Johnson Space

Center (Houston, TX) has been selected as the host center for the new Space

Station Program. Boeing Defense and Space Group has been selected as the prime

contractor. The selections are part of the President's initiative to save more than

$4 billion over the next 5 years and more than $18 billion over the life of the

Space Station Program. "These decisions, announced today, mark a significant

step forward in carrying out the President's decision to move ahead with a

redesigned Space Station," Goldin said. Goldin pointed out that later this week,

Space Station managers will provide an interim report to the Office of Science and

Technology Policy and the international partners on the design for the Space

Station. "The transition process is on track, decisions are being made, and the

groundwork for building the new Space Station team is being laid," he said. "I'm

extremely pleased with the progress we are making."

The Johnson Space Center (JSC) was selected because of two critical factors.

First, JSC has the necessary experience, personnel and facilities to respond flexibly

to the Space Station Program needs. And secondly, JSC has a strong operations

capability in terms of both the civil service workforce and its extensive facilities.

JSC's close proximity to the operations capability is conducive for the evolution

of the Space Station Development Program to an Operations Program, thereby

driving to lower life cycle costs and promoting stability and efficiency. The new

Space Station Program Office will be responsible for managing the design,

development and the physical and analytical integration of the Space Station as

the program evolves into operations. The new Space Station organizational

structure will have about 1,000 civil servants. The program office, consisting of

about 300 civil servants, will be located at JSC. The other 700 positions will be

spread among all involved NASA centers, including JSC. The JSC Center

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II

Director and management will have no Space Station Program-line management

responsibility. The program office will report to NASA Headquarters.

Boeing's role as the provider of the essential Space Station elements necessary to

sustain human life - the pressurized laboratory and habitation modules as well as

the environmental control and life support system - were the key factors in its

selection as prime contractor. Non-selected Space Station prime contractors -

Grumman Aerospace Corp., McDonnell Douglas Corp. and Rocketdyne Division,

Rockwell International - have agreed to become novated subcontractors to Boeing,

whose expertise in complex integration tasks, due to its current role in the

integration and the outfitting of the modules as well as the analytical and physical

integration of the experiments, made it the logical choice since, as prime, it will

be responsible for delivering the full-up Space Station vehicle and for coordinating

and integrating the U.S. elements with those provided by the international partners.

As the single prime contractor, Boeing will be responsible for the design,

development, physical and analytical integration, test, delivery and launch of the

Space Station vehicle.

Additionally, Boeing will be responsible for 1 year of sustaining engineering

following launch of each launch package, including the appropriate spares.

Boeing will also be responsible for management and integration of the Space

Station vehicle and will manage the subcontracts. ['NASA/KSC NEWS

RELEASE: 93-148, Aug. 17, 1993; "Houston Space Center, Boeing Will Oversee

Freedom Program," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 18, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 18, 1993; "Houston, Seattle Get NASA Job," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A1 & A4, Aug. 18, 1993; Peltz and Miller, LOS

ANGELES TIMES/WASHINGTON EDITION, Aug. 18, 1993; Nomani and Cole,

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, p. A12, Aug. 18, 1993; Hoversten, USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 18, 1993; Glarer and Mintz, THE WASHINGTON POST,

Aug. 18, 1993.]

STS 51: PROCESSING UPDATE

Technicians at Launch Complex 39B have finished defoaming Discovery's main

engines and removed the heatshields. There has been a successful duplication of

the engine sensor failure that led to the August 12 engine shutdown three seconds

prior to launch. Today workers are continuing post scrub turnaround and securing

operations; preparing to remove main engine #1 and servicing the ORFEUSISPAS

with liquid argon. Scheduled STS 51 work includes removing and replacing all

three main engines at the launch pad and conducting ACTS/'ros health checks.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'I'rLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 17,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 18, 1993.]

165
August 18: STS 51: BAD SENSOR CAUSED SCRUB

The faulty fuel flow sensor from main engine number 2 that caused the recent

scrub of Discovery's launch last week was tested at the manufacturer yesterday.

Referring to the failed sensor, Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said, "That was

the exact cause of the failure. Why and how it happened we don't know." Tests

conducted under cryogenic conditions were successful in duplicating the sensor

failure. The tests showed that the sensor failed at 57 degrees Fahrenheit,

according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham Discovery's main engines have

been defoamed; the main engine heatshields have been removed and

ORFEUS/SPAS has been serviced with liquid argon. Today, pad workers are

conducting post scrub turnaround and securing operations and removing and

replacing main engine number 1. Technicians at Launch Complex 39B are

scheduled to remove and replace main engines number 2 and 3 at the pad.

Launch and landing times remain to be determined. NASA officials have

determined that the mission which would carry Russian cosmonaut Sergel Krikalev

into space has been pushed into 1994. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 1 $, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Aug. 19, 1993.]

[1 STS 58: VAB OPERATIONS ON HOLD

Operations in the Vehicle Assembly Building are on hold pending a decision to

demate the Orbiter from its external tank. Demating and moving the Orbiter to

the horizontal position may be required due to certain Spacelab payload changeout

considerations. Columbia has been hardmated to its external tank; mechanical

mates of the Orbiter to its external tank have also been accomplished. Today,

workers are occupied with Orbiter crew module operations. STS 58 work

scheduled includes Orbiter/external tank electrical mates and a Shuttle interface

test. [KENNEDY SPA..CE CENTER SPACE SHUTrL. E STATUS REPORT, Aug.

18, 1993.]

II STS 61: HUBBLE RESCUE MISSION PROCESSING

Endeavour remains in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 where it continues to be

processed for its Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. The launch date of that

mission has been made indefinite due to delays in launching STS 51. In OPF bay

1, technicians have completed master events controller/pyrotechnic initiator

controller checks; re-opened the payload bay doors; made ammonia boiler checks

and orbital maneuvering system functional checks. Work in progress: installation

of 5th cryogenic tank set; main propulsion system leak and functional checks;

payload integration operations; water spray boiler functional tests; freon coolant

loop functional test. Work scheduled: installation of the forward reaction control

system on the Orbiter. Work was completed overnight to remove from the mobile

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launcher platform in the VAB the left and right hand aft booster segments

dedicated for the STS 60 mission. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 18, 1993.]

August 19: STS 51: FLOODLIGHT REPLACED

Discovery's mid-deck floodlight has been removed and replaced as part of the

turnaround operations now underway at Launch Complex 39B. Today workers at

the pad are removing and replacing main engine number 1 and conducting orbital

maneuvering system regulator flow operations; they are scheduled to remove and

replace main engines 2 and 3 at the pad. [KENNED.Y. SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 19, 1993.]

[] STS 58: ELF.L-q_CAL MATES TO CONTINUE

Operations will resume today to continue electrical mates between Columbia and

its STS 58 external tank. A decision was reached yesterday not to destack the

Orbiter on the basis that any Spacelab payload changeout considerations can be

accomplished at the pad and on orbit if required. Mechanical mates of Columbia

to its external tank have been completed. Today, workers are conducting the

electrical mates and Orbiter crew module cleaning operations, as well. The

mission's Shuttle interface test (SIT) has been scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 19, 1993.]

[! STS 61: HST SERVICIN G MISSION

Endeavour's payload bay doors have been re-opened; ammonia boiler checks have

been made: a freon coolant loop functional test has been completed as have orbital

maneuvering system functional checks. Work in progress: fifth cryogenic tank

set installation; main propulsion system leak and functional checks; payload

integration operations; installation of auxiliary power unit number three; water

spray boiler functional test. STS 61 work scheduled: installation of the forward

reaction control system on Endeavour; thruster repair operations; servicing the

freon coolant loop. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHIflTLE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 19, 1993.]

[1 HUBBLE HARDWARE ARRIVING AT KSC

Flight hardware which will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour for use on the

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) first servicing mission has begun arriving at the

Kennedy Space Center. The Wide Field/Planetary Camera I1 (WFPC I1) arrived

today at Hangar AE, a NASA Spacecraft Checkout Facility on Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station. During the next two weeks 17 trucks will be transferring the flight

167
hardwarefor HST servicing and associated support hardware from Goddard Space

Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) to the Kennedy Space Center. The instruments

have been in a clean room at Goddard for the last several months undergoing

integration and testing. In addition to WFPC II, other primary components

arriving over the next two weeks include the Corrective Optics Space Telescope

Axial Replacement (COSTA_R), two solar panels, the Goddard High Resolution

Spectrograph redundancy kit, rate gyro sensor and electronic control units and two

magnetometers. The Space Support Equipment (SSE) arrived at KSC by barge

August 11 and is now in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility being prepared

for launch. The units of the SSE include the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier

which is a Spacelab maintenance and repair pallet dedicated to HST activities; the

Solar Array Carrier which will hold the replacement solar panels, and the Flight

Support Structure which will hold and orient the 43-foot-long, 14-foot diameter

HST during its repair by the astronauts. Some of the SSE will house the delicate

Hubble corrective optics inside Endeavour's payload bay during the mission. STS

61 is a planned 11-day flight with seven crew members featuring five spacewalks

and is entirely dedicated to the servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope.

[NASA/KSC News Release NO. 103-93, Aug. 19, 1993.]

August 20: EXTERNAL TANK INSPECFED

Workers at Launch Complex 39B have completed the post-abort inspections of

Discovery's STS 51 external tank; they have also removed and replaced main

engine #1 and removed main engine #3. Today, technicians will be making

mechanical connections of main engine #1, installing main engine #3 and

preparing to remove main engine #2. STS 51 work scheduled: mechanical

cormections of main engine #3; removal of main engine #2 August 21 and

replacement August 22. Orbital maneuvering system/reaction control system

checks are planned for August 23. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug.

23, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE St-KITiZE STATUS REPORT,

Aug. 20, 1993.]

II STS 58/61 PROCESSING STATUS

In the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3, technicians have completed Orbiter

and external tank closeouts and are continuing Orbiter/ET mating operations for

Columbia's STS 58 mission. The Shuttle interface test is scheduled to begin

August 23. Meanwhile, in OPF bay 1, workers processing Endeavour for the STS

61 mission have completed orbital maneuvering system functional checks and leak

and functional checks of the hydrogen side of the main propulsion system. Work

in progress today: fifth cryogenic tank set installation; checkouts of the water

spray boilers and payload integration operations. STS 61 work scheduled: master

events controller checks and installation of the auxiliary power unit #3.

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[KENNEDy .SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 20,

1993.]

August 22: HUBBLE REPAIR HARDWARE AT KSC

The first batch of equipment for the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission -

scheduled for early December - has arrived at Kennedy Space Center. The

equipment includes:

(a)

Co)

(c)

A special cartier that will serve as a repair pallet.

Another carrier that will hold new solar panels to be installed on

the telescope

A support structure that will hold and orient the telescope while

repairs are made.

The equipment was shipped to KSC after checkout at Goddard Space Flight

Center (Greenbelt, MD). It was transported by barge in shipping containers used

earlier by the Gamma Ray Observatory and the Long Duration Exposure Facility.

On arrival the equipment was taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility

for launch preparations. Telescope replacement components have yet to arrive at

the space center; they are expected to arrive later this month. ["Hubble Repair

Hardware Arrives," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Aug. 22, 1993.]

August 23: STS 51: ALL ENGINES REPLACED

At Launch Complex 39B, all of Discovery's main engines have been replaced in

preparation for launch in early September. System checks of the Orbiter's rudder

speed brake have been made and the multiplexer/demultiplexer unit that failed

during a checkout last Friday has been removed. Work in progress: securing of

main engine #2; checks of the orbital maneuvering system/reaction control system;

installation of a replacement multiplexer/demultiplexer unit and preparations for

engine leak checks. STS 51 work scheduled: leak checks of the main engines

should begin tonight; a flight readiness test of the main engines is set for August

26 and 27. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT. Aug. 23, 1993.]

I] STS 58/STS 61 UPDATES

Orbiter/external tank umbilical closeouts have been completed in preparation for

Columbia's STS 58 mission. Today workers are continuing Orbiter/external tank

mating operations and are continuing to conduct the Shuttle interface test to its

completion today. Workers processing Endeavour for its STS 61 mission have

completed checkouts of the water spray boilers and have conducted leak and

functional checks of the hydrogen side of the main propulsion system. Currently,

169
II

[1

II

workers are installing the 5th cryogenic tank set and implementing payload

integration operations. STS 61 work scheduled includes: master events controller

checks and the electrical connection of auxiliary power unit #3. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER_SPACE SHUT_E STATUS REPORT, Aug. 23, 1993.]

STS 51: LAUNCH ADVISORY

NASA managers today set September 10, 1993, as the new launch date for Shuttle

Mission STS 51. The launch window on September 10 opens at 7:38 a.m. EDT.

The launch date decision follows the completion of work to remove and replace

the three main engines on Discovery. The engine ehangeout effort was the most

efficient way to recover from the launch shutdown which took place on August

12. "The September 10 date is based on successful testing and leak checks of the

main engines scheduled for later this week and the assumption of no significant

problems arising in the remaining processing flow," said Shuttle Director "l_omas

Ulsman. "The entire Shuttle team is doing a super job getting Discovery back into

launch configuration." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 21, 1993;

LAUNCH ADVISORY: SEPT 10 NEW DATE FOR STS 51 LAUNCH, Aug. 23,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 24, 1993.]

MARS OBSERVER MISSION STATUS

Engineers are continuing to attempt to reestablish communication with the Mars

Observer Spacecraft, after losing contact with the craft at 6 p.m. PDT on August

21, three days before the spacecraft's capture in orbit around Mars. The

spacecraft's on-board sequence to begin preparing for orbit insertion was uplinked

on Friday, August 20. Controllers have no reason to believe that the spacecraft

is not carrying out those instructions even though communication has been

interrupted. The spacecraft is set to enter Martian orbit at approximately 1:30

p.m. August 24. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 23, 1993;

MARS OBSERVER STATUS, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Public Information

Office, 8 p.m. PDT, Aug. 22, 1993; "NASA Loses Link to Mars Observer," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A1 & A4, Aug. 23, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Aug. 24, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SE _NTIN'EL, pp. A-1

& A-4, Aug. 24, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, Aug. 25, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-I & A-7, Aug. 25, 1993.]

NOAA-13 SATELLITE: LOSS OF CONTACT

Satellite controllers lost contact with the NOAA-13 satellite on Saturday, August

21, and preliminary indications are that the spacecraft's power system is not

working, officials at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration said today. Contact has also been lost with the Mars Observer

Spacecraft [see above]. All battery charging aboard the satellite ceased at

170
approximately3:45p.m.EDT August21, saidCharles E.Thienel,Meteorological

Satellites Project Manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt,

MD). Contact with the spacecraft during subsequent ground passes showed

steadily decreasing battery voltages and currents, he said. [.NASA/KSC

RELEASE: 93-151; Aug. 23, 1993; "Mars Observer Status Briefing Set for 1 p.m.

EDT Today," EDITORS NOTE: N93-48, Aug. 24, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Aug. 24, 1993.]

II SPACEPORT WORKERS CONTRACT DISPUTE

Workers at Spaceport USA have filed a protest over their latest contract with the

National Labor Relations Board; the workers claim that they had been unfairly

represented by their union's business manager. There was no comment today from

TW Recreational Services, Inc., the company which runs the Spaceport USA

attraction for NASA. ['Liden, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 20C, Aug. 24, 1993.]

August 24: STS 51: MISSION UPDATE

NASA managers yesterday selected September 10, 1993, as the new launch date

for mission STS 51. The launch window lasts from 7:38 a.m. til 9:42 a.m. EDT.

The countdown for mission STS 51 will pickup the morning of September 7 (time

to be determined) at the T-43 hour mark. The main engines and

multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM) have been removed and replaced. The power

reactant storage and distribution system has been purged. Currently, technicians

are installing main engine dome heatshields and conducting main engine securing

operations. STS 51 work scheduled: retest of the replacement

multiplexer/demultiplexer and a flight readiness test of the three main engines and

the aerosurfaces. Current planning calls for a night landing at Kennedy Space

Center at 5:42 a.m. September 20. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 24, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1, Aug. 25, 1993.]

II STS 58: ELECTRICAL MATES COMPLETED

In preparation for Columbia's STS 58 mission, electrical mates of the Orbiter and

its external tank have been completed. Work in progress: Orbiter crew module

cleaning operations; Shuttle interface test; Orbiter/external tank umbilical

closeouts; leak checks of the main propulsion system; solid rocket booster

hydraulic testing. STS 58 work scheduled: rollout to Launch Complex 39B to

occur about 4 to 5 days after the launch of Discovery. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, Aug. 24, 1993.]

171
I1 STS 61: PAYLOAD INTEGRATION OPERATIONS

In OPF Bay 1, workers have installed Endeavour's auxiliary power unit number

3 and completed payload integration operations. Work in progress: installation

of the 5th cryogenic tank set; auxiliary power unit number three leak and

functional checks; thruster feedline repair operations; water spray boiler checkout

and service; deservicing freon coolant loop number 1; main propulsion system leak

and functional checks and the installation of the drag chute. STS 61 work

scheduled: installation of the forward reaction control system on Endeavour; star

tracker door functional test; Orbiter/external tank umbilical door functional test.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Aug. 24,

1993.]

August 25:

I1

I1

STS 51: MDMS REMOVED AND REPLACED

Discovery continues to await launch on its STS 51 mission; liftoff is now set for

September 10, 1993. Workers at LC 39B have installed main engine dome

heatshields and removed and replaced multiplexer/demultiplexers (1V[DM). Work

in progress: main engine securing operations; main engine and main propulsion

system leak checks; retesting of MDMs and hydraulic circulation and sampling.

STS 51 work scheduled: flight readiness test of the main engines and their

aerosurfaces; replacement of solid rocket booster batteries; spacesuit functional

checkout. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE. SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Aug. 25, 1993.]

STS 58: ELECTRICAL MATES COMPLETE

Orbiter/external tank electrical mates for Columbia's STS 58 mission have been

completed. Work currently underway for STS 58 in the VAB high bay 3: solid

rocket booster hydraulic operations; Orbiter crew module cleaning operations;

Shuttle interface test; Orbiter/external tank umbilical closeouts; leak checks of the

main propulsion system. STS 58 work scheduled: rollout to Launch Complex

39B to occur four to five days after the launch of STS 51 and a flight control

frequency test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 25, 1993.]

APU 3 INSTALLED

Endeavour is being processed in OPF bay 1 for its STS 61 mission, also known

as the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. In the OPF, payload integration

operations have been completed as has the installation of the auxiliary power unit

number 3. Today, workers are involved in the following activities: 5th cryogenic

tank set installation; installation of the drag chute; thruster feedline repair

operations; auxiliary power unit number three leak and functional checks;

172
deserviceof freoncoolantloopnumber 1; water pray boiler checkout and service;

main propulsion system leak and functional checks. STS 61 scheduled work:

Orbiter/external tank umbilical door functional test and the star tracker door

functional test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Aug. 25, 1993.]

II ADVISORY: MARS OBSERVER

JPL's von Karman Auditorium was the sight of today's Mars Observer News

Conference. Mars Observer Project Manager Glenn Cunningham will discuss the

outcome of the spacecraft's onboard "command lost timer,' which would have

clocked out at approximately 2:15 p.m. today and instructed the spacecraft to wait

for commands from Earth. Cunningham acknowledged lack of receipt of the

communications signal and explained plans for continuing to uplink command

sequences to prompt the spacecraft to respond. Cunningham said, "The current

situation certainly erodes our prospects considerably. Every day without

communications clearly lessens our probability of success." [E_

ADVISORY, Aug. 25, 1993; Halvorson, FLORID. A TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 26,

1993.]

[1 STS 51: ENGINE TEST LOOMS

Tomorrow the three new main engines of Discovery will be tested; the two-day

test cycle will commence today and continue until tomorrow. The goal is to

ensure that the engines can be steered properly while in flight. Launch of STS 51

remains slated for September 10. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug.

26, 1993.]

August 26: STS 51: TEMPERATURE SENSORS INSTALLED

At Launch Complex 39]3, technicians have installed liquid oxygen dome

temperature sensors; they have also completed main engine securing operations

and main engine and propulsion system leak checks. Work in progress: flight

readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces; hydraulic circulation and

sampling; spacesuit installation into Orbiter; preparations for helium signature test.

STS 51 work scheduled: replace external tank and solid rocket booster batteries;

retest multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM); spacesuit functional checkout; helium

signature test and ordnance connections. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHIYI'I_E STATUS REPORT, Aug. 26, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

Aug. 26, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. Aug. 27, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 14, 1993.]

173
I]

II

I1

I1

STS 58: SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES-2

Columbia continues to remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 3;

rollout to LC 39B will occur four to five days after Discovery's STS 51 mission

commences. Workers in the VAB have completed their leak cheeks of Columbia's

main propulsion system. Currently, workers' tasks include: Orbiter crew module

cleaning operations; Shuttle interface test; solid rocket booster hydraulic operations

and Orbiter/external tank umbilical closeouts. A flight control frequency response

test has been scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, Aug. 26, 1993.]

STS 61: lIST MISSION

Endeavour is being processed for its next mission - STS 61 - in OPF bay 1.

Workers have completed the installation of the drag chute and deservieing freon

coolant loop number 1. Payload integration operations are finished as is the

installation of auxiliary power unit number 3. Work in progress: installation of

the 5th cryogenic tank set; thruster feedline installation and mechanical fitting

operations; auxiliary power unit number 3 leak and functional checks; freon

coolant loop pump package inspections; water spray boiler checkout and service;

main propulsion system leak and functional checks; move forward reaction control

system to OPF. STS 61 work scheduled: Orbiter/external tank umbilical door

functional test; star tracker door functional test; installation of forward reaction

control system on Orbiter. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE StKITI_E

STATUS REPORT, Aug. 26, 1993.]

NOAA-13 INVESTIGATION

A 12-member panel of experts from NASA and NOAA has been named to

investigate the failure of the NOAA-13 meteorological satellite, officials at

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), said today. Dr. Shelby Tilford,

Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth, NASA

Headquarters, and Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Chief Scientist, NOAA, requested Dr.

John M, Klineberg, Goddard Center Director, to name the investigation board.

The board will investigate and to the extent possible, determine the cause of the

spacecraft failure and recommend corrective actions which will minimize or

preclude the possibility of similar future failures. Klineberg named Je_miah

Madden, Associate Director of Flight Projects at Goddard, as board chairman.

[NASA/KSC RELEASE. NO. 93-154, Aug. 26, 1993.]

MARS OBSERVER INVESTIGATION BOARD

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today named Dr. Timothy Coffey, Director

of Research at the Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, D.C.), to head the

174
reviewboardto investigatethelossof contactwith theMarsObserverSpacecraft.

Membershipof the boardwill be announcedin thevery nearfuture. The board

will investigateand determine,to the extentpossible,the causeof the loss of

communicationsandrecommendcorrectiveactionto preventarecurrencein future

missions. Communicationwith the Mars Observerwas lost at 6 p.m.PDT on

Saturday,August 21, threedaysbeforethe craft'scapturein orbit aroundMars.

Thespacecraftwassetto enterorbit aroundMars at approximately1:30p.m.PDT

on Tuesday,August 24. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO, 93-153, Aug. 26, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-7, Aug. 26, 1993; "NASA

Orders Probe of Spacecraft Loss," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 27, 1993;

Meyer, FLORIDA TODAY, Aug. 28, 1993; "NASA Chief Appoints Group to

Look Into Another Mars Shot," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 1, 1993.]

August 27: COSTELLO & SONS CONTRACT

Costello & Sons Co. (Merritt Island, FL) has been awarded a $362,000 contract

to renovate the Occupational Health Facility (OI-IF) in the Industrial Area at

Kennedy Space Center. This contract covers work on the east wing of the OI-IF.

The work will involve the removal of asbestos insulation from the ceiling and

replacement of the tile, installation of additional plumbing and modification and

expansion of some existing rooms. Other work includes revisions to heating and

air conditioning ductwork, lighting and the replacement of fire detectors. The

work will be performed in three phases to allow the OHF to be fully operational

at all times. Costello & Sons will also provide a temporary trailer for office space

to accommodate four doctors throughout the contract period. The OI-IF is one of

two medical facilities operated at KSC by Base Operations Contractor EG&G

Florida, Inc. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 101-93, Aug. 27, 1993.]

II STS 51: FRT COMPLETED

Technicians at Launch Complex 39B have stowed spacesuits in Discovery's airlock

as part of pre-launch preparations for the STS 51 mission. A flight readiness test

of the three main engines has also been completed. Work in progress: spacesuit

functional checkout; preparations for helium signature test of main engines and

main propulsion system; cycling aerosurfaces; retesting multiplexer/demultiplexer

(MDM). STS 51 work scheduled: replacement of the external tank and solid

rocket booster batteries; helium signature test; ordnance connections; topping off

Discovery's auxiliary power units and pressurization of the boosters' hydraulic

power units. The launch window for STS 51 on September 10 will be from 7:38

a.m. until 9:42 a.m.; the mission is planned to last for just under 10 days.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 27,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 27, 1993; Halvorson,

FLOR/DA TODAY, Aug. 28, 1993.]

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STS 61: ENDEAVOUR PROCF_SING UPDATE

Endeavour is in the OPF bay 1 where it is being processed for its mission to

repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Work currently underway includes:

functional testing of the external tank doors; preparations to install the forward

reaction control system; 5th cryogenic tank set installation; thruster feedline

installation and mechanical fitting operations; auxiliary power unit number three

leak and functional checks; freon coolant loop pump package inspections. STS

61 work scheduled: star tracker door functional test; installation of the forward

reaction control system on Endeavour. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

S_E STATUS REPORT, Aug. 27, 1993.]

MARS OBSERVER STATUS

The Mars Observer flight team has not been able to reestablish communication

with the spacecraft despite repeated efforts to prompt the spacecraft to respond.

A command sequence to "reboot" the spacecraft's central computer was sent at

4:30 a.m. PDT on August 27. Commands are sent to the spacecraft assuming it

is in orbit around Mars, and to another area of the sky assuming the spacecraft

flew by Mars and is now in a heliocentric orbit around the sun. The same

commands were reradiated at 1:07 a.m. to the coordinates of the heliocentric orbit.

If the command to "cold boot" the spacecraft's central computer system was

successful, the spacecraft would enter a sating mode. This mode is more serious

than the contingency mode that Mars Observer was switching to during its cruise

to Mars. Safe mode is entered in response to a spacecraft hardware anomaly.

Flight controllers will wait 65 hours to hear back from the spacecraft. With that

option exercised, the team will have utilized all presently understood recovery

approaches. They would then begin a "listen only" vigil in the event that the

spacecraft's on-board fault protection would be able to restore communication with

the ground. [MARS OBSERVER _SION STATUS, Aug. 27, 1993.]

KSC/FIZ)RIDA SIGN AGREEMENT

Kennedy Space Center Director Robert L Cfippen and Governor Lawton Chiles

recently signed an agreement which will speed the transfer of technology

developed in the space program to private industry. Transferring information and

technology to the private sector is one of NASA's chartered responsibilities and

has greatly benefited the general public and the national economy over the years.

Crippen points out the significance of this agreement is that - for the first time -

NASA and a state government have set aside money to help develop commercial

products using NASA technology. Each party has designated one million dollars

spread over the next two years to implement projects under this pact. Under the

dual-use partnership, KSC will identify specific NASA technology that has

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potential commercial uses. A goal is to share the development costs with an

industrial partner in order to achieve the greatest return. The State of Florida,

through the Titusville based Technological Research and Development Authority,

will identify products and industries that are most likely to benefit from

technology and to provide resources and support for promoting the transfer. "This

agreement serves as a pipeline that will carry advanced technology developed for

our nation's space program into the market place - in the form of innovative,

practical products," said Gov. Chiles. "This agreement is believed to be directly

on track with our administration's new direction for technology development," said

Crippen. "It is in our nation's best interests to return our technological investment

to our citizens, and I applaud the State of Florida for assisting industry in sharing

this return on our investment." Presentations are planned for the annual Space

Congress symposium held in Cocoa Beach. A joint annual report will be made

to summarize activities resulting from the intergovernmental cooperative

agreement. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 105-93, Aug. 27, 1993; "NASA/Florida

Pen Agreement," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Sept. 12, 1993.]

August 29: ORBITER PAINTING IN,,_LC 39 AREA

A 22-foot image o a Space Shuttle has been painted on the side of a water tower

next to the Vehicle Assembly Building by employees of EG&G Florida Inc. "The

painting is the result of an employee suggestion to increase morale in the Launch

Complex 39 area," said Larry Slonn of NASA's Roads, Grounds, and Heavy

Equipment Branch. ["Orbiter Painted to Lift Morale," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

10E, Aug. 29, 1993.]

August 30: PREPARATIONS CONTINUE FOR STS 51

Workers at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 will conduct a check of

Discovery's thruster system that steers the Shuttle in orbit, according to KSC

spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The Orbiter's three main engines have already

been replaced at the pad. NASA had planned to move Discovery off the launch

pad if Hurricane Emily threatened to make landfall in the Brevard County area;

those plans were aborted when Emily moved away from the county and headed

north. [Reitz, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 30, 1993.]

I1 CAPE ROCKET LAUNCHES THIS WEEK

The Air Force will launch a Delta 2 rocket today between 8:38 a.m. to 9:04 a.m.;

the rocket will launch a Navstar Global Positioning System satellite. On

September 3, a General Dynamics Commercial Atlas rocket will launch carrying

a Hughes Communications Inc. communications satellite. The launch window for

the General Dynamics launch is between 6:59 a.m. and 8:19 a.m. [I-Ialvorson,

FLOR._. A TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 30, 1993.]

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STS 51: SPACF_UITS INSTALLED

Discovery continues to undergo preparations for its September 10 STS 51 mission.

Completed tasks include: flight readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces;

hydraulic circulation and sampling; retest multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM);

spacesuit installation into Orbiter and functional checkout; replacement of external

tank and solid rocket booster batteries; helium signature test. Work in progress:

X-ray main engine hydraulic quick disconnects; open payload bay doors; crew

module hatch functional checks; orbital maneuvering system helium tank

pressurization. STS 51 work scheduled: ordnance connections; launch countdown

preparations; aft engine compartment closeouts. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 30, 1993; Reitz, FLORIDA

TODAY, Aug. 30, 1993.]

STS 58: SHUTI'LE INTERFACE TEST

Columbia's Shuttle interface test has been completed. Workers in the Vehicle

Assembly Building's high bay 3 have also completed Orbiter/external tank

umbilical operations and solid rocket booster hydraulic operations. Today,

workers are conducting Orbiter crew module cleaning operations. A flight control

frequency response test will be conducted tomorrow, August 31. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 30, 1993.]

STS 61: FRCS INSTALLED

In OPF bay 1, Endeavour's forward reaction control system has been installed.

Other tasks completed in the course of the Orbiter's STS 61 processing include:

auxiliary power unit number three leak and functional checks; freon coolant loop

pump package inspection; water spray boiler checkout and service; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; move forward reaction control

system to OPF; installation of the fifth cryogenic tank set. Work in progress:

fifth cryogenic tank set leak checks; thruster feedline mechanical fitting checks;

ammonia boiler checks; freon coolant loop operations; Orbiter vent door functional

checks; forward reaction control system electrical connections and interface

verifications. STS 61 work scheduled: Orbiter/external tank umbilical door

functional test; star tracker door functional test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 30, 1993.]

DELTA 2 LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

The Air Force successfully launched its Delta 2 this morning at 8:38 a.m.; the

launch was the 44th consecutive launch success for the McDonnell Douglas Space

Systems Co. (Huntington Beach, CA). The Delta carried the 25th Global

Positioning System satellite into orbit. According to Air Force spokeswoman Teni

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Bracher, the GPS system can pinpoint the location of military ships, planes and

ground troops to within 50 feet anywhere in the world and was used widely during

the War in the Persian Gulf. [Thompson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 31,

1993.]

II ENDEAVOUR MUST FLY BY DEC. 10

"We will not slide the launch [of Endeavour] into the Christmas and New Year's

time frame," said NASA mission director Randy Bfinldey. NASA officials said

today that unless Endeavour flies its Hubble Space Telescope repair mission by

December 10, the mission would be delayed until 1994. "And based on the last

six months," Brinkley said, "I'm sure you recognize there is a distinct possibility

that we may in fact have to delay the launch .... " [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 31, 1993.]

II ACTS CHECKI_,D BEFORE LAUNCH

"We don't expect there to be any problem. This [the checking] is something

routinely done to see if there is any commonality" with the Advanced

Communications Technology Satellite and the lost Mars Observer spacecraft,

according to KSC spokesman George Diller. A possible cause of the Mars

Observer failure is the presence of a bad transistor like those found on the NOAA13 satellite which was lost the same day as the Mars Observer. [Tamman,

FLORIDA TODAy, p. 2A, Aug. 31, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Sept. 1,

1993.]

August 31: MARS OBSERVER STATUS

The Mars Observer flight team is meeting today to discuss the possible

ramifications of attempting another command sequence to switch the "redundant

crystal oscillator" -- the "quartz crystal" of the spacecraft's internal clock, from the

backup to the primary unit. No commanding will occur today. The earliest time

that the team would begin another command sequence would be late afternoon on

Wednesday, September 1. A decision to try to "cold boot" the spacecraft's backup

computer system was also deferred yesterday. Analysis by flight team groups

indicated greater potential risk to other spacecraft subsystem elements in doing so

than was deemed necessary. [MARS OBSERVER MISSION STATUS, Aug. 31,

1993.]

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SEFrEMBER

September 1: TOS HEALTH CHECK

At Launch Complex 39B, workers have completed a state-of-health check on the

Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) in the payload bay of Discovery. Pad technicians

preparing the Orbiter for next week's STS 51 launch also completed a checkout

of the solid rocket booster hydraulic system. Work in progress on STS 51:

ordnance connections; application of foam insulation to Orbiter engine interface

lines; installation of aft skirt thermal curtains; installation of main engine heat

shield carrier panels and countdown preparations in Firing Room 1. STS 51 work

scheduled: external tank purges; start of aft closeouts; Advanced Communications

Technology Satellite (ACTS) functional test; ORFEUS argon servicing. [STS 51

SPACE SHUTIZE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 1, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, Sept. 2, 1993.]

I] MARS OBSERVER MISSION STATUS

The Mars Observer flight team is meeting again today to discuss various

commands that might be viable options in the next few days. No commanding

will occur today. The command sequence to switch the "redundant crystal

oscillator" - the "quartz crystal" of the spacecraft's lateral clock - from the backup

to the primary unit was under consideration today. A sequence to attempt to "cold

boot" the spacecraft's backup computer system was also under consideration.

[MARS OBSERVER MISSION STATUS, Sept. 1, 1993.]

I1 GOI,D!N ANNOUNCED NEW MARS OBJT_L-qlVE

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced the establishment of a

study team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA), to explore

possibilities for a return mission to Mars to recover some of the scientific

objectives of the Mars Observer mission, if communications with that spacecraft

cannot be reestablished. The study team, led by Dr. Charles Elachi (Assistant

Laboratory Director at JPL) will look at a variety of low-cost spacecraft,

instrument and launch options, with the objective of returning to Mars in 1994 or

1996. The team will review spacecraft and instrument options from industry and

government, including Mars Observer spares and possibly international

contributions. The team is expected to present potential mission options to NASA

within the next two months. [NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-15.7, Sept. 1, 1993;

"NASA May Send New Mars Probe," FLORI'D..A TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 3, 1993.]

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w

[1 COLUMBIA/ENDEAVOUR STATUS

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, a frequency response test of the Orbiter's flight

controls was rescheduled from yesterday to today. The test was postponed after

a leak developed in a hydraulic fluid supply line on ground support equipment.

In OPF bay 1, technicians are installing auxiliary power unit No. 2 in Endeavour's

aft compartment and flood lights inside the payload bay. [STS 51 SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 1, 1993.]

September 2: STS 51: ORDNANCE CONNECTIONS

Ordnance connections have been made at Launch Complex 39B where

preparations continue for Discovery's launch on the STS 51 mission. Solid rocket

booster aft skirt thermal curtains have been installed as have been the main engine

heat shields and carrier panels. Work in progress: main engine compartment

closeouts; avionics bay closeouts; application of foam insulation to #3 engine

interface lines; external tank purge; countdown preparations in Firing Room 1 for

8:00 a.m. September 7 start. [STS 51 SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 2, 1993.]

[1 STS 58/61 STATUS REPORT

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the frequency response test of the Orbiter's

flight controls continues. Columbia's STS 58 mission is now targeted for early

October. Endeavour continues to undergo processing activities in OPF bay 1. In

the bay, verification testing of the forward reaction control system continues, the

air data probe is being aligned in preparation for a deployment test, and leak

checks to the PRSD cryogenic reactant system are in work. Installation of the

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver is complete. At Pad 39A, tanker

trucks have been delivering liquid oxygen to refill the storage tanks for

Endeavour's December launch. [STS 51 SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 2, 1993.]

I1 U.S./RUSSIAN SPACE PACI"

Vice President A! GeE, decreeing a virtual end to the space race of thirty years

ago, today announced a major space agreement with Russia. The two nations

agreed to collaborate to build an international space station that would cut costs

and speed up construction of the station. Gore said the pact will produce a space

station that "will be significantly better than any of the options that we could orbit

on our own. There is a natural fit between important components of the Russian

program and the American program that allow our cooperative work to produce

a superior station at lower costs." The astronaut/cosmonaut exchange program

will also be expanded. Russian Prime Minister Victor Chemomyrdin said, "It is

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time to leave behind the vestiges of the Cold War and reach for a new partnership

between the United States and Russia." [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY., pp. 1A2A, Sept. 3, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 3, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 4, 1993; "U.S., Russia Agree to Cooperate

In Energy Development, Space," TI-IE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, Sept. 3,

1993.]

September 3: GENERAL DYNAMICS ATLAS LAUNCH

Today, General Dynamics will launch its Atlas rocket carrying another Navy

communications satellite; earlier in the year a launch of the same sort and identical

payload failed. The Navy's project director, Capt. John Long said, "We're very

satisfied with the work General Dynamics has done in preparing this launch

vehicle following our failure." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 3, 1993;

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1B, Sept. 4, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-7, Sept. 3, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 4,

1993.]

I1 TECHNOLOGY/EDUCATION INITIATIVES

Today NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goidin, U. S. Senator Robert C. Byrd and

U. S. Representative Alan B. Mollohan participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for two NASA projects with national potential at the Wheeling Jesuit

College (Wheeling, West Virginia). The two programs are the Classroom of the

Future and the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC). The Classroom of

the Future is a leading-edge, educational technology initiative to improve the

quality of science, mathematics and technology education. It is a "laboratory" to

develop stimulating, interactive multimedia curriculum materials and model preservice and in-service teacher education programs.

The National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) operates a national gateway

service that assists U.S. firms in rapidly locating federal laboratory technology and

provides the associated technology transfer assistance. The NTTC gateway

service, which began in October 1992, currently handles between 200 to 300

technological inquiries from industry every month. Other key NTTC activities

include technology transfer training and education services, outreach to industry

to promote federal technology transfer and initiatives to stimulate private/public

technology partnerships with federal labs and to further develop the national

network. ['NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-158. Sept. 3, 1993.]

II MARS OBSERVER BOARD NAMED

Dr. Timothy Coffey, Chairman of the Mars Observer Investigation Board, today

recommended the remaining board members for approval by NASA Administrator

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Daniel S. Goldin. In accepting the recommendations, Goldin said, "I have full

confidence that the board will do its utmost in providing a thorough and

systematic review to determine the cause for the loss of communications with

Mars Observer." Dr. Coffey, who is Director of Research at the Naval Research

Laboratory (NRL, Washington, D.C.) said, "The members were selected based on

their significant experience in the development, acquisition and operation of space

systems."

The board will investigate and determine, to the extent possible, the cause of the

loss of communications and recommend corrective actions to prevent a recurrence

in future missions. The board plans to present its findings to the NASA

Administrator in late November. A final report will be released and made public

after final acceptance by the NASA Administrator. The board includes: "l'nomas

C. Betterton, Rear Admiral, United States Navy; Peter G. Wilhelm, Director of

Naval Center for Space Technology, NRL; Dr. Michael D. Griffin, Chief Engineer,

NASA; Dr. Joseph Janni, Chief Scientist, Air Force Philips Laboratory; Dr.

Kaflwyn D. Sullivan, Chief Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration. Communication with the Mars Observer was lost at 6 p.m. PDT

on Saturday, August 21; the spacecraft was set to enter Mars orbit at

approximately 1:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, August 24. [NASA/KSC RELEASE:

93-159 Sept. 3, 1993.]

STS 51: PRE-LAUNCH STATUS

At Launch Complex 3913, technicians have completed ordnance connections on

Discovery for its September 12 STS 51 mission. In addition, external tank purges

and main engine foaming operations have been completed. Work in progress:

Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts; launch countdown preparations; ACTS

functional test and battery charging; ORFEUS gaseous argon servicing. STS 51

work scheduled: start of countdown at 8 a.m.; aft confidence test; ACTS health

checks; close payload bay doors for flight. [Banke, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 3, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 4, 1993.]

STS 58/61 UPDATES

Columbia's STS 58 mission to deploy Spacelab Life Sciences-2 is scheduled for

sometime in early October and last for two weeks. The flight control frequency

response test has been completed and hydraulic circulation and sampling

operations are underway. Work to X-ray the auxiliary power units is scheduled.

Meanwhile, processing operations for Endeavour's STS 61 mission have continued

as well. The mission is targeted for early December and is designed to service

and repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Completed tasks include: flood light

installation; thruster feedline mechanical fitting checks; Orbiter/external tank

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umbilical door functional test; star tracker door functional test; ammonia boiler

checks; Orbiter vent door functional checks; forward reaction control system

electrical connections, interface verifications and trickle purge initiation and

window number 5 installation. Work in progress for STS 61: cryogenic tank set

pressurization and leak checks; freon coolant loop deserviee operations; auxiliary

power unit installation and tests. Crew module leak tests are scheduled.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 3,

1993.]

KOHRS

Richard H. I_hrs, Director, Space Station Freedom, is retiring from NASA today

after 30 years of service to the space agency in Houston and in Washington, D.C.

"Mr. Kohrs has made many significant contributions to NASA and to the Apollo,

Space Shuttle and Space Station programs over the last 3 decades," said Arnold

Aldrich, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Systems Development. "His

outstanding program management abilities are unique in the agency. His talents

will be sorely missed. For Space Station Freedom, Dick built a strong and

effective program organization which stood the test despite continuing cycles of

reassessment and restructure. With each review, the Space Station became a

stronger and more effectively focused program. He has been an immensely

respected leader for Space Station Freedom within NASA, our international

partners, the program contractors, on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch."

[NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-160. Sept. 3, 1993; "Freedom Designer Kohrs

Resigns," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 4, 1993; "Space Station Chief Retires

As Project Faces Overhaul," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 4, 1993.]

DISCOVERY GETS NEW SOF'I'WARE

NASA has installed new launch software in Discovery in order to circumvent

another last minute main-engine shutdown. It would allow Discovery to liftoff

even if the same engine problem which occurred last month occurred again. The

software change was just one of many updates. The new software was tested

before it was installed just before Discovery's fourth launch attempt. [Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-1 & A-8, Sept, 4, 1993.]

September 7: STS 51 LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

Late Friday evening (September 3) mission managers rescheduled the launch of

STS 51 for Sunday (September 12) to allow engineers and managers additional

time to complete a review concerning the ACTS payload. Specifically, the ACTS

Independent Review Team is reexamining the spacecraft's design, production and

testing heritage while verifying the readiness of the spacecraft for launch. STS

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51 tasks which have now been completed include: Orbiter aft engine compartment

closeouts; ACTS functional test and health checks and ORFEUS gaseous argon

servicing. Work in progress: launch countdown preparations; aft confidence tests;

payload vertical closeouts; ACTS battery charging. STS 51 work scheduled: start

of the countdown at 8 a.m. September 9 at T-43 hours; closing of the payload

doors for flight. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 4A, Sept. 1, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Sept. 2, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

Sept. 5, 1993; KENNE.DY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUFFLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 7, 1993; Minis, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 8, 1993;

"Shuttle Work Will Resume After Holiday," FLORIDA TODAY. Sept. 6, 1993;

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 9, 1993.]

STS 58: APU'S X-RAYED

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia is in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high

bay 3 for processing prior to its rollout for the STS 58 mission. The Orbiter's

auxiliary power units have been X-rayed. Today technicians are conducting

hydraulic leak checks and circulation and sampling operations. Rollout will

follow Discovery's STS 51 launch on Sunday, September 12. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Sept. 7, 1993.]

STS 61 PROCESSING UPDATE

In OPF bay 1, technicians have completed freon coolant loop deservice operations

in preparation for Endeavour's STS 61 mission in December. Work in progress:

cryogenic tank set pressurization and leak checks; auxiliary power unit installation

and tests; orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the

Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 1. Crew module leak tests are scheduled.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTYLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 7,

1993.]

ONEIDA CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD

Oneida Construction Co. (Mims, FL) has been awarded a $180,548 contract to

construct a contract bid information center at the Gate 2 Pass and Identification

Building at Kennedy Space Center. Officially, the facility will be known as

KSC's Central Industry Assistance Office and will be regularly staffed with NASA

procurement employees. The center will be housed in a 1,950-square-foot addition

to the present structure on State Route 3 at KSC's southern boundary. The small

business firm will have until January 15, 1994, to complete construction and

installation of equipment to upgrade the structure's existing heating, ventilation and

air conditioning system.

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Members of the public will be able to review all NASA contract bid openings at

the new center without having to enter KSC. Previously, potential bidders had to

obtain a temporary badge to gain access to the Headquarters Building in order to

review contract solicitations. Federal regulations prohibit unbadged or unescorted

access to KSC. Representatives of the prime Kennedy Space Center contractor

companies will also be use the center to provide information on bidding for their

subcontracts. NASA procurement officials hope the center will help the general

public receive information in a more timely fashion to meet bid submission

deadlines. [KSC Release No. 107-93, Sept. 7, 1993; "Bid Info Center Springs to

Life," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Sept. 12, 1993.]

September 9: STS 51 COUNTDOWN STARTS ON SCHEDULE

The countdown for launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its STS 51 mission

began as scheduled today at 8 a.m. EDT, at the T-43 hour mark. This marks the

beginning of the fourth launch attempt of the Orbiter Discovery since launch was

scrubbed on July 17 and 24 due to technical problems and again, most recently,

on August 12. Additionally, launch was postponed from August 4 until August

12 due to concerns regarding the Perseid meteor shower and from September 10

to 12 due to concerns with the Advanced Technology Satellite (ACTS) payload.

The countdown includes 28 hours and 45 minutes of built-in hold time leading to

the opening of the launch window at 7:45 a.m. (EDT) September 12. The 1 hour,

55 minute window extends until 9:40 a.m.

A primary objective of this mission is the deployment of the ACTS and its

Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). ACTS/TOS is the latest in NASA's series of

advanced communications satellites and a test-bed for technology which will be

used in future operational satellites. Also, the Orbiting Retrievable Far and

Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (ORFEUS-SPAS) payload

will be deployed and retrieved during this mission. Also on board is the

Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment, the Chromosome and

Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment, and the IMAX camera.

In addition, astronauts Jim Newman and Carl Walz are scheduled to perform a sixhour spacewalk on the fifth day of the mission as a continuation of a series of test

spacewalks to increase experience and refine training methods. They will work

with several tools that may be used during the servicing of the Hubble Space

Telescope mission later this year. Today in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control

Center, the KSC launch team is verifying systems to assure that the Shuttle is

powered up and that the data processing and backup flight control systems are

operating trouble free. [KSC Release No. 112-93, Sept. 9, 1993.]

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II STS 51: COUNTDOWN STARTS

The countdown for Discovery's launch began today at 8 a.m. at the T-43 hour

mark. Forecasters indicate a 30 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch

with the primary concerns being a chance of showers and possible cloud ceilings

below 8,000 feet. The five member crew for this mission are scheduled to arrive

at KSC at about 1 p.m. today. Crew members are Commander Frank Culberlson,

Pilot William Readdy, and Mission Specialists Jim Newman, Dan Bursch and Cad

Walz. STS 51 work completed include: Advanced Communications Technology

Satellite (ACTS) battery charging; crew equipment closeouts; launch preparations.

Mission processing work today: verification of Shuttle power on systems, data

processing and flight control systems; stowage of mid-deck and flight deck

supplies and payloads; preparations for power reactant and storage distribution

system operations; Orbiter and payload bay closeouts; retraction of payload ground

handling mechanism; closing of payload bay doors; crew arrival; repressurization

of orbital maneuvering system with gaseous nitrogen. STS 51 work scheduled:

loading cryogenic reactants into the onboard power reactant storage and

distribution system tanks; retraction of the rotating service structure; external tank

loading operations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHLrITLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 9, 1993.]

II STS 51 CREW ARRIVAL

The five member crew of Discovery's STS 51 mission arrived today at Kennedy

Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility; the time was 1:36 p.m. The crew met

reporters at the SLF in what is a Shuttle tradition, As reported in FLORIDA

TODAY, "It's one for the money," Discovery Commander Frank Culbertson sang

out...." "Two for the show," said Pilot Bill Readdy. "Three to get ready," piped

in Mission Specialist oSm Newman. "And four is to GO!" astronaut Daniel Bmsch

shouted, stabbing a fist in the air. NASA Test Director Bill Dowdell commented

in a more sober tone, "We've said all along that we will launch when we're ready."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 10, 1993.]

September 10: LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS

The countdown for Discovery's STS 51 launch continues today without problem.

The pad will be closed for most of today for the loading of the onboard cryogenic

tanks with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. These reactants

provide electricity to the Orbiter while in space and drinking water for the crew.

The pad was closed to all personnel at about 8 a.m. Cryogenic flow began about

10 a.m. and will last for about 5 hours. Following this operation the Orbiter midbody umbilical unit will be demated, Orbiter communications activation will start

and final vehicle and facility closeouts will begin. Tomorrow, preparations will

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[1

be made to retract the rotating service structure to launch position at about 11 a.m.

Tanking is scheduled to begin at about 11:25 p.m. Saturday (September 11). The

payload bay doors were closed yesterday at 3:30 p.m. following the completion

of all payload bay operations.

Two mid-deck experiments will be installed into the Orbiter tomorrow. The

Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment will be installed at 7:45

a.m. and the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX)

experiment will be installed beginning at about 4:30 p.m. Forecasters indicate a

20 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch with the primary concerns

being possible showers and a low cloud ceiling. The winds at the pad are

expected to be from the northeast at 5 to 7 knots; temperature 74-80 degrees F.;

visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 2,500 and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and

48-hour delay forecasts reveal an increasing threat of showers and isolated storms

at KSC during the launch window and list a 40 percent chance of violation each

day. The five-member astronaut crew for this mission arrived at KSC's Shuttle

Landing Facility yesterday at about 1:30 p. m. Today they will be involved with

checking out their mission plans and fit checks of their equipment. They are

scheduled for some free time this afternoon and will be ready for sleep at about

5 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at about 2:30 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUT'IZE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 10, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 11, 1993.]

BOC EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER

NASA announced today that the Kennedy Space Center Base Operations Contract

(BOC) currently held by EG&G Florida, Inc., has been extended for one additional

month. Exercising one of three, one-month, options to the existing contract, this

action covers the period from October 1 to October 3 l, 1993, and is valued at

$14,168,019. One of three major contracts at KSC, the BOC provides a wide

variety of services to the center including management, operations, maintenance

and engineering for KSC facilities and utilities, technical and administrative

operations, health, fire and security services. EG&G Florida has held the Base

Operations Contract for the past l0 years and is one of four companies involved

in a re-competition. [KSC Release No. 113-93, Sept. 10, 1993.]

CORDOVA NAMED NASA CHIEF SCIENTIST

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced today that Dr. France Anne

Cordova, head of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department at Pennsylvania

State University, will assume the responsibilities of NASA Chief Scientist

effective mid-October. She will be on extended detail from the University to

NASA. In this position, Cordova will be the Administrator's senior scientific

advisor. Also, she will be the principal interface between the Administrator and

188
the national and international science community to ensure that NASA programs

are universally regarded as scientifically and technologically well founded and are

appropriate for their intended applications. One of her critical duties will be to

coordinate an integrated strategic plan for all the scientific disciplines across

NASA. "NASA and the whole scientific community are indeed fortunate that Dr.

Cordova has agreed to assume this most important position. She brings to the

agency a wealth of professional experience and service," Goldin said.

[NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-162, Sept. 10, 1993.]

September 11: LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

The countdown for Discovery's STS 51 launch continues without problem today.

Yesterday work to load cryogenic fuels into the Orbiter storage tanks was

completed on time and the pad was reopened for the regularly scheduled

operations. Following fueling operations the Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit was

demated from the vehicle. Orbiter communications activation and final vehicle

and facility closeouts are continuing today. This morning, preparations are being

made to retract the rotating service structure to launch position. First motion

remains set for about 11 a.m. At about 11:25 p.m. tonight, operations will begin

to load the external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and

liquid oxygen. Operations toward that milestone are proceeding without problem.

Two mid-deck experiments are on the schedule for installation into the Orbiter

today. The Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment was installed

at 7:45 a.m. and the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX)

experiment will be installed beginning at about 4:30 p.m. Forecasters indicate a

30 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch tomorrow with the primary

concerns being possible showers and thunderstorms and a low cloud ceiling. The

winds at the pad are expected to be from the northeast at 5 to 7 knots; temperature

74-80 degrees F; visibility 7 miles; and clouds scattered at 2,500 and 10,000 feet

and broken at 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay forecast reveal an

increasing threat of showers and isolated storms at KSC during the launch window

and list a 30 percent chance of violation each day.

Today, the five-member astronaut crew for this mission have been given a briefing

on tomorrow's weather outlook and completed their review of launch day activities

and mission plans. All STS 51 crew members flew in the T-38 training aircraft

this morning. The crew will be granted several hours of free time this afternoon

and be ready for sleep at about 5 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at 2:50

a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'YI'LE STATUS REPORT, Sept.

11, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 11, 1993; Halvorson,

FLOR/DA TODAY, pp. 1A & 6A, Sept. 12, 1993.]

189
daP

September 12: SIS 51 LAUNCH SUCCESS

Everything worked perfectly this morning for Discovery; launch was right on time

at 7:45 a.m. EDT. Seven minutes after launch, however, a temperature sensor on

one of Discovery's main engines failed; a backup sensor came to the rescue.

Loren Shriver, former astronaut and Chairman of NASA's Mission Management

Team, said, "We're going to have to get more data on the sensor and some

analysis as to what caused it to go shoot off the scale." Launch Director Robert

B. Sieck spoke of the tense moments before launch, "As we went into the terminal

count, I think you could have heard a pin drop in the Launch Control Center."

Shriver added, "When you come through three countdowns like we did and have

two of them end very close in, there's a lot of work, a certain amount of letdown

when you have to come back and try it again. I think everybody was just kind

of extra alert and kind of sitting on the edge of the chair." [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 13, 1993.]

U FOSTER WINS SILVER SNOOPY

USBI's Judith Foster was recently awarded a Silver Snoopy by astronaut Charles

Precourt for making significant contributions to the manned space program. Foster

has been employed as a senior quality assurance technician for 14 years by USBI.

She was specifically recognized for identifying a problem with a fuse on some

ordnance by going beyond the normal inspection requirements. ["Foster Wins

Silver Snoopy," FLORIDA .TODAY, p. 9E, Sept. 12, 1993.]

II COLUMBIA'S PROBLEMS MAY CAUSE DELAY

Technical problems inside the Space Shuttle Columbia may cause its STS 58

mission launch to be delayed a week. Two of the Orbiter's auxiliary power units

are suspect and must be replaced so that NASA will have to push beyond the

target date of October 7 and assign a new, later, liftoff date. "We're still laying

the schedule out," according to Kennedy Space Center Launch Director Robert B.

Sieck "It will probably be somewhere around the 10th to the 15th, somewhere

within the second week of October." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept.

13, 1993.]

September 13: LrITLE PAD DAMAGE

KSC managers are reporting very minimal damage to Launch Complex 39B

following yesterday's successful launch of Discovery at 7:45 a.m. EDT. The twin

solid rocket boosters are due into the port early this afternoon. STS 51 is

expected to conclude with a Kennedy Space Center landing on September 22 at

190
4:04 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 13, 1993.]

l] STS 58: SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES-2

In the VAB, work has been completed on Columbia's external tank cavity purge.

Today, technicians will be conducting cavity purge checks and making external

tank/solid rocket booster pre-rollout preparations. Rollout of Columbia to Launch

Complex 39B is set for September 16 at 4:00 &m. The mission's terminal

countdown demonstration test is set for early next week followed by the launch

readiness review. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHI, YYILE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 13, 1993; "Columbia Heads for Launch Pad," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 10E, Sept. 12, 1993.]

II STS 61: PRF_LAUNCH TESTING CONTINUES

In OPF bay 1, technicians continue to ready Endeavour for rollover to the Vehicle

Assembly Building. Completed tasks include: replacement of payload bay flood

lights; ammonia boiler installation and pallet checks; crew module hatch and

functional tests. Work in progress: cryogenic tank set pressurization and leak

checks; freon coolant loop pump package installation and operational checks;

Orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in Vehicle

Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled: installation of window

number 5 and auxiliary power unit number 1. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 13, 1993.]

September 14: ST S 51 UPDATE

Discovery's twin solid rocket boosters arrived at Hanger AF at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station yesterday in the early afternoon. Disassembly and flight

assessments are in work today. The mobile launcher platform will be removed

from Launch Complex 39B tomorrow morning. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 14, 1993.]

II STS 58: ROLIA)UT SCHEDULED

Columbia will be rolled out to Launch Complex 39B on September 16 at 4 a.m.

Technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building have completed an Orbiter/external

tank cavity purge. Today, they are conducting LC 39B pad validations; pre-rollout

inspections; retracting service platforms and preparing to remove auxiliary power

units 1 and 3. Both the terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT) and the

launch readiness review (LRR) will be implemented early next week.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 14,

1993.]

191
[] STS 61: FLOODLIGHT REPLACED

Preparations for Endeavour's STS 61 mission continued in OPF bay 1.

Technicians have replaced the mid-port floodlight in the Orbiter's payload bay.

In addition, ammonia boiler installation and pallet checks and crew module hatch

and functional tests have been completed. Work in progress today: cryogenic

tank set pressurization and leak checks; main propulsion leak and functional tests;

freon coolant loop pump operational checks; installation of auxiliary power unit

number 1; ammonia boiler servicing operations; installation of window number 5;

Orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of the solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle

Assembly Building's high bay 1. Payload bay door functional checks and orbital

maneuvering system electrical circuit verifications are scheduled. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 14, 1993.]

September 15: STS 58: _pRE-ROLLOUT INSPECTIONS

Pre-rollout inspections for Columbia have been completed; rollout to Launch

Complex 39B is scheduled to occur tomorrow at 4:00 a.m. Preparations to

remove auxiliary power units 1 and 3 have been completed as part of the prelaunch processing for Columbia's STS 58 mission. The mission is expected to

commence in mid-October. Today workers are completing Pad 39B validations

and are implementing rollout preparations and the retraction of service platforms.

STS 58 work scheduled includes rollout tomorrow and TCDT and LRR tests early

next week. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 15, 1993.]

I1 STS 61: EARLY DECEMBER LAUNCH

Endeavour's freon coolant pump package has been installed during the Orbiter's

stay in OPF bay 1. Work in progress: cryogenic tank set pressurization and leak

checks; main propulsion leak and functional checks; install auxiliary power unit

number 1; freon coolant loop operational checks; install auxiliary power unit

number 1; ammonia boiler servicing operations; install window number 5; Orbiter

aft closeout operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly

Building high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled: payload bay door functional

checks; Orbital maneuvering system electrical circuit verifications. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTYLE STA_S REPORT. Sept. 15, 1993.]

September 16: STS 58: ROLLOUT DELAYED

Rollout of Columbia to Launch Complex 39B for its upcoming STS 58 mission

has been delayed until midnight tonight due to inclement weather forecasts

throughout the day. Rollout preparations had been completed and the service

platforms had been retracted. Pre-rollout inspections had been conducted. LC

192
39B pad validations were implemented today. STS 58 tasks scheduled: the

rollout and the terminal countdown demonstration test is set for early next week.

[-KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, Sept. 16,

1993.]

[1 STS 61: COOLANT LOOP SERVICED

Technicians in the Orbiter Processing Facility have completed Endeavour's coolant

loop servicing and operational checks. Work in progress today: install inertial

measurement unit; cryogenic tank set pressurization and leak checks; main

propulsion leak and functional checks; install auxiliary power unit number 1;

remove auxiliary power unit number 2; ammonia boiler servicing operations;

install window number 5; Orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of solid rocket

boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled:

payload bay door functional checks and orbital maneuvering system electrical

circuit verifications. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'ITLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 16, 1993.]

September 17: STS 58: COLUMBIA ROLLS TO PAD

Rollout to Launch Complex 39B began with first motion out of the Vehicle

Assembly Building at 10:57 p.m. last night. A minor motor generator problem on

the crawler transporter caused a brief delay in the stacked Shuttle's arrival at the

pad. KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "When we got up to the ramp, we

realized we couldn't make it up to the pad with only eight of the 16 motors. So

we had to back it back down." At the foot of the ramp, four additional motors

were started and the climb up to the pad was achieved. Ordinarily, the 4.2 mile

journey takes about six hours; today's was 11 hours. Pad validations are underway

at present. STS 58 work scheduled: terminal countdown demonstration test

(TCDT) is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 21; the STS 58 crew will arrive to participate in

the TCDT on Saturday; operations to remove and replace auxiliary power units

numbers 1 and 3. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 17, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Sept. 18, 1993.]

I1 SPACE STATION FIGHT RESUMES

Opponents of the Space Station Program - Senator Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.) and

Sen. James Sasser (D-TN-) - will introduce an amendment seeking to kill the

program. Their amendment would be added to an $87.9 billion appropriations bill

for a group of independent federal agencies which includes the Veterans

Administration and Department of Housing and Urban Development among others.

NASA's budget request of $14.6 billion, includes $2.1 billion for the Space Station

Program. ["Space Station Faces Big Fight," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Sept. 18,

1993; Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 22, 1993.]

193
II S.TS 61: APU #2 REMOVED

Endeavour continues to undergo processing for its upcoming STS 61 mission in

early December. Completed tasks include: cyrogenic tank set pressurization and

leak checks; installation of inertial measurement unit; removal of auxiliary power

unit number 2. Work in progress: main propulsion leak and functional checks;

installation of auxiliary power unit number 1; ammonia boiler servicing operations;

installation of window number 5; Orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of solid

rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 work

scheduled: payload bay door functional checks; orbital maneuvering system

electrical circuit verifications; installation of auxiliary power unit number 2.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, September

17, 1993.]

September 20: STS 58: CREW ARRIVES FOR TCDT

At Launch Complex 39B, pad validations for the STS 58 launch of Columbia were

completed after the Orbiter was hard down on the pad. The STS 58 crew arrived

to participate in the terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT). Work in

progress today: terminal countdown demonstration test which began at 8:30 a.m.,

T-O set for 11 a.m. September 21; operations to remove and replace auxiliary

power units numbers 1 and 3; main engine valve cycle checks; preparations for

helium signature test. STS 58 work scheduled: helium signature test and inertial

measurement unit tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20, 1993.]

II STS 61: WINDOW NUMBER 5 INSTALLED

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 have installed Endeavour's

window number 5 and have installed and checked out the payload bay flood

lights. Work in progress includes: installation of the chin panel; servicing the

freon coolant loop; payload bay closeouts; main propulsion leak and functional

checks; installation of auxiliary power units 1 and 2; ammonia boiler servicing

operations; Orbiter aft closeout operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the

Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled: payload bay

door functional checks; orbital maneuvering system electrical circuit verifications.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20,

1993.]

194
[1 STS 51: DISCOVERY'S LANDING

Nine days after launch from Complex 39's Pad B, Space Shuttle Discovery is

scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center, and possibly achieve the first

KSC night landing. The first landing opportunity is on orbit 143 at 5:28 a.m.

EDT tomorrow. A second opportunity is available at KSC one orbit later on orbit

144 and occurs six minutes before sunrise at 7:03 a.m. In each case the retro

maneuver, or deorbit bum, is scheduled to occur 57 minutes before the planned

touchdown. A landing opportunity is available at KSC on Wednesday (September

22) at 3:56 a.m. and also at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, at 3:47 a.m. EDT.

[NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 117-93, Sept. 20, 1993.]

September 21: DISCOVERY'S LANDING POSTPONED

Two landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center were waved off today due to

the potential for rain within 30 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. There are

two KSC landing opportunities tomorrow: 3:56 a.m. EDT on orbit 158 (deorbit

burn at 2:57 a.m.) and 5:31 a.m. on orbit 159 (deorbit bum at 4:33 &m.). Also,

there are three landing opportunities tomorrow at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

_N'NEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 21,

1993.]

[1 STS 58: APUS REPLACED

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have removed and replaced auxiliary power

units 1 and 3 on Columbia. Main engine valve cycle checks have also been

completed. Work in progress at the pad: the terminal countdown demonstration

test for STS 58; leak checks of replacement auxiliary power units 1 and 3; inertial

measurement unit calibration tests; preparations for helium signature test. STS 58

work scheduled: helium signature test and pre-launch propellant loads.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 21,

1993.]

I! STS 61: FLOOD LIGHTS INSTALLED

Endeavour is nearing the end of its current stay in OPF bay 1 and a number of

tasks have been completed: main propulsion leak and functional checks;

installation of auxiliary power unit 1, window number 5 and the payload bay flood

lights which have also been checked. Work in progress today: installation of the

chin panel; servicing of the freon coolant loop; payload bay closeouts; orbital

maneuvering system electrical circuit verifications; installation of auxiliary power

unit 2; ammonia boiler servicing operations; Orbiter aft closeout operations;

stacking of solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1.

195
Payload bay door functional checks are scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CE_R

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Sept. 21, 1993.]

September 22: NIGHT LANDING "BEAUTIFUL"

"It was beautiful. I just had the most incredible vista you could imagine," said

Shuttle Pilot William Readdy. "As we were making our descent, we could see the

hangars at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and we could see down Cocoa Beach

and everything." Commander Frank Culberlson, described the landing as being

"just like training." Discovery and her five-member crew safely touched down at

KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at 3:56 a.m. EDT today in what was the

first nighttime Shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center. "It's nice to have the

first one under your belt," said KSC Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sleek The

Orbiter traveled over 4.1 million miles prior to the nominal touchdown on SLF

runway 15. Preliminary measurements show the Orbiter touched down about

2,150 feet from the runway 15 threshold. Rollout distance was about 8,350 feet.

The vehicle was towed from the SLF beginning at about 7:30 a.m. and was

spotted in OPF bay 3 at about 8:40 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

S_E STATUS REPORT, Sept. 22, 1993;Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 8A, Sept. 23, 1993; Date, _ ORLANDO SENTINEL. pp. A-1 & A-4, Sept.

23, 1993.]

[] STS 58: TCDT COMPLETED

At Launch Complex 39B, Columbia is being readied for its STS 58 launch

targeted presently for October 14. The mission's terminal countdown

demonstration test (TCDT)has been completed as have inertial measurement unit

(IMU) calibration tests. Work in progress today includes: leak checks of

replacement auxiliary power units 1 and 3; forward reaction control system

pressurization; preparations for the helium signature test which is scheduled; solid

rocket booster thermal curtain installation and crew compartment cleaning. Prelaunch propellant loads have been scheduled. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTI_E STATUS REPORT, Sept. 22, 1993.]

[] STS 61: APU INSTALLATION

Endeavour is undergoing its pre-rollover processing for the STS 61 mission in the

Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1. Completed processing tasks include:

installation of auxiliary power unit 2; orbital maneuvering system electrical circuit

verifications; service of the freon coolant loop; main propulsion leak and

functional checks. Work in progress: installation of the chin panel; payload bay

closeouts; ammonia boiler servicing operations; Orbiter aft closeout operations;

power reactant storage and distribution system tests; stacking of solid rocket

boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled:

196
payload bay door functional checks and auxiliary power unit system tests.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 22,

1993.]

I] SPACE STATION LIVES: FLORIDA TODAY

"The Senate gave NASA and the Space Station Program a vote of confidence

today, propelling America forward on a quest to remain on the cutting edge in

science and technology," said Senator Phil Gramm (R-Texas.) The U.S. Senate

voted 59-40 against an amendment which would have eliminated money for the

project from the NASA budget. [Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Sept. 22,

1993; "Senate Blocks Latest Move to Kill Space Station Funding," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, Sept. 22, 1993.]

September 23: STS 58: I,EAK CHECKS COMPLETED

Columbia's auxiliary power units have been checked for leaks while the Orbiter

awaits its STS 58 launch at Launch Complex 39B. The solid rocket booster

thermal curtain has also been installed. Work in progress: helium signature test;

preparations for hydrazine servicing of auxiliary power units (APU) 1 and 3; crew

compartment cleaning. STS 58 work scheduled: APU servicing overnight tonight;

APU hot fire September 28. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 23,

1993.]

II DISCOVERY IN OPF

In OPF Bay 3, Discovery has been jacked and leveled and access platforms are

being moved into place around the vehicle. Access into the aft compartment is

expected to occur later today. Facility power and purge umbilical lines are being

established. The fuel cells have been powered down. Powering up the Orbiter

with ground facility power is targeted for approximately 8 p.m. tonight.

Inspections of the thermal protection system show five tiles have impacts greater

than one inch. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 23, 1993.]

II ENDEAVOUR: RMS TESTING

In Orbiter Processing bay 1, testing of the remote manipulator system is in work

today, a functional test of the waste containment system is underway, potable

water servicing is in work, and testing of Endeavour's cryogenic reactant system

is being performed. Installation of window number 5 is complete. [SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 23, 1993.]

197
L_

[1 GAS PIPELINE TO KSC

NASA's Kennedy Space Center today entered into an agreement with City Gas

Company Rockledge, FL)to design and construct a pipeline system and to provide

natural gas for use at America's spaceport. The agreement specifies that City Gas

Co. will pay the entire cost of the pipeline, and that no government funds will be

used for this portion of the agreement. The 10-year agreement is effective today

and runs through September 23, 2003. The multi-faceted agreement represents a

major milestone in KSC's ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs and the center's

reliability on petroleum-based fuels. "Natural gas is routinely used around the

country and has proven to be both an environmentally and economically sound

substitute for many of our current energy sources," said KSC Director Robert L.

C'_ippen. "This is a significant step toward making KSC a more energy efficient

work place. I'm confident that this transition to natural gas will save millions of

tax dollars in the coming years and decades."

Under the terms of the agreement, City Gas Co. will build an estimated 25-mile

pipeline linking much of KSC with a main pipeline spur located near Utilities

Commission facility, situated south of the NASA Causeway on U.S. Route 1. The

pipeline will run along the public rights-of-way of the NASA Causeway and other

KSC thoroughfares. Hydraulic dredging will enable the pipeline to cross

underneath the Indian River, resulting in no permanent impact to boat traffic. All

aspects of the dredging operation will be coordinated with appropriate federal and

state officials to assure minimal impact to the Indian River's ecosystem.

Construction of the pipeline will begin this fall and should be complete by mid-tolate 1994. Once operational, the pipeline will enable natural gas to be sent to a

large portion of the space center where it will be used to fuel objects ranging from

government vehicles to water heaters to entire facilities.

Natural gas will eventually be used for many purposes, but one of the initial roles

will be in the area of transportation. Officials are planning to convert 126 of the

center's buses, sedans, vans and light trucks from gasoline to natural gas-burning

vehicles by the end of 1994. The dozens of tour buses based at Spaceport USA

will be converted to natural gas beginning in 1996, and many of the center's

forklifts and delivery trucks will be running on natural gas in the years following.

By the end of the decade, it is estimated that natural gas will be the fuel of choice

for more than 75 percent of the space center's land-roving vehicles.

Among other benefits, KSC's switch to natural gas will result in a dramatic

increase in combustion emissions around the center. By converting large hot

water boilers, vehicles and miscellaneous other equipment to natural gas, the

amount of sulfur dioxide and similar emissions will be reduced by about 99

percent by the year 2000. The natural gas pipeline will also nearly eliminate the

center's annual need for approximately 500 truckloads of petroleum fuel. A

198
groundbreakingceremonyto commemoratethe start of the pipeline is planned to

occur within the next couple of months, and construction will begin immediately

thereafter. [N'ASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 120-93. Sept. 23, 1993.]

September 24: STS 58: HELIUM SIGNATURE TEST

At Launch Complex 39B, the helium signature test for Columbia's STS 58 mission

has been completed. Leak checks of replacement apus 1 and 3 have been

conducted. The forward reaction control system pressurization has been finished

and the solid rocket booster thermal curtain has been installed. Work in progress

today: fuel line connections on auxiliary power units 1 and 3; crew compartment

cleaning; reaction control system regulator flow checks. STS 58 work scheduled:

pre-launch propellant loads; retraction and extension of the pad's rotating service

structure; hot firing of auxiliary power units; main engine flight readiness tests and

aerosurface cycling; Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak checks; SLS2 late stowage operations (MVAC); launch readiness review and flight readiness

review. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Sept. 24, 1993.]

II STS 61: CHIN PANEL INSTALLED

Endeavour remains in OPF Bay 1 for the final pre-ro'llover processing leading to

the Orbiter's STS 61 mission. The vehicle's waste containment system has already

been checked. Currently, technicians are: making remote manipulator system

checks; payload bay closeouts; ammonia boiler servicing operations; preparations

for auxiliary power unit connections; Orbiter aft closeout operations; power

reactant storage and distribution system tests and are stacking the mission's solid

rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 tasks

scheduled: payload bay door functional checks; auxiliary power unit hazardous

connections; landing gear functional tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end

test; installation of main engines; inertial measurement unit functional tests and

calibrations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE StlU'FI'LE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 24, 1993.]

II $TS 60: OPF PROCESSING UPDATE

Discovery, having returned from space last week, is now in OPF bay 3 being

processed there for the Orbiter's next mission, STS 60. Completed tasks include:

offloading of onboard cryogenic fuels; establishing ground power to the vehicle;

main engine bearing drying operations; Orbiter jack and leveling. Work in

progress today: gaining access to the aft engine compartment; installation of

platforms for Orbiter access; post-flight deconfiguration and checkouts; thermal

protection system inspections and repairs. STS 60 work scheduled: opening the

payload bay doors; auxiliary power unit inspections; payload removal

I99
(ORFEUS/SPAS& TOS airborne support equipment). [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993.]

Il HST STATUS REPORT

Flight hardware integration activities for the upcoming revisit to the Hubble Space

Telescope have been underway in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility

(PHSF) at KSC and are nearing completion. The replacement solar arrays, the

latest flight element, arrived at KSC on September 10. During the second week

of September the three primary replacement flight elements, which include these

twin solar arrays as well as the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial

Replacement (COSTA_R) and the Wide Field Planetary Camera H (WFPC H), were

installed in protective enclosures on their respective payload carriers.

Closeout activities in preparation for moving the flight hardware to the Vertical

Processing Facility (VPF) began late last week and are concluding today. The

payload canister has arrived at the PHSF atop its transporter in preparation for

moving the three flight elements to the VPF. The current schedule calls for the

flight support structure, which holds the telescope during on-orbit operations, to

be installed into the payload canister on Tuesday. This will be followed by the

solar array carder and the orbital replacement unit carder holding W'FPC II and

COSTAR on Wednesday. On Thursday the payload canister is to be rotated from

the horizontal to vertical position and on Friday will arrive at the VPF to be

installed in the east test cell. The three payload elements will undergo routine

testing in the VPF during October to verify compatibility and readiness to be

integrated with the Space Shuttle Endeavour. In addition, end-to-end testing to

verify all communications systems and communications links is planned. The

flight hardware is scheduled to go to the pad on October 28. [PAYLOAD

STATUS REPORT: STS 61 HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE FIRST

SERVICING MISSION, Sept. 27, 1993 ;Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept.

27, 1993.]

September 25: AWARD WINNERS

Dan Patterson, Vice President of Lockheed Space Operations Co. and Launch Site

Director, has been awarded the Public Service Medal from Kennedy Space Center

Director Robert L Crippe_ Patterson was cited for "exceptional contributions

made to NASA's mission accomplishment." Patterson is a 25-year veteran of the

aerospace industry and is a resident of Merritt Island, FL. United Technologies

USBI has named Dan Larsen its employee of the month for September. Three

NASA workers received Silver Snoopys from astronauts recently. Astronaut

William Gregory presented the coveted Snoopys to Robert Garthwaite, Alvaro

Diaz and Paul Schwindt ["Lockheed VP Receives NASA's Highest Award,"

FLORIDA TODAY, Sept. 26, 1993.]

200
k"

wSeptember 27: STS 58: RCS FLOW CHECKS

Columbia is sitting atop the pad at Launch Complex 39B and, while there,

continues to undergo final processing for its STS 58 mission. The highlight of

that mission will be the utilization of Spacelab Life Sciences-2. At LC 39B,

technicians have completed reaction control system (RCS) regulator flow checks;

the mission's helium signature test; solid rocket booster thermal curtain installation

and the forward reaction control system pressurization. Work in progress today

includes: fuel line connections on auxiliary power units 1 and 3; crew

compartment cleaning; loading of pre-launch propellants; launch readiness review.

STS 58 work scheduled this week: hot firing of the auxiliary power units; main

engine flight readiness tests and aerosurface cycling; Orbiter midbody umbilical

connections and leak checks; SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAK); and the

flight readiness review. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 27, 1993.]

I1 STS 61: PRSD CHECKOUTS

Power reactant and storage distribution (PRSD) checkouts of Endeavour have been

completed in OPF bay 1 in preparation for its STS 61 mission to repair the

Hubble Space Telescope. The Orbiter's chin panel has been installed and the

waste containment system has been checked. Work in progress today: remote

manipulator arm checks; payload bay closeouts; ammonia boiler servicing

operations; preparations for auxiliary power unit connections; Orbiter aft closeout

operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's

high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled this week: payload bay door functional

checks; auxiliary power unit hazardous connections; landing gear functional tests;

payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; install main engines and inertial

measurement unit functional tests and calibrations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 27, 1993.]

11 STS 60: FUELS QFFLOADED

In OPF bay 3, technicians working on Discovery have offloaded that vehicle's

onboard cryogenic fuels as part of readying it for its next mission: STS 60.

Ground power to Discovery has been established; main engine beating drying

operations have been completed as has the Orbiter jack and leveling operation.

Work in progress: preparations for removing payloads; post-flight deconfiguration

and checkouts; thermal protection system inspections and repairs. Work scheduled

includes: auxiliary power unit inspections and payload removal (ORFEUS/SPAS

& TOS airborne support equipment). [KENNEDY SPACE CENT_...R SPACE

S_E STATUS REPORT, Sept. 27, 1993.]

201
September 28- STS 58: EDWARDS AFB LANDING

The target launch date for Columbia's STS 58 mission is October 14 with a

landing scheduled two weeks later at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. because

experiments aboard the Spacelab Life Sciences payload must be processed

immediately on landing and the processing facilities are located there. Reaction

control system regulator flow checks have been completed; leak checks of highpoint bleed valves are also finished. The launch readiness review (LRR) for the

mission has been completed after meetings this week at Kennedy Space Center.

Work in progress this week: preparations for a hotfire of the auxiliary power units

1 and 2; crew compartment cleaning and loading of pre-launch propellants. STS

58 work scheduled: hot firing of the APUs; main engine flight readiness tests and

aerosurface cycling; Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak checks and

the flight readiness review October 1. Launch of Columbia and its seven-member

crew is planned for 10:53 a.m.; the launch window extends for another two hours

and thirty minutes. [KENNEDY SPACE (_ENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 22, 1993;

Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p.9A, Sept. 29, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE MISSION

Processing work continues on Endeavour during its pre-rollover stint in the Orbiter

Processing Facility's bay 1. Completed tasks include: Ku-band checkout with

TDRSS; polishing the Orbiter's windows and power reactant and storage

distribution (PRSD) checkouts. Today, technicians will be removing, then

replacing the Orbiter's flight recorder and conducting auxiliary power unit (APU)

checkouts. STS 61 work scheduled: payload bay door functional checks; landing

gear functional tests; installation of main engines and inertial measurement unit

functional tests and calibrations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Sept. 28, 1993.]

II STS 60:SPACEHAB-2

Technicians working on Discovery in OPF bay 3 have completed the validation

of Orbiter power systems; payload bay doors have been opened and secured; the

Ku-band antenna has been deployed and the payloads have been safed. Today,

processing workers will prepare to remove the STS 51 payloads; conduct post

flight deconfiguration and checkouts and thermal protection system inspections and

repairs. STS 60 work scheduled includes: auxiliary power unit (APU) checkouts;

payload removal beginning late tomorrow. Technicians will be removing the

ORFEUS/SPAS and TOS airborne support equipment. STS 61 will carry a crew

of six on its mid-January launch; the mission itself will be eight days and five

hours in duration, barfing an extension due to poor weather at the Kennedy Space

202
Center Shuttle Landing Facility. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993.]

September 29: STS 58: AIMING AT OCT. 14

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed loading hypergolic fuels for

Columbia's STS 58 mission. Today, pad workers will retract the rotating service

structure for APU hotfiring which is set to begin at 2 p.m.; they will extend the

rotating service structure after the hot firing and continue preparations for the

flight readiness test of the Orbiter's main engines. STS 58 work scheduled: main

engine flight readiness tests and aerosurfaces cycling planned for tomorrow;

Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak checks; SLS-2 late stowage

operations (MVAC); flight readiness review set for October 1. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 30, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: PRSD CHECKOUTS COMPLETED

The Space Shuttle Endeavour remains in OPF bay 1 where it is being readied for

its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Technicians have completed power

reactant and storage distribution (PRSD)system and auxiliary power unit checkouts

and have loaded mass memory units 1 and 2. Currently the flight recorder is

being replaced and preparations are being made for installing the Orbiter's main

engines. STS 61 work scheduled: installation of main engines beginning October

1; flushing of the Orbiter's gaseous nitrogen lines and functional checks of the

main landing gear. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

II STS 60: WAKE StlIlCJ,D FACn,ITY AND SPACEHAB-2

Discovery is being processed in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Technicians

in the OPF have validated the Orbiter power systems; deeonfigured the Orbiter's

aft flight deck and deployed the Ku-band antenna. Today, workers will remove

the ORFEUS/SPAS payload in the afternoon and make thermal protection system

inspections and repairs. STS 60 work scheduled includes: auxiliary power unit

inspections and deconfiguring of the payload bay. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

September 30: APU HOT FIRING COMPLETED

Preparations for the liftoff of STS 58 aboard Columbia continue at Launch

Complex 39B. The Orbiter's auxiliary power units have been hot-fired;

technicians have also completed pre-launch propellant loads and the rotating

service structure has been retracted and extended. Today, workers are conducting

203
_7

[1

II

II

main engine flight readiness tests and aerosurface cycling along with Orbiter

midbody umbilical connections and leak checks. STS 58 work scheduled: SLS-2

late stowage operations (MVAC); flight readiness review October 1; pre-launeh

preparations; Orbiter aft engine compartment eloseouts. [Banke and Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Sept. 29, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 30, 1993.]

STS 61: IMU TESTS/CALIBRATIONS

In OPF bay 1, Endeavour has undergone payload bay door functional checks and

inertial measurement unit functional tests and calibrations as part of its STS 61

processing before being rolled over to the VAB. Work in progress today:

ammonia boiler servicing operations; power reactant storage and distribution

system tests; preparations for installing main engines; potable water servicing;

freon coolant loop flush and service checks; final auxiliary power unit controller

tests; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay

1. STS 61 work scheduled: main engine installation; main engine electrical

verifications and main propulsion system integrated testing; landing gear functional

tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; crew equipment interface tests and

checks. The STS 61 crew of seven will arrive this weekend for checks.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S.H[A-TTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 30,

1993.]

STS 60: PAYLOAD REMOVAL

A number of post-STS 51 tasks have been completed in OPF bay 3 where

Discovery is being processed. The payload bay doors have been opened and the

ORFEUS/SPAS & TOS airborne support equipment have been removed.

Technicians now have access to the aft engine compartment and have installed

platforms for Orbiter access. They have also conducted post-flight deconfiguration

and checkouts. Work in progress today: positioning the body flap; main engine

removal preparations; preparations to remove the forward reaction control system

(FRCS); payload bay post-flight and post-payload deployment assessments;

assessment of minor damage to the remote manipulator system (RMS);

deconfiguring the payload bay. STS 60 work scheduled: removal of the forward

reaction control system; offloading of hypergolic fuels; auxiliary power unit

inspections. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 30, 1993.]

STS 60: OPF PROCESSING UPDATE

Discovery, having returned from space last week, is now in OPF bay 3 being

processed there for the Orbiter's next mission, STS 60. Completed tasks include:

offloading of onboard cryogenic fuels; establishing ground power to the vehicle;

2O4
main engine bearing drying operations; Orbiter jack and leveling. Work in

progress today: gaining access to the aft engine compartment; installation of

platforms for Orbiter access; post-flight deconfiguration and checkouts; thermal

protection system inspections and repairs. STS 60 work scheduled: opening the

payload bay doors; auxiliary power unit inspections; payload removal

(ORFEUS/SPAS & TOS airborne support equipment). [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993.]

[1 HST STATUS REPORT

Flight hardware integration activities for the upcoming revisit to the Hubble Space

Telescope have been underway in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility

(PHSF) at KSC and are nearing completion. The replacement solar arrays, the

latest flight element, arrived at KSC on September 10. During the second week

of September the three primary replacement flight elements, which include these

twin solar arrays as well as the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial

Replacement (COSTAR) and the Wide Field Planetary Camera tl (WFPC II), were

installed in protective enclosures on their respective payload carders.

Closeout activities in preparation for moving the flight hardware to the Vertical

Processing Facility (VPF) began late last week and are concluding today. The

payload canister has arrived at the PHSF atop its transporter in preparation for

moving the three flight elements to the VPF. The current schedule calls for the

flight support structure, which holds the telescope during on-orbit operations, to

be installed into the payload canister on Tuesday. This will be followed by the

solar array carrier and the orbital replacement unit carrier holding WFPC II and

COSTAR on Wednesday. On Thursday the payload canister is to be rotated from

the horizontal to vertical position and on Friday will arrive at the VPF to be

installed in the east test cell. The three payload elements will undergo routine

testing in the VPF during October to verify compatibility and readiness to be

integrated with the Space Shuttle Endeavour. In addition, end-to-end testing to

verify all communications systems and communications links is planned. The

flight hardware is scheduled to go to the pad on October 28. [PAYLOAD

STATL_ REPORT: STS 61 HUB_TELES_COPE FIRST

SERVICING MISSION, Sept. 27, 1993;Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept.

27, 1993.]

September 25: AWARD WINNERS

Dan Patterson, Vice President of Lockheed Space Operations Co. and Launch Site

Director, has been awarded the Public Service Medal from Kennedy Space Center

Director Robert L. Cfippen. Patterson was cited for "exceptional contributions

made to NASA's mission accomplishment." Patterson is a 25-year veteran of the

205
aerospace industry and is a resident of Merritt Island, FL. United Technologies

USBI has named Dan l.,arsen its employee of the month for September. Three

NASA workers received Silver Snoopys from astronauts recently. Astronaut

William Gregory presented the coveted Snoopys to Robert Garthwaite, Alvaro

Dim and Paul Sehwindt The three were recognized for outstanding contributions

to the space program. ["Lockheed VP Receives NASA's Highest Award,"

FLORIDA TODAY, Sept. 26, 1993.]

September 27: STS 58: RCS FLOW CHECKS

Columbia is sitting atop the pad at Launch Complex 39B and, while there,

continues to undergo final processing for its STS 58 mission. The highlight of

that mission will be the utilization of Spaeelab Life Sciences-2. At LC 3913,

technicians have completed reaction control system (RCS) regulator flow checks;

the mission's helium signature test; solid rocket booster thermal curtain installation

and the forward reaction control system pressurization. Work in progress today

includes: fuel line connections on auxiliary power units 1 and 3; crew

compartment cleaning; loading ofpre-launeh propellants; launch readiness review.

STS 58 work scheduled this week: hot firing of the auxiliary power units; main

engine flight readiness tests and aerosurfaee cycling; Orbiter midbody umbilical

connections and leak checks; SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAK); and the

flight readiness review. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 27, 1993.]

II STS 61: PRSD CHECKOUTS

Power reactant and storage distribution (PRSD) checkouts of Endeavour have been

completed in OPF bay 1 in preparation for its STS 61 mission to repair the

Hubble Space Telescope. The Orbiter's chin panel has been installed and the

waste containment system has been checked. Work in progress today: remote

manipulator arm checks; payload bay closeouts; ammonia boiler servicing

operations; preparations for auxiliary power unit connections; Orbiter aft closeout

operations; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's

high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled this week: payload bay door functional

checks; auxiliary power unit hazardous connections; landing gear functional tests;

payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; install main engines and inertial

measurement unit functional tests and calibrations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT. Sept. 27, 1993.]

[1 STS 60: FUELS OFFLOADED

In OPF bay 3, technicians working on Discovery have offloaded that vehicle's

onboard cryogenic fuels as part of readying it for its next mission: STS 60.

Ground power to Discovery has been established; main engine bearing drying

206
operations have been completed as has the Orbiter jack and leveling operation.

Work in progress: preparations for removing payloads; post-flight deconfiguration

and checkouts; thermal protection system inspections and repairs. Work scheduled

includes: auxiliary power unit inspections and payload removal (ORFEUS/SPAS

& TOS airborne support equipment). [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 27, 1993.]

September 28: STS 58: EDWARD S AFB LANDING

The target launch date for Columbia's STS 58 mission is October 14 with a

landing scheduled two weeks later at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. because

experiments aboard the Spacelab Life Sciences payload must be processed

immediately on landing and the processing facilities are located there. Reaction

control system regulator flow checks have been completed; leak checks of highpoint bleed valves are also finished. The launch readiness review (LRR) for the

mission has been completed after meetings this week at Kennedy Space Center.

Work in progress this week: preparations for a hotfire of the auxiliary power units

1 and 2; crew compartment cleaning and loading of pre-launeh propellants. STS

58 work scheduled: hot firing of the A_PUs; main engine flight readiness tests and

aerosurfaee cycling; Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak checks and

the flight readiness review October 1. Launch of Columbia and its seven-member

crew is planned for 10:53 a.m.; the launch window extends for another two hours

and thirty minutes. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 22, 1993;

Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.9A, Sept. 29, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE MISSION

Processing work continues on Endeavour during its pre-rollover stint in the Orbiter

Processing Facility's bay 1. Completed tasks include: Ku-band checkout with

TDRSS; polishing the Orbiter's windows and power reactant and storage

distribution (PRSD) checkouts. Today, technicians will be removing, then

replacing the Orbiter's flight recorder and conducting auxiliary power unit (A.PU)

checkouts. STS 61 work scheduled: payload bay door functional checks; landing

gear functional tests; installation of main engines and inertial measurement unit

functional tests and calibrations. [IG_NNED.Y SPACE CE.NTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 28, 1993.]

[1 STS 60:SPACEHAB-2

Technicians working on Discovery in OPF bay 3 have completed the validation

of Orbiter power systems; payload bay doors have been opened and secured; the

Ku-band antenna has been deployed and the payloads have been safed. Today,

processing workers will prepare to remove the STS 51 payloads; conduct post

207
flight deconfiguration and checkouts and thermal protection system inspections and

repairs. STS 60 work scheduled includes: auxiliary power unit (APU) checkouts;

payload removal beginning late tomorrow. Technicians will be removing the

ORFEUS/SPAS and TOS airborne support equipment. STS 61 will carry a crew

of six on its mid-January launch; the mission itself will be eight days and five

hours in duration, barring an extension due to poor weather at the Kennedy Space

Center Shuttle Landing Facility. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STA.._TUS REPORT. Sept. 28, 1993.]

September 29: STS 58: AIMING AT OCT. 14

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have completed loading hypergolic fuels for

Columbia's STS 58 mission. Today, pad workers will retract the rotating service

structure for APU hotfiring which is set to begin at 2 p.m.; they will extend the

rotating service structure after the hot firing and continue preparations for the

flight readiness test of the Orbiter's main engines. STS 58 work scheduled: main

engine flight readiness tests and aerosurfaces cycling planned for tomorrow;

Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak checks; SLS-2 late stowage

operations (MVAC); flight readiness review set for October 1. [I-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 30, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

S_E STATUS REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

II STS 61: PRSD CHECKOUTS..,.COMPLEFED

The Space Shuttle Endeavour remains in OPF bay 1 where it is being readied for

its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Technicians have completed power

reactant and storage distribution (PRSD)system and auxiliary power unit checkouts

and have loaded mass memory units 1 and 2. Currently the flight recorder is

being replaced and preparations are being made for installing the Orbiter's main

engines. STS 61 work scheduled: installation of main engines beginning October

1; flushing of the Orbiter's gaseous nitrogen lines and functional checks of the

main landing gear. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

I1 STS 60: WAKE SI-IIFJ_D FACILITY AND SPACEHAB-2

Discovery is being processed in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Technicians

in the OPF have validated the Orbiter power systems; deconfigured the Orbiter's

aft flight deck and deployed the Ku-band antenna. Today, workers will remove

the ORFEUS/SPAS payload in the afternoon and make thermal protection system

inspections and repairs. STS 60 work scheduled includes: auxiliary power unit

inspections and deconfiguring of the payload bay. ['KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 29, 1993.]

208
September 30: APU HOT FIRING COMP_

Preparations for the liftoff of STS 58 aboard Columbia continue at Launch

Complex 39B. The Orbiter's auxiliary power units have been hot-fired;

technicians have also completed pre-launch propellant loads and the rotating

service structure has been retracted and extended. Today, workers are conducting

main engine flight readiness tests and aerosurface cycling along with Orbiter

midbody umbilical connections and leak checks. STS 58 work scheduled: SLS-2

late stowage operations (MVAC); flight readiness review October 1; pre-launch

preparations; Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts. ['Banke and Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Sept. 29, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Sept. 30, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: IMU TESTS/CALIBRATIONS

In OPF bay 1, Endeavour has undergone payload bay door functional checks and

inertial measurement unit functional tests and calibrations as part of its STS 61

processing before being rolled over to the VAB. Work in progress today:

ammonia boiler servicing operations; power reactant storage and distribution

system tests; preparations for installing main engines; potable water servicing;

freon coolant loop flush and service checks; final auxiliary power unit controller

tests; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay

1. STS 61 work scheduled: main engine installation; main engine electrical

verifications and main propulsion system integrated testing; landing gear functional

tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; crew equipment interface tests and

checks. The STS 61 crew of seven will arrive this weekend for checks.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 30,

1993.1

II STS 60: PAYLOAD REMOVAL

A number of post-STS 51 tasks have been completed in OPF bay 3 where

Discovery is being processed. The payload bay doors have been opened and the

ORFEUS/SPAS & TOS airborne support equipment have been removed.

Technicians now have access to the aft engine compartment and have installed

platforms for Orbiter access. They have also conducted post-flight deconfiguration

and checkouts. Work in progress today: positioning the body flap; main engine

removal preparations; preparations to remove the forward reaction control system

(FRCS); payload bay post-flight and post-payload deployment assessments;

assessment of minor damage to the remote manipulator system (RMS);

deconfiguring the payload bay. STS 60 work scheduled: removal of the forward

reaction control system; offloading of hypergolic fuels; auxiliary power unit

inspections. [-KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTIT,E STATUS

REPORT, Sept. 30, 1993.]

209
OCTOBER

October 1: EG&G WINS BOC, AGAIN

NASA has selected EG&G Florida, Inc. (Cocoa, FL) for final negotiations for the

Base Operations Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. EG&G Florida's

proposed cost is approximately $1.7 billion, exclusive of fees. The cost-plusaward/incentive fee contract will be for a total potential contract period, including

options, of l0 years. As the base operations contractor, EG&G Florida will

provide a broad base of support services for the KSC mission, encompassing

management, operation, maintenance and engineering for KSC's utilities and

facilities; health, fire and security services; and certain technical and administrative

operations.

These support services are for NASA and other NASA contractors and tenants at

KSC, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and a limited number of other locations.

NASA's original selection for this contract award - to Lockheed Space Operations

Co. - was made in November 1993, but was protested to the General Services

Administration Board of Contract Appeals. As a result of settling this protest,

NASA agreed to revise the solicitation and to recompete. EG&G Florida, Inc., the

incumbent contractor, has continued to provide base operations support during the

recompetition process. [NASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE C93-W, Oct. 1, 1993;

Liden and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 2, 1993.]

[] STS 58: FLIGHT READINESS TESTS

Columbia's number 2 and 3 main engines have undergone flight readiness tests at

Launch Complex 39]3. The Orbiter's aerosurfaees have been cycled and

technicians have completed Orbiter midbody umbilical connections and leak

checks. Work in progress today: SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAC); flight

readiness review (FRR); flight readiness test (FRT) of engine 1 and replacement

of main engine number 1 oxidizer prebumer oxidizer valve actuator that failed

during FRT; Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts. STS 58 work scheduled

for next week: main engine hydraulic closeouts; pre-launch preparations; continue

with Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts; continue with SLS-2 late stowage

operations (MVAC). [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 1, 1993.]

il STS 61: NEW TESTS FOR lIST CAMERA

Based on an independent optics panel's assessment for NASA, mission managers

have decided to return the Wide Field/Planetary Camera (W-FPC) II to the Payload

Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC for possible additional testing prior

to the STS 61 Hubble servicing mission. WFPC had already been installed into

210
the payload canister and was in the process of being transported to the Vertical

Processing Facility when the decision was reached yesterday to return to the

PHSF. Potential risks associated with performing the tests are currently being

evaluated. A decision on what tests will be performed is expected in the next few

days. No impact to the camera's readiness for launch is expected.

Ammonia boiler servicing operations have been completed on Endeavour which

remains in OPF bay 1. Preparations for installing the main engines have been

made; tests of the modular auxiliary data systems (MADS) recorder have also

been conducted. Work in progress today: main engine installation; final auxiliary

power unit controller tests; power reactant storage and distribution system tests;

potable water servicing; freon coolant loop flush and service checks; stacking of

solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 1. STS 61

work scheduled for next week includes: main engine electrical verifications and

main propulsion system integrated testing; landing gear functional tests; payload

electrical circuits end-to-end tests; crew equipment interface tests and checks and

the arrival of the STS 61 crew on October 3. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 1, 1993.]

I1 STS 60: HYDRAULIC OPERATIONS COMPLETED

Discovery continues to undergo processing activities aimed at readying the Orbiter

for its STS 60 mission targeted now for mid-January of 1994. Hydraulic

operations are finished as well as the positioning of the vehicle's body flap.

Inspections showed minor damage to the remote manipulator system (RAMS). The

Shuttle's forward reaction control system has been removed. Work currently

underway includes: body flap checks; main engine inspections and removal

preparations; payload bay post-flight and post-payload deploy assessments;

deconfiguring of the payload bay. STS 60 work scheduled for next week [October

4-8]: offloading hypergolic fuels (SCAPE Operations); auxiliary power unit

inspections; waste management post-flight servicing and removal and replacement

of fuel cells 2 and 3. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTrLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 1, 1993.]

II STS 58: LIFIDFF OCTOBER 14

Shuttle managers today targeted October 14, 1993, for launch of the Space Shuttle

Columbia and the second Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-2) mission. The vehicle

and its payloads were declared ready for launch following today's Flight Readiness

Review at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The 2 1/2 hour launch window on the

14th opens at 10:53 a.m. EDT. The 14-day mission will be commanded by John

Blalm and piloted by Rick Searross. Rounding out the 7-member crew will be

Mission Specialists Rhea Seddon, Bill McArthur, David Wolf and Chignon Lucid,

and Payload Specialist Martin FetUnan. STS 58 represents the 58th Space Shuttle

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flight and the 15th for Columbia. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, P. 5A, Oct.

1, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 2, 1993; LAUNCH

ADVISORY: DATE SET FOR STS 58 MISSION, Oct. 1, 1993.]

October 3: SSME PART RE]T_TED

When a main engine part failed its test last week it was replaced; the new test for

the replacement part takes place this morning. The original part was a valve in

the liquid oxygen plumbing of main engine number 1. When the new part is

tested, workers will move on to more routine pre-launch activities: the installation

of ordnance and pressurization of Columbia's propellant storage tanks. Workers

will also stock provisions for the Orbiter's two week mission. Landing will occur

at Edwards Air Force Base,CA, to give the commander more margin for error after

having been in space for two weeks. ['Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 18A, Oct.

3, 1993.]

October 4: STS 58: FRR COMP_

Columbia's flight readiness review was completed October 1; the vehicle's water

spray boilers have been serviced and, over the weekend, technicians successfully

carried out the flight readiness test of the Orbiter's engines. Currently, technicians

and mating and leak-checking the Orbital midbody umbilical unit; conducting the

Orbiter aft confidence test and starting aft closeouts; stowing Spacelab hardware

and minor payload equipment. Launch countdown preparations begin today. Aft

compartment closeouts are scheduled to continue this week as are other launch

preparations. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 4, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: MAIN ENGINES INSTALLED

Over the past weekend, Endeavour's three main engines were installed and the

Orbiter's freon system was flushed as part of pre-rollover preparations. Work in

progress today: potable water servicing; securing of main engines; closeouts of

the Orbiter's forward compartment and purging of the gaseous nitrogen lines. STS

61 work scheduled for the week: leak checks of the main engines and checkouts

of the Orbiter's closed circuit television. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

S_E STATUS.REPORT, Oct. 4, 1993.]

[l IS._, 60: MID-JANUARY LAUNCH TARGETED

Discovery's next mission is targeted for mid-January 1994; its primary payloads

will be the Wake Shield Facility and Spacehab 2. Current completed tasks

include: removal of the STS 51 Orfeus/Spas payloads and a dump of the Orbiter's

flight recorder data. Work in progress today: inspections of the Orbiter's 17-inch

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disconnect; thermal protection system inspections and repairs; removal of fuel cells

2 and 3 and removal of the engine heatshields. Scheduled STS 60 tasks:

deconfiguring of the payload bay; removal of the main engines and removal of the

Orbiter's forward reaction control system Cb'RCS). The STS 60 mission will carry

a crew of six astronauts and last for 8 days and fi hours with a planned landing

at Kennedy Space Center. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 4, 1993.]

ONE DEAD IN SR 3 ACCIDENT

One person was killed and two others were injured in a three-car accident at

Kennedy Space Center this morning. Dick Young, a spokesman for KSC, said

that the driver of a 1987 Subaru sedan died in the crash. The name of the

deceased was not released, pending notification of the family. The accident

occurred after the victim, who was driving south in the northbound lane of

Courtenay Parkway (also known as State Road 3), struck two oncoming vehicles.

The injured drivers in the other autos were identified as George Folmar and Gall

Walker, both of Merritt Island. They were treated for minor injuries and were

released. ["Car Crash Claims One at KSC," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Oct. 5,

1993.]

HERNANDt"7_ ENGINEERING WINS AWARD

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced today the recipients of the

Minority Contractor and Subcontractor of the Year Awards in recognition of

minority businesses that have made outstanding contributions to NASA.

Hernandez Engineering, Inc. (Houston, TX) was named Minority Contractor of the

Year; AJT and Associates, Inc. (Cape Canaveral, FL) was named Minority

Subcontractor of the Year. "As we continue to strive to meet our goals in

minority subcontracting, all of NASA takes pride in seeing the excellence

provided by Hemandez Engineering and AJT and Associates."

Hemandez Engineering, Inc., nominated by the Kennedy Space Center, was cited

for providing outstanding and critical technical support in safety engineering,

industrial engineering, and software support to the KSC Directorate of Safety,

Reliability and Quality Assurance as part of the Space Shuttle Program.

Hemandez was cited for creative problem solving techniques, strong management

leadership and efficient resource utilization and cost control. Hemandez was

nominated as a finalist for this award last year by the Johnson Space Center

(Houston, TX). Their president, Miguel A. Hemandez, Jr., is currently serving on

NASA's minority resources advisory committee.

AJT and Associates was nominated by USBI Facilities Group of the United

Technologies Corp., a prime contractor at KSC, managed by the Marshall Space

213
Flight Center(Huntsville, AL). AJT'spresident,Alfredo J. Teran, is the founder

and president of the Minority Business Enterprise Alliance of Florida. AYr

provided high quality architect/engineering services that assisted USBI in meeting

and exceeding the prime contract statement of work. The award citation notes that

AYr is an outstanding firm that has consistently provided excellent support to KSC

for many years. [NASA/KSC Release: .9..3-177, Oct. 4, 1993; "KSC Contractors

AYr, Hemandez Engineering Earn Business Awards,FLORIDA TODAY, Oct. 10,

1993.]

October 5: STS 58: MAIN ENGINE TESTS

The Space Shuttle Columbia is at Launch Complex 39B awaiting its October 14

launch on the STS 58 mission. The Orbiter's main engines have undergone a

flight readiness test and hot gas leak checks. The first phase of SLS-2 late

stowage operations has been completed. Orbiter mid-body umbilical connections

and leak checks are now completed as well. Work in progress: main engine

hydraulic closeouts; Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts and the installation

of extravehicular mobility units (spacesuits). STS 58 tasks scheduled: ordnance

installation; external tank purges; pressurizing the hypergolic fuel system;

repressurization of auxiliary power unit fuel/oxidizer systems and the second phase

of SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAK). [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE StRYI'I_E STATUS REPORT, Oct. 5, 1993.]

II STS 61: cErr HELD

The STS 61 crew has been on hand at Kennedy Space Center to take part in crew

equipment interface tests (CEIT) and checks. The Endeavour main engines have

been installed and final auxiliary power unit controller tests have been conducted.

Freon coolant loop flush and service checks have also been completed. Current

tasks include: main engine securing operations and integrated testing; power

reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) tests; potable water servicing;

Orbiter mid-body closeouts; stacking of solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle

Assembly Building high bay 1. STS 61 tasks scheduled include: main engine

electrical verifications and main propulsion system integrated testing; landing gear

functional tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end test. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 5, 1993.]

I1 STS 60: BODY FLAP CHECKS

Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 have removed Discovery's

landing gear and tire assemblies, made body flap checks and offloaded hypergolic

fuels. These activities are part of the turnaround processing activities that the

Orbiter has undergone since the completion of its STS 51 mission. Work in

progress: main engine inspections and removal preparations; heatshield removal;

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payload bay post-flight and post-payload deploy assessments; deconfiguring the

payload bay and preparations to remove and replace fuel cells 2 and 3. STS 61

work scheduled: removal of the main engines; auxiliary power unit inspections;

waste management post-flight servicing; removal and replacement of fuel cells 2

and 3. [I_N-NEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Oct. 5, 1993.]

KSC OFFICIALS SPEND DAY IN WHEELCHAIRS

Led by Center Director Robert L Cfippen, five top managers at Kennedy Space

Center spent the day in wheelchairs today as part of KSC's observance of National

Disability Employment Awareness Month. Crippen volunteered to participate in

the event which was arranged by KSC's Disability Awareness and Action Working

Group, co-chaired by Hugh Harris, Director of Public Affairs for the Space Center,

and Leon Wichman of the NASA Procurement Office. Harris also volunteered to

spend the day in a wheelchair. Crippen then invited top local officials of four

major contractors at KSC to join them in becoming more aware of and sensitive

to the everyday challenges in the work place facing people who are disabled.

The contractor participants today were Jim Dubay, President and General Manager

of EG&G Florida, Inc.; George Faenza Vice President and General Manager of

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace KSC Division; and Lee Solid, Vice President and

General Manager of Rockwell International Corp., Space Systems Division. Gerry

Oppliger, President of Lockheed Space Operations Co., was out of town today, but

is planning on participating at a later date. "The center is committed to making

it possible for every employee to work up to their full potential," Crippen said.

"We have about 186 civil service employees and scores of contractor employees

with disabilities who are making a major contribution to the space program."

[N.ASA/KSC Release No. 123-93, Oct. 6, 1993.]

October 6: PLAYALINDA BEACH CLOSING

Playalinda Beach will be closed to the public beginning Sunday at sunset due to

next week's planned launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS 58. Assuming

a successful launch October 14, the beach will be open again to the public at 6

a.m. October 15. Other Canaveral National Seashore beaches, such as Apollo

Beach, will not be affected by the closing of Playalinda and will remain open

during the launch of Columbia next Thursday. [NASA/KSC Release No. 125-93,

Oct. 6, 1993.]

[1 STS 58: EVA SUITS INSTALLED

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"We're in good shape. We're right on schedule and we aren't working any

problems," said KSC spokesman Brace Buckingham in the course of briefing

journalists about the pre-launeh process for STS 58. Technicians at Launch

Complex 39B have installed extravehicular mobility units (spacesuits) in Columbia

and have completed main engine hydraulic eloseouts. Work in progress today:

final ordnance installation; pressurizing hypergolic fuel system; repressurizing

auxiliary power unit fuel/oxidizer systems; pre-launch preparations. STS 58

activities scheduled: Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts; external tank

purges; second phase of SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAC); mid-deck

payload stowage; the countdown is scheduled to begin at 12 a.m. October 11; the

STS 58 crew arrival is expected to be at 1:30 p.m. on October 11. [I-Ialvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 7, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

_HUTI_E STATUS REPORT, Oct. 6, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Oct.

7, 1993.]

STS 61: KU-BAND ANTENNA STOWED FOR FLIGItT

Technicians working in the OPF's high bay 1 have stowed Endeavour's Ku-band

antenna aboard the Orbiter; they have completed main engine securing operations

and, in the VAB, other workers have stacked the solid rocket boosters in high bay

1 preparatory for mating with the Orbiter after rollover. Work in progress in

behalf of the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission: main engine integrated

testing and heatshield installation; final stowage of flight tools; retest of auxiliary

power units; power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) tests; potable

water re-servicing; Orbiter mid-body closeouts; mating of external tank to solid

rocket boosters in the VAB's high bay 1. STS 61 work scheduled: main engine

electrical verifications and main propulsion system integrated testing; landing gear

functional tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; and open the payload

bay doors. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTI_E STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 6, 1993.]

SIS 60: MAIN ENGINES INSPECTED

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, technicians have completed an inspection of

Discovery's main engines and have made preparations to remove and replace fuel

cells 2 and 3. In addition, orbital maneuvering system helium vent operations

have been completed. Current processing activities include: main engine removal

preparations; engine heatshield removal; removal and replacement of fuel cells 2

and 3; deconfigurafion of the payload bay. Work scheduled: remove the main

engines; inspect the auxiliary power units; service the waste management system

and remove the right side main landing gear wheel and tire assembly.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE S_E STATUS REPORT, Oct. 6,

1993.]

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October7: SLS-2 STOWAGE TODAY

The final activities to prepare the Spacelab Life Sciences-2 laboratory for flight

start shortly before the countdown clock begins counting October 11 at 12 a.m.

EDT. A 75-member NASA/contractor team from Kennedy Space Center, Ames

Research Center and McDonnell Douglas is responsible for the laboratory's last

hours on the ground. Work begins with the 12-hour activation of the Gas

Analyzing Mass Spectrometer (GAMS) which analyzes crew respiration, at 12

a.m. Monday (October l 1). Extra food bars for the rodents will be stowed at

about 3 &m. Monday.

On Tuesday (12th) at 12:30 p.m. the SLS-2 laboratory will be powered up.

Refrigerators that will hold samples and specimens collected during the 14-day

mission, will be turned on and temperatures checked. Also on Tuesday, the team

will activate and check the life support systems of the Research Animal Holding

Facility (RAHF), which will hold the rodents during the mission. The rodent's

initial supply of food has already been attached to the food trays and the water

supply topped off.

At 2 a.m. Wednesday (13th) the chemicals and materials for processing blood and

tissue samples will be transported from the Hangar L Life Sciences Facility on

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to the launch pad for storage inside the

laboratory refrigerators. At 4 &m. Wednesday, four dozen rodents will be loaded

into the module for flight. Should a 24-hour scrub turnaround become necessary,

no SLS-2 activity is required. After two launch attempts, however, launch would

not be rescheduled for 72-hours to allow replacement of the rodents and timecritical experiment processing materials. [NASA/KSC Release No: 128-93, Oct.

7, 1993.]

II HST SERVICING MISSION UPDATE,

Testing using the Cargo Integrated Test Equipment (CITE) at KSC begins October

8 in the Vertical Processing Facility. First is the Interface Verification Test (IVT).

This is an electrical test to verify the readiness and compatibility of the HST

systems to be integrated with the Space Shuttle Endeavour and to be commanded

as necessary from the flight deck. Undergoing testing is the complete path and

associated circuitry. Connected are the solar array carrier with the flight support

structure, the orbit replaceable unit carrier with the flight support structure, and

Endeavour's flight deck with the flight support structure. From the flight deck the

astronauts can command power and various latches and heater circuits as well as

monitor telemetry from HST while it is attached to the flight support structure.

217
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II

To follow on October 9 (Saturday) will be the end-to-end test which will verify

the ability of the Johnson Space Center in Houston to monitor and

communications network. This consists of the MILA tracking station at KSC

connected by satellite to the communications switching and distribution facilities

at the Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) where the signals are

forwarded to Houston. This communications test is scheduled to last about eight

hours. The HST flight hardware arrived at the Vertical Processing Facility on

Wednesday and was installed in the east test cell. Yesterday the solar array drive

electronics were installed. The Wide Field Planetary Camera (WFPC II) was

delivered to Spacecraft Hangar AE early on Sunday (October 3), a highly clean

spacecraft checkout facility used for the WFPC's final assembly and initial

checkout upon arrival at the Cape.

NASA managers have decided to conduct a test to revalidate the focal point of

WFPC II at Spacecraft Hangar AE next week. The test procedure and parameters

are currently being developed. Performance of the test will not affect payload

readiness to meet the STS-61 launch date. Neither the WFPC II nor the

Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTA_R) are required for

CITE testing. The WFPC II will be returned to the Payload Hazardous Servicing

Facility (PHSF) upon completion of testing where it will rejoin the other flight

elements before going to the launch pad at the end of October. [STS-61

PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT: HST FIRST SERVICING MISSION, Oct. 7,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 9, 1993.]

STS 58: FINAL ORDNANCE INSTALLATION

At Launch Complex 39B, technicians have finished installing Columbia's

ordnance. They have also repressurized the auxiliary power unit fuel/oxidizer

systems and pressurized the hypergolic fuel system. Current processing activities

include: Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts; external tank purges; prelaunch preparations; potable water servicing and filter checks; loading the Orbiter's

mass memory units and post-ordnance installation operations. STS 58 work

scheduled: the second phase of SLS-2 late stowage operations (MVAC); mid-deck

payload stowage; start of the countdown and crew arrival on October 11.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. Oct. 7,

1993.]

STS 61: ET MATING TO SRBS COMPLETED

In the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 1 an STS 61 milestone was

accomplished today: the mission's external tank was mated to its solid rocket

boosters. In OPF bay 1, technicians made final stowage of flight tools aboard

Endeavour. Work in progress includes; main engine integrated testing, heatshield

installation and electrical verifications; power reactant storage and distribution

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system(PRSD)tests;auxiliary powerunit tests; potable water servicing and filter

checks; Orbiter mid-body closeouts. STS 61 tasks scheduled: landing gear

functional tests; payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; opening payload bay

doors and frequency response test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 7, 1993.]

II STS 60: 17-INCH DISCONNECT INSPECTED

Discovery is undergoing processing for its mid-January 1994 STS 60 mission in

Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Completed tasks include: inspections of the

Orbiter's 17-inch disconnect; main engine removal preparations; engine heatshield

removal; removal and replacement of fuel cells 2 and 3; removal of the left side

main landing gear wheel and tire assembly. Work in progress currently: removal

of the main engines; deconfiguration of Discovery's payload bay; leak checks of

replacement fuel cells 2 and 3. STS 60 work scheduled: auxiliary power unit

(APU) inspections; waste management post-flight servicing; removal of the

rightside main landing gear wheel and tire assembly; Ku-band integrated tests;

main propulsion system leak and functional tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE StlLrI'rLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 7, 1993.]

October 8: STS 58: EXTERNAL TANK PURGES

Technicians working at Launch Complex 39B have completed external tank

purges, loaded the Orbiter's mass memory units and finished post-ordnance

installation operations. Work in progress today at the pad include: Orbiter aft

engine compartment closeouts; pre-launch preparations; potable water servicing

and filter checks; mid-deck payload stowage. STS 58 work scheduled: the second

phase of SLS-2 late stowage operations; countdown beginning at 12 a.m. October

11; crew arrival at 1:30 p.m. October 11; fueling of external tank set to begin at

2:33 a.m.; launch to begin at 10:53 a.m. October 14. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 9A, Oct. 8, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 8, 1993.]

I1 STS 61: APU TESTS

Endeavour continues to undergo pre-rollover processing in OPF bay 1. Completed

tasks include: power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) tests;

auxiliary power unit (APU) tests; mechanical and eleetrical connections attaching

external tank to the solid rocket boosters. Current tasks include: main engine

integrated testing, heatshield installation and electrical verifications; potable water

servicing and filter checks; landing gear functional tests; Orbiter mid-body

closeouts; preparations for frequency response test; cycling the payload bay doors;

payload integrated verification tests. STS 61 work scheduled next week:

payload electrical circuits end-to-end test; frequency response test and flight

219
U.

-w

control final cycling; standard payload bay cleaning and closing of payload bay

doors prior to rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB); Orbiter aft

engine compartment closeouts; forward compartment and forward reaction control

system structural leak checks; potable water system leak and functional tests.

[KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS .REPORT, Oct. 8,

1993.]

II STS 60: FUEL CELL REPLACEMENTS

Technicians processing Discovery for its next mission - STS 60 - have removed

and replaced fuel cells 2 and 3. They have also removed the Orbiter's main

engines and have transported them to the VAB. Currently, processing technicians

are: continuing post-flight (STS 51) payload bay debris assessments; conducting

leak checks of replacement fuel cells 2 and 3; configuring zero-G strongbaeks for

cycling payload bay doors and cycling the external tank doors. STS 60 work

scheduled for next week: humidity separator tests; radiator mechanical functional

checks; fuel oil voltage checks; auxiliary power unit inspections; waste

management post-flight servicing; removal of the rightside main landing gear

wheel and tire assembly; Ku-band integrated tests; main propulsion system leak

and functional tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 8, 1993.]

October 11: STS 58: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE

"We're really happy to be here and proud to be here on behalf of everybody in the

country and NASA who have been working so hard on this mission," said STS 58

Commander John Blaha on his arrival today at Kennedy Space Center. "We're

looking forward to a launch on Thursday [October 14]," he added. Air Force

meteorologists predict an 80 percent chance of favorable weather. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Oct. 12, 1993; "Astronauts Set for Longest Shuttle

Mission," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Oct. 12, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. p.lA, Oct. 10, 1993.]

October 13: STS 51 HARDWARE INVESTIGATION

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight Jeremiah W. Pearson today

announced the formation of an investigation board to examine the causes of a

simultaneous detonation of two Super*Zip explosive ords, one primary and the

other a backup, that occurred during the deployment of the Advanced

Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and the Transfer orbit Stage (TOS)

booster from Discovery during STS 51 (September 12-20, 1993). The board will

submit an initial report to Pearson by mid-November. A final report of the

findings of the review will be submitted by early December.

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The board will be headed by Robert I". Wingate, Systems Engineering and

Operations, Langley Research Center (LaRC), Hampton, VA. Other members of

the team include Michael A. Grainfield, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance,

Headquarters (HQ); Charles R. Gunn, Office of Space Science, HQ; Keith L.

Hudkins, Office of Space Flight, HQ; Lawrence ,]LBement, Systems Engineering

and Operations, LaRC; Robert M. Stephens, Office of the General Counsel, HQ;

Robert W. Moss, Systems Engineering and Operations, LaRC; and Tommy W,

Holloway, Office of Space Flight, HQ.

Significant data on the anomaly has been gathered. Earlier this month, NASA

technicians, while performing post-flight inspections of Discovery following the

STS 51 mission, found debris damage to the aft bulkhead, consisting of surface

damage on thermal insulation, some penetration of the insulation and payload bay

liner and one penetration of the bulkhead wall. The damage was discovered and

categorized when Discovery's payload bay was opened and the area was closely

inspected in the processing hangar. [NASA/KSC RELEASE: 93-184, Oct. 13,

1993.]

STS 58: LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY

The countdown for Columbia's launch continues without problem today.

Yesterday, work to load cryogenic fuels into the Orbiter storage tanks and the

extra extended duration Orbiter tanks was completed on time and the pad was

reopened for regularly scheduled operations. Following fueling operations the

Orbiter mid-body umbilical unit was demated from the vehicle. Final late stowage

of experiments into the Spacelab will continue throughout today. Also, Orbiter

communications activation and final vehicle and facility closeouts are in work

today.

This morning, preparations were made to retract the rotating service structure to

launch position. First motion occurred at about I 1 a.m. At about 2:33 a.m.

tomorrow, operations will begin to load the external tank with more than 500,000

gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Operations toward that milestone

are proceeding without problem. Forecasters indicate a ten percent probability of

weather prohibiting launch tomorrow. The winds at Launch Complex 39B are

expected to be from the east at l0 to 14 knots; temperature 78 degrees F; visibility

7 miles; and clouds scattered at 3,000, 8,000, and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour delay

forecast reveals an increasing threat of high upper level winds and additional cloud

coverage at KSC during the launch window and lists a 30 percent chance of

violation.

Today, the seven-member astronaut crew for this mission have been given a

briefing on tomorrow's weather outlook and completed their review of launch day

activities and mission plans. Commander John Bhdm, Pilot Richard Searfoss, and

221
mission specialist Bill McArlhur flew in the Shuttle Training Aircraft earlier

today. The crew will be granted several hours of free time this afternoon and be

ready for sleep at about 9:30 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at various

times ranging from 5:33 to 5:58 a.m. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SIKS]q'LE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 13, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 13, 1993.]

October 14: RANGE SAFETY PROBLEM SCRUBS LAUNCH

The countdown for the launch of Columbia's STS 58 mission was halted today at

the T-31 second mark at about 12:52 p.m. due to the failure of a range safety

destruct command processor. The computer system was reinifiated and declared

ready to proceed with another attempt tomorrow. The window for tomorrow's

attempt is open from 10:53 a.m. until 1:21 p.m. EDT. Following the scrub, the

external tank was drained of its cryogenic propellants. At 2:33 a.m. tomorrow,

operations will begin to reload the external tank with more than 500,000 gallons

of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Forecasters late Thursday indicate a 70

percent probability of weather prohibiting launch tomorrow. The primary concerns

are for possible thunderstorms and unacceptable cloud coverage. The winds at

Launch Complex 39B are expected to be from the southeast at 10 knots;

temperature 80 degrees F; visibility 7 miles or greater; and clouds scattered to

broken at 3,000, 8,000 and 25,000 feet. The 72-hour delay forecast lists a 20

percent chance of violation. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTYLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 14, 1993; Notice to Editors/News Directors: Launch of

Columbia on Mission STS 58 Rescheduled, Oct. 14, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-4, Oct. 14, 1993.]

I] ANIMAL RIGttTS PROTEST

Nine animal fights activists protested NASA's planned decapitation of six rats on

its upcoming STS 58 mission. "Why waste these rats' lives? They feel pain and

torture like anyone else. It's a disrespect for life," according to Chris Kohler,

Managing Director of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. NASA's position

is that the beheadings were a necessary part of an experiment to gauge the effects

of weightlessness on humans. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 11,

1993; Evans, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 15, 1993.]

October 15: s ,S8: ;Ecor SCRUB

The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia was scrubbed today at the T-9 minute

mark at about 11:08 a_m. due to the failure of an S-Band transponder on the

Orbiter. This system is one of two transponders that are used for communications

between the Orbiter and ground controllers. Mission managers and engineers have

determined that it will take six to eight hours to replace the failed system once

222
technicians are given access to the pad following de-tanking operations later today.

Because of the turnaround cycle required for some of the Spaeelab payloads,

managers have set the new launch date for Monday, October 16. "We were at a

point in the count where we couldn't recover in time," said Air Force Col. Bill

Sample. The window for Monday's attempt is open from 10:53 a.m. until 1:17

p.m. EDT.

Launch controllers are currently working under a 72-hour scrub turnaround

sequence. The countdown is expected to pick-up again at the T-11 hour mark at

9:33 p.m. Sunday night. The seven-member crew will remain at KSC during this

turnaround sequence. No onboard Orbiter cryogenics or auxiliary power unit

propellants need to be replenished for the launch attempt on Monday (October 18).

Forecasters today have indicated a 20 percent probability of weather prohibiting

launch on Monday. The only concerns are for possible isolated showers and a

limited chance for crosswind violations at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The winds

at Launch Complex 39B are expected to be from the east at 10 knots; temperature

80 degrees F; visibility 7 miles or greater; and clouds scattered at 3,000 feet. The

24-hour delay forecast lists a 30 percent chance of violation with similar

conditions. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT. Oct. 15, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Oct. 15, 1993.]

October 18: COLUMBIA THUNDERS ALOFF

'This is just spectacular to see something that's gone through so much planning

and so much endeavor finally launch," said NASA Science Advisor Victor

Schneider. He was on hand for the successful launch of Columbia on its STS 58

mission. The liftoff came just 10 seconds behind schedule; a U.S. Customs

aircraft was in the restricted flight area. The STS 58 mission is dedicated to

finding out as much as possible about the effects of weightlessness on humans.

['Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Oct. 19, 1993.]

[1 NASA: ADVANCE HUBBLE LAUNCH

NASA managers are talking about advancing the launch date of the STS 61

Hubble Repair Mission of Endeavour from December 2 until November 30. There

is a problem with that scheduling, however; an Air Force rocket carrying a

military satellite is set to liftoff on November 28. NASA officials are trying to

ensure that enough time in the schedule exists to get Endeavour back in the OPF

at KSC before Christmas. Loren Shriver, NASA Manager of Shuttle Launch

Integration said, "I think we are hoping that by say a week or so from now to

have our final decision." The STS 61 mission will have an unprecedented number

of spacewalks, from five to seven, depending on the need for time to make the

Hubble repairs. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Oct. 19, 1993.]

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October20: STS 61: LEAK CHECKS COMPLKrED

Workers in OPF bay 1 have completed their aft leak checks of Endeavour prior

to its being rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Technicians

have also completed:. Orbiter compartment positive pressure tests and airlock

pressure checks and leak tests. Work in progress today: landing gear final tire

pressure top off; retract main and nose landing gears; Orbiter jackdown, weight

and center of gravity checks; Orbiter mate to Orbiter transport system (OTS). STS

61 work scheduled: rollover to the VAB tomorrow; mating to the mission

external tank; rollout to Launch Complex 39A on October 28. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 20, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7, Oct. 19, 1993.]

[l STS 60: DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3

Discovery continues to undergo processing activities in OPF Bay 3. Fuel cell

single cell voltage checks and preparations for APU leak and functional tests have

been completed. Current STS 60 tasks underway: main propulsion system leak

and functional tests; auxiliary power unit (APU) leak and functional tests; elevon

flipper door checks; power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD)tests;

main landing gear wheel, tire assembly and brake replacement; waterproofing of

the chin panel; waste management post-flight servicing; Ku-band integrated tests;

S-Band communication system checks. STS 60 work scheduled: water spray

boiler checkout and servicing and the resumption of stacking the fight-hand solid

rocket boosters in VAB high bay 3 following the rollover of Endeavour tomorrow.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE.SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 20,

1993.]

II SPACE STATION MANAGEMENT

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced the Office of Space Flight

will assume responsibility for management of the Space Station Program.

Jen_miah W. Pearson HI, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, will lead the

integration of these major programs. "Our planned Space Shuttle flight activities

are becoming increasingly more involved with our Space Station planning," Goldin

said. "These programs, of necessity, must be more closely integrated. The Space

Shuttle will be a key element of the redesigned Space Station program and in all

presently planned human space flight activities with Russia." Details of the

merger of these two programs at NASA Headquarters are under development and

will be announced soon.

Goldin also named William Shepherd as the Space Station Program Manager at

the Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston. He is currently an Assistant Deputy

Administrator (technical) at NASA Headquarters and has been leading the day-to224
day transition activities for the Space Station Program. Shepherd and the new

Space Station Program Office at JSC will assume responsibility for the program

and related transition activities effective immediately. Program Directors for the

Space Shuttle and Space Station, reporting to Pearson, will be responsible for all

activities of the respective programs at NASA Headquarters. Pending selection

of the Space Station Program Director, Bryan O'Connor has been designated as

acting. O'Connor is currently the Director of the Space Station Transition.

Thomas Utsman is the Space Shuttle Program Director. The present Space Shuttle

organizational structure will continue to be responsible for the Space Shuttle

Program. [NASAJKSC Release: 93-191, Oct. 20, 1993.]

October 21: ASRM LOSES IN CONFERENCE

House members of a Congressional conference committee forced Senators to omit

funding for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) in NASA's budget this

year. Left in the budget was $100 million needed to terminate the project.

Senator Howell I-leflin (D-AL) said, "As much as I hate to admit it, the ASRM is

dead. There's no question in my mind that the safety of our astronauts and the

safety of the Shuttle should dictate the decision that the ASRM be completed."

Rep. George Brown (D-CA) said, "A very large number of members of Congress

are looking for large targets to cut out of the budget so they can demonstrate their

commitment to reducing the deficit. ASRM was one of those projects that are

fairly large - it would eventually have been $2-$3 billion - and whose justification

to them was marginal." ["Rocket Project's Fate May Bode Ill for Super Collider,"

FLORIDA TODAY. p. 6A, Oct. 10, 1993; Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct.

22, 1993; Camire and Eisler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 23, 1993.]

October 22: STS 61: ENDEAVOUR IN VAB

The Space Shuttle Endeavour began its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building

yesterday morning at 10:35 a.m. and, today, the Orbiter has been hoisted from the

transfer aisle to the high bay. Today, technicians are busy with mating Endeavour

with its external tank. STS 61 work scheduled: electrical and mechanical

hookups between Orbiter, mobile launcher platform and other Shuttle elements;

interface verification checks; Shuttle interface test and rollout to Launch Complex

39A on October 28, 1993. [KENNED..y SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 22, 1993.]

II STS 60: KU-BAND TESTS COMPLEWED

In the Orbiter Processing Facility's bay 3, Discovery's Ku-band antenna integrated

tests have been completed and the S-band communication system checks are also

finished. Work in progress today: main propulsion system leak and functional

tests; power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) tests; waste

225
;i

management post-flight servicing; auxiliary power unit (APU)leak and functional

tests; elevon flipper door checks; main landing gear wheel, tire assembly and

brake replacement; waterproofing of the chin panel. STS 60 work scheduled:

removal and replacement of the thruster from the left hand orbital maneuvering

system pod; Orbiter/external tank umbilical door cycle checks; water spray boiler

checkout and servicing; preparations to install the tunnel adapter; resumption in

stacking the right-hand solid rocket boosters in the VAB high bay 3 following the

rollover of Endeavour. [KENNEDY SPACE CE..NTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Oct. 22, i993.]

October 25: ST S 61: ROLLOUT SEW FOR OCTOBER 28

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, Endeavour has been lifted and mated to its

external tank for the STS 61 mission. Orbiter/external tank mechanical and

electrical mates have been completed as well as the demate from the Orbiter

transport system (OTS). Currently, technicians are conducting the Shuttle

interface verification test and Orbiter/external tank electrical eloseouts. STS 61

work scheduled: moving the payload to the launch pad and installing it in the

payload changeout room. Rollout to Launch Complex 39A is scheduled for

October 28. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE ..SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Oct. 25, 1993.]

October 27: STS 61: SHUTTLE POWER DOWN

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians have completed a manual Shuttle

vehicle power down. Endeavour will be powered up again at the launch pad. The

Shuttle interface verification test has also been conducted. Work in progress

today: preparations for the rollout to Launch Complex 39A; Orbiter/external tank

electrical closeouts; transfer of the payload to the payload changeout room at LC

39A. STS 61 work scheduled: rollout to LC 39A at 4 a.m. October 28; launch

pad validations with a hot firing of the auxiliary power units; place rotating

service structure around the Orbiter October 29. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SH-tYIq_E STATUS REPORT, Oct. 27, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p.2A, Oct. 28, 1993.]

II STS 60: APU TESTS

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3, workers have completed auxiliary power unit

(APU) leak and functional tests; they have tested and replaced thrusters and have

made Orbiter/external tank umbilical door cycle checks. Work in progress today:

water spray boiler checkout and servicing; S-Band communication system checks;

main propulsion system leak and functional tests; preparations to install the tunnel

adapter; waste management post-flight servicing; stacking the right-hand solid

rocket boosters in the VAB's high bay 3. STS 60 work scheduled: installation

226
of the tunnel adapter; preparations to re-install the forward reaction control system;

integrated drag chute installation. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 27, 1993.]

October 28: ENDEAVOUR ROLLS TO LC 39A

"The move is one of the last major milestones before launch," said KSC

spokesman Brace Buckingham about Endeavour's rollout to Launch Complex 39A

this morning. The six-hour journey began at 3:21 a.m. and inched along the 3

1/2-mile crawlerway at a stately 1 mile per hour pace. The Orbiter's STS 61

mission will carry a corrective lens for the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit.

The crew includes: Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Ken Bowersox, Payload

Commander Story Musgrave and Mission Specialists Tom Akers, Jeffrey Hoffman,

Claude Nicollier and Kaflwyn ThOrnton. [I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

Oct. 29, 1993.]

October 29: STS 61: APUS HO T FIRED

Endeavour was hard down on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at about 10 a.m.

yesterday. The vehicle has been secured to the pad and the crawler transporter has

been removed. The ground power source to the vehicle was secured and the

Orbiter was powered up. Technicians then conducted a successful hot firing of

auxiliary power units 1, 2 and 3. Work in progress today: placing the rotating

service structure around the vehicle; launch pad validations and pad/shuttle

interface checks and opening of the payload bay doors. STS 61 work scheduled

for next week: final payload bay cleaning prior to payload installation; installation

of the IMAX camera and ICBC payloads into the Orbiter; installation of the

primary payloads into the payload bay; payload interface verification checks and

end-to-end tests; helium signature test; preparations for hypergolic reactant loading

onto the vehicle; terminal countdown demonstration test with crew arrival

November 3 and T-0 on November 5. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 29, 1993.]

[1 STS 60: TESTS AND LEAK CHECKS

Discovery is in OPF bay 3 where it is being prepared for its STS 60 mission. Sband communication system checks have been completed. Technicians preparing

the vehicle for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building have also completed

Orbiter/external tank umbilical door cycle checks; test and leak check replaced

thrusters and finished auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests. Work in

progress today for the STS 60 mission: rudder speed brake and body flap checks;

raising the nose landing gear; preparations to install the tunnel adapter; payload

bay cleaning prior to installation of the tunnel adapter; water spray boiler checkout

and servicing; integrated drag chute installation; stacking fight-hand solid rocket

227
T

boosters in VAB high bay 3; preparations to replace a thruster. STS 60 work

scheduled for next week: replacing the thruster on the OMS pod; main propulsion

system leak and functional tests; installation of the tunnel adapter; preparations to

install the forward reaction control system (FRCS); transfer FRCS to OPF for

installation on Orbiter and interface verification checks; Orbiter/external tank

umbilical door closeouts; radiator mechanical functional checks; preparations to

install SPACEHAB; preparations to transfer the Wake Shield Facility to the

vertical processing facility. [KENNEDY SPACECENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS.R_PORT, Oct. 29, 1993.]

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b

November

November 1: STS 58: COLUMBIA LANDS AT EDWARDS

Columbia landed successfully and on time today at Edwards Air Force Base,

California. This ends the longest Space Shuttle mission to date. The Orbiter and

crew landed on orbit 225 on concrete runway 22. Approximate mission elapsed

times are as follows:

Main gear touchdown:

Nose gear touchdown:

Wheel stop:

Mission duration:

14:00:12.32 (10:05.42 EST)

14:00:12.44 (10:05.54 EST)

14:00:13.34 (10:06.44 EST)

14 days/13 minutes

Current plans call for Columbia to begin its two-day ferry flight back to KSC on

November 7, with an arrival at Kennedy Space Center on November 8. The STS

58 crew included: Commander John Blalm; Pilot Richard Searfoss; Mission

Specialists Rhea Seddon, Bill McArthur, David Wolf, Shannon Lucid; Payload

Specialist: Martin Fettman. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTrLE,,.

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 1, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 2, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

pp. A-1 & A-6, Nov. 2, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPEN

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A have now opened Endeavour's payload bay

doors and have installed the IMAX camera and the ICBC payloads. The rotating

service structure has been placed around the Orbiter; launch pad validations and

pad/Shuttle interface checks have been completed. Pre-launch tasks in process

today: final payload bay/payload changeout room cleaning prior to payload

installation; preparations for the helium signature test; preparations for hypergolic

reactant loading onto Endeavour. STS 61 tasks scheduled: installation of

payloads; payload interface verification checks and end-to-end tests; helium

signature test; terminal countdown demonstration test. The STS 61 crew is

expected to arrive tomorrow. The crew includes:Commander Richard O. Covey,

Pilot Kenneth Bowersox, Mission Specialists. Stow Musgrave, "l_omas D. Akers,

Jeff_y A. Hoffnmn, Kathwn C, Thornton, Claude Nieollier. Payload: Hubble

Space Telescope optical correction, SM-1, ICBC. The target launch date for STS

61 is December 1. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 1, 1993; Banke, FLOP, IDA TODAY, Nov. 21, 1993.]

I1 STS 60: DRA G CHUTE INSTALLED

Discovery continues to undergo processing activities while in Orbiter Processing

Facility bay 3 for its next mission: STS 60. Workers have completed the

following tasks: rudder speed brake and body flap checks; raising the nose

229
landing gear; replacing an OMS pod thruster; integrated drag chute installation.

Work in progress today: preparations to install the tunnel adapter; payload bay

cleaning prior to installation of the adapter; water spray boiler checkout and

servicing; stacking right-hand solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly

Building's high bay 3. STS 60 work scheduled: main propulsion system leak and

functional tests; installation of the tunnel adapter; preparations to install the

forward reaction control system (FRCS); transfer the FRCS to OPF for installation

on Discovery and interface verification checks; Orbiter/external tank umbilical

door closeouts; preparations to install Spacehab; preparations to transfer Wake

Shield Facility to the Vertical Processing Facility. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 1, 1993.]

NOVEMBER 2: STS 58: LANDING UPDATE

Preliminary post-flight inspections revealed a total of 68 dings to Columbia's

Thermal Protection System tiles, with 23 of these dings being one inch or greater

in size. A 40-inch section of thermal barrier was tom around the heat shield area

of one of the main engines. The cause of this tear is still unknown and will be

examined upon the Orbiter's return to Kennedy Space Center. Current plans call

for Columbia to begin its two-day ferry flight from California back to KSC on

November 7, with arrival at the space center on November 8. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS.. REPORT, November 2, 1993.]

[1 STS 61: PAYLOAD CHANGEOUT ROOM CONTAMINATION

Installation of the STS 61 payloads into the Orbiter Endeavour has been put on

indefinite hold due to some contamination that was recently discovered inside the

launch pad's payload changeout room. A very fine sandy substance appeared in

the changeout room last weekend. It is believed to have been caused by a windy

weather system that recently passed through Central Florida. The changeout room

was subsequently cleaned but a smaller mount of the debris was detected late

Sunday. No single area has been found to be the sole source of the

contamination, but the debris may be associated with recent sandblasting

operations at Launch Complex 39A. Shuttle management has formed four teams

to investigate the matter and to address any schedule changes that may be

necessary. The rotating service structure has been placed around Endeavour.

Launch pad validations and pad/Shuttle interface checks are complete. The

payload bay doors have been opened and the IMAX camera and ICBC payloads

installed. Work in progress today: preparations for the terminal countdown

demonstration test, the helium signature test and for hypergolic reactant loading

onto the Orbiter. STS 61 work scheduled: helium signature test, the TCDT and

crew arrival on November 4. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

230
.I

i,

II

il

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 2, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A,

Nov. 3, 1993.]

STS 60: OMS POD THRUSTER REPLACED

In OPF bay 3, one of Discovery's OMS pod thrusters has been replaced. In

addition, rudder speed brake and body flap checks have been finished. The nose

landing gear has been raised and integrated drag chute installation is complete.

Work in progress today: preparations to install the tunnel adapter; payload bay

cleaning prior to installation of tunnel adapter; water spray boiler checkout and

servicing; stacking right-hand solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building

high bay 3. STS 60 work scheduled: main propulsion system leak and functional

tests; installation of the tunnel adapter; preparations to install the forward reaction

control system (FRCS); transfer of the FRCS to the OPF for installation on

Discovery and interface verification checks; Orbiter/external tank umbilical door

close, outs; preparations to install SPACEHAB; Wake Field Facility to be moved

to the Vertical Processing Facility tomorrow. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 2, 1993.]

TITAN LAUNCH DELAYED

The upcoming Titan 4 launch has been delayed indefinitely so that a potentially

explosive booster segment can be replaced. Air Force launch managers will

decide within two weeks whether the changeout work can be done at the pad,

according to spokeswoman Terri Braeher. If the work cannot be done there, the

Titan will be returned to the vertical assembly building. An August 2 launch

failure at Vandenberg AFB (CA) made the Titan 4 now at its pad suspect to

managers. The California failure has been traced to an improperly repaired

booster segment; the explosion destroyed an $800 million group of ocean

surveillance satellites. John Pike, Director of Space Policy for the Federation of

American Scientists, said: "The Titan has turned out to be a surprisingly unreliable

vehicle. They shouldn't be having these problems. There's just no excuse for it."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 3, 1993.]

November 3: STS 61: POSSIBLE PAD MOVE

In light of the contamination at Launch Complex 39A's payload changeout room

('PCR), the decision has been made to remove the HST payload from LC 39A's

PCR and return it to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for further

cleanliness inspections. Current projections indicate the payload will remain at the

PHSF for about 10 days. Tonight, the payload canister will be transported to the

pad and, on November 5, the move to the PHSF will occur. For this, the rotating

service structure will be retracted this afternoon and remain in the park position

throughout the terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT). Also, managers

231
are currently working to preserve options to launch STS 61 from either pad. A

decision is expected by the end of the week. There has been no impact to the

targeted launch date. Endeavour's payload bay doors have been closed and the

helium signature test has been completed. Work in progress: payload changeout

room cleaning and inspections; securing aft engine compartment and installation

of aft doors; retracting the rotating service structure from around the vehicle;

preparations to return the primary HST payload to the PHSF. STS 61 work

scheduled: return the payload to the PHSF for cleanliness inspections; terminal

countdown demonstration test, ending at l l a.m. November 5; preparations for

hypergolic reactant loading onto the Orbiter. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

.,spACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 3, 1993.]

[l STS 60: PAYLOAD BAY CLEANING

Discovery has had its payload bay cleaned while undergoing pre-rollover

processing in the OPF bay 3. The FRCS has been transferred to the OPF and

preparations have been made to install the tunnel adapter in the vehicle. Work in

progress today: body flap actuator checks; Orbiter/external tank umbilical door

closeouts; main propulsion system leak and functional tests; install the tunnel

adapter; preparations to install the forward reaction control system (FRCS); water

spray boiler checkout and servicing; payload interface checks; stacking fight-hand

solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3. STS 60 work

scheduled: installing FRCS and interface verification checks; checks on Orbiter

door radiators; preparations to install SPACEHAB, preparations to transfer Wake

Shield Facility to the Vertical Processing Facility. Current plans call for

Columbia, just returned from its STS 58 mission, to begin its two-day ferry flight

back to Kennedy Space Center on November 7. Arrival will be the following day,

barring weather problems. All work is continuing as planned on the vehicle which

is currently in the mate/demate device. Experiment destow is complete.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'I'H_ STATUS REPORT, Nov. 3,

1993.]

[] SHUTFLE TO MAKE 10 MIR TRIPS

The new cooperative ventures in space with Russia means that there will be at

least 10 Space Shuttle missions to the Russian Space Station Mir according to

plans the Clinton White House will reveal today. Congressman Jim Bacchus said

the agreement will impact the Kennedy Space Center in two important ways:

"Shuttles launched from KSC will carry all U.S. hardware to NASA's proposed

International Space Station, which Russia will join as a full partner; Shuttles will

remain the primary vehicle for ferrying supplies to the station." Bacchus added,

"That's big news for Brevard County. This gives us assurances of full use of the

Space Shuttle over the next few years, and that's extraordinarily important." The

increases in numbers of missions are an elaboration of the planned mission next

232
year with Russia's Sergei Kdkalev and the first Shuttle mission to Mir in 1995.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 4, 1993; Elder, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, Nov. 5, 1993; "Pact Pushes U.S., Russia As Comrades In Space," _THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Nov. 5, 1993.]

November 4: MUSICAL PADS?

No decision has been made yet as to which pad mission STS 61 will be launched

from. The concern is over sandblast grit found in Launch Complex 39A's payload

changeout room (PCR). Because of the potential for contamination, the HST

payloads will be removed from the PCR and returned to the Payload Hazardous

Servicing Facility (PHSF) for further cleanliness inspections. Also, the PCR at LC

39A will be cleaned and the PCR's at both pads reinspected. The payload

transport canister was delivered to Pad A last night and operations to install the

payloads into the canister are in work today. Early tomorrow morning the canister

will leave the pad and be transported to the PHSF. Managers are still working to

preserve options to launch STS 61 from either pad. A decision is expected by the

end of the week.

The rotating service structure has been retracted from around Endeavour. The aft

engine compartment has been secured and the aft doors installed. Work in

progress today includes: the terminal countdown demonstration test which ends

at 11 a.m. November 5; payload changeout room cleaning and inspections;

installation of the primary HST payloads into the transport canister; preparations

to return payloads to the PHSF. STS 61 work scheduled: returning the payloads

to the PHSF for cleanliness inspections and preparations for hypergolic reactant

loading onto Endeavour. [KENNEDy SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 4, 1993.]

II TCDT TODAY FOR ENDEAVOUR,

While NASA managers are deciding whether to keep the Space Shuttle Endeavour

at Launch Complex 39A or move it to 39B, the Orbiter itself and, in the latter

stages its seven member crew, will undergo the mission's terminal countdown

demonstration test. The test gets underway at 8:00 a.m. this morning and runs

through tomorrow morning. Endeavour's prime payload for its STS 61 mission,

the Hubble Space Telescope's replacement instruments, will be moved November

5 to a KSC satellite processing facility for examination and cleaning, if necessary.

Installation in Endeavour's cargo bay is expected to occur November 16 to stay

on schedule for the expected December 1 launch. Columbia, in California at

Edwards Air Force Base, is being readied for its ferry flight back to Kennedy

Space Center; it should arrive at KSC early Sunday, November 6. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 4, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. Nov. 5,

1993.]

233
[1 STS 60: WAKE SHIELD FACHATY TO VPF

The Wake Shield Facility, scheduled to fly into space aboard Discovery, has been

transferred to the Vertical Processing Facility. The forward reaction control

system (FRCS) has been transferred to the Orbiter Processing Facility. The

Orbiter's tunnel adapter has been installed and workers have made Orbiter/external

tank umbilical door closeouts. STS 60 work in progress: body flap actuator

checks; tunnel adapter/crew module leak checks; main propulsion system leak and

functional tests; preparations to install the forward reaction control system (FRCS);

water spray boiler checkout and servicing; payload interface checks; stacking

right-hand solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 3.

STS 60 work scheduled: installation of the FRCS and interface verification

checks; checks on Orbiter door radiators; preparations to transport SPACEHAB

to OPF and install it in the Orbiter's payload bay. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 4, 1993.]

November 5: STS 61: ENDEAVOUR TO SWITCH PADS

Managers decided today to move the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the HST

service mission from Launch Complex 39A to Launch Complex 39B. KSC

spokesman Bruce Buckingham said today, "It's going to chew up all our

contingency time except for a few days around the Thanksgiving holidays."

Contamination found in pad A's payload changeout room (PCR) as a result of last

weekend's high winds demonstrated additional measures were required to insure

protection for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) instruments. Managers are

certain that the required recertification of the pad A PCR is achievable, however,

the normal vehicle processing activities may conflict with the recertification

schedule. Some standard post-launch work_k at pad B remains to be

accomplished, including recertification of the PCR. Additionally, the pad B PCR

will be modified to enhance the integrity of the facility. This work includes

modifying and sealing the ceiling for added protection.

The Endeavour vehicle will remain at pad A and continue its routine processing

activities, including hypergolic propellant loading, until pad B is ready to accept

the vehicle. This decision allows the pad B PCR activities to proceed in parallel

with the Shuttle processing on pad A, thus providing the best opportunity for

meeting the target launch date. The earliest move to pad B is expected to occur

approximately November 15 with no impact to target launch date of December 1.

The HST payloads were transported there last night from pad A to the canister

rotation facility. There, the canister will be placed in a horizontal position. Later

today, with the payloads still inside, the transport canister will be moved to the

Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for further cleanliness inspections.

The HST instruments will likely be moved to pad B about November 15. The

STS 61 mission's terminal countdown demonstration test was completed today at

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I1

II

I1

11 a.m. The primary HST payloads were installed into the transport canister and

moved to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Work in progress today

includes: extending the rotating service structure around the vehicle; payload

changeout room cleaning and inspections; removal of the aft compartment doors;

preparations for hypergolic reactant loading onto the vehicle. The hypergolic fuels

will be loaded onto the Orbiter next week. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTIT3g STATUS REPORT, Nov. 5, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 6, 1993; "Endeavour's Launch Pad Switch Won't Delay

Mission," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 6, 1993.]

STS 60: TUNNEL ADAPTER INSTALLED

Discovery's tunnel adapter has been installed and payload bay radiator functional

checks have been completed in preparation for the vehicle's STS 60 mission.

Current processing tasks include: body flap actuator checks; tunnel adapter/crew

module leak checks; installation of the 'I)' hatch; main propulsion system leak and

functional tests; water spray boiler servicing and decay leak checks; stacking righthand solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3;

installation of the Wake Shield Facility into the Vertical Processing Facility high

bay. Work schedule for next week: installation of the forward reaction control

system (FRCS) and interface verification checks; checks on the Orbiter door

radiators; orbital maneuvering system flight control verifications; preparations to

transport SPACEHAB to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) and install it in

Discovery's payload bay; Wake Shield Facility interface verification checks.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT. Nov. 5,

1993.]

STS 58: COLUMBIA'S RETURN

Current plans call for Columbia to begin its two-day ferry flight back to o KSC

on November 7, with arrival at Kennedy Space Center on November 8, if weather

en route permits. All work is continuing as planned on the vehicle which is

currently in the mate/demate device. Ferry kit installation operations is in work.

The vehicle will be mated to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SEA) this weekend.

Once at KSC, the Orbiter will be towed and placed inside OPF Bay 2 for

processing of its next mission, STS 62. [_F-J)Y SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHU_ STATUS REPORT, Nov. 5, 1993.]

KSC IMPACT ON FLORIDA ECONOMY

Space related employment and contracts at NASA's Kennedy Space Center yielded

a $1.519 billion boost to Florida's economy during the 1993 fiscal year which

ended September 30. This represents an increase of about $32 million over the

previous year. Of KSC's expenditures, $1.230 billion went to contractors

235 ,
operating on-site at the space center. An additional $96.8 million went to off-site

businesses in Brevard County. Other purchases and contracts awarded to Florida

businesses outside Brevard County totaled about $62.4 million. Space center

purchases and contracts to businesses outside Florida totaled about $63.5 million.

Civil service salaries and personnel benefits through the end of fiscal year 93

amounted to $157.3 million, an increase of about $4.7 million over last year.

About $129.6 million was for regular salary, lump-sum payments, overtime and

awards programs. The remaining $27.6 million went for additional personnel

benefits. (The $27.6 million civil service benefits package and $63.5 million in

out of state business awards increased KSC's total spending during the year to

$1.610 billion.) Permanent federal employees at KSC totaled 2,631 during the

same period. While 3,902 people were employed through construction and tenant

jobs at KSC, the majority of the workers were employed by the on-site contractors

and numbered almost 11,720. Overall, approximately 18,253 workers were

employed at KSC through the close of the Fiscal Year on September 30. Major

contractors at Kennedy Space Center include Lockheed Space Operations, Co., the

Shuttle Processing Contractor; EG&G Florida, Inc., the Base Operations

Contractor; McDonnell Douglas Aerospace KSC Division, the Payload Ground

Operations Contractor; and Rockwell International Corp., the Shuttle Orbiter

logistics support contractor. [NASA/KSC Release No. 142-93, Nov. 5, 1993.]

November 6: ,KS_C.OPEN HOUSE

Kennedy Space Center opened its doors wide to employees and their families

today from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. "This is really a great opportunity. This

really gets the public up close to the space program. It gets you excited and

makes you want to support the program," said Jeff Sager, whose family members

were guests of KSC employee Bob Springer. Visitors were able to drive around

Launch Complex 39A where Endeavour awaits its STS 61 mission launch and to

see the Launch Control Center and Orbiter Processing Facility. The KSC

Headquarters Building and Operations & Checkout Building were also open to the

public. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.lB, Nov. 7, 1993.]

November 7: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

The heads of the space agencies involved in the International Space Station, met

in Montreal, Canada, today. The participants included NASA, the Canadian Space

Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Space

Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), together with the head of the Russian

Space Agency (RSA). Their joint statement follows:

Pursuant to the Joint Statement on potential Russian involvement in the Space

Station issued by the United States, Canada, Japan and the Member States of the

236
[1

European Space Agency on October 16, 1993, the heads of the space agencies

involved in the International Space Station, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA),

the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Space Development Agency of

Japan (NASDA) and the United States National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA), together with the head of the Russian Space Agency

(RSA), met in Montreal, Canada, on November 7, 1993. This was the first

collective meeting of the Space Station partners with Russia, which is a significant

step in the consideration of broadening the International Space Station partnership.

The heads of agencies reviewed the outcome of the joint NASA/RSA studies

conducted over the last several months and reflected in the Addendum to the

Space Station Alpha Program Implementation Plan of November l, 1993, and

discussed the possible participation of Russia as a partner in the International

Space Station.

Such a project would be the largest undertaking in history, bringing together the

combined space efforts of Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States.

The CSA, ESA and NASDA expressed their appreciation for the information

provided in the Addendum, which outlines an enhanced program that could lead

to a more robust and reliable International Space Station that would benefit all the

partners. They also expressed their appreciation for the efforts undertaken by

NASA and RSA in producing this Addendum and welcomed the additional

information provided at this meeting. The heads of agencies noted that Phase 1

involving the Space Shuttle and the MIR station, with its attendant science,

technology and operations activities, offers an early opportunity for learning and

experience. This Phase is intended to greatly reduce the risks for all of the

partners during the combined Phase 2/Phase 3 activities to construct, operate and

utilize the International Space Station. The head of the RSA expressed to his

counterparts Russia's firm desire to participate as a partner, contributing additional

capabilities and resources, whilst acknowledging the attendant obligations and

responsibilities it would undertake as a full partner. Recognizing the benefits to

be gained, CSA, ESA, NASDA and NASA agreed on the need to complete an

intense process at all levels that could lead to Russia becoming a full partner in

the International Space Station. [NASA/KSC NOTE TO EDITORS: N93-62,

Nov. 8, 1993; Stinson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.lA, Nov. 5, 1993; "Space

Partnership Should Protect Jobs," FLOKIDA TODAY, Nov. 14, 1993.]

TBS,PLANS SPACE MINISER1ES

A four-hour television miniseries on the history of the space program is being

made by Turner Broadcasting Service, and producers are looking to Brevard

County residents for help with the project. "For the series we are very interested

in obtaining photographs and home movies from people who worked on the space

program or who lived near NASA facilities," associate producer Daniel Levitt said.

The video project will be based loosely on a book to be published next summer

237
by Brevard residents Howard Benedict and Jay Barbn_e. "Our project will tell the

story from the astronauts' and insiders' perspective," said Levitt. "Anecdotal

images from people who were there at the time will be invaluable in helping us

tell the behind the scenes story of NASA's tremendous achievement." Levitt said

the series will air in late 1994 as part of the activity commemorating the 25th

anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. TBS's companion network - Turner

Network Television - is planning a documentary on Apollo 11 to be broadcast in

July 1994. Merritt Island resident Nancy Yaseclm, of Varied Productions, planned

research in January 1994, in the Kennedy Space Center Library Archives as part

of her work on the anniversary production. ["TBS Plans Miniseries on NASA,"

FLORA TODAY, p. 10E, Nov. 7, 1993.]

November 8: COLUMBIA RETURNS TO KSC

Bascom Murrah, Processing Manager for the Space Shuttle Columbia, said today:

"You know, they say the older the violin, the sweeter the music. Well,

[Columbia's] the queen of the fleet." Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said,

"We're happy to get the bird back and looking forward to go fly it again next

year." The oldest Shuttle, Columbia, returned to KSC where more than two weeks

ago it was launched on a record 14-day stay in space. The Orbiter attached to its

747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft landed on the Shuttle Landing Facility shortly before

11 a.m. EST. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 8, 1993; Banke,

FLORID. A TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 9, 1993.]

November 9: MORE ON SHUTTLE MOVE

Managers decided last Friday (November 5) to move the Shuttle Endeavour and

the I-IST service mission from LC 39A to LC39B. Contamination found in pad

A's payload changeout room _CR) as a result of last weekend's high winds

demonstrated additional measures were required to insure protection for the I-IST

instruments. Managers are certain that the required recertification of the pad A

PCR is achievable, however, the normal vehicle processing activities may conflict

with the recertification schedule. Some standard post-launch work at pad B

remains to be accomplished, including recertification of the PCR. Additionally,

the pad B PCR will be modified to enhance the integrity of the facility. This

work includes modifying and sealing the ceiling for added protection. The

Endeavour vehicle will remain at pad A and continue its routine processing

activities, including hypergolic propellant loading, until pad B is ready to accept

the vehicle. This decision allows the pad B PCR activities to proceed in parallel

with the Shuttle processing on pad A, thus providing the best opportunity for

meeting the target launch date. Endeavour may be moved to pad B as early as

this Monday (November 15), with no impact expected to a target launch date of

December 1. The terminal countdown demonstration test is scheduled for

November 12. Foaming of the solid rocket boosters' aft skirt trailing edge has

238
been completed. Turbopumps on both Endeavour and Discovery will be

inspected because of problems found with a test engine at Rocketdyne's Canoga

Park factory. At the factory, a tiny crack was found in a titanium inlet that feeds

liquid hydrogen into a main engine's high-pressure fuel turbopump.

Work in progress today in behalf of the STS 61 mission: pad B payload

changeout room cleaning and inspections; cleaning of pad B in preparation of the

arrival of Endeavour at the pad; preparations for hypergolic reactant loading onto

the Orbiter; loading of hypergolic reactant fuels beginning late today. STS 61

work scheduled: inspections of engine fuel pumps; moving the Orbiter to pad B

as early as November 15; replacement of protective cover on the Hubble Space

Telescope payloads and transport of the payloads to Launch Complex 39B

November 15. [KgNNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SItUTI'LE STATUS

REPORT. Nov. 9, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 10,

1993.]

[1 STS 60 & 58: UPDATES

Workers in OPF Bay 3 have installed the tunnel adapter in Discovery and made

payload bay radiator mechanical functional checks. They have also conducted the

interface verification test of the Wake Shield Facility. Current STS 60 tasks:

body flap actuator checks; tunnel adapter/crew module leak checks; flight control

aerosurface checkouts; main propulsion system leak and functional tests;

preparations to install the forward reaction control system (FRCS) and stacking

right-hand solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 3.

STS 61 work scheduled: installation of the FRCS and implementation of the

interface verification checks; checks on the Orbiter door radiators; orbital

maneuvering system flight control verifications; preparations to transport the

SPACEHAB to the Orbiter Processing Facility and install it in Discovery's payload

bay on November 15. Meanwhile, Columbia and its 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

landed at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at 10:56 &m. The duo left Edwards Air

Force Base, California, November 7 and remained overnight at Columbus Air

Force Base, Mississippi, before moving on to Kennedy Space Center. Columbia

was demated from its 747 carrier aircraft and has been moved to OPF bay 2 where

it will be deserviced from STS 58 and readied for its next mission, STS 62.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTIIJg STATUS REPORT, Nov. 9,

1993.]

November 10: STS 61: TURBOPUMP INSPECTIONS

Precautionary inspections of Endeavour's three main engine high pressure fuel

turbopumps will begin this week. Officials want to be certain that there are no

imperfections in the pumps. Some minor discoloration and tiny cracks were

recently observed inside a test pump at the Rocketdyne manufacturing plant in

239
J

California. Hypergolic oxidizer propellants have been loaded onto Endeavour.

Current processing tasks include: pad B payload changeout room cleaning and

inspections; preparations to inspect the turbopumps; loading of hypergolic

propellants and the Kennedy Space Center Launch Readiness Review. STS 61

work scheduled: inspections of the engine fuel pumps; moving the Orbiter to pad

B on November 15; replacement of a protective cover on the Hubble Space

Telescope payloads and transportation of the payloads to LC 39]3 on the 15th.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 10,

1993; "Test Engine Crack Spurs Inspection of Endeavour," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Nov. 10, 1993.]

[1 S'IS 60 & COLUMBIA UPDATES

The interface verification test of the Wake Shield Facility has been completed; the

facility is the prime payload of Discovery on its next mission, STS 60.

Technicians in OPF bay 3 have also conducted flight control aerosurface

checkouts. Current tasks include: tests of the Orbiter/payload interfaces; tunnel

adapter/crew module leak checks; main propulsion system leak and functional

tests; preparations to install forward reaction control system (FRCS) and stacking

right-hand solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 3.

STS 60 work scheduled: installation of the FRCS and interface verification

checks; orbital maneuvering system flight control verifications; preparations to

transport SPACEHAB to the OPF and install it in Discovery's payload bay on

November 15. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTII_ STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 10, 1993.]

November U: ENDEAVOURS PUMPS TESTED TODAY

"We finished all the pump inspections [of Endeavour] and they were all good,"

said Rocketdyne's John Plowden. "I was very confident that we wouldn't find

anything, but we went ahead and looked anyway. It's a critical part, and safety

is first." Discovery had two of its three turbopumps inspected as well and, like

Endeavour, no defects were found. Tiny cracks found on other pumps at the

Roeketdyne Canoga Park manufacturing site led to the inspections. Malone went

on to say, "We have no reason to suspect we have a problem with the pumps at

the pad. This is just a precautionary check to make sure there are no

diserepancies." [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 11, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 12, 1993.]

November 12: STS 61: TURBOPUMPS READY FOR FLIGHT

Endeavour's turbopumps have been inspected and found to have no discrepancies;

they are ready for the launch of STS 61. "We finished all the pump inspections

(on Endeavour) and they were all good. I was very confident that we wouldn't

240
3

I]

I1

find anything, but we went ahead and looked anyway. It's a critical part, and

safety is first," commented John Plowden, Rocketdyne's Site Director at Kennedy

Space Center. Hypergolic propellants have been loaded onto the Orbiter. Work

currently in progress: helium signature leak test of the main engine fuel systems;

pad b payload changeout room cleaning and inspections; preparations to transfer

Endeavour to Launch Complex 39B and preparations to replace auxiliary power

unit controller 2. STS 61 work scheduled for next week: moving the vehicle;

replacing protective covers on the HST payloads; payloads to be transported to LC

39B at midnight November 15; installation of the payloads on November 19 and

a Flight Readiness Review on November 17. Launch is targeted for 4:57 &m.

EST on December 1 and landing is expected to occur at 3:33 a.m. on December

12 EST. The launch window is one hour, 11 minutes in duration. [KENN, EDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 12, 1993;

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 12, 1993.]

sTs 60: FRCS INSTALLED

Discovery's forward reaction control system has been installed and the flight

control aerosurface checkouts are now completed. Technicians in the OPF's bay

3 have also conducted the interface verification test of the Wake Shield Facility.

Current processing activities include: tests of the Orbiter payload interfaces;

preparations to install the SPACEHAB payload; transfer of the SPACEHAB to the

OPF; servicing the Orbiter with ammonia and stacking right-hand solid rocket

boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3. Work scheduled for next

week: electrical verifications of the forward reaction control system; installation

of SPACEHAB in the Orbiter's payload bay and installation of Discovery's three

main engines. Post-flight processing of Columbia after its successful STS 58

mission continues. Current activities: removal of the tail cone; installation of

strongbacks on the payload bay doors; opening the payload bay doors and postflight inspections. Next week, technicians will remove the Spaeelab Life Sciences

payload from Columbia's cargo bay. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 12, 1993.]

ENDEAVOUR PASSES HELIUM TEST

Endeavour successfully underwent a vital test of its main propulsion system today

when engineers passed gaseous helium through parts of the Orbiter's system to

check on the possible existence of leaks. Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman

Lisa Malone said, "We're making headway." A similar test had been conducted

earlier in the month; since that time the engines had been inspected and launch

managers ordered the retest to assure that no leaks had been introduced during the

inspections. An APU controller will be replaced and will be retested. The launch

target date remains December 1. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 13,

1993; I-Ialvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 14, 1993.]

241
November 14: SILVER SNOOPYS AWARDED

Seven civil service employees were recently honored with the prestigious astronaut

award, the Silver Snoopy: Paul Kilpa_ck (Titusville, FL) a safety engineer with

the Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorate; Howard "Bird"

Schinzielorz (Palm Bay, FL), a fluids test engineer with the Shuttle Management

and Operations Directorate; Martha Williams (Port St. John, FL) a materials

engineer with the Engineering Development Directorate; Frank Der (Cocoa, FL)

also with the Engineering Development Directorate; Elizabeth Brown (Orlando,

FL) of the Procurement Office; Clnistopher Sigg (Titusville, FL) of the Center

Support Operations Directorate, and Nora Ross (Titusville, FL), secretary and

personal assistant to the Director of Shuttle Operations in the Shuttle Management

and Operations Directorate. ["NASA, KSC Workers Earn Silver Snoopys,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Nov. 14, 1993.]

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I1 COMPANIF__ WIN KSC AWARDS

Eight contractors at Kennedy Space Center were recently recognized for

outstanding performance in the past year:

COMPANY NAME

Lockheed Space Operations

Company

Watson Paving, Inc.

Hemandez Engineering, Inc.

Analex Space Systems, Inc.

V. A. Paving, Inc.

................................................ - .................... : .:...

LOCATION CATEGORY

Titusville, FL Large Business Contractor

Cocoa, FL Small Business Contractor

Houston, TX Small Disadvantaged

Business Contractor

Titusville, FL Woman-Owned Small

Business Contractor

Cocoa, FL

Amertron, Inc.

United Services Associates,

Inc.

High Purity Systems, Inc.

Melbourne, FL

Kennedy Space Center, FL

Titusville, FL

Woman-Owned Small

Business Contractor

Small Business Contractor

Small Disadvantaged

Business Subcontractor

Woman-Owned Small

Business Subcontractor

["Area Companies Win KSC Awards," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Nov. 14,

1993.]

November 15: PAD SWITCH ON FOR TODAY

"It's not something we plan on doing normally, but in this particular case, it works

to our advantage," said Lisa Malone, KSC spokeswoman. Malone was referring

to today's move of Endeavour from Launch Complex 39A to Launch Complex

39B. The move is aimed to keep the space center on track for launching STS 61

on its target date of December 1, 1993. The move begins at noon today and is

expected to take some five hours to complete. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Nov. 14, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 15, 1993.]

243
II

II

ENDEAVOUR STILL ON SCHEDULE

"We're in good shape," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buckingham. "We're still on schedule." Buckingham was referring to NASA's

target launch date of December 1 for Endeavour's STS 61 mission. The move to

pad B was successful; the HST payload was cleaned over the past weekend and

coverings of the payload which had been sprinkled by sand have now been

replaced. The pad switch for Endeavour was the second such switch in the history

of the Space Shuttle program at KSC. In 1990, Columbia was moved from pad

A to B to make room at LC 39A for Atlantis. [I-Ialvorson, FL.ORJ])A TODAY,

p. 2A, Nov. 16, 1993; "Endeavour Makes Move to Different Launch Pad," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 16, 1993.]

ENDEAVOUR UPDATE

Work is in progress today to move the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Hubble

Space Telescope service mission from pad 39A to pad 39B. Contamination found

in pad A's payload changeout room (PCR) as a result of high winds in late

October demonstrated additional measures were required to insure protection for

the HST instruments. No impact to a target launch date of December 1 is

anticipated. The firm launch date will be set at the Flight Readiness Review

scheduled for this Wednesday (November 17). The HST payloads will be

transported to pad B tonight. They will be installed into the PCR at pad B

tomorrow.

Pre-roll preparations have been made; the rotating service structure was retracted

today, beginning at about 9 a.m. The HST payloads have been transferred from

the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility to the canister rotation facility for

rotation to a vertical position. Pad B cleaning and inspections have been

completed along with the fuel side of te vehicle helium signature test. Hypergolic

fuels have been loaded aboard the Orbiter. Auxiliary power unit number 2

controller has been removed and replaced. Three of Endeavour's

multiplexer/demultiplexers have been replaced, as well. Test conductors have

completed solid rocket booster hydraulic circulation and retained a sample for

analysis.

The roll-around of Endeavour from pad A to pad B began at about noon today and

was expected to be completed by six p.m. Launch pad B validations are also

underway today. STS 61 work scheduled: oxidizer side helium signature test;

transport payload canister to the pad tonight and lift the payload into the payload

changeout room tomorrow morning. Endeavour's payload bay will also be opened

tomorrow to receive the HST payload. The flight readiness review will be

conducted November 17. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 15, 1993.]

244
J

II DISCOVERY: STS 60 UPDATE

Discovery's next mission will be STS 60 and the vehicle is currently undergoing

processing activities for that mission. The forward reaction control system (FRCS)

has been installed in the Orbiter and interface verification checks have been made.

In addition, Orbiter door radiator checks have been made and SPACEHAB has

been transported to the Orbiter Processing Facility where Discovery is being

processed. Current activities include: installation of SPACEHAB into the

vehicle's payload bay; forward reaction control system interface verification checks

continue; orbital maneuvering system flight control verifications; preparations to

install the main engines; stacking the solid rocket booster in Vehicle Assembly

Building high bay 3. STS 60 work scheduled: ammonia servicing; main engine

installation; orbital maneuvering system flight redundancy checks. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 15, 1993.]

I] STS 62: U.S. MICROGRAVrI'Y PAYLOAD

Columbia's tailcone has been removed; Space Shuttle's must have the tail cone

covering the engine area during ferry flights from California. The Orbiter's waste

containment system has been removed. Today, technicians will make Orbiter

power system validations and install strongbacks and make preparations for

opening the payload bay doors. STS 62 work scheduled: payload bay door

functional tests; removal of the Spacelab Life Sciences-2 payload module from the

Orbiter's cargo bay. [KENN_k-__ Y. SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTH2g STATUS

REPORT, Nov. 15, 1993.]

November 16: STS 61: lIST PAYLOAD AT PAD

Endeavour was hard down on Launch Complex 39B at 6:07 p.m. The Hubble

Space Telescope payloads are now at the pad as well. Work in progress: launch

pad B validations; installation of payloads into the pad's Payload Changeout Room

(PCR). STS 61 work scheduled: extend the rotating service structure; open

Orbiter payload bay doors and install payload; flight readiness review; inertial

measurement unit calibrations; main engine flight readiness test. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 16, 1993.]

II STS 60: PROCESSING UPDATE

The Spacehab module has been installed in Discovery's payload bay. Technicians

in the OPF bay 3 have also conducted forward reaction control system (FR.CS)

interface verification tests and orbital maneuvering system flight control

verification. STS 60 work scheduled: main engine installation; orbital

maneuvering system flight redundancy checks; SPACEHAB interface verification

tests; orbital maneuvering system redundant electrical circuit verifications.

245
[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 16,

1993.]

II STS 62: A pU #2 INSPECTIONS

Columbia is in bay 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility where strongbacks have

been installed and the payload bay doors opened. Technicians have inspected

auxiliary power unit #2 and conducted post-mission propellant deservicing.

Current processing activities include: Orbiter power system validations; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; auxiliary power unit lube oil

servicing and main engine inspections. STS 62 work scheduled: payload bay

door functional tests; removal of the Spacelab Life Sciences-2 payload module;

auxiliary power unit leak and functional test. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

_;PACE SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, November 16, 1993.]

November 17: STS 61: OFFICIAL DATE SET TODAY

"We know of no issues [NASA managers] axe planning on discussing that would

threaten Endeavour's target launch dated of December 1," said Bruce Buckingham,

Kennedy Space Center spokesman. NASA managers are meeting at the space

center to address several concerns that uniquely affected Endeavour's pre-flight

preparations: the switch of launch pads; the readiness of LC 39B to support the

launch and the cleanliness of the Hubble Space Telescope spare parts which make

up the prime payload for the STS 61 mission. Buckingham remarked further

yesterday, "We understand the [HST] payload is very sensitive to contamination

and it needs to be granted all of its due respect." Launch is set to occur in a

window which runs from 4:57 to 6:04 a.m. The STS 61 crew includes

Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Ken Bowetsox and Mission Specialists Kalttryn

Thornton, Claude Nicollier _SA), Jeffrey Hoffman, F. Story Musgrave and Tom

Aker_. The launch time or date may yet be impacted by two unmanned rocket

launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; these are presently scheduled for

the same week. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Nov. 17, 1993; Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Nov. 18, 1993; "Note to Editors: NASA Sets Launch

Date for STS 61 HST Serviciw, Mission. Nov. 17, 1993.]

U STS 60: SPACEHAB INSTALLED

The SPACEHAB module has been installed in Discovery's payload bay while the

Orbiter undergoes pre-rollover processing in OPF bay 3. Forward reaction control

system (FRCS) interface verification tests have been conducted along with orbital

maneuvering system flight control verifications. Work currently in progress:

ammonia servicing; preparations to install the main engines; potable water

servicing; stacking solid rocket booster in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3.

STS 60 work scheduled: main engine installation; orbital maneuvering system

246
flight redundancy checks and redundant electrical circuit verifications;

SPACEHAB interface verification tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 17, 1993.]

[1 COLUMBIA: PROPELLANT DESERVICING

Columbia is in OPF bay 2 where technicians have completed post-mission

propellant deservicing. Strongback installation has been completed and the

payload bay doors have been opened. Technicians have inspected auxiliary power

unit number 2. Work in progress today: Orbiter power system validations; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; auxiliary power unit lube oil

servicing and main engine inspections. STS 62 work scheduled: payload bay

door functional tests; removal of Spacelab Life Sciences-2 payload module by the

end of the week and auxiliary power unit leak and functional testing. [KENNEDY

SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUITLE STATUS RF_J_RT, Nov. 17, 1993.]

November 18: STS 61: PCR RF_JEEIVES PAYLOADS

Following yesterday's Flight Readiness Review (FRR) held at Kennedy Space

Center, STS 61 mission managers selected December 1 as the firm launch date for

Endeavour. The window on December 1 extends from 4:57 until 6:04 a.m. EST.

The Hubble Space Telescope payload has now been installed into LC 39B's

payload changeout room (PCR) in preparation for placement in the cargo bay of

Endeavour. Other completed tasks include: the flight readiness review (FRR);

extend rotating service structure; Orbiter midbody umbilical unit mate and leak

checks; open Orbiter payload bay doors; inertial measurement unit calibrations;

launch pad B validations. Work in progress today: main engine flight readiness

test; main propulsion system aerosurface cycles; retest of the

multiplexer/demultiplexers; final payload bay cleaning; solid rocket booster

hydraulic closeouts; auxiliary power unit $i2 controller tests; stowage and

checkouts of spacesuits in the Orbiter's airlock. STS 61 tasks scheduled: remove

payload covers prior to installation of payload into the Orbiter payload bay; aft

Orbiter closeouts; Ordnance installation; Hubble Space Telescope (HST) payload

interface verification and end-to-end tests. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 18, 1993.]

[1 STS 60: AMMONIA SERVICING COMPLETE

In OPF bay 3, technicians have completed ammonia servicing on Discovery in

preparation for its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Main engine

installation is ready to be implemented and stacking of solid rocket boosters in the

VAB is finished. Today, workers are installing the main engines in the Orbiter,

servicing the potable water supply and conducting SPACEHAB interface

verification tests. STS 60 work scheduled includes: orbital maneuvering system

247
flight redundancy checks and redundant electrical circuit verifications along with

mating the external tank to solid rocket boosters in the VAB's high bay 3.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Nov. 18,

1993.]

II STS 62: SECOND U.S. MICROGRAVITY PAYLOAD

Main propulsion system leak and functional checks on Columbia have been

completed in OPF bay 2. Technicians have also completed: payload bay door

functional checks, removal of the Spacelab Life Sciences - 2 payload module and

post flight propellant deservicing. Currently, technicians are conducting Orbiter

power system validations; auxiliary power unit leak and functional testing and

main engine inspections. Scheduled STS 60 tasks: removal of the tunnel adapter;

auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing; removal of the STS 58 main engines and

transporting the Spacelab Life Sciences-2 payload module to the Operations and

Checkout (O & C) Building. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Nov. 18, 1993.]

November 19: STS 61: DELAY POSSIBLE

A sensor problem may prevent Endeavour from launching on its STS 61 mission

on December 1. Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham said, "We

feel there is a reasonable chance to find a solution that will allow us to fly safely."

Pre-launch activities are continuing to allow for an on-time launch "if the technical

problem with the sensor is resolved," Buckingham added. The sensor is one of

four which measures hydraulic fluid pressure in an actuator within the right-hand

wind of Endeavour. The actuator moves an eleven which enables steering during

a Shuttle landing. NASA officials noted that even if all four sensors were to fail,

there remained other ways for the astronauts to know whether the devon is

working properly. A repair to the sensor would require rolling Endeavour back

to the VAB and that would delay the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission until

January. Another problem was also being worked: excessive noise over the

radios in two of Endeavour's spacesuits. [Banke, I_..0R.IDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov.

20, 1993; "Hubble-Repair Launch Seen Despite Glitches," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL p. A-8, Nov. 20, 1993.]

I1 U.S. HOUSE: ANOTHER VOTE ON SPACE STATION

The U.S. House of Representatives may face today another vote on the Space

Station Program. A House panel will allow an amendment to kill the program to

come to a vote. Local Congressman Jim Bacchus promised a "full-court press"

in an effort to defeat the amendment. He said, "I'm distressed that the third time

this year, opponents of the Space Station are seeking an opportunity to re-wage

248
abattlewehavealreadywon twice." [Wheeler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov.

20, 1993.]

November 20: SILVER SNOOPYS FOR SEVEN AT KSC

NASA astronauts will present seven Silver Snoopy Awards to Kennedy Space

Center and NASA employees: William Olsen (Satellite Beach, FL), who is a

senior safety engineer with I-Iemandez Engineering, Inc.; Cindy Hall (Titusville,

FL), who is a quality assurance specialist with the Safety, Reliability and Quality

Assurance Directorate; Vincent Carrubba (Satellite Beach, FL), a quality assurance

specialist also with the Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorate;

Michelle Kamman Jones (Cocoa, FL), a payload integration engineer for the STS

55 mission and David Taylor (Cocoa, FL), lead mechanical engineer on MVAK;

Damon Nelson (Titusville, FL), a senior experiment project engineer who worked

on Spacelab 2, and David Brown (Titusville, FL) a lead computer engineer, who

was recognized for his lead role in software production. ["NASA, KSC Workers

Get Silver Snoopys," FLORIDA TQDAY, p. 9E, Nov. 21, 1993.]

November 22: SPACE STATION SURVIVES_ AGAIN

"I'm thrilled with the victory we've won tonight. Many of my colleagues are

beginning to understand there are important policy decisions at stake with our

venture with the Russians," said Rep. ,Jm Bacchus (D-Melbourne., FL) after the

U. S. House easily turned back an effort to kill the Space Station Program.

Bacchus went on to note that there would be other challenges to the Space Station

in the future. "I'm certain we will have to fight this fight next year, the year after,

and until the Space Station is finally in orbit," he remarked. Sue Muusey,

President of the Cocoa Beach (FL) Area Chamber of Commerce said after the

vote, "It's going to be very, very important for the President to come out strongly

and endorse the Space Station in the State of the Union address in January. If he

does not, I'm afraid we'll be dealt the same hand we've been dealt this year."

[Wheeler, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, Nov. 21, 1993; Wheeler, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A-2A, Nov. 23, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov.

24, 1993.]

II SUSPECT ELEVON PASSES RETEST

NASA managers must decide by tomorrow whether to waive a launch rule which

requires each of four sensors to operating properly at liftoff. Kennedy Space

Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham said that "for all intents and purposes, the

flight controllers in Houston are playing devil's advocate - seeing if they can come

up with any rationale for not flying as is." The suspect sensor was disconnected

over the weekend and retested, successfully, according to Buckingham. "There's

a comfortable feeling among management that they would still maintain their

249
requiredredundancyevenwithout thefourth sensor."Only one of the four sensors

is needed to gauge hydraulic pressure accurately, the three others act as back-ups.

[Halvorson, FLOR/DA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 23, 1993.]

November 23: HOUSE VOTE SUSTAINS SPACE STATION

The House of Representatives voted today 248 to 184 to kill an amendment which

would have cut off all money for the Space Station Program. "A lot of people are

really concerned about how the Space Station is going to go. It's been up in the

air so much." That was the reaction of Mike Kinslew, a Space Station manager

for McDonnell Douglas at Kennedy Space Center. The Director of Space Station

Operations, Dick Lyon, said, "We are very thankful; we're all elated." Rep. Jim

Bacchus (D-Merritt Island, FL) said, "The next challenge in the form of a vote

will come in the authorization and appropriations process for the 1995 budget late

next spring. In the meantime, we have to persuade a majority of the House that

the redesign is worthwhile, the partnership with Russia is advisable and the whole

program is affordable." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 24, 1993.]

November 24: ENDEAVOUR GO FOR LAUNCH

By waiving a launch rule, NASA managers avoided the necessity of sending

Endeavour back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs; that would have

delayed STS 61 until January. The problem was with one of four sensors which

monitor the hydraulic pressure in a device which activates a Shuttle wing flap.

"We are comfortable," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham,

"with the redundancy on board, despite the fact that we have one less sensor

working." Flight rules had required that each of the four sensors be working to

begin the countdown. Officials said that even if all four failed in flight, the

astronauts would still be able to monitor the wing flap using other instruments.

Former KSC Director Forrest S. McCarmey pronounced himself unconcerned with

the launch n_e change: "They've [NASA managers] had a long time to analyze

it. It's a whole lot different when you're in the countdown and the vehicle is

fueled and nearly ready to go." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 25, 1993;

Banke - "Celestial Spyglass Offers Clues to Science PuT_71es," FLORIDA TODAY.

Nov. 28, 1993; Banke - "Space for Kids: Hubble Takes Snappy Pictures,"

FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 28, 1993; Date - "Just 1 Little Slip and Project Was

Ruined," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 28, 1993; Date - "Hubble - Huge

Test for NASA," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 28, 1993; Date - "1992

Repair Mission Sent NASA A Message," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL Nov. 28,

1993.]

November 27: STS_ 61 CREW ARRIVAL TODAY

250
_r

The crew of Endeavour's STS 61 mission are expected to arrive at Kennedy Space

Center today at approximately 11 a.m. The crew includes Commander Richard

Covey, Pilot Kenneth Bowevsox, and Mission Specialists Story Musgrave, Claude

Nicollier, Tom Akevs, Kathryn Thornton and Jeff_y Hoffman. The Space Center

is shutting down many operations today due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The

countdown for STS 61 begins November 28 at 9 a.m. Air Force meteorologists

predict a 60% chance of favorable weather for liftoff. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, Nov. 27, 1993.]

November 28: ATLAS FLIES; SHUTrLE READY

An Air Force Atlas rocket launched successfully tonight at 6:40 p.m.; a computer

error caused the liftoff to be delayed by 31 minutes. If the Atlas launch had

required a lengthy delay, the commencement of Endeavour's STS 61 mission

might have been postponed at least 24 hours. Shuttle Test Director Mike

Leinbach said, "The Shuttle is in good shape. Endeavour is a good ship, and we

hope to get her off on the first attempt and get on with this very exciting mission

for America and the world." The Atlas mission was prepared n a record 41 days

and provided confidence that recent failures of General Dynamics rockets were in

the past. "The Atlas launch team has definitely made a statement," said Lt. Col.

Heinz Burner, commander of the 3rd Space Launch Squadron, which oversees

Atlas operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A new Atlas rocket is

scheduled to liftoff no earlier than December 13; the new rocket features strap-on

solid rocket boosters. Endeavour will have until December 6 to begin its mission.

If the mission is not ongoing by December 9, it will have to be delayed until next

year to take into account the Christmas and New Year's holidays. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 29, 1993.]

II STS 61: COUNTDOWN STARTS TODAY

At 9:00 a.m. this morning, the countdown to launch for STS 61 began. Terry

Oswalt, an astronomer for Florida Teeh (Melbourne, FL) said, "I've got a couple

of former students and several colleagues whose jobs basically depend on the

success of this mission." On his arrival at Kennedy Space Center two days ago,

Commander Richard Covey said, "We look forward to putting on quite a show.

" He added, "We've trained hard, and we feel confident that two weeks from

(today) we're going to be back here getting ready to head back to Houston in the

other direction after a very successful mission." _anke, FLORIDA TODAY,

Nov. 28, 1993.]

251
II LAUNCH OF ATLAS 2 CRITICAL TONIGHT

Time needed to reconfigure for launch makes it critical that the Air Force

successfully launch tonight's Arias 2 rocket. An inability to launch would push

Endeavour's launch to December 2 rather than December 1. "We do have a

concern with the weather," said Air Force spokeswoman Terri Bracher. "We're

looking at a 60 percent chance of violating launch weather constraints because of

potential thick clouds in the area. The Atlas payload for this mission is a Defense

Satellite Communications System Spacecraft, the fourth in a series of nine DSCS

under an $858 million contract the Air Force has with General Dynamics, builder

of the Atlas 2. [Banke, FLO .R_. A TODAY, Nov. 28, 1993.]

II ATLAS LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY

An Atlas 2 rocket lifted a military communications satellite into orbit tonight at

6:40 p.m. and the launch cleared the way for the December 1 launch of STS 61.

The rocket lifted off after a 31 minute delay because of a faulty valve reading.

The Defense Satellite Communieations System satellite is number 8 in a planned

series of such spacecraft used to relay secret conversations among U.S. military

personnel. ["Military Satellite Launched Into Orbit Aboard Rocket," THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 29, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov.

29, 1993.]

November 30: CHLORINE LEAK AT KSC

A malfunctioning valve in one of two chlorine tanks allowed chlorine gas to

escape from a KSC tank farm and led to the evacuation of about 100 persons from

Kennedy Space Center and nearby neighborhoods on Merritt Island. The tank

farm is located on the southern edge of the space center property. No one was

injured and there was no impact on the impending launch of Endeavour on its STS

61 mission. Gas flowed from late Monday [November 29] or early Tuesday

morning until it was discovered by a NASA worker who checked the tanks to

assure that they had switched properly. He alerted authorities when he detected

a hissing sound, said KSC spokesman Mitch Varnes. News of the leak spread

through north Merritt Island neighborhoods which evacuated over the course of

an hour. The incident did tie up some rush-hour traffic at the space center

because officials closed State Road 3 from State Road 528 to the NASA

Causeway for about 15 minutes. [Evans, FLORIDA TODAY, Dec. 1, 1993.]

252
December

December 1: STS 61: WEATHgR SCRUBBED MISSION

The launch of Endeavour on mission STS 61 was scrubbed today at 5:58 a.m. due

to unacceptable weather, specifically higher than allowable crosswinds and

scattered showers within 20 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. Launch has

been rescheduled for tomorrow. The launch window extends from 4:27 until 5:38

a.m. EST. Work to safe the vehicle at the pad is currently in progress. Draining

of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants is expected to be completed by

late morning. The countdown is expected to begin this afternoon at the T-11 hour

mark at about 2:07 p.m. At about 7:30 p.m. today, operations will begin to load

the external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid

oxygen.

Weather forecasters indicate a forty (40) percent probability of weather prohibiting

launch tomorrow. The primary concerns are for cloud ceilings below 8,000 feet

and a slight chance of showers. The winds at pad 39B tomorrow are expected to

be from the east northeast at 8 to 14 knots; temperature 70 degrees F; visibility

7 miles; and clouds scattered to broken at 4,500 feet. The 24-hour delay forecast

reveals an improved situation and lists only a 20 percent chance of violation. The

seven-member crew have returned to their quarters where they will eat lunch and

prepare for sleep. They will be awakened later tonight at about 9 p.m. and

prepare for the second launch attempt early tomorrow. Departure for the pad is

set for about 12:42 a.m. tomorrow.

Mission Responsibility

Commander

Pilot

Crew Member

Richard Covey

Kenneth Bowersox

Mission Specialist (MS1) Kattnyn Thornton (EVA3)

Mission Specialist (MS2) Claude Nicollier

Mission Specialist (MS3) Jeff_y A. Hoffman (EVA1)

Mission Specialist (MS4) F. Story Musgrave (EVA2)

Mission Specialist (MS5) Thomas Akers (EVA4)

[_EDy_, SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 1,

1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 1, 1993.]

253
December2: STS 61: ENDEAVOUR OFF _ FLYING START

Bad weather yesterday prevented the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour on

its STS 61 mission. This morning, however, the mission commenced right on

time at 4:27 a.m. EST. On reaching orbit, Commander Richard Covey said, "It's

a beautiful sunrise." Astronaut Ken Cotkrdl, who observed the launch from

Mission Control (JSC, Houston, TX) said, "It looked awfully good from here,

too." Mission Manager Loren Shfiver, himself a former astronaut, said, "This

mission is higher profile than most. I have big confidence we will get this one

done." Once in orbit, Endeavour will begin to chase the Hubble Space Telescope

so as to be in position for the start of the repair effort on December 4. The

Orbiter should be within 35 feet of the HST by 4:10 a.m. Saturday. Commander

Covey referred to the fact that there is only enough fuel aboard Endeavour for one

rendezvous attempt; he said before the launch, "We have to do it right the first

time." Approximately 420 journalists were on hand for the launch, according to

Leslie Williams, accreditation secretary for the KSC Media Services Branch.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 3, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-18, Dec. 3, 1993.]

December 6: SPACE STATION TO INCLUDE RUSSIA

"A major hurdle has been overcome. The governments of the intemational

partners are now all agreed to bring in Russia. There was a time when we weren't

so sure," said a Clinton administration official who spoke off the record. The

Space Station partners met today in Washington to give their assent. "The

governmental representatives who were there, including the French, Germans,

Canadians and Japanese, all made strong opening statements about positive factors

Russia can bring. They also emphasized how it's consistent with the broader

objectives of integrating Russia into the international community." The Vice

President of the United States will travel to Moscow December 14-17 to settle

details of Russia's participation in the Space Station Program. ["Space Station

Partners Agree to Invite Russia," FL0_A TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 7, 1993; "U.S.

Asks Russia to Join Space Station," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, Dec.

7, 1993.]

December 7: DELTA 2 READY FOR LAUNCH

"We're not looking at any issues; launch activities are proceeding as planned,"said

McDonnell Douglas spokeswoman Anne M¢Cauley about tonight's launch of a

commercial Delta 2 rocket. The liftoff will take into space a North Atlantic

Treaty Organization (NATO) military communications satellite. According to Air

Force weather watchers, there is a 60 percent chance of acceptable launch

conditions. Another upcoming nighttime launch is that of an Air Force Atlas

254
rocketon December 14. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 7, 1993; Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, Dec. 7, 1993.]]

I1 STS 60: RMS STOWED

Discovery remains in Orbiter Processing Bay 3 where it is undergoing processing

for its STS 60 flight next month. Technicians have stowed the Orbiter's remote

manipulator arm (RMS) and concluded mass memory unit loading. Other

completed tasks include: nose gear functional test; landing gear functional test;

aerosufface cycling; hydraulic system testing; payload bay door radiator closeouts;

Ku-band antenna self-testing; SPACEHAB-2 leak checks. Work in progress

includes: crew compartment structural leak check; act main engine compartment

closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts; tile closeouts; SPACEHAB-2 closeouts;

potable water sampling; stowage of Ku-band antenna for flight; final test of

payload bay cameras. STS 60 work scheduled: payload bay cleaning; closure of

payload bay doors; UHF air-to-ground antenna check; main propulsion system

pneumatic system testing; Orbiter structural and act compartment leak checks;

VAB rollover targeted for December 15 with rollout to Launch Complex 39A

targeted for December 20. Meanwhile, processing activities continue for

Columbia's STS 62 mission. The planned removal and replacement of the #1 fuel

cell is occurring today. Main propulsion system leak and functional checks are

in process. S-band communications system testing is also underway. Planned

removal of auxiliary power unit #2 is complete. Loading of mass memory unit

#2 has also been completed. The left hand orbital maneuvering system pod is

scheduled for removal tonight. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS R_PORT, Dec. 7,

1993.]

II DELTA LAUNCHES NATO SATELLITE

Tonight at 7:48 p.m., at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station the Air force launched

a Delta 2 rocket which carried aloft a communications satellite for the North

Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]. The satellite was the eighth such craft built

for NATO by British Aerospace and Matra Marconi to provide secure

communications; it will begin service in the fall of 1994 and last until 2001. An

earlier satellite was launched in January 1991 and became operational in October

1993; the two spacecraft cost approximately $366 million, including special launch

and control services. ["Delta Rocket Lofts A NATO Satellite," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Dec. 8, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 8, 1993.]

December 8: STS 60: SPACEHAB WORK COMPLETED

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 have completed a number of tasks

in the processing of Discovery for next month's STS 60 mission: SPACEHAB-2

closeouts and leak checks; potable water sampling; leak checks of forward reaction

255
w

control system; stowage of Ku-band antenna for flight; mass memory unit loading;

nose gear functional test; landing gear functional test; aerosurface cycling; payload

bay door radiator closeouts; and, Ku-band antenna self-testing. Work in progress:

nosewheel tire and strut pressurization; payload bay cleaning; _ air-to-ground

antenna test; crew compartment structural leak check; aft main engine

compartment closeouts; Orbiter mid-body closeouts; tile closeouts. STS 60 work

scheduled: closure of payload bay doors; crew cabin leak checks; Orbiter

structural and aft compartment leak checks; VAB rollover targeted for December

15 with rollout set for December 20. [SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 8, 1993.]

I] STS 62: COLUMBIA PROCESSING UPDATE

Columbia remains in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 where main propulsion

system leak and functional checks are in work. Removal of the left hand orbital

maneuvering system pod is underway. Reinstallation of drag chute pyrotechnic

hardware is being performed. Servicing of the waste containment system is in

process. Engineers are troubleshooting one of the flight data recorders. The

TACAN self-test is complete. Fuel cell #'1 has been removed as planned.

[SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 8, 1993.]

December 9: AFT COMPARTMENT CI_SEOUTS

In OPF bay 3, technicians have completed Orbiter aft engine compartment

closeouts; made SPACEHAB leak checks and cleaned the payload bay for the

final time before rolling Discovery over to the Vehicle Assembly Building for

mating with the STS 60 solid rocket boosters and external tank. Currently,

processing tasks include: closing the payload bay doors; Orbiter mid-body

closeouts; stowage of Ku-band antenna; recharging the Wake Shield Facility

batteries and final landing gear checkouts. STS 60 work scheduled: payload bay

door strongback removal; weight and center of gravity checks; installation of the

Orbiter on the Orbiter transporter; installation of the Getaway Special (GAS)

bridge into the transport canister; rolling Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly

Building on December 14 and rolling the stacked Space Shuttle to Launch

Complex 39A on December 20. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTII,E STATUS REPORT, Dec. 9, 1993.]

I1 STS 62: COLUMBIA MISSION UPDATE

Columbia's auxiliary power unit (APU) number 2 has been removed from the

Orbiter; the left hand (OMS) pod has also been removed. Technicians completed

TACAN activation and self test. Today, Shuttle workers will conduct checks of

the forward reaction control system; drag chute pyrotechnic operations; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks; solid rocket booster stacking

operations in the VAB high bay 1. STS 62 work scheduled: removal and

256
replacement of the humidity separator and installation of the left hand orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) pod. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE

SHUTI'LE STATIJS REPORT, Dec. 9, 1993.]

[1 SP,A,.CEPORT USA: CHANGES AFOOT

A new IMAX theater has recently been dedicated at Kennedy Space Center's

Spaceport USA; the new theater allows simultaneous showing of two IMAX films:

"The Dream Is Alive" and "The Blue Planet." The films are just part of the

growth of the fifth most popular tourist attraction in Florida. Next week another

major attraction will be available for photography - a full-scale, high-fidelity

reproduction of a Space Shuttle Orbiter. The replica is being assembled on the

eastern end of the large visitors complex. The Orbiter itself is approximately the

size of a medium range jetliner and its vertical stabilizer will be visible for quite

a distance. At some point on the morning of December 15, the 50 millionth

visitor to Spaceport USA will arrive at the attraction. The visitor will receive

special red-carpet treatment and be presented with a number of valuable gifts.

Currently, attendance is running at approximately 2.6 million visitors per year.

[Young, NASAIKSC News Release No. 153-93, Dec. 9, 1993.]

December 13: ENDEAVOUR LANDS AT KSC ON TIME

The Space Shuttle Endeavour made a successful landing in the darkness at

Kennedy Space Center this morning at 12:26. The STS 61 mission which made

repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope lasted just under 11 days. Deorbit bum

came on orbit 161 at about 11:15 p.m. Endeavour entered Florida airspace near

the city of Crystal River and traveled east across the state. It passed over Orlando

and Titusville prior to landing. When the Orbiter passed over Orlando it was

about 5 minutes before landing and was traveling at an altitude of approximately

91,000 feet and traveling at a speed of about Math 3. The landing this morning

was the 18th at KSC. It was the seventh night landing and only the second such

landing at the space center. The first such landing was on September 22 at the

conclusion of the STS 51 mission. A chart of Kennedy Space Center landings

follows:

257
STS41B

STS 41G

STS 51A

STS 51C

STS 51D

Challenger

Challenger

Discovery

Discovery

Discovery

February 11, 1984

October 13, 1984

November 16, 1984

January 27, 1985

April 19, 1985

STS 38 Atlantis November 20, 1990

STS 39 Discovery May 6, 1991

STS 43 Atlantis August 11, 1991

m ,, ,,

STS 45 Atlantis April 2, 1992

STS 50 Columbia July 9, 1992

STS 46 Atlantis August 8, 1992

STS 47 Endeavour September 18, 1992

STS 52 Columbia November 1, 1992

STS 54 Endeavour January 19, 1993

flH

STS 56 Discovery April 17, 1993

STS 57 Endeavour July 1, 1993

,.

STS 51 Discovery September 22, 1993

STS 61 Endeavour December 13, 1993

II

[NASA/KSC Release No. 153-93, Dec. 12, 1993; KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Dec.10, 1993; Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL. Dec. 14, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 14,

1993.]

JUNKYARD YIELDS S ,HI.YFI'LE TREASURE

"It shouldn't have been out there. My finding it saved a delay in launch from

what I was told," said NASA employee Brooks Humphtys about the Shuttle part

he found in a Kennedy Space Center junkyard while looking for recyclable

materials. What Humphrys found was a piece of the Space Shuttle Discovery's

wing; it was valued at $304,000, according to space center officials today. The

wing panel is one of 22 on the Orbiter wing's leading edge; collectively they help

keep the vehicle from burning up during re-entry. Officials said that it had been

258
[1

I1

packed inside a heavy, sealed wooden crate and accidentally discarded by

Lockheed Space Operations Co. workers. They had put the crate along with

several others outside Discovery's hangar and all were hauled away as part of the

cleanup for the recent Open House at Kennedy Space Center. The material was

taken by EG&G Florida workers who took it to a landfil on the east end of

Schwarz Road, according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. What caused

Humphrys to be curious about the crate was its appearance compared to other

crates in the landfill. He thought the crate looked too new and out of place. He

opened the crate and saw an object wrapped in packing material. "I didn't know

what it was, but it looked important so I began calling the names on the labels

inside. Word eventually reached a Lockheed worker who came to retrieve the

panel for the Orbiter Processing Facility. An investigation board was formed and

a report written. The findings were presented to Shuttle Launch Director Robert

B. Sieck and, as a result, LSO changed the way materials axe handled in the

processing area. Crates are now marked clearly whether they are to be recycled,

or not. EG&G also responded by changing landfill procedures to require all lids

to be removed from any containers before the waste is accepted. ['Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 14, 1993.]

STS 60: KU-BAND ANTENNA STOWED

Discovery continues with pre-rollover processing activities in OPF bay 3;

technicians there have stowed the Ku-band antenna and closed the payload bay

doors. Other completed tasks include: a retest of the startracker; Orbiter and midbody closeouts; final landing gear closeouts and installation of the Getaway

Special (GAS) bridge into the transport canister. Work in progress for the STS

60 mission next month: final Orbiter power down; payload bay door strongback

removal; recharge of the Wake Shield Facility batteries. STS 60 work scheduled:

weight and center of gravity checks; installation of Orbiter on transporter; rollover

to the Vehicle Assembly Building December 14; lift and mate Orbiter to the

external tank; rollout to the pad targeted for December 20. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTIT,E STATUS REPORT, Dec. 10, 1993.]

STS 62: uS MICROGRAVrrY PAYLQAD-2

Alongside Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility is the Space Shuttle

Columbia which is being readied for its next mission, STS 62, in early March

1994. Columbia, in OPF bay 2, has undergone a checkout of its cabin pressure

transducer and leak and functional checks of the main propulsion system's helium

system. Work in progress today includes: installation of the left-hand orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) pod; checks of the forward reaction control system;

main propulsion system leak and functional checks; solid rocket booster stacking

operations in the VAB's high bay. STS 62 work scheduled: drag chute

pyrotechnic operations; removal and replacement of the humidity separator;

259
v

removal and replacement of the fuel cell number 1; OMS pod and functionai

checks. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHU'Iq'LE STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 10, 1993.]

DECEMBER 14: _;TS 59: PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT

The Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-1) reaches a milestone this week in the

Operations and Checkout (O & C) Building at the Kennedy Space Center with the

performance of the Mission Sequence Test. This test involves executing portions

of the mission timeline with SRL in flight configuration to verify proper

performance. This test runs for approximately 50 hours and will be performed

over a period which covers four days concluding December 16. SRL is a joint

project between the German Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency whose

associated contractors, Dornier and Alenia Spazio, will be participating in the test

for the X-band instruments. For NASA, in addition to KSC engineers and

technicians, there are representatives from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and

contractor Ball Aerospace for the C-band and L-band instruments.

The Langley Research Center will participate in the testing of an instrument called

MAPS, which stands for the Measurement of Atmospheric Pollution from

Satellites, and is attached to a Mission Peculiar Support Structure (MPESS). On

January 4, SRL-1 is scheduled to be moved to the Cargo Integrated Test

Equipment (CITE) stand in the O & C to begin one week of tests. This will

verify the electrical interfaces and readiness to be integrated with the Space

Shuttle Orbiter. Then, in mid-February, SRL-1 will be moved to OPF bay 1 to

be placed in the payload bay of Endeavour. This will be followed by an Interface

Verification Test (I'VT) to verify the connections with the Orbiter and the flight

deck. At the end of February an End-to-End test will be conducted to verify the

compatibility to use the NASA Communications Network (NASCOM) to provide

communications between SRL in the payload bay, the Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite, the Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD), and Mission Control

at the Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX).

Then the first week of March Endeavour will move to the Vehicle Assembly

Building and out to the launch pad. No significant payload testing or servicing

is required at the pad. The SRL 40-foot by 20-foot phased array antenna arrived

at the SAEF-2 spacecraft checkout facility at KSC on July 27 where stand-alone

tests were performed. Meanwhile in the O & C, the SRL-1 Spacelab pallet was

undergoing mechanical and electronic build-up with associated testing. The

antenna was moved from SAEF-2 to the O & C on November 8 for mating with

the pallet on November 24 and was followed by a 5-day IVT which concluded

December 6. The STS 59 first SRL mission will provide images and geophysical

measurements of topography, vegetation, deforestation and soil erosion, ocean

dynamics, wave fields and wind fields, volcanism and tectonic activity.

260
D

I!

I1

I1

Approximately 30 million square miles of the Earth will be surveyed. The MAPS

instrument will study carbon monoxide concentrations in the middle troposphere

on a global scale. [Diller, STS 59 PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT; SPACE

RADAR LABORATORY, Dec. 14, 1993.]

STS 60: DISCOVERY ROLLOVER DELAYED

Mission managers decided today not to roll Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly

Building or to the pad prior to the Christmas holidays. Discovery will remain in

OPF bay 3 for additional testing on all 44 reaction control system thrusters ('R1R)

following its most recent mission, STS 51, managers decided further inspections

of the remaining thrusters was warranted. Thruster R1R has been replaced. The

move to the VAB will not occur until after the first of next year. Weight and

center of gravity checks have been completed; the payload bay doors have been

closed and the star tracker has been retested. Technicians will set up for reaction

control system thruster testing in the OPF today; the test will occur December 16.

Rollover to the VAB will occur after the first of the year. [KENNEDY SPACE

CENTER SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 14, 1993.]

STS 62: MISSION UPDATE

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, technicians have installed the left-hand orbital

maneuvering system (OMS) pod and have completed checks of the forward

reaction control system. Work in progress: left-hand orbital maneuvering system

pod functional checkout; removal and replacement of fuel cell number 1; drag

chute pyrotechnic operations; checkout of freon coolant loop number 2; main

propulsion system leak and functional checks and solid rocket booster stacking

operations in the VAB's high bay 1. STS 62 work scheduled: integrated drag

chute installation. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTrLE STATUS

REPORT, Dec. 14, 1993.]

STS 59: SPACE RADAR LABORATORY

Post landing debris inspections of Endeavour's thermal protection system indicated

the Orbiter sustained a total of 120 hits, of which 13 had a dimension of one inch

or greater. Both of these totals are less than average. Endeavour was towed to

OPF bay 1 following its landing at Kennedy Space Center on runway 33 at 12:25

a.m. yesterday. Work in progress today: gain access to Orbiter crew compartment

and engine compartment; begin operations to off-load onboard cryogenic reactants;

payload bay door latch functional test; thermal protection system post-flight

inspections; chin panel inspections and main engine inspections. Scheduled

operations include: opening the payload bay doors; hydraulic power up operations

and removal of the payload support equipment. [KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

SPACE SHU'ITLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 14, 1993.]

261
II UNDERSEA CELSS CROP HARVESTED

Biologists from NASA's Kennedy Space Center today harvested the first crop of

plants ever to undergo a full-duration growth cycle in a protected and

environmentally controlled underwater laboratory. The harvesting of 18 heads of

Waldmann's Green lettuce took place inside an undersea research facility at Key

Largo, FL, and is a continuation of NASA's research of plants and the ability

successfully to grow them in a Controlled Biological Life Support System

(CELSS). The CELSS project is being developed for a time when astronauts may

have to grow their own food during long-duration missions to the moon, Mars or

beyond. The program is funded by NASA Headquarters (Washington, D.C.), and

managed by KSC's biomedical operations and research office.

Over the last few years, scientists have grown and harvested several crops of

lettuce, potatoes, soybeans and wheat inside a CELSS chamber at KSC. However,

today's harvest signifies the beginning of a challenging new era in CELSS

research, one in which plants are grown in an isolated habitat similar to what may

be encountered during future space voyages. The lettuce was planted on

November 18, 1993, and spent its entire growth cycle inside a habitat owned by

the Marine Resources Development Foundation (MKDF). The MRDF area in Key

Largo is the world's only permanent underwater facility designed primarily for

scientific research.

The plants were tended daily by MRDF researcher Chris Olstad and checked

weekly by KSC bioengineer Dennis Chambedan¢[ "I'm very pleased with the

results of this first crop of lettuce," Chamberland said. "We pursued this venture

as a prototype for a similar 90-day test in 1994 .... The entire KSC CELSS team put

a lot of effort into making this first test such a success, and I believe we're on

track for going ahead with the more extensive undersea project by late fall or early

winter of next year." Besides today's CELSS harvest, there is only one other

documented instance of environmentally controlled undersea plant growth. This

first attempt at underwater farming occurred in 1965 when scientists planted barley

inside the SEA.LAB II module. This experiment was short-lived, though, and

failed just two weeks into the plants' 100-day life cycle. INASA/KSC Release No.

1,54-93, Dec. 14, 1993.]

December 16: AERONAUTICS AGREEMENT

NASA and the Russian State Committee for the Defense Branches of Industry

(GOSKOMOBORONPROM) signed a memorandum of understanding today in

Moscow to cooperate in eight areas in fundamental aeronautical sciences. The

agreement was signed by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin and

GOSKOMOBORON'PROM Chairman Mr. Glukhikh. "With the signing today of

the new Aeronautics agreement, NASA is entering a new partnership with our

262
II

Russian colleagues to advance aeronautical science," said Goldin. The agreement

calls for cooperative activities in the following areas:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

S)

Transition and Turbulence '- Fundamental investigations of initial

disturbance fields and their receptivity into the boundary layer at low and

high speeds.

Composite Structures and Materials - Fundamental investigations of

advanced high-temperature composites, adhesives and sealants.

Chemically Reacting Flows - Fundamental investigations of chemical

kinetic reaction mechanisms, turbulence closure for reacting flows and

computational modeling.

Thermal Protection System Materials - Fundamental investigations of the

catalytic efficiency and overall performance of heat shield materials.

Environmental Concerns in Aviation - Research on the effects of engine

emissions on the atmosphere, in particular, the ozone layer, generation,

propagation and prediction of acoustic waves, including sonic boom.

Hypersonic Technologies - Fundamental investigations of the controlling

physical phenomena of hypersonic flight.

Experimental Test Facilities - Use of ground and flight test facilities and

techniques for research on advanced aeronautical technologies.

Advanced Aerospace Materials - Investigation of the properties of new

materials for use in aerospace programs.

NASA and GOSKOMOBORONPROM will establish a Joint Working Group On

Aeronautical Sciences to manage the new cooperative activities. [NASAIKSC

Release : 93-221, Dec. 16, 1993; "Gore Optimistic On U.S.-Russia Space

Merger," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 15, 1993; Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 17, 1993.]

JOINT SHU'ITLFTMIR MISSIONS

NASA and the Russian Space Agency [RSA] have agreed to up to 10 Shuttle

flights to Mir with a total of 24 months time onboard Mir for U.S. astronauts, a

program of scientific and technological research, and the upgrade and extension

of the Mir lifetime during the period 1995 - 1997. This is the first of a threephase program in human spaceflight cooperation which may culminate in the

construction of an international Space Station. NASA Administrator Daniel S.

Goldin and RSA Director General Ymi Kopmv signed this protocol today in

Moscow, expanding the terms of the 1992 Human Space Flight Cooperation

Agreement. "This is a very significant step in expanding our human spaceflight

cooperation with our Russian friends," Goldin said. "These activities will provide

valuable experience for the construction and operation of the international Space

Station." The following is a summary of cooperative activities outlined in this

protocol:

263
w

1)

2)

3)

4)

6)

7)

An additional Russian cosmonaut flight on Space Shuttle mission STS 63

scheduled for launch in 1995. Colonel Vladimir G, Titov, the back-up

cosmonaut currently in training at NASA's johnson Space Center for the

January 1994 flight (STS 60), will be the primary cosmonaut for the STS

63 flight. Sergei K. Krikalev, the STS 60 primary cosmonaut, will act as

the backup. During the STS 63 mission, the Space Shuttle will perform

a rendezvous with the Mir-1 Space Station and will approach to a safe

distance.

The Space Shuttle will rendezvous and dock with the Mir-1 in OctoberNovember 1995, and the Shuttle crew may include Russian cosmonauts.

Mir-1 equipment, including power supply and life support system elements,

also will be carried. The crew will return on the same Space Shuttle

mission. The mission will include activities on Mir-1 and possible

extravehicular activities to upgrade solar arrays.

NASA-designated astronauts will fly on the Mir-1 Space Station for an

additional 21 months for a total of 2 years. This will include at least four

astronaut flights.

The Space Shuttle will dock with Mir-1 up to ten times. The Shuttle

flights will be used for crew exchange, technological experiments, logistics

and sample return. Some of those flight programs will be developed by

the Mission Science Joint Working Group. The activities carried out in

this program will expand ongoing research in biotechnology, materials

sciences, biomedical sciences, Earth observations and technology.

NASA and RSA will initiate in 1993 the joint development of a solar

dynamic power system with a test flight on the Space Shuttle and Mir in

1966, the joint development of spacecraft environmental control and life

support systems and studies on potential development of a common space

suit starting with the compatibility of respective spacesuits.

A crew medical support program for the benefit of both sides' crew

members, including the development of common standards, requirements,

procedures, databases and countermeasures will be initiated. [NASA/KSC

Release: 93-222, Dec. 16, 1993.]

December 15: ATLAS 2AS LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY

Liftoff of the new General Dynamics Atlas 2AS came tonight at 7:40 p.m.,

delayed about 18 minutes by a minor electrical problem. "I'm happy," said

Michael Wash, President of General Dynamics' Commercial Launch Systems

Division. "It's a big boost for us. It went right down the line and it was a perfect

launch. " The rocket's payload was a $125 Telstar 401 satellite; it was delivered

to orbit in about thirty minutes after launch. The rocket carried four boosters, two

of which ignited initially, followed by the other two a minute after liftoff.

Tonight's launch was the first ever for the new vehicle and for its payload, a new

kind of satellite. "We believe Telstar 401 will open the door to a whole new era

264
/¢

of satellite communications," said Ernest DeNigris, AT&T's General Manager for

the Telstar 401 Program. "It's loaded with new state-of-the-art features and

capabilities that are sure to be a big hit with our customers," he added. AT&T

officials said that they expected the satellite to be tested and ready for operation

in early January 1994. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Dec. 14, 1993; Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, Dec. 14, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAy, Dec.

15, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Dec. 16, 1993.]

December 18: GREATHOUSE GIVEN SILVER SNOOPY

Gene Greathouse, a Lockheed Space Operations Co. engineer, was recently

presented the coveted Silver Snoopy Award by astronaut Mark Lee. Greathouse

is a senior reliability engineer who is responsible for performing systems reliability

analyses of Shuttle landing aids at three sites in the United States and six sites in

Europe and Africa. ["Lockheed Engineer Gets Silver Snoopy Award," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9E, Dec. 19, 1993.]

December 20: PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DECAY CHECKS

Technicians in OPF bay 3 have completed pneumatic system decay checks;

established orbital maneuvering system (OMS) trickle purge; main landing gear

tire pressure top-off for the Orbiter's next mission; cycled Orbiter's vent doors for

next month's rollover to the VAB; and a successful check of the Orbiter's Reaction

Control System thrusters. Work in progress: configuring facility and vehicle for

the holiday break; thermal protection system inspections. Nothing significant is

scheduled for next week for the processing team. The current schedule calls for

Discovery to be transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building on January 4 and

then to Launch Complex 39A on January 10. The payload will be sent to the pad

on January 6. The terminal countdown demonstration test is currently scheduled

for January 13-14 and the flight readiness review is set for January 20.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUT17.,E STATUS REPORT, Dec. 20,

1993.]

December 21: STS 60: ROLLOV-gR SET FOR JAN. 4

The current schedule calls for the Space Shuttle Discovery to be transferred to the

Vehicle Assembly Building on January 4 and then to pad A on January 10. The

payload will be sent to the pad on January 6. The terminal countdown

demonstration test [TCDT] is presently set for January 13-14 and the flight

readiness review [FRR] is targeted for January 20. Completed tasks include:

forward compartment/crew cabin closeout; T-0 umbilical cables disconnected for

rollover; main landing gear fire pressure topped-off for mission. Work in

progress: jackdown to floor and installation onto Orbiter transfer vehicle for the

rollover to the VAB; preparations for the holiday stand down. Minimal work is

265
plannedthis week for Orbiters Columbia and Endeavour; the Shuttle processing

team is given a holiday break from December 23 through January 3, 1994.

[KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, Dec. 21,

1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Dec. 23, 1993; Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

Dec. 27, 1993.]]

I1 CALIFORNIA BOC AWARDED

John F. Kennedy Space Center today awarded Space Mark, Inc. [Colorado

Springs, CO] a $6,973,838 contract for overall base operations at its West Coast

launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base [CA]. The period of performance is

three years, beginning February 1, 1994, and ending January 31, 1997. The

contract gives NASA the option of extending performance until January 31, 2001,

and has a potential overall value of over $17 million. Under the terms of the

contract, Space Mark is responsible for the operation, management, and

maintenance of facilities, systems, equipment, support services and specified

technical/administrative operations at NASA facilities located at Vandenberg AFB.

NASA uses Vandenberg as its prime launch site for polar-orbiting spacecraft,

launched on ATLAS, DELTA and other expendable launch vehicles. The contract

was competed nationally as a set-aside for small disadvantaged businesses. NASA

solicited 182 sources for negotiation of the contract and received 11 offers in

response. [NASA/KSC Release No. 158-93, Dec. 21, 1993.]

December 29: 1993: YEAR IN SPACE REVIEW

All spaceflight hardware is secure in its processing facilities and the team at

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is off for the holidays, concluding

a busy and eventful year of operations at America's spaceport. Seven Space

Shuttle missions were successfully launched from KSC in 1993, with five flights

ending at the center's Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). KSC's expendable vehicles

group assisted and coordinated with the launching of space vehicles from both

Florida and NASA's West Coast launch site in California. Other KSC divisions

made significant contributions in engineering, the sciences and toward the

continuous improvement of operations at the space center.

The year of Shuttle launches began and ended with NASA's newest spaceship,

Endeavour. On January 13 at 8:59 a.m. EST, Endeavour lifted off from Launch

Complex 39B carrying a five-member flight crew and the fifth Tracking and Data

Relay Satellite (TDRS-6). The purpose of the mission was two-fold: to safely

and successfully deploy TDRS-6 and to have a pair of spacewalking astronauts

test techniques that may eventually be used during the in-space assembly of the

International Space Station. TI)RS-6 was deployed on the first day of the flight

and is now an operating part of the TDRS network used to transmit

communication between the Space Shuttle and ground controllers. Astronauts

266
Gregory Harbaugh and Made Runco left the confines of Endeavour's crew

compartment on the mission's fifth day and spent five hours performing a series

of tasks to increase NASA's knowledge of working in space.

The Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer (DXS) was mounted in Endeavour's payload bay

during STS 54 and used to collect data on X-Ray radiation from a variety of

sources in deep space. Several middeck experiments were also carried aboard

Endeavour on STS 54, including one designed and sponsored by KSC's life

sciences team. The Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment

(CHROMEX) is an ongoing investigation into the effects of microgravity on the

development and growth of plants. The STS 54 mission ended on January 19 at

8:37 a.m. EST with a landing at Kennedy Space Center on runway 33. The

Shuttle completed 96 orbits, and the mission duration was five days, 23 hours and

38 minutes. The STS 54 crew was comprised of Commander John Caspar, Pilot

Donald McMonagle and Mission Specialists Mario Runco, Gregory Harbaugh and

Susan Helms. The second flight of 1993, STS 56 was hosted by the Orbiter

Discovery. The first of the year's two nighttime launches took place at Launch

Complex 39B on April 8 at 1:29 a.m. EDT. The mission included a five-member

crew and the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-2 (ATLAS-2)

Spacelab payload. ATLAS-2 is an element of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth

Program and includes the same seven instruments flown on the March 1992 flight

of ATLAS-I. These primary instruments will also be flown on ATLAS-3, now

scheduled for launch in the fall of 1994. The primary purpose of ATLAS-2 was

to collect data on the relationship between the sun's energy output and Earth's

middle atmosphere and how these factors effect the ozone layer. The knowledge

gained from ATLAS-2 and others in the Mission to Planet Earth Program are

providing scientists with a greater understanding of Earth's continuously changing

state.

Another significant payload on STS 56 was the Shuttle Point Autonomous

Research Tool for Astronomy-201 (SPARTAN-201), a free-flying science platform

that allowed scientists to study the velocity and acceleration of the solar wind and

to observe the sun's corona. SPARTAN-201 was deployed from Discovery on

April 11 and recaptured and berthed in the Orbiter on April 13. Many other

smaller payloads flew inside the Orbiter's middeck. One of the most interesting

is the ongoing Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) that allows amateur

ham radio operators from around the world to communicate with Shuttle

astronauts. During this flight, astronauts made the first space-to-space ham radio

contact when they briefly communicated with cosmonauts aboard the Russian

space station Mir. Discovery completed 148 orbits during the STS 56 mission and

landed on KSC runway 33 at 7:37 a.m. EDT on April 17. The mission duration

was nine days, six hours and eight minutes. The crew consisted of Commander

Kenneth Cameron, Pilot Stephen Oswald and Mission Specialists Kenneth

267
Cockrell, Michael Foale and Ellen Ochoa. During the mission, Ochoa became the

first woman of Hispanic heritage to fly in space.

The third mission of 1993 began just nine days after the landing of STS 56.

Columbia and STS 55 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 10:50 a`m. EDT

on April 26. The launch was originally attempted on March 22 but was halted

after main engine ignition and only three seconds before lift-off when a check

valve in one of the vehicle's three main engines was found to be leaking. The

launch was safely aborted, and all three engines were removed and replaced prior

to the late April launch. The incident marked the first launch pad main engine

shutdown since the Shuttle's return to flight in 1988 and was the third such

occurrence in the Program's history. The other two engine shutdowns occurred on

mission 41D in 1984 and on mission 51-F in 1985.

The main payload of STS 55 was the Spacelab D-2 module, a joint venture

between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. It marked a

unique collaboration in that the flight was controlled from NASA's Johnson Space

Center while the mission itself was managed from a control center in Germany.

The payload was comprised of 88 experiments in a variety of disciplines that

included the materials and life sciences, technology applications, Earth

observations, astronomy and atmospheric physics. The landing was originally

planned for KSC but was diverted to Edwards Air Force Base [CA] runway 22

due to bad weather in Florida. Landing occurred on orbit 160 at 10:30 a`m. EDT

on May 6. The mission duration was nine days, 23 hours and 39 minutes. At the

end of the mission, the Shuttle fleet had accumulated more than a year in space:

365 days, 23 hours and 48 minutes. The international flight crew of STS 55 was

comprised of Commander Steven Nagel, Pilot Te_nce froM) Hemicks, Mission

Specialists Jerry Ross, Charles P_court and Bemanl ttarris. The two German

Payload Specialists were Ulrich Walter and Hans Schlegei.

Endeavour was again called upon for STS 57, the year's fourth Space Shuttle

flight; liftoff came at 9:07 a.m. from Launch Complex 39B on June 21. STS 57

marked the first flight of the commercially-developed SPACEHAB laboratory.

A pressurized module that more than doubles the working area inside the Shuttle,

SPACEHAB-1 carried 22 experiments in the fields of materials and life sciences.

A wastewater recycling experiment for Space Station was also included inside the

module. The flight also marked the end of an era for the European Retrievable

Carrier [EURECA] payload. A free-flying science platform that was deployed in

space in the summer of 1992, EURECA was retrieved and stowed aboard

Endeavour on STS 57. The payload and its experiments were returned to Earth

for analysis and will be re-flown in the coming years.

On the fifth day of the STS 57 mission, astronauts Jeff Wisoff and David Low

conducted a five-hour, 50-minute-long spacewalk that continued research into the

268
abilities of humansin space. Eleven Get Away Special (GAS) payloads were

mounted inside Endeavour's payload bay on STS 57. These small payloads

require little, if any, action by the astronauts and generally test the effects of

mierogravity on certain chemicals and substances. The Shuttle Amateur Radio

Experiment (SAR.EX) was again flown on STS 57. Endeavour returned to KSC

at 8:52 a.m. EDT on July 1 with a landing on runway 33. The mission duration

was nine days, 23 hours and 44 minutes. The six-member crew consisted of

Commander Ronald Grebe, Pilot Brian Dully and Mission Specialists David Low,

Nancy Sherlock, Janice Yoss and Jeff Wisoff.

4

Discovery's second and final flight of 1993 was the year's fifth and most trying

launch. After three previous attempts - including a main engine shutdown on

August 12 - Discovery left Pad B at 7:45 a.m. EDT on September 12. The

mission was an ambitious one that included the deployment of a communications

satellite, the deployment and retrieval of an astronomical observatory and a

spaeewalk by two crew members. The Advanced Communications Technology

Satellite (ACTS) - considered to be the next generation of communications

satellites - was successfully deployed from Discovery on the mission's first day.

On the second day of the mission, the astronauts deployed the mission's second

primary payload, the Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet

Spectrograph-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (ORFEUS-SPAS) spacecraft. The first in a

series of ASTRO-SPAS astronomical missions, ORFEUS-SPAS was an

astrophysics observatory sponsored by both Germany and the United States. The

payload was controlled and managed by officials at the SPAS Payload Operations

Control Center (SPOC) located at KSC. This activity marked the first time that

an on-orbit Shuttle payload has ever been completely managed from Florida.

A series of test-centered spacewalks conducted on STS 54 and STS 57 continued

on the STS 51 mission. Astronauts ,lames Newman and Carl Walsh ventured

through Discovery's airlock on September 16 to evaluate tools, tethers and foot

restraint platforms for their use on December's mission to repair the Hubble Space

Telescope. The two astronauts spent seven hours and five minutes floating in

Discovery's open payload bay, carefully testing the equipment for its comfort,

durability and ease of use. Middeck payloads flown on the STS 51 mission

included the IMAX camera and the year's second flight of the KSC-managed

Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment (CHROMEX-04) that

tests the reactions of microgravity on the development and growth of plants. The

first night landing at Kennedy Space Center occurred at 3:56 a.m. EDT on

September 22 when Discovery touched down on runway 15. The ship landed at

the completion of 158 orbits and nine days, 20 hours and 11 minutes since launch.

The STS 51 crew consisted of Commander Frank Culbertsen, Pilot William

Readdy and Mission Specialists James Newman, Daniel Bmsch and Carl Walz.

269
Columbia'sSTS 58 mission, sixth of the year, launched from LC 3913 at 10:53

a.m. EDT on October 18. Outfitted with extra fuel and provisions due to the

installation of an Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet, Columbia and her

seven-member crew went on to spend more than two weeks in space - a record

for the Shuttle Program. The mission's prime payload was the Spacelab Life

Sciences-2 (SLS-2) module. The second Shuttle mission dedicated to the study

of life sciences, SLS-2 included 14 principal experiments that were divided into

four specific study areas: regulatory physiology, cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary,

musculoskeletal and neuroscience. Eight of the experiments focused on the

astronauts, while the other six were centered on the 48 rodents that flew aboard

Columbia during the mission. SLS-2 was the second in a series of Shuttle flights

designed to study the effects of microgravity on living organisms. The first SLS

mission was conducted on STS 40 during the summer of 1991. Six of the four

dozen rodents were decapitated and dissected during the mission, yielding the first

animal tissue samples to be collected in space and returned to Earth free of the

physiological changes caused by re-exposure to gravity.

Other secondary experiments flown aboard STS 58 included the Shuttle Amateur

Radio Experiment (SAREX) and the Portable Inflight Landing Operations Trainer

_ILOT), a laptop computer simulator that allowed Shuttle commanders and pilots

to maintain proficiency during longer flights. Columbia and crew completed the

longest Shuttle mission with a landing on runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base

(CA); the landing occurred on orbit 225 at 10:05 a.m. EDT on November 1. The

mission duration was 14 days and 12 minutes. The seven member crew included

Commander John Blaha, Pilot Richard Searfoss, Payload Commander Rhea

Seddon and Mission Specialists William MeArlhur, David Wolf, Shannon Lucid

and Martin Fettman.

The final and most difficult Shuttle mission of the year was Endeavour's STS 61

mission which launched at 4:27 a.m. EDT on December 2 from LC 39B. Seven

astronauts spent nearly two years training together and preparing for this mission

to repair the Hubble Space Telescope (I-IST). Deployed into space during the STS

31 mission in 1990, HST was designed and built for on-orbit maintenance.

During the course of the STS 61 flight, four astronauts conducted a record-high

total of five spacewalks to remove, replace or repair components of the telescope.

The spacewalking astronauts were divided into two teams of two. Payload

Commander Story Musgrave joined up with Jeffrey Hoffman to perform three

separate extravehicular activities [EVAs] while Kathryn Thornton and Tom Akers

teamed together for two other work sessions outside Endeavour. European Space

astronaut Claude Nieolner operated the Shuttle's robotic arm and worked closely

with both groups of astronauts during all of the spacewalks.

Major work done on HST included the removal and replacement of its solar

arrays, Wide Field Planetary Camera II, two rate sensor units and Solar Array

270
Drive Electronics Unit. A Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement

was mounted inside the telescope to correct the manufacturing flaw in its main

mirror. Every mission objective was completed during the EVAs. The next HST

repair mission is slated for 1997. The IMAX camera was also flown on STS 61,

acquiring footage of the repair work done on HST and scenes from that effort will

be included in the next IMAX film "Destiny" which is set for release next

summer. The STS 61 mission ended December 13 with a nighttime landing at

KSC on runway 33. Endeavour's touchdown occurred at 12:25 a.m. EST at the

conclusion of 163 orbits. STS 61 was the 59th flight since the Shuttle Program

began with Columbia's first mission on April 12, 1981. The STS 61 landing was

the 18th at KSC. The crew included Commander Richard Covey, Pilot Kenneth

Bowelsox, Mission Specialists Story Musgrave, Jeffrey Hoffman, Kathryn

Thornton, Tom Akers and Claude Nicollier. [NASA/KSC Release No. 160-93,

Dec. 29, 1993.]

271
r

INDEX

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite ............. 68, 82, 85, 124, 130, 134

137, 140, 146, 147

150-152, 154, 156, 179-180

180, 187, 220, 269

Advanced Concepts and Technology ................................... 42, 43

Advisory Committee on the Redesign of the Space Station ..................... 110

Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel ....................................... 153

A_R Compartment .................................................. 1,2

AJT and Associates, Inc ............................................. 213

Ambassador [Shuttle Replica] .......................................... 13

Amertron, Inc ..................................................... 243

Ames Research Center ........................................... 43, 217

Analex Space Systems Inc ............................................. 93

Antennas .................................................... 11, 15-16

Anthrorack Experiment Racks .......................................... 67

Army Corps of Engineers ............................................. 19

Astronauts Memorial Ceremony ......................................... 14

Atlas Centaur .................................................. 20, 59

Atmospheric laboratory for Applications and Science ................ 4, 22, 135, 267

Auxiliary Power Units .............................................. 197

Awards ............................. 26, 27, 33, 35, 52, 213, 214, 236, 243, 249

Awareness and Action Working Group ................................... 215

Ballistic Missile Defense Organization .................................... 91

BAMSI Inc ....................................................... 14

Base _ions Contract ............................. 14-15, 31, 122, 188, 210

Beaches ................................................... 2, 153, 215

BREMSAT GAS Canister ........................................... 13-15

British Aerospace .................................................. 255

Budgets ....................................................... 5, 31

Calibrations .................. 76-78, 87, 199, 201,202, 204, 206, 207, 209, 245, 247

Cameras ..................................................... 100, 255

Canaveral National Seashore ..................................... 2, 153, 215

Canister Rotation Facility ......................................... 234, 244

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station ............. 1, 16, 41, 48, 51, 59, 65, 68, 76, 82, 85

86, 118, 121, 123, 132, 139, 142, 156

167, 191, 196, 210, 217, 246, 251,255

Cargo Integrated Test Equipment .............................. 82, 86, 217, 260

Casper, John ..................................................... 6, 9

Center Director's Plaque .............................................. 26

Center for Space Education (Spaceport USA) ............................... 30

Center for the Commercial Development of Space ........................... 123

272
_ar

Central Florida Safety Council .......................................... 52

Chaffee, Roger [Apollo 204 Crew] ....................................... 14

Challenger Accident ................................................. 26

Chart of Kennedy Space Center Landings ................................. 257

Check Valves .......................................... 53, 55, 56, 58, 60

Chemical Garden ................................................... 67

Chlorine Leak .................................................... 252

Chromosomes and Plant Cell Division in Space ............................. 130

Classroom of the Future ............................................. 182

Clinton, William J. (President of the United States) ........................... 28

Columbia (Orbiter) .......................................... 5, 21, 96, 254

BREMSAT GAS Canister ..................................... 13, 15

Computers .................................................. 32

Crew Equipment Interface Test .................................... 10

Electrical Connections .......................................... 22

Flight Readiness Test ........................................... 24

GAUS Experiment Film Magazine ............................... 32, 36

German Space Agency .......................................... 34

Interface Verification Test ........................................ 27

Launch Readiness Review ........................................ 22

Launch Target ................................................ 32

Mating ..................................................... 20

Mechanical Connections ......................................... 20

OMBUU .................................................... 22

Orbiter Refrigerator/Freezer Units .................................. 30

Payload Bay ................................................. 31

Payload Bay Doors ............................................ 13

Refrigerator/Freezer Units ........................................ 31

Rollover .................................................... 11

Rollover to VAB .............................................. 10

Shuttle Interface Test ......................................... 18-20

Spacelab ............................................... 13-14, 35

Spacelab D-2 Laboratory Module .................................... 3

STS 55 ............................. 5, 8, 10-15, 18-20, 22-24, 28-33, 36

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) ....................... 19

Tests ................................................... 24, 32

Transporter .................................................. 13

Turbopumps ................................... 19, 27- 29, 31, 33, 36

Communications Satellites ..................................... 156, 186, 269

Computers ......................... 8, 10, 16, 52, 53, 63, 72, 132, 137, 159, 162

Congress, U. S....................... 5, 12, 28, 65, 71, 74, 78, 113, 119, 177, 225

Construction ..................... 19, 30, 77, 78, 142, 181, 185, 198, 199, 236, 263

Contamination ......................... 38, 57, 230, 231, 233, 234, 238, 244, 246

Continuous Improvement ............................................ 266

273
Contracts and Contractors

AJT and Associates, Inc ........................................ 213

Amertron, Inc ................................................ 243

Analex Space Systems .......................................... 93

Anthrorack Experiment Racks ..................................... 67

BAMSI Inc .................................................. 14

Base Operations Contract ................................. 6, 14, 15, 31

Bionetics Corp., The ........................................... 26

CEA, Inc. (Canton, MA) .......................................... 9

Costello & Sons Co ........................................... 175

Creative Management Technologies, Inc ............................... 1

EG&G Florida, Inc ........... 14, 15, 31, 122, 175, 177, 188, 210, 215, 236, 259

General Dynamics .......................................... 20, 59

Caamaman Aerospace Corp ....................................... 165

Hemandez Engineering, Inc ............................... 213, 243, 249

High Purity Systems, Inc ........................................ 243

Hughes Commtmications Inc ..................................... 177

Lockheed Space Operations Company .................... 7, 14, 16, 122, 210

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Division ............................ 1, 52

Martin Marietta ............................................. 142

Met-Con, Inc ................................................ 156

Orbital Sciences Corporation ...................................... 20

Tniokol Corp ........................................... 52, 56, 137

TW Recreational Services ........................................ 27

Rockwell Intemational Corp ................................... 215, 236

USBI Inc .................................................... 16

V. A. Paving, Inc ............................................. 243

Westinghouse Electric Corp ........................................ 7

Westinghouse KSC Company, Inc ................................... 14

Controllers .............. 9, 69, 76, 80, 83, 90, 102, 137, 162, 170, 176, 223, 249, 266

Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement ............ 168, 200, 205, 218

Coryi Foundation .................................................. 153

Cosmonauts ............................................... 109, 264, 267

Costello & Sons Co ................................................ 175

Cox, J. Newton (Col.) [Corps of Engineers] ................................ 19

Crawler Transporter ................................... 91, 119, 120, 193, 227

Crawlerway ................................................... 91,227

Creative Management Technologies, Inc ..................................... 1

Crew Equipment Interface Test ........ 10, 11, 13, 23, 27, 29, 44, 46, 147, I48, 150-152

Crippen, Robert L. [KSC Director] ................... 12, 26, 31, 65, 77, 79, 99, 109

119, 134, 143, 176-177, 199, 201,206, 216

Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere ............. 135

Cuban Refugees ..................................................... 7

Debus, Kurt H. Wormer KSC Director] .................................... 26

274
DeSantis, James [Astronauts Memorial Foundation] ........................... 30

Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer .................................. 2-3, 7, 16, 267

Diller, George [KSC Spokesperson] .............................. 13, 30, 32, 35

Discovery (Orbiter) ......................................... 30, 39, 76, 96

Drag Chute .................................................. 11

Functional Checks ............................................. 15

Ku-band Antenna .............................................. 34

Leaks ...................................................... 15

Main Engine Removals .......................................... 34

MSBLS .................................................... 34

Payloads .................................................... 16

Rollover; STS 56 .............................................. 36

STS 56 .......................... 4, 5, 8, 11, 21-23, 25, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36

Tests ................................................... 15,34

Tip Seals ................................................... 23

Turbopumps ................................................. 30

Dixon, Jacob (President, CMT) .......................................... 1

Domier ......................................................... 260

Drag Chute .................... 4, 9-11, 16, 25, 76, 89, 105, 107, 108, 110, 112, 155

172, 174, 227-231,256, 259, 261

Eastern Test Range .......................................... 38, 139, 163

Education .................................................. 30, 52, 182

Edwards Air Force Base .................... 9, 69, 74, 81, 83-85, 152, 195, 202, 207

212, 229, 233, 230, 268, 270

EG&G Florida, Inc ................ 14, 15, 31, 122, 175, 177, 188, 210, 215, 236, 259

Emergency Egress ............................................... 12, 24

Employees .............. 27, 52, 56, 114, 115, 125, 141, 177, 185, 215, 236, 242, 249

Endeavour (Orbiter) ............................. 10, 39, 80, 88, 126, 129, 233

Debris Impacts ............................................... 10

Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometer ...................................... 16

Drag Chute .................................................. 10

Gibson, Robert L. "Hoot" ........................................ 10

Landings .................................................... 10

Launch Complex 39B ............................................ 1

Main Engines; STS 54 ........................................... 2

Software ..................................................... 2

Spacehab] ................................................... 36

STS54 ................................................ 1,6,7,9

STS 57 .................................. 11, 17, 21, 25, 29, 30, 34, 36

Tip Seals ................................................... 23

English, George L. [Director, Executive Management Staff] ..................... 26

Enhanced Orbiter Refrigerator/Freezer 38, 40, 41, 44, 45

Enterprise [Shuttle Test Vehicle] ........ 18, 24, 35,62, 107, 112, 117, 138, 214, 236-237

275
Expendable Launch Vehicles .................................... 74, 111,266

Extended Duration Orbiter Pallet ................................ 106, 118, 126

Extravehicular Activities .................................. 1, 2, 100, 264, 270

Far End Package .................................................. 112

Federal Aviation Administration ....................................... 132

Federation of American Scientists ................................... 138, 231

Ferry Flights ..................................................... 245

Fiber-Optic Cables ................................................. 9-10

Firing Room 3 ........................................... 2-6, 56, 58, 130

Fish and Wildlife Service ......................................... 153, 154

Flame Deflectors ..................................................... 4

Flight Control Frequency Response Test ........................... 174, 178, 183

Flight Controllers .......................................... 9, 90, 176, 249

Flight Readiness Tests .............................................. 210

Flight Support Structure ........................... 161,168, 200, 205, 217, 218

Florida Economy .................................................. 235

Florida Panthers ................................................ 153, 154

Foaming _ions [External Tank] ............. 66, 67, 69, 83, 87, 88, 127, 152, 183

Forward Reaction Control System .......... 4, 11, 16, 21, 25, 29, 76, 89, 91, 95, 97-102

119, 166, 167, 172, 174, 176, 178, 181, 184, 196

199, 201,204, 206, 209, 211,213, 220, 227, 228

230-232, 234, 235, 239-241,245, 246, 256, 259, 261

Freedom Forum ... ................................................ 149

Fuel Cells .......... 5, 51, 72, 73, 130, 131, 157, 158, 197, 211,213, 215, 216, 219, 220

Galaxy 1R Cable TV Satellite .......................................... 20

Gamma Ray Observatory ......................................... 161, 169

Gas Analyzing Mass Spectrometer ...................................... 217

GAS Can Experiment. ....................................... 32, 33, 36, 38

Gaseous Nitrogen .................... 62, 64, 125, 131, 155, 158, 187, 203, 208, 212

GAUS Experiment Film Magazine .................................. 30-32, 36

General Dynamics Corp ............................................ 20, 59

General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals ................. 15, 210

German Shuttle Pallet ............................................... 135

135 German Space Agency .............................................

Gibson_ Robert L. "Hoot" [Astronaut] ..................................... 10

Global Positioning System ........................................ 177, 178

Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph Redundancy Kit ....................... 168

Goddard Space Flight Center ...... 7, 22, 100, 107, 111, 161, 168, 169, 171, 174, 218, 260

Goldin, Daniel S.[NASA Administrator] ................................ 18, 33

Gore, A1 [Vice President of the United States] ............................... 28

GOSKOMOBORONPROM ........................................ 262, 263

Grissom, Virgil "Gus" [Astronaut, Apollo 204] .............................. 14

Ground Launch Sequencer ..................................... 131, 143, 158

Grumman Aerospace Corp ............................................ 165

276
Hangar AE ...................................................... 218

Hangar AF .................................... ......... 16, 76, 117, 118

Harbaugh, Gregory [Astronaut] ........................... ,............... 6

Harris, Hugh (Director, Public Affairs) ..................................... 6

Hazardous Operations ................................................ 60

Heatshields ..................... 93, 98, 118-120, 147, 163, 165, 166, 171, 172, 213

Helms, Susan [Astronaut] .............................................. 6

Hemandez Engineering, Inc .................................... 213, 243, 249

High Purity Systems, Inc ............................................. 243

High Speed Rail, Brevard County ..................................... 2, 67

Hot Firing ........................ 144, 147, 150, 199, 201-203, 206-209, 226, 227

Hubble Space Telescope .............................. 161, 167, 234, 247, 270

Hughes Communications Inc .......................................... 177

Humidity Separator ................................ 4, 146, 147, 220, 257, 259

Hurricane Emily .................................................. 177

Hydraulic Hose ............................................... 37, 38, 40

Hydraulic Power Unit .............................................. 144

Hydmzine ....................................................... 197

Hypergolics ................................................... 93, 126

Incidents ........................................................ 145

Inertial Measurement Unit ............................................ 22

Inertial Upper Stage ................................................ 1-3

Initiator Controllers ................................................ 137

Interface Verification Test ........................................... 8, 10

International Space Station ......................... 181,232, 236, 237, 263, 266

Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph .......................... 86

Investigations ............................................ 6, 23, 146, 263

Italian Space Agency ............................................... 260

Jarvis, Gregory [Astronaut, STS 51-L] .................................... 14

Jess Parrish Medical Center ............................................ 82

Jet Propulsion Laboratory ........................... 43, 100, 101, 170, 180, 260

Johnson Space Center ............................. 49, 116, 164, 213, 225, 260

Kaptinski, John (Commander) ........................................... 7

Kinnan, Mike [STS 56 Payload Manager] ................................ 7, 22

Kohrs, Richard [Space Station Program Director] ........................... 7, 33

Kristofferson, Karl [Public Affairs] ....................................... 1

Ku-band Antenna ........ 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 21, 25, 34, 89, 90, 92, 93, 145, 146, 152

154, 163, 202-203, 207-208, 216, 226, 255-256, 259

Labor Relations ................................................... 171

Labor Unions ..................................................... 27

Landing gear .................... 14-16, 19, 21, 25, 29, 34, 39, 51, 85, 87, 92-95, 98

102-105, 148, 150-152, 199, 201-204, 206-209, 211,214, 216

219, 220, 224, 226, 228, 230, 231, 255, 256, 259, 265

277
m

launch

Launch

Launch

Launch

Launch

Launch

Launch

Complex 39A ........ 18-22, 24, 27, 31-33, 36, 38, 40, 41, 44, 51, 54, 65, 71, 73

224-227, 229-231, 233-234, 236, 243, 255, 256, 265, 268

Complex 39B ............................................ 1-2, 38

Complex 46 ................................................ 142

Control Center ............................. 10, 130, 157, 186, 190, 236

Delays .................................................... 132

Readiness Review ........................ 19, 20, 22, 24, 88, 119, 120, 122

191, 199, 201,202, 206, 207, 240

Schedule .............................................. 39, 163, I

Launch Software .................................................. 184

launches ...................... 2, 7, 38, 41, 47, 116, 177, 246, 255, 264, 266, 267

Layoffs .................................................... 55, 78, 145

l_xaks ............................................. 30, 53, 89, 197, 241

LH2 Umbilical Plate ................................................. 37

Liberty Star [SRB Recovery Ship] ........................................ 7

Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications .......................... 42, 43

Life Sciences .......... 7, 26, 43, 50, 51, 67, 112, 117, 125, 129, 144-146, 163, 174, 183

191, 201-202, 206-207, 211,217, 241,245-248, 267, 268, 270

Lockheed Space Operations Co .............................. 7,14, 16, 122, 210

Logo ........................................................... 16

Long Duration Exposure Facility .................................... 161, 169

MADS Recorder ................................................... 76

Maintenance ........... 15, 21, 27-29, 67, 71, 76-78, 122, 161, 168, 188, 210, 266, 270

Malfunction l_zboratory ............................................. 139

Management ................. 1, 4, 6, 12, 15, 21, 25, 26, 33, 42-44, 50, 63, 113, 116

120, 122, 130-1331, 157-158, 165, 184, 188, 190, 210-211

213, 215, 216, 219, 220, 224, 226, 227, 230, 242, 250, 266

Marine Resources Development Foundation ............................... 262

Mars Observer ................................................... 173

Martin Marietta ................................................... 142

Mass Memory Unit #1 .............................................. 125

Master Events Controller .................................. 164, 166, 168, 170

McAuliffe, Chrism [Astronaut, STS 51-L] .................................. 14

McCartney, Forrest S. [Former KSC Director] ............................ 20, 35

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Division ................................. 1, 52

McMonagle, Donald [STS 54, Pilot] ....................................... 6

McNair, Ronald [Astronaut, STS 51-L] .................................... 14

Met-Con, Inc ......... ,_._, ......................................... 156

Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System ............................. 21, 65

Mid-body Umbilical .............. 6, 22, 50, 51, 53, 56, 58, 77, 78, 119, 120, 131, 133

136, 141-142, 144, 157, 159, 163, 187, 189, 214, 221

MILA Tracking Station .............................................. 218

Nfinority Contractor of the Year ........................................ 213

lVlir _ussian Space Station] ........................ 232, 233, 237, 263, 264, 267

278
Mission Science Joint Working Group ................................... 264

Mission Sequence Test ................................. 48, 89, 90, 92-95, 260

Mission to Planet Earth Program ............................. . 42, 43, 174, 267

Mobile Launcher Platform ............ 44-48, 104-106, 118-120, 137-139, 167, 191,225

Morena, James ...................................................... 2

NASA Logo ["Meatball"] ............................................. 16

National Disability Employment Awareness Month .......................... 215

National Labor Relations Board ........................................ 171

National Performance Review ...................................... 113, 115

National Space Club .............................................. 26, 35

National Space Development Agency of Japan ........................... 236, 237

National Technology Transfer Center .................................... 182

Natural Gas ...................................................... 198

Navstar Global Positioning Satellite ......................... 48, 56, 85, 112, 121

Near End Package ................................................. 112

Nelson, Bill [Former Congressman] ...................................... 26

New Smyrna Beach ................................................ 153

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .................... 170, 174, 179

North Atlantic Treaty Organization ................................... 254, 255

Occupational Health Facility ......................................... 175

Surveillance Satellites .......................................... 231

Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology ............................... 43

Office of Mission to Planet Ea_ ..................................... 42, 174

Office of Planetary Science and Astrophysics ............................... 42

Office of Science and Technology Policy ................................. 164

Office of Space Science and Applications .................................. 42

Oneida Construction Co ............................................. 185

Onizuka, Ellison [Astronaut, STS 51-L] ................................... 14

Open House,.KSC ................................................. 236

Orbital Maneuvering System ............... 3, 5, 66, 83-85, 87-89, 91, 92, 95, 98-105

110, 113, 118-119, 125-127, 145-148, 150, 152, 155, 163

239-240, 245-248, 255-257, 259, 261,265

166-169, 178, 187, 192-196, 216, 226, 235

Orbital Sciences Corporation ........................................... 20

Orbiter Processing Facility ............ 8, 11, 23, 25, 29, 39, 44, 46, 48, 51, 54, 71, 76

83-84, 88, 89, 91, 95, 100, 101, 104, 105, 110, 118

124, 127, 134, 145, 147, 150, 155, 166

193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 207, 208, 214, 216, 219

226-227, 229, 234-236, 239, 245, 246, 255, 256, 259, 261

Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer ................... 85

Ordnance ......................................................... 3

Ozone Depletion ................................................... 38

Pad Damage .................................................. 117, 190

Painting ........................................................ 177

279
Payload Bay ............ 1-5, 10, 11, 13-16, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28-32, 34, 37-40, 44, 46, 48

51, 56, 58, 61, 64-68, 70-72, 76-78, 80, 82, 88-90

92-95, 97, 98, 100, 101-106, 108, 110-112, 118,124-132

134, 135, 138-141, 144, 145, 147, 150-152, 154-155, 157-159

161, 163, 164, 166-168, 178, 180, 181, 183, 187-188

I91-i97, 199, 201-209, 211,213, 215-216, 219-221,227-232

234, 235, 239-241, 244-248, 255, 256, 259, 260, 261, 267, 269

Payload Canister .................................... 200, 205, 211, 231,244

Payload Changeout Room ....... 67, 119, 120, 134, 226, 229-235, 238-241,244, 245, 247

Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility ............... 9, 68, 82, 161, 168, 169, 200, 205

210, 218, 231,233-235, 244

Payloads ....................................................... 247

Pegasus Rocket .................................................... 20

Perseid Meteor Shower ................................ 148-150, 152, 156, 186

Plasma Diagnostics Package .......................................... 112

Plasma Motor Generator ............................................. 112

Playalinda Beach ................................... 2, 72, 128, 129, 153, 215

Plowdert, John (Rocketdyne) ..................... ...................... 29

Portable Inflight Landing _ions Trainer ............................... 270

Post-Scrub Tasks .................................................. 163

Potable Water ................. 4, 5, 8, 11, 16, 21, 24-26, 28-32, 34, 81, 92, 125-128

197, 204, 209, 211,212, 214, 216, 218-220, 246, 248, 255

Procurement .......................... 6, 14, 15, 43, 44, 110, 185, 186, 215, 242

Public Affairs .............................................. 1, 6, 39, 215

Purges .................. 2, 3, 5, 41, 44, 45, 56, 58, 60, 61, 66, 68, 70, 71, 89, 91-94

104, 106, 107, 109, 147, 180, 183, 214, 216, 218, 219

Pyrotechnic Initiator Controller .............................. 136, 138-140, 166

Range Safety .......................................... 2, 3, 116, 140, 222

Reaction Control System ............... 3, 89, 91, 95, 98, 99, 102, 201,204, 206, 209

213, 228, 230-232, 234, 235, 239, 240, 245, 246

Recertification ................................................. 234, 238

Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit ................................... 6, 21

Refugees .......................................................... 7

Remote Manipulator System ................................ 21, 204, 209, 211

Research Animal Holding Facility ...................................... 217

Res_ Judith [Astronaut, STS 51-L] ..................................... 14

Restricted Areas., ................................................. 132

Retrieval Ships .................................................... 16

Richner, Elaine [TW Recreational Services] .............................. 16, 27

Rockwell International Corp ........................................ 215, 236

Roddenberry, Gene [Creator of Star Trek] .................................. 18

Roll-Around ..................................................... 244

280
Rollout ..................... 18-22, 36, 40, 41, 44, 46, 49, 59, 60, 62, 66, 67, 6%71

76, 77, 87, 117-120, 122, 128, 134, 171, 172, 174

185, 191-193, 196, 224, 225-227, 255, 256, 259

Rollover .................... 5, 10, 11, 13-15, 18, 19, 23, 34, 36, 37, 46, 80, 97, 98

104-106, 108, 110, 111, 117, 154-155, 191, 196, 199, 202-203

207-208, 212, 216, 219, 220, 224-226, 228

232, 246, 247, 255-256, 259, 261, 265

Rotating Service Structure .................. 6, 44, 53, 54, 77, 115, 120, 131-133, 136

141, 142, 144, 158-160, 162, 163, 187-189, 199, 203, 208

209, 221,226, 227, 229, 230, 231-233, 235, 244, 245, 247

Runco, Mario Jr ..................................................... 6

Russia ...................... 99, 144, 181, 182, 224, 232, 233, 237, 250, 254, 263

Russian Space Agency ........................................... 236, 237

S-band Communication System ................................. 224, 226-228

SAEF-2 Spacecraft ................................................. 260

Safety .................... 2, 3, 25-27, 38, 46, 47, 52, 75, 84, 96, 109, 116, 129, 136

140, 143, 146, 153, 213, 221,222, 225, 240-242, 249

Sarao, Ben [Artist] .................................................. 26

Satellites ....................... 23, 41, 56, 100, 130, 157, 171, 186, 231,260, 269

Scobee, Richard "Dick" [Astronaut, STS 51-L] .............................. 14

SEALAB II ...................................................... 262

Sensors ......................................... 91,161, 162, 173, 248-250

Seymour Himmel .................................................. 153

She,a, Joseph F. [Space Station Redesign] .................................. 33

Shepard, Alan [Mercury, Apollo Astronaut] .................................. 8

Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment ............................... 267, 269, 270

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft .................................. 83-86, 235, 238, 239

Shuttle Interface Test (SIT) ..................................... 18, 117-118

Shuttle Landing Facility ...................................... 134, 196, 266

Shuttle Orbiter Logistics Support Contractor ............................... 236

Shuttle Pallet Satellite .............................. 86, 130, 135, 157, 186, 269

Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet ..................................... 22

Shuttle Training Aircraft [Training] ....................................... 6

Silver Snoopy Award ............................................ 137, 265

Simpson, Wendell [Canaveral National Seashore, Superintendent] .................. 2

Small Contractor Award .............................................. 93

Small Expendable Deployer System .................................. 48, 112

Smith, Michael [Astronaut, STS 51-L] .................................... 14

Solar Arrays .................................... ... 149, 200, 205, 264, 270

Solar Maximum Satellite Repair Mission ................................. 161

281
Solid RocketMotors .................. 3, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 19,21, 22, 25, 30, 34, 44

48, 54, 76, 97, 99, 101,110,117,118, 134,137,144, 147

155, 185,190-196,199,201,204, 206,209,211,214, 216,218-219

224,226-228,230-232,234,235,238-241,247-248,251,256

SpaceCongress,30thAnnual ................................. 12,74, 78, 177

SpaceLife SciencesTrainingProgram ................................... 117

SpaceRadarLaboratory .......................................... 260, 261

SpaceShuttleMain Engines .......................................... 163

SpaceStation................ 5, 7, 9, 12,28, 31, 33, 42, 43, 49, 50,63, 69, 70, 74, 78

87,96, 107, 108,110,111,113-115,119-122,141,156

164,165, 181,184,193,197,224,225, 232

236,237, 248-250,254, 263,264,266-268

SpaceStationProcessingFacility [SSPF] ............................... 9, 156

SpaceSupportEquipment ........................................ 161,168

SpaceVacuumEpitaxy Center......................................... 123

SpacecraftCheckoutFacility ................................ 86, 167,218, 260

Spacehab .................. 12, 16, 17,21, 25, 30, 34, 36, 37, 39,44, 62, 80, 81, 84

88-91, 104,111,112,126,128,129,202, 203,207,208, 212

228,230,231,232, 234,235,239-241,245-248,255,256, 268

Spacelab .............................................. 4, 14, 18, 57, 71

SpaceportFlorida Authority ...................................... 77, 78, 142

SpaceportUSA ............................ 13,27, 30, 77, 79, 98, 171, 198,257

Spacesuits....... 1, 2, 34, 36, 51, 55, 56, 89, 126-128,175,178,214,216,247,248, 264

Spacewalks......................... 7, 90, 130,157,161,168,186,224,269, 270

St. PetersburgFlight ServiceStation..................................... 133

Stamps .......................................................... 99

Star TrackerDoor FunctionalTest ........................ 172-174,176, 178,184

StarTrek: TheNext Generation ........................................ 18

Statues,William L. (Maj. Gen.)[Corpsof Engineers].......................... 19

StrategicDefenseInitiative Organization................................... 91

STS27 ......................................................... 120

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

STS

32 ......................................................... 120

38 ......................................................... 258

39 ......................................................... 258

40 ......................................................... 270

41B ..................................................... 81,258

41G ........................................................ 258

43 ......................................................... 258

45 ......................................................... 258

46 ...................................................... 112,258

47 ...................................................... 14, 258

50 ...................................................... 42, 258

282
STS 51 ............... i ..... 68, 72, 76-78, 80, 82-86, 88, 89, 91-93, 95-99, 101-106

108, 110, II1, 117-122, 124-130, 132, 133, 135-163, 165-175

177, 178, 180, 181, 183-187, 189-191, 195, 202

204, 208, 209, 212, 214, 220, 221,257, 258, 261, 269

STS 51A ........................................................ 258

STS 51C ........................................................ 258

STS 51D ........................................................ 258

STS 52 ................................................... 48, 120, 258

STS 54 ......................................... 1-9, 11, 46, 258, 267, 269

STS 55 ......................... 3, 5, 8, 10-15, 18-25, 27-38, 40, 41, 44-54, 57-62

65-76, 78, 80, 81, 83, 89, 90, 249, 268

STS 56 ............... 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, 21-23, 25, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36-41, 44-47, 50

54-58, 60-64, 66, 68, 69, 71, 72, 81, 134, 258, 267, 268

STS 57 ......................... 9, 11, 16-17, 21-22, 25, 29, 30, 34, 36, 37, 39-40

44, 46, 51, 55, 59-62, 66, 67, 69-73, 77, 78, 80, 81, 83-85, 87-99,

101-107, 109-112, 115-118, 124, 126, 128, 135, 153, 258, 268-269

STS 58 .................... 81, 83, 90, 92-98, 100-103, 105-108, 110, 112, 118, 119

125-129, 144-152, 154, 155, 163, 166-169, 171, 172, 174, 178

181, 183, 185, 190-197, 199, 201-204, 206-212

214-216, 218-223, 229, 230, 232, 235, 239, 241,248, 270

STS 59 ...................................................... 260, 261

STS 60 ....................... 123, 167, 199, 201-209, 211-214, 216, 219, 220, 224

226-232, 234, 235, 239-241,245-248, 255, 256, 259, 261,264-265

STS 61 .................... 90, 100, 124, 126, 128, 129, 145-148, 150-152, 155, 161

166-170, 172-174, 176, 178, 183-185, 191-196, 199-212

214-216, 218, 219, 220, 223-227, 229-234

236, 239-241,243-248, 250-254, 257, 258, 270, 271

STS 61C ......................................................... 26

STS 62 ................................. 235, 239, 245-248, 255, 256, 259, 261

STS 63 ......................................................... 264

Students ............................................... 13, 30, 117, 251

Super Fluid Helium On Orbit Transfer ................................... 113

Surface Effects Sample Monitor ........................................ 86

T-38 Training Aircvat_ ....................................... 136, 161, 189

Teams .......................................... 35, 45, 73, 143, 230, 270

Telescopes ................................................... 100, 135

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test ............. 21, 22, 46, 47, 50, 87, 124, 135

191, 193, 194, 196, 231

Tests ................ 3, 5, 11, 13, 16, 21, 25, 34, 39, 40, 54, 56-60, 62, 64-66, 68-72

76-78, 80, 82, 84, 85, 87-89, 94, 97-108, 110, 112, 117

118, 123, 128, 145, 147, 148, 150-152, 154, 166

184-185, 191, 192, 194-197, 199, 201-204, 206-211,214

216, 219, 220, 224, 226-232, 234, 235, 239-241,245-248, 260, 269

Thermal Protection System ................ 11, 13-15, 34, 51, 197, 199, 201-203, 205

283
207, 208, 213, 230, 261, 263, 265

Thiokol Corp.._ .............................................. 52, 56, 137

Time Critical Equipment .................................. 131, 136, 142, 158

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite ............................. 1-3, 7, 260, 266

Traffic ...................................................... 198, 252

Transfer Orbit Stage .............. 68, 82, 86, 130, 134, 151, 152, 156, 180, 186, 220

Transponders ..................................................... 223

Tucker, Bob [Payloads] ................................................ 5

Tunnel Adapter .......... 8, 26, 30, 34, 129, 226-228, 230-232, 234, 235, 239, 240, 248

Turbopumps ... ............................... 23-25, 27-33, 36, 49, 239, 240

Turner Network Television ........................................... 238

TW Recreational Services ....................................... 27, 77, 171

United Services Associates, Inc ......................................... 243

Utsman, Thomas E.[Director, Space Shuttle Program] .......................... 24

V. A. Paving, Inc .................................................. 243

Valves ..................................... 38, 53, 55, 56, 58, 60, 202, 207

Vandenberg AFB ............................................... 231,266

Vehicle Assembly Building .......... 8, 11, 15, 18-20, 23, 29, 34, 36, 40, 41, 44, 46, 48

55, 59, 62, 66, 67, 77, 92, 95, 99, 104, 108, 110

111, 117, 119, 127-129, 134, 144, 146-148, 155

163, 166, 168, 174, 177, 178, 181, 185, 191-196, 199

201,203, 204, 206, 208, 209, 211,214, 218, 220

224-226, 228, 230-232, 234, 235, 23%241

245-247, 250, 256, 259-261,265

Vertical Processing Facility ................... 9, 68, 82, 86, 119, 123, 200, 205, 211

217-218, 228, 230-232, 234-235

Wake Field Facility ............................................. 123, 231

Waste Containment System ............ 3, 5, 11, 14-16, 51, 83-85, 87-88, 105-108, 110

112, 118, 128-129, 197, 199, 201,206 245, 256

Weather ................. 4, 6, 9, 20, 44, 46-51, 56, 57, 60, 62, 64, 68, 69, 74, 80-86

111, 116, 121, 124, 127, 131-133, 136, 140-143, 156,

158-162, 187, 188, 189, 192, 202, 208

220-223, 230, 232, 235, 251-254, 268

Welds ........................................................... 16

Westinghouse Electric Corp ............................................. 7

Westinghouse KSC Company, Inc ........................................ 14

White, Edward [Astronaut, Apollo 204] ................................... 14

Wide Field Planetary Camera ......................................... 218

Wildlife ..................................................... 153, 154

W'mdows ..... , ........ ...................................... 202, 207

Wrench .., ._. ..................................................... 76

Year In Space Review .............................................. 266

Young, Dick [Public Affairs] ............................................ 1

284
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

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Public r£_mor_ nn burd_'n for th;s (("[I.(liOn of rlforr_._t qn % _4.t _t'd tO ;_vc'r._q- I hrlur rlPr _-4,1_¢lntP includinq the' time for rpvi_wmg instructions, searching existing dat_ Sources.

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1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED

March 1994 Annual Chronoloqy fo_ 1993

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS

Chronology of KSC and KSC Related Events for

1993

6. AUTHOR(S)

Ken Nail, Jr.

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) REPORT NUMBER

Sherikon Space Systems, Inc.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 KSC KHR 18

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRES_;(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Kennedy Space Center

B. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

10. SPONSORING / MONITORING

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TM-109196

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

This chronology

KMI 2700.1 (as revise3) to

progress.

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABiLITYSTATEMENT

Unclassified - Unlimited

is published to fulfill the requirements of

describe and document KSC's role in NASA

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

13. ABSTRACT(Maximum200wor_)

This document is intended to serve as a record of KSC events and as a

reference source for historians and other researchers. Arrangement is

by day and month and individual articles are attributed to published

sources. This edition has an index on p. 272. Materials were

researched and prepared by Sherikon Space Systems, Inc., EG&G Florida's

subcontractor for KSC Library Services.

1_4. SUBJECT TERMS Chronology, Space Shuttles, Solid Rocket

Boosters, Hubble Space Telescope, Awards, Contracts,

Astronauts, Launches, Management, Space Station

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Star,da,d F,)rm 298 (Rev 2-89)

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