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Chronology of KSC and

KSC Related Events for 1991

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CHRONOLOGY OF KSC

AND KSC RELATED EVENTS

FOR 1991

BY KEN NAIL, JR.

KSC UBRARY ARCHIVIST
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FOREWORD

This 1991 Chronology is published to fulfill the requirements of KMI 2700.1 (as

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

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

The document records KSC events of inlerest to hislodans and other researchers.

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

or more days after the event.

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

Nail, Jr., of EG&G FLORIDA, Inc. The 1991 Chronology includes two appendices:

(A) Shuttle Era Rrsts (p. 261) and (B) Shuttle Landings at KSC (p. 263). A

General Index (p. 264) and a Company Index (p. 274) have been included for

added convenience to resemchem, and each _ has been headlined.

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

Center, UBRARY-E, Kennedy Space Center, Flodda, 32899.

Walter L Covin_

Center Services
. J
TABLE OF CONTENTS

JANUARY ................................................. 1

FEBRUARY ............................................... 14

MARCH ................................................. 24

APRIL .................................................. 43

MAY .................................................... 60

JUNE ................................................... 89

JULY ................................................... 108

AUGUST ................................................ 135

SEPTEMBER ............................................. 166

OCTOBER ............................................... 186

NOVEMBER .............................................. 217

DECEMBER .............................................. 241

APPENDIX A ............................................. 261

APPENDIX B ............................................. 263

GENERAL INDEX .......................................... 264

COMPANY INDEX .......................................... 274

JANUARY

January 2: CHILD-CARE FACILITY OPENS

This morning the doors to Kennedy Space Center's child-care facility were opened

for the first time. About 120 children of KSC employees have been registered and

there is a waiting list for the Infant room, according to Michael Weissman,

Manager of the facility for Tutor Time Space Coast Inc. "The first day was really

a dalight. It all went very smoothly," Weissman said. NASA government

employees have priority over contractors for available space in the child care

facility. An industrial area security gate off Kennedy Parkway South was moved

to keep the day-care center off secured property so that parents without KSC

identification badges could get to their children. KSC security officers have been

trained in emergency medical techniques for children. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1B, Jan. 3, 1991 .]

g KSC BAT PATROL

USBI Co. workers who rebuild Shuttle boosters are looking to bats for relief from

Space Coast mosquItoes which pester them in their unscreened lO-story building.

At a cost of $100, workers from USBI and the Brevard Museum of History and

Natural Science will place three bat houses next to the USBI facilities. The three

houses are expected to attract about ten wild bats who should consume about

600 mosquItoes per hour, according to Museum Curator Merle Kuns. [Jones,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 3, 1991 .]

January 3.- ORBITERPROCESSING

Today the payload bay doors of Discovery are to be opened and the Ku-Band

antenna is to be deployed and checked. The forward reaction control system is

scheduled to be installed this evening. The rudder speed brake has been

inspected and redundancy checks are underway. Atlantis is scheduled to be

powered up today and the payload bay doors opened. The number 3 auxiliary

power unit is scheduled for Installation today; the remote manipulator system will

be installed over the weekend. Inspections of the nose cap are continuing.

Technicians are setting up platforms in Columbia's aft compartment to begin postflight Inspections. Access to the crew cabin is being established and some tile

operations are scheduled. Booster stacking operations are continuing for Atiantis'

STS 37 mission. A new 17-inch liquid hydrogen disconnect is being installed on

the extemal tank this week. [KSC SHU'I'I'I,E STATUS REPORT, Jan. 3, 1991 .]

January 4: CEA,INC.CONTRACl"

CEA, Inc. (Canton,MA) has been awarded a $534,000 contract for fiber-optic cable

work at Kennedy Space Center. The small business firm will fumish and install

one 144-fiber cable from a main communications switching center, the Vehicle

Assembly Building Repeater (VABR) in the Launch Complex 39 area, to the Orbiter

Modification and Refurbishment Facility (OMRF). Two cables of the same capacity

will also be provided to run from the VABR to the Launch Control Center (LCC).

A second part of the contract calls for the installation of two 36-fiber cables from
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the VABR to the Lockheed Logistics Facility and a copper audio cable link to a

weather instrumentation location. [Kdstofferson, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 3-91,

Jan. 4, 1991.]

SANTA CRUZ _ON CONTRACT

Santa Cruz Construction (Merritt Island, FL) was awarded a $144,294 contract by

Kennedy Space Center for the installation of underground communications

conduits and access manholes in the center's Industrial Area. The small business

firm will install the conduits to provide a communications pathway under NASA

Causeway East and to expand hardware capabilities for the KSC Operational

Intercommunication System (OIS). The OIS provides communications links

between the Space Shuffle Orbiter and payload processing facilities, the Launch

Control Center and Launch Pads 39A and 39B. [Kristofferson, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 4-91, Jan. 4, 1991.]

SAUER, INC, CONTRACT

Sauer, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) was awarded a Kennedy Space Center contract

today worth $1.13 million for the removal of existing air handling units in the

Vehicle Assembly Building and replacement with new models featuring

computerized automatictemperature control. [Kristoffarson, KSC NEWS RELEASE

NO. 1-91, Jan. 4, 1991 .]

TRITON MARINE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Kennedy Space Center today awarded a $3.2 million contract to Triton Madne

Construction (Houston, TX) for the rehabilitation and repair of four bridges at KSC.

(See story below.) [Kristofferson, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 2-91, Jan. 4, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY PROCESSING: STS 39

The forward reaction control system (FRCS) was Installed ovemight; an interface

test of the system will be conducted tomorrow. The payload bay doors have been

opened today and the Ku-Band antenna has been deployed for checks.

Engineers are evaluating a problem with the pilot's attitude director indicator, a

navigation aid that gives the crew information about the Orbiter's attitude in terms

of pitch, yaw and roll. Exhaust ducts of the three auxiliary power units were tested

and the data are being evaluated. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 4,

1991 .]

ATLANllS: GPC INSTAU.ATION

Atlantis is powered up today for routine tests. The new general purpose

computers are being installed in the Orbiter. Connections of the number 3 APU

are continuing. The remote manipulator system is at the OPF and remains

scheduled for installation this weekend. Instrumentation is being installed for the

flutter buffet modification. Booster stacking operations are continuing. The left
aft center segmentis being mated to the left booster today. The left forward

center segment is scheduled for mating early next week. Technicians are aligning

the new 17-inch liquid hydrogen disconnect in the proper position on the external

tank. [KSC SHU'I-rl.E STATUS REPORT. Jan. 4, 1991 .]

[i STS 35 (COLUMBIA) PROCESSING

Technicians removed the sleep stations from Columbia's crew cabin yesterday.

Tiles are being waterproofed and post-flight inspections in the aft compartment

have commenced. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Jan. 4, 1991 .]

January 7: DELTA 2: RRST 1991 LAUNCH

A NATO communications satellite was the first payload lifted to orbit in 1991

aboard a Delta 2 rocket at 7:53 p.m. tonight. The Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station launch had been delayed 68 minutes due to overcast skies caused by the

presence of two thunderstorms moving over Central Florida. Don Tutmler,

Director of the McDonnell Douglas Delta Launch Vehicle Division, said, "Launching

was like threading a needle." Built by Marconi Space Systems and British

Aerospace, the $110 million dollar NATO satellite will allow political leaders to

communicate with each other and with the organization's Brussels, Belgium,

headquarters. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 7, 1991, and Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 8, 1991 .]

Janualy 8: SHUTTLE FLOW DIRECTORS NAMED

Kennedy Space Center recently named flow directors for the Space Shuttle

Orbiters Discovery and Endeavour. John J. =Tip"Talone has been named as the

Flow Director for NASA's newest Orbiter, Endeavour, which is undergoing

construction in Palmdale, CA. John C. "Chris" Fairey has been chosen as Flow

Director for Discovery. [Malone, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 5-91, Jan. 8, 1991 .]

January 10: A'n.,ANT1S WINDOW REPLACEMENTS

Both Atlantis and Columbia suffered some damage to their windows during their

most recent missions; two windows must be replaced on Atlantis at a cost of

approximately $200,000. A window on Columbia is also suspect. "Whatever it is

[that is damaging the windows], it's pulverizing itseff when it hits the window. With

the heat and the intensity it creates, it often just disappears," according to NASA

Structures Engineer Gennaro Cabndo. Kennedy Space Center technicians have

already begun replacing the windows on Atlantis at either end of the cockpit.

Atlantis returned to Earth with more damage to its windows and heat protection

tiles than experienced on previous missions. Calvin Schombe_g, Projects Office

Engineer at Johnson Space Center, said that most of the damage was confined

to the front end of Atlantis so that he thought it had occurred during launch or

landing. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Jan. 11, 1991 .]

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January11: STS 39 PROCESSING: DISCOVERY

Power on testing of Discovery continues today. Ammonia boiler servicing is

scheduled to resume today also. The high bay of the OPF will be cleared for this

operation. Results of the routine leak checks on the main propulsion system are

reported good. Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks indicate possible

lube oil seepage around APU number 2. ReprsssUdzation tests and additional

analysis will be performed. Potable water servicing and main engine heat shield

and carrier panel installation continues today. Elevon cove leak checks are

complete. OMS pod verifications are scheduled to continue this weekend. [KSC

SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 11, 1991 .]

g OPF BAY 2: ATLANTIS PROCESSING

Fuel call power reactant and storage distribution system tests and liquid hydrogen

leak and functional tests continue today. APU leak and functional tests and final

connection operations are also continuing. The outside pane of Atlantis' window

number 1 has been removed. The seals are currently being cured for installation

of the replacement pane. Window number 6 will be changed out next week. In

the Vehicle Assembly Building, the left forward solid rocket booster segment was

lifted and meted to the existing segments on the mobile launcher platform in high

bay 3. [KSC SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 11, 1991 .]

Janualy 12: KIT SPEEDS PROCESSING WORK

NASA contractors are borrowing an idea from the aidine industry which involves

gathering the parts a technician needs for a specific task in advance, gathering

them on a tray and delivering the complete *kit" to the worker's post. The idea

has enabled KSC technicians to exercise Increased efficiency in processing

Shuttles for launch. "You can't ever process the Shuttle like an airplane. It's just

too complex," said Pan Am World Services Manager Don Baumann, "but you can

borrow ideas from the aldines and apply them here." The system will be adapted

for about 250 routine Shuttle processes. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Jan.

13, 1991.]

Janualy 15.- PAYLOAD STATUS REPORTS

The Tethered Satellite (TSS, STS 46) has been undergoing receiving inspection

and initial tests in an off-line laboratory of the payload Operations and Checkout

Building. Hardware associated with the TSS deployer is currently being integrated

onto the pallet as well as integrating some associated experiments onto the

mission peculiar support structure (MPESS). The first fit check of the satellite with

the deployer is scheduled to occur January 17 and will extend until January 22.

A second fit check will also be scheduled for later this month or during February.

Today the alignment of the Gamma Ray Observatory's two sun sensors is being

conducted. Fueling of GRO (STS 37, Atlantis) for its on-orbit activity was

completed January 10 as scheduled. A total of 4200 pounds of

monomethylhydrazine was loaded aboard (three to four times more fuel than is
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required by most spacecraft). This large quantity of fuel will permit extended

mission operations, yesterday and today, work has been underway to remove the

GRO's test batterias and install the six nickel cadmium flight batteries which are

housed in two modular power supply units (MPS). The MPS units will be installed

on the spacecraft tomorrow. The Instrument Switching Unit (ISU) which was

removed on December 23, 1990, shipped to TRW, repaired and retested was

reinstalled on the spacecraft yesterday. Integration and system tests are

scheduled to start January 18. The ISU contains circuiW which controls electrical

signals to various equipment throughout the Observatory which will be moved

from the Payload Hazardous Servidng Facility (PHSF) to the Vertical Processing

Facility (VPF) on Februanj 6 for final tests and processing for integration with

Atlantis. Rnal assembly, functional testing, and rf system testing of the Inertial

Upper Stage for TDRS-E - STS 43, Discovery - has been completed by the Air

Force/Boeing test team on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. IUS buildup

operations are scheduled for completion in mid-February. Due to possible limited

availability of military aircraft due to the Persian Gulf situation, TDRS-E may be

shipped early to KSC from the TRW plant in California. [PAYLOAD STATUS

REPORT, Jan. 15, 1991 .]

STS 39 PROCESSING

Cross feed lines of the orbital maneuvering system pods have been connected

and leak check operations on those lines continue today. Final checks of the

power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) and water spray boiler will

also be conducted today. Following final tests on the auxiliary power units, all

three APUs have been cleared for flight with final pressudzation decay checks to

continue as scheduled. Potable water sampling tests take place today. Several

days of hydraulic operations are scheduled this week. [KSC SHUTTLE

PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 15, 1991 .]

ATLANTIS: APUS INSTAU.ED

Installstion of APU number 3 was completed last night and the OPF Bay 2 was

reopened for normal processing operations. PRSD fuel cell operations continue

and the water spray boiler has been installed. Main propulsion leak testing

continues. Work to replace window number 6 is on schedule. Hydraulic fill and

bleed operations will be conducted this week following hydraulic operations on

Discovery. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the left forward solid rocket booster

segment was pinned to the existing segments on the mobile launcher platform in

high bay 3. The right aft segment will be taken to the VAB today with stacking

operations scheduled for later today. [KSC SHU1-FLE PROCESSING STATUS

REPORT, Jan. 15, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA PROCESSING

Aft flight deck reconfiguration of Columbia continues today. Both left and right

landing gear strut checks are in process; tile work also continues today.

SHUI"FLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 15, 1991 .]

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Janumy 16: DISCOVERY PROCESSING-OPF BAY 1

Scheduled operations continue in the Orbiter Processing Facility this week. Leak

end functional tests on the auxiliary power units have been completed. Checks

of Discovery's twin orbital meneuvering system pods cross feed lines continue

today. The OMS actuator was checked out yesterday without any problems

identified. Extensive integrated Orbiter hydraulic operations are underway end are

expected to last throughout the week. Hydraulic operations today include

functional testing of the lending gear, brakes end nose wheel steering. Rollout of

the vehicle to the Vehicle Assembly Building is scheduled for no eadler then

January 29. [KSC SPACE SHUTTL,E PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 16,

lsel.]

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g STS 30: APU 3/_._RA'n_

The exhaust on auxiliary power unit number 3 of Atlantis will be aspirated today

as retesting on the unit continues. Hydraulic fill end bleed operations will be

conducted tonight following today's hydraulic operations on Discovery. Main

engine installation is currently scheduled to begin this weekend. The two OMS

pods are currently located in the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. There, work to

install thrusters on the right hand pod is underway as final quick disconnect

checks on the left hand pod continues. In the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay

3, build up of the right solid booster segments continues on the mobile launcher

platform. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 16,

1991 .]

January 17: VISITOR ACCESS RESTRICTED

The start of war in the Persian Guff has already impacted Kennedy Space Center.

Visitor access to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has been stopped indefinitely

by military officials because of increased security there. Serf-guided tours of the

Cape's Air Force Space Museum on Sundays have also been suspended.

Spaceport USA tours of Kennedy Space Center will continue, however. KSC

officials said that 27 space center workers had been activated as reservists and

a support group for dependents was beginning to be orgenized. "A lot of NASA

people were called to active duty so we have a special reason to hope for an

early, successful conclusion of the operation," said NASA Administrator Richard

Truly. "My admiration for the men end women in the Guff knows no bounds and

they have the full support of NASA." KSC Director Format S. McCarlney said, "The

people who were called are important members of the team end we're looking

forward to them coming home. it's regrettable we live at a time when these kinds

of crises happen." ['NASA Restricts Visitor Access," FL,ORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan.

18, 1991.]

!1 STS 39 PROCESSING: DISCOVERY

Scheduled operations continued today in the Orbiter Processing Facility at

Kennedy Space Center. Water spray boiler servicing has been completed end

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hydraulic operations continued in progress. Yesterday, brake anti-skid tests and

landing gear functionai tests were completed. Discovery's two orbital

maneuvering system pods continue to undergo checks today. Sleep station

installation operations are currently being worked. During helium purge

operations last night, engineers determined there may have been hydraulic fluid

Introduced into the high pressure oxidizer turbopump on main engine number

three. Crews will analyze the potential problem and make further evaluations

tomorrow. Rollover of Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building remains

scheduled for no earlier than January 29. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Jan. 17, 1991 .]

STS 37 PROCESSING: ATLANTIS

Hydraulic fill and bleed operations on Atlantis were conducted successfully last

night along with checks of the nose wheel steering mechanism. Hydraulic

operations will continue throughout the remainder of the week. Main engine

installation is currently scheduled to begin this weekend. In the Vehicle Assembly

Building High Bay 3, buildup of the right solid rocket booster segments continued

on the mobile launcher platform. The right aft center segment will be delivered to

the VAB today. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 17,

1991 .]

STS 40 PROCESSING: COLUMBIA

The ground service equipment was installed in the payload bay of Columbia last

night as crews today co_nued with plans to remove the provisions stowage

assembly (PSA) from the bay. Preparations also continued to access the dump

line nozzle in the waste management system for failure analysis. Columbia is

scheduled to be moved to the Orbiter Processing Facility later this month following

the rollover of Diecovery from the VAB. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Jan. 17, 1991 .]

PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT

Preflight checkouts and testing of the STS-39 (Discovery) payloads continue to

proceed on schedule in both the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) and the Vertical

Processing Facility (VPF). The CRO and MPEC payloads are mounted in the

forward section of Discovery's payload bay and are undergoing checkouts in the

OPF. AFP-675, IBSS/SPAS-2 and STP-1 are hanging vertically in the VPF. The

IBSS/SPAS-2 End-to-End Test and Interface Verification Test and STP-1 End-toEnd Test were all satisfactorily completed this week. These three payloads are

scheduled to be transported from the VPF to the launch pad on February 1. No

significant problems are being worked on the Space Ufe Sciencas-1 payload for

STS-40, currently scheduled for launch in May 1991. A three-day long health

check of the SLS-1 experiments and module should be completed by the end of

the week. SLS-1 is scheduled to be transported from the Operations and

Checkout Building and implemented from the Columbia at the OPF on or about

March 7. Checkouts and testing of the Intemationai Microgravity Laboratory-1

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(IMLol) elements continues inside the Operations & Checkout Building High Bay.

The IML-1 payload for STS 42 was transferred to the Spacetab Integration area in

Test Stand 2. The IML-1 floor and experiment rack integration is underway. The

integration of #7 SL-J (Spacelab-J) rack (STS 47, August 1992) is proceeding

inside the Operations & Checkout Building High Bay. Representatives from both

NASDA end Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are on-hend and assisting with the

operations. [KSC PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT, Jan. 17, 1991 .]

g HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION: DISCOVIBRY

One of Discovery's turbopumps may be contaminated by the infiltration of a small

amount of hydraulic fluid, according to Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

B_. "Any amount of fluid is enough to contaminate the turbopump.

They think that probably happened," he said. ff contaminated, the turbopump

must be replaced; aitematively, the entire engine may be swapped for one from

another Shuttle. Any replacement work would be undertaken at Launch Complex

39A after rollout, Buckingham said. Presently, Discovery is scheduled to be rolled

over to the Vehicle Assembly Building from the Orbiter Processing Facility on

January 29; the STS 39 mission is scheduled for February 26. Discovery's

payload which includes experiments for the Strategic Defense Initiative

Orgenizatlon end Air Force Space Systems Division, will be rolled to the launch

pad Fabruan/1. [Benke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOA, Jan. 18, 1991, SEE ALSO:

Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6, Jan. 18, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. I OA, Jan. 24, 1991, and Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5, Jan. 24,

1991.]

January 18: DISCOVERY PROCESSING

Crossfeed leak checks between the twin orbital maneuvering system pods of

Discovery end the forward reaction control system will be made today. Final

hydraulic checkouts are scheduled for early complation today with flight controls

end main engines undergoing final cycling operations. After these operations, the

main engine locks will be placed on the three engines to allow workers an

opportunity to further check the high pressure oxidizer turbopump on engine

number 3 for possible hydraulic fluid contamination. Results of this inspection are

expected tonight. [See stodas below.] Rollout of the Orbiter to the Vehicle

Assembly Building is currently planned for the end of the month. [KSC SPACE

SHUTI'LE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT, Jan. 18, 1991 .]

n ATLANTIS PROCESSING STATUS

Hydraulic operations for Atlentis' STS 37 mission continue today. The payload

bay doors will be cycled closed then reopened today for K-U Band testing.

Preparations for the main engine Installation are also underway. SSME installation

is scheduled to begin January 20. In the hypergolic maintenance facility, fifth flight

checks continued on the left hand orbital meneuvedng system pod. The forward

reaction control system (FRCS) is undergoing functional test this week.

Installation of the FRCS into the Orbiter is targeted for late next week.. In the
Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 3, building of the dght solid rocket booster

continued on the mobile launcher platform. The dght aft: center segment will be

lifted and mated to the stack tonight. [KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING

STATUS REPORT, Jan. 18, 1991 .]

January 1_. NO CONTAMINATION FOUND

Inspections concluded late on yesterday showed that no hydraulic fluid

contamination of Discovery's main engine turbopump, according to Kennedy

Space Center officials. The engine will not have to be replaced. "Everything

seems to be OK and work is proceeding on schedule," said KSC spokesman

Bruce Buck_tg_. Last week technicians purged Discovery's No. 3 engine with

gaseous helium while testing for evidence of hydraulic fluid contamination.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, Jan. 20, 1991.]

Januan/20: SUPPORT GROUP AT KSC

Employees at Kennedy Space Center with family or friends in the Persian Gulf

have been given the opportunity to form a support group. A meeting held on

January 22 in the training auditorium will inform workers of the types of assistance

local communities are offering to help people to cope with the war in the Middle

East. EG&G Flodda Inc.'s Dr. Bud Fecgueon will guide the workers in forming the

groups which would meet in offices or homes off space center property to allow

for non-employees to attend their meetings. KSC managers have identified at

least 27 workers who have been called to active duty as part of the military

reserves and all of these had already been sent overseas before hostilities

commenced on January 16. Information about the support groups is available at

KSC by calling 867-7398. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Jan. 21, 1991 .]

January 22: SPC EVALUATION WORST IN 4 YEARS

NASA officials today disclosed that its Shuttle Processing Contractor - Lockheed

Space Operations Co. - received 89 points of a possible 100 on its recent

evaluation, the worst such evaluation in four years. As a result, Lockheed's rating

fell from "excellent" to "very good." A number of shuffle processing accidents

contributed to the lower rating. Lockheed President Doug Smgent said, "Naturally,

we are very disappointed to receive a lowered grade for our performance during

this period, but I would totally reject any implication that the overall quality of our

work has eroded." Lockheed spokesman John Williams said, =The tone of the

report is that our overall performance was absolutely superb, but it was marred

by the occurrence of a few specific incidents. We're doing everything in our

power to assure such incidents don_t recur," he said. The incidents included:

Extensive damage to one of Atlantis' three fuel cells when a Lockheed technician

erroneously capped a fuel cell vent, allowing too much pressure to build up.

Repair cost $3.1 million. One of Discovery's payload bay doors was accidently

bent when Lockheed workers moved ground support equipment attached to the

door; the door was not seriously damaged. One of Discovery's thrusters was

accidentally dropped in a Shuttle Processing Hangar at a cost of $100,000. A
coolinglineinDiscovery'spayloadbaywasdentedwhenatechnicianlefta ladder

leaning against the three-quarter-inchdiameterline. The line was replaced.

KennedySpaceCenterinvestigationsdeterminedthat the pdmary cause of these

incidents was inadequate training and improperly written work procedures, along

witha failure to follow proper procedures. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 17C, Jan.

23, 1991.]

,,January 25: DISCOVERY TRANSFER DELAY

Problems with Discovery's steedng thrusters may delay the Orbiter's transfer from

the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building, according to

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. "We're still looking at the

thrusters. We won't know if we'll have to replace them until after we_,e looked at

the results of tests planned for this weekend," she said. She added that spare

thrusters are available at KSC. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 23, 1991,

Banke, FL,ORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Jan. 25, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A,

Jan. 26, 1991 .]

D INTERNA'nONALTRAVELCURT LEDBYWAR

"All intematlonai travel should be discouraged until the Middle East situation can

be better assessed," according to a recent KSC Bulletin distributed last week.

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngham said that NASA officials

have curtailed travel overseas in light of hostilities in the Middle East. Workers

from the space center will staff NASA's three European and African emergency

landing sites during the STS 39 mission. Only workers required for the actual

operation, however, will travel to those sites. Put on indefinite hold are plans to

train new workers at the overseas landing fields, according to Buckingham.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Jan. 26, 1991 .]

January 28: GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS

"We're really looking forward to these new computers," said Ron Dittemore, lead

Flight Director for the upcoming STS 39 Discovery mission. The new computers

are upgraded general purpose computers that work three times faster and hold

twice the memory of their predecessors; the computers have been installed in

both Atlantis and Discovery. Columbia will receive its new computers after its

scheduled Spacelab mission in May, according to Frank Uttlelon, Manager of the

Orbiter Avionics Systems Office at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX). Uttleton

said the software for the new GPC's is essentially the same as that used

previously on Orbiter computers. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Jan. 27, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR TO ARRIVE IN MAY

The newest Space Shuttle - Endeavour - is essentially finished and will arrive at

Kennedy Space Center in May. "It looks good,' according to John "TIp" Talone

who has been assigned as NASA's Processing Manager for the Orbiter. Taione

said, "When you see an Orbiter with all the new tile on it, clean as a whistle, it's

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pretty impressive."Talone'scounterpartwiththe ShuttleProcessingContractor

LockheedSpaceOperationsCo. is Eric Clanton. WhenEndeavourarrives,its

threemainengines and two orbital maneuvering system pods will be installed at

KSC. Lockheed might need to hire additional contractor technicians to meet the

work demand imposed by the larger fleet, according to Clanton. '_l'hat's an

additional demand on Lockheed as a company, so I'm sure there will be some

resource build up, but not all of those people will go directly to Endeavour. You'll

see a mix of experienced and inexperienced people working on Endeavour." John

Falrey, formerly a Shuttle Project Engineer, will be Discovery's new Flow Director.

He says there won1 be much increase in NASA jobs. "There were conscious

decisions made a couple of years ago to increase those numbers, start hiring and

training, get people certified and expedanced, so that when the Endeavour team

had to be formed there would be resources to pull from," he said. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 9E-10E, Jan. 27, 1991 .]

g BRIDGE REPAIRS AT KSC

Triton Marine Construction (Houston, "IX) has been awarded a $3.2 million

contract for the repair of four bridges at Kennedy Space Center. The four bridges

are: the NASA Causeway West drawbddge crossing the Indian River and the

NASA Causeway East drawbridge over the Banana River. A bddge on Kennedy

Parkway North spanning Haulover Canal and the JJ railroad bridge providing a

rail link from the Florida mainland across the Indian River are also included in the

new contract. ["KSC Bridges Under Repair,' FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Jan. 27,

1991.]

January 28: CHALLENGER COMMEMORATED

'_Ne will never forget them," said NASA Administrator Richard Truly, speaking of

the Challenger crew who lost their lives five years ago today in the nation's worst

space accident. Flags were lowered to half-staff and for 73 seconds - the length

of Challenger's flight on January 28, 1986 - the entire Kennedy Space Center

paused in its work to honor the memory of the seven members of the Challenger

crew. The crew consisted of Commander Dick S¢obee, Pilot Mictmel Smith,

Mission Specialists Judy Resnk Ronald McNak, Blison Onizuka, Payload

Specialist Gmgo_ Jarvis and Teacher in Space Cltrbta McAuMe. Truly went on

to say, "In the 28 months since we retumed to flight, the Shuttle has flown safely

13 times. The Shuttle's performance on every one of these flights has been

outstanding, and flight safety has been the keystone of our success. Kennedy

Space Center Director Forrest S. McCarlney spoke center-wide via closed-circuit

television to 18,000 employees during the filth annual commemoration ceremony.

Mc'Cartnay said, "The entire work force has committed itself to doing everything

we possibly can to minimize the dsk associated with this type of operation. We've

performed modifications on all three of the Orbiters to make them safer to fly."

[Dowling, STAR-ADVOCATE, p. 3A, Jan. 23, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-12, Jan. 27, 1991, "Hunting for the Hunters of Challenger Debds,"

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-1 2, Jan. 27, 1991, Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, Jan.

28, 1991, "Challenger Families Don't Want to Dwell On Negative Memory," THE
ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. 6A, Jan. 28, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, Jan. 29, 1991. See Also: Glisch, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 and A-9,

Jan. 28, 1991, Moore, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-9, Jan. 28, 1991, and

Gallagher, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. B-3, Jan. 29, 1991, Dowling, STARADVOCATE, p. 3A, Jan. 30, 1991 .]

n DISCOVERY: LEAKY STEB:ilNG THRUSTER

A one to four-day delay is expected in the launch of Discovery due to a leaky

steedng thruster discovered by technicians processing the Orbiter for its planned

February 28 mission. The leak was found in one of 44 steering thrusters which

are used by Discovery to maneuver while in orbit. These maneuvers are

especially critical in Discovery's upcoming mission. Spare thrusters are available

at Kennedy Space Center and the replacement operation is one which has been

successfully completed by KSC technicians in the past. Two other thrusters might

have to be replaced; one is suspected of leaking and the other is thought to have

a bad weld. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Jan. 29, 1991 .]

January 29: DISCOVERY GROUNDED TILL MARCH

The STS 39 mission aboard Discovery will be launched no earlier than March 7

because of problems with three of the Orbiter's jet thrusters, according to NASA

spokesmen. Two of three steering thrusters are being replaced because of leaks

and a third is being swapped out because of a bed weld. The thrusters are

crttical when an Orbiter makes its descent through the Earth,s atmosphere.

Diecovery's transfer from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly

Building has been delayed until February 7. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A,

Jan. 30, 1991 .]

January 30: PLAYAUNDA BEACH ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Construction on the $3.9 million Playalinda Beach Access Road Project began last

December and will be completed by 1993. The project includes the road itself, a

four-mile stretch of NASA railroad and a new ranger station. Construction of the

new access road will cause the closing for six weeks of the Max Hoeck Wildlife

Drive. According to Canaveral National Seashore Superintendent Wendell

Simpson, the Hoeck Drive will become the new route for access to the southern

end of the seashore. National Parks Service Supervisor Amy Schneckenburger

said, "rhis phase of construction invoivas filling and grading of road material as

the contractor prepares the road to handle one-way traffic. Once the road has

been widened, we will be diverting west-bound traffic from the beach onto the old

wildlife drive so that construction of the new section of railroad can begin." The

wildlife drive is expected to be reopened to traffic by mid-March. ["Road

Construction Begins," STAR-ADVOCATE, p. 3A, Jan. 30, 1991 .]

g THRUSTER WORK BEGINS

Today Space Shuttle technicians will begin the simultaneous replacement of the

v12
threesuspectsteeringthrustersinDiscovery,accordingto KennedySpaceCenter

spokeswomanLisa Malone. "It will be the first time we've changed out three at

the same time," she said. Installation is expected to be completed late tomorrow.

The replacement thrusters were tasted this week at KSC's Hypergolic Maintenance

Facility. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 31, 1991 .]

rl SPACEPORT USA CLOSED TEMPORARILY

An abandoned backpack found at Spaceport USA occasioned the closing of

Kennedy Space Center's visItor's center while security officers investigated the

backpack. Ordnance experts gathered outside the attraction's main entrance at

about 9:30 a.m. for the investigation. Spaceport USA was evacuated after

specially trained dogs indicated the bag might be dangerous. KSC's spokesman

Mitch Vames said that a Czechoslovakian tourist, who did not respond to publicaddress announcements because he didnR understand English, retumed to the

area to reclaim his backpack shortly after its discovery. He emptied the pack for

security officers, who determined there was no danger. The visitors center was

reopened about 10:10 a.m., according to Vamas. '9"his would have been

suspicious under any circumstances, but the heightened security out here

[because of the war in the Persian Gulf] just amplified the sItuation. Everyone's

more alert,' Vamas said. ['Spaceport Officers Check OUt Backpack," FLORI_)A

TODAY, Jan. 31, 1991 .]

Janumy 31: SPACEPORT LISA TOURS CONTINUE

An increased awareness of security considerations has been experienced at

Kennedy Space Center due to recent military action in the Middle East. However,

visitor operations at Spaceport USA have not been affected. Two hour bus tours

of Kennedy Space Center continue at regular intervals throughout the day.

Currently on display is Ambassador, a full-scale replica of a Space Shuttle Orbiter.

The replica can be boarded to allow visitors an opportunity to see _he working

environment NASA astronauts expedenca aboard the Atlantis, Columbia and

Discovery; it will be on display continuously through mid-April 1991. During

January, Spaceport USA was visited by 184,004 persons which was 16% less than

the January 1990 total of 221,106. [SPACEPORT USA PRESS RELEASE NT0581,

Feb. 5, 1991.]

13
FEBRUARY

Febnam)1: DISCOVERY'S THRUSTERS REPLACED

v _

Discovery's three faulty stsedng thrusters were replaced today with new thrusters

and testing of the units began at Kennedy Space Center. Two of the thrusters

were replaced due to leaks and the third because of a bad weld. "We were

pleased with the way the thruster change-out went,' reported KSC spokeswoman

Malone. "We're going to do some tests on the new thrusters this weekend.

We should be through with all of this on Sunday." The thruster replacement

caused the delay of the planned February 24 launch of Discovery on an eight-day

Department of Defense mission. NASA also reported that filters in the waste

management system were replaced on Discovery. The filters had deteriorated due

to their age. Filters were also replaced on Atlantis and Columbia, said Malone.

[Halvorson, FI,ORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Feb. 2, 1991 .]

Februmy 2: GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY

When the Gamma Ray Observatory arrives at the Vertical Processing Facility next

week, it will carry 4,200 pounds of hydrezine - a record. "In my recollection, it's

the largest hydrazine load that we've ever carded on a spacecraft," according to

Tom Brealdleld, Director of Shuttle Payload Operations. All of the spacecraft's

systems will by tested by NASA technicians before the GRO is moved out to

Launch Complex 39B where it will be installed in Atlantis's cargo bay. Later, a

sedas of tests to verify electrical connections between the cargo and Atlantis will

be conducted; Iiftoff is targeted for April 4, 1991. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

Feb. 3, 1991 .]

V

February 3: DISCOVERY'S DOD MISSION

When Discovery launches in March it will be the first unclassified Department of

Defense mission. The mission is devoted to collecting information needed to

develop a space-based defense system. The Orbiter will act as an orbital

observation post for celestial and manmade phenomena, but also as the subject

of experiments. A free-flying science platform, part of the Strategic Defense

Initiative, will monitor rocket firings, supply water dumps and other Orbiter

activities. The STS-39 crew will arrive at Kennedy Space Center to participate in

a two-day practice countdown presently scheduled for February 13-15, according

to KSC spokesman George DiUar. The crew is commanded by veteran astronaut

Mlke Coals and includes five space rookies. [White, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 4,

1991 .]

Februm-y 4: NEW THRUSTER TO BE REPLACED

One of three new steedng thrusters recently installed in Discovery may have to be

replaced due to a faulty heater. The problem was uncovered in tests undertaken

after the thrusters were installed. "We're evaluating why it failed and whether it

can be repaired," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Usa Malone.

14
n

Managers will decide whether to replace the thruster tomorrow; replacement will

force at least a 24-hour delay in moving Discovery into the Vehicle Assembly

Building. The seven-man crew is expected to arrive at KSC for a two-day practice

countdown February 13-15. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Feb. 5, 1991 .]

KSC CONSTRUCTION BUDGETED

The fiscal 1992 budget submitted by President Bush to Congress today includes

millions of dollars for construction projects at Kennedy Space Center. _l'here's

quite a bit going on down (at KSC) now, and I think you'll see us continue to

improve the capabilities we have there," according to J. R. Thompson, NASA's

Deputy Administrator.

KSC projects include:

*Construction of a Space Station processing facility. The budget calls for an

expenditure of $35 million in 1992; NASA plans to award a $56.2 million

construction contract to Metric Constructors Inc. (Tampa, FL) over three years.

*Modifications of a bay in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The proposed budget

calls for $7.5 million to so modify the bay that it can store Shuttle Orbiters when

no room is available in the Orbiter Processing Facility.

*Refurbishing the KSC crawlerway; the budget

refurbishment of the surface of the crawlerway.

expected to cost $10 million.

allots $3 million to continue

The entire refurbishment is

*Restoration of Shuttle Landing Facility shoulders. The Bush budget calls for the

expenditure of $4 million to restore the shoulders of the 15,000-foot runway.

Speaking at a press conference, NASA Administrator Richard TnJly said the overall

NASA budget "provides for two significant new initlativss : a New Launch System

jointly developed with DOD to provide a range of cargo capacities including heavy

lift, and UFESAT, a multi-launch recoverable biosatellite to help determine

radiation protection requirements for long-duration space flight. The budget also

proposes to initiate a new program, Assured Shuttle Availability, that will improve

our ability to ident_y and incorporate high-prfor_y improvements into the Shuttle.

But the overwhelming majority of this budget - 99 percent - supports programs

that have already been approved," Truly said. He went on to say that the budget

increases are "required to begin implementing the recommendations set forth last

December by the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U. S. Space Program,

chaired by Norman Augustine.._, number [of the Augustine Report goals] have

already been implemented by NASA and others will follow. But it is important to

remember that many of the most critical elements of the Augustine Report are

resource-dependent and will require the support of Congress. [Haeson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8A, Jan. 31, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 1, 1991, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 5, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-6,

Feb. 5, 1991 .]

15
Februaly6: DELTA LAUNCH DELAY

A payload problem may delay the launch of a Delta 2 launch vehicle for four to

five days, according to CoUn _, INMARSAT Program Manager. The

INMARSAT satellite is owned by the Intemationai Maritime Satellite Organization,

a sixty-nation consortium. An electronics box failed during testing according to

company officials. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Feb. 7, 1991 .]

FebmaW 7: THRUSTER GLITCH THREATENS LAUNCH

The first launch of 1991 - Discovery's STS-39 mission - was threatened again with

delay when a replacement steedng thruster's heating unit failed a test today. The

unit had been replaced to correct what was thought to be faulty wiring. Tests

continued today to enable officials to decide whether the heater unit can be

repaired or need to be replaced, according to Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. The extra work will delay Discovery's move from the

Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building. There is,

edditionaily, a dpple effect from the delay in rolling Discovery over to the VAB;

Columbia will remain longer in the high bay of the VAB and that lengthier stay

threatens to delay its Spacelab mission. The major elements of Discovery's

Department of Defense cargo were transferred from a satellite processing facility

to Launch Complex 39A. The Gamma Ray Observatory was moved into the

satellite processing facility to begin preparations for an April mission aboard

Atlantis; the Atiantis crew is expected to fly to KSC at the end of the week to

participate in cargo tests. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 7, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 8, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

p. A-8, Feb. 8, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY PROCESSING UPDATE

KSC's Space Shuttle processing teams have nearly completed outfitting the

Discovery for its upcoming flight (STS-39) scheduled for launch in early March.

A visible step toward launch will occur when Discovery rolls over to the Vehicle

Assembly Building atop the Orbiter transporter February 9. Since Discovery was

rolled into the Orbiter Processing Facility on October 18, following the STS-,33

Department of Defense mission, about 22 modifications have been implemented,

including the installation of the five new general purpose computers. The new

computers feature 2.5 times the memory capacity and up to three times the

processing speed of the older units. Required tests and inspections were

performed on the Orbiter's major systems while in the Orbiter Processing Facility.

Discovery's three main engines, two orbltai maneuvering system pods and the

forward reaction control system were removed for testing or replacement. While

in the VAB, Discovery will be connected to the extemai tank and solid rocket

boosters, which are already bolted to the mobile launcher platform. The Shuttle

Interface Test is scheduled to be conducted in the VAB. This test will verify the

mechanical and electrical connections between the assembled vehicle elements.

Next week, the STS-39 vehicle stack will be rolled to Launch Complex 39A where

flight preparations will continue through launch. The launch day dress rehearsal

16 '_"
with the STS-39 launch team and flight crew, called the Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test, is tentatively planned for February 19-20. Launch of

Discovery on the STS-39 mission is planned for early March, with a seven-member

NASA crew. The primary objective of the eight-day mission is to conduct a variety

of experiments for the Department of Defense and the Strategic Defense Initiative.

The mission will end with a landing at the Dryden Flight Research Facility

(Edwards, CA). LrMa/one, KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 1691, Feb. 8, 1991.J

g DELTA SA']'ELLn'E REPAIRED

A faulty electronics box which recently failed tests of an INMARSAT satellite at the

Astrotech Space Operations payload processing plant (Titusville, FL) will be

replaced. That clears the way for a March launch of a Delta rocket. The faulty

unit was returned to its French manufacturer for repair; the repaired equipment is

expected to be back at Astrotech next week, according to INMARSAT

spokeswoman E]izabath Hess. She said that the Delta 2 launch is expected no

earlier than March 3. The INMARSAT satellite is virtually identical to a satellite

launched aboard a Delta in October, 1990. it is the second of four secondgeneration satellites which will provide telephone, fax and data services to ships

at sea, aircraft in flight and land transport vehicles. The satellite is built by British

Aerospace; INMARSAT is a sixty country consortium which provides global mobile

communications for maritime, aeronautical and land-based users. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 8, 1991 .]

Febru=y •ROLLOVER SCHEDULED FOR DISCOVERY

The Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to roll three-tenths of a mile from the

Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building today where it will be

mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. The stay in the VAB will

be at least five days before rollout to Launch Complex 39A, Wiring in one of the

Orbiter's steering thrusters must still be fixed, according to Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Workers will make the repair when Discovery has

been hoisted into a vertical position; the actual repair will either be done in the

VAB or on the launch pad. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 9, 1991 .]

g COLUMBIA: ASTRO-1 REMOVAL

Workers this week plan to retrieve the Astro-1 Observatory from Columbia's cargo

bay when the Orbiter arrives in the Orbiter Processing Facility. After the

observatory's removal, technicians will begin processing the Shuttle for its next

mission, a May Spacelab mission scheduled to last nine days. When it returns

from the Spacelab mission, the Orbiter will be sent to a Rockwell International

plant in Palmdale, CA, for extensive modiflcetions. ["Orbiter Update," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. IOE, Feb. 10, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY, COLUMBIA SWITCH PLACES

The Space Shuttles Discovery and Columbia swapped places with each other late

17
today at Kennedy Space Center. Discovery moved first from the Orbiter

Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building, arriving at 5:10 p.m. At

about 9 p.m. Columbia rolled out of the VAB and replaced Discovery in the OPF.

The rotation is caused by the lack of hangar space at KSC; a third hangar might

be available by the end of the year. Columbia still retains its cargo from its

December 1990 mission, but it is due to be removed this week. Discovery will be

mated with its extemal tank and solid rocket boosters February 10. The launch

of Discovery remains scheduled for March 9. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

Feb. 10, 1991 .]

Febcumy 10: DISCOVERY LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Discovery must now undergo tests of its electrical and mechanical connections

to be cleared for rollout to Launch Complex 39A which could come as early as

January 14. ff rollout occurs on this timetable, Discovery's Department of Defense

cargo would be Installed at the pad February 15. Discovery's seven-member crew

is expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center for a launch countdown

demonstration test February 19-20; the crew will also receive training in

emergency egress procedures. The Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for

February 21-22 after which a firm launch date will be announced. The target date

is March 9 at 3:49 a.m.; the countdown for launch begins three days earlier.

There is little room in the schedule for dealing with hardware problems, though

historically, Shuttle flights regularly slip one day for each week the Orbiter is on

the launch pad. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 11, 1991.]

Felxua_ 12: DISCOVERY: CONNECTIONS TESTED

Critical connections between Discovery and its solid rocket boosters and extemal

tank are being tested today through February 14, according to Kennedy Space

Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Rollout is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. February

15. The wiring problem in one of Discovery's thrusters (see above) will be worked

on by technicians during the Orbiter's stay in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Feb. 13, 1991 .]

n ADVISORY COUNCIL LETTER TO QUAYLE

In a letter to Vice President Dan Quayle, the NASA Advisory Council has praised

NASA Administrator Truly and his management team "for taking quick, decisive

and promising action =to implement the Report of the Advisory Committee on the

Future of the U. S. Space Program. [Vincent, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-10,

Feb. 12, 1991 .]

Febcu_y 13: WASTE VIOLATIONS COST EG&G

The State of Florida's Department of Environmental Regulation has fined EG&G

Flodda Inc. $138,692 for nine violations ranging from accumulating hazardous

wastes such as oil and paint in unapproved areas to failing to label hazardous

waste containers. John White, an Environmental Specialist at DER in Orlando,
said,"Someof the violationssoundfairly petty and some of them sound worse

than they actually are, but it all reflects the management of the hazardous waste.

ff you find a lot of little things wrong, then somebody is not doing their job."

"Kennedy Space Center," White said, "has areas that have received State permits

for stodng hazardous waste. There is no excuse for them stodng hazardous

waste for more than 90 days in areas that are not permitted, ff they are going to

hold drums of hazardous waste in non-permitted areas and we don't penalize

them for it, what is the Incentive for somebody else to get a permit?." White

added, "This the first time we've gone after EG&G. In the past, we've always sent

the notices to NASA, but the federal government has sovereign immunity and we

can=t penalize them. In this case, we felt that EG&G has a contractual

responsibility for managing all the hazardous waste on the space center. They

are getting paid to do it, so we are penalizing them." EG&G spokeswoman Laurie

Slatmore said that the penalties were under review and that the company had not

decided upon a course of action. KSC spokesman Dick Young did not offer a

comment. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 14, 1991.]

O COLUMBIA GIVES UP _1, RNALLY

The Astro-1 Observatory has been inside Columbia's cargo bay for nearly a year,

but this week the observatory will be removed from the bay and transferred to a

spacecraft processing facility for disassembly. The instruments belonging to the

observatory will be stored in the event NASA decides to approve another Astro

flight, according to Kennedy Space Center spokesman Milch Vmnes. While Astro1 is being unloaded from Columbia, technicians continue to prepare Discovery for

its March launch. Tests to verify electrical and mechanical connections between

the Orbiter and its stack finished early today. Rollout to Launch Complex 39A is

set for 12:01 a.m. February 15. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Feb. 14, 1991 .]

February 15: DISCOVERY ROLLS OUT

Discovery began its rollout to Launch Complex 39A this morning at 12:43. The

Orbiter made the six hour joumey sporting a 15-foot-long yellow ribbon on the

mobile platform in tribute to troops sendng in the Persian Gulf. The move was

delayed because of problems with ground-support equipment. Discovery set a

post-Challenger record by staying only five days in the Vehicle Assembly Building

prior to rollout. The extreme cold weather forecast for this weekend almost

caused the move to be delayed further. An electronics box that controls the

amount of power sent to a heater on one of the Orbiter's steering thrusters was

not working properly. Lisa Malone, Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman, said

that the thruster engines must be warmed if the temperature falls below 55

degrees. The delay was averted when portable heaters were installed at the pad

to blow warm air onto the thrusters. The faulty electronics box will be repaired at

the pad. Launch is tentatively set for March 9. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 1A,

Feb. 15, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 16, 1991 .]

_-- 19
g DISCOVERY READY FOR CARGO

Technicians today will load a Department of Defense payload into Discovery's

cargo bay. When that installation is completed, preparations get under way for

a practice countdown scheduled for February 19 and 20. Discovery's crew is

expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center February 18 to take part in the

countdown demonstration test. Discovery's Ground Processing Manager Chris

Failrey said, "If nothing breaks, we've got a real good chance" of making the

March 9 launch date. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Feb. 16, 1991 .]

Fabnmy 16: WOODWARD WINS SNOOPY

NASA astronaut Kevin ChUton recently bestowed a Silver Snoopy award to Brian

Woodward, a lead technician with Thiokol Corp. at Kennedy Space Center.

Woodward's main duty is to direct the stacking of solid rocket booster segments

in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The citation accompanying his award said his

work "resulted in the increased overall efficiency of our technicians and provided

a higher quality end product." "Booster Stacker Wins Silver Snoopy," FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 9E, Feb. 17, 1991 .]

Fabmmy 18: DISCOVERY CREW DUE TODAY

The seven astronauts who are crew members for Discovery's upcoming STS 39

mission are expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center today. While at KSC, the

seven will practice making emergency escapes from the launch pad; receive

training in operating some of KSC's rescue equipment; fly practice landings in T38 training jets and NASA's modified Guifstream 2 jet with landings on the Shuttle

Landing Facility. Commander Michael Coals, Pilot Blakm Hammond and Mission

spe alh tsGuk Buford,GregoryHabaugh, H b, Donak McMonag 

and Charles Veech will all spend about two hours aboard Discovery during the

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Also today, pad workers will check

Discovery's main engines for leaks using gaseous helium. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, Feb. 18, 1991 .]

Fabruary20: VICE PRESIDENT AT

Vice President Dan Quayle visitedthe Launch Control Center and inspected

Discovery on Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center today. Quayle

spoke to a gathering of about 2,500 KSC workers and outlined plans for a new

launch vehicle that will fly initially without a crew, but will later complement the

Shuttle in carrying people into orbit. "Our nation's launch capabilities are aging,"

he said. "it's time we have a new launch system. It's time we had technology that

reflects the capabilities of the 21 st century.' The Vice President also spoke of

equipment upgrades and a consolidation of Shuffle management at Kennedy

Space Center. Quayle made a brief reference to the war in the Persian Gulf,

remarking that Saddam Hussein '_Nillget out of Kuwait one way or another." As

the Vice President was preparing to board his plane at the Shuttle Landing

Facility, the sound of an explosion caused his Secret Service bodyguards to move

20
Quayle back into his car. The noise, apparently, was due to an air hose which

had accidentally popped loose from Quayle's plane during preflight servicing.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 21, 1991.]

g DISCOVERY ROLLBACK DECISION

"We really don=t know what we're going to do," said Kennedy Space Center

Director Forrest S. McCartney conceming the possibility that the Discovery may

have to be rolled back into the Vehicle Assembly Building. That rollback decision

may come tomorrow. Inspectors have found cracked hinges on two doors which

cover an area where pipelines funnel fuel between Discovery's extemal tank and

its three main engines. The cracks may keep the doors from closing completely

after the external tank is jettisoned nine minutes after launch, ff the doors cannot

be closed properly a breach might result in the Orbiter's heat shielding which

could damage or destroy the Shuttle during atmospheric re-entry. Three options

are currently being considered: flying no earlier than March 9 with the cracked

hinges if it is determined there is no threat to flight safety; reinforcing the hinges

at the launch pad but not testing the repair at a cost of two or three days delay

in launching the Shuttle and repairing and testing the hinges after a rollback from

the launch pad. In order for the repair and full test of the hinges to be

accomplished, Discovery would have to be demated and rolled over to the Orbiter

Processing Facility. A decision to follow this latter course would delay the launch

at least a month. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 19, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 21, 1991, Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 26, 1991 .]

Februa_ 21: COLUMBIA'S HINGES CRACKED, _1"OO

Columbia has the same sort of cracked door hinges as does Discovery, NASA

said today. Engineers are attempting to devise a plan to test Columbia's hinges

to determine whether it would be safe to fly Discovery March 9. The test calls for

one of Columbia's good hinges to be slightly altered to resemble the way

Discovery's cracked hinges would work in space. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY., p.

1A, Feb. 22, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A 2, Feb. 22, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 23, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Feb. 23, 1991 .]

Februmy 23: PAYLOAD WORKERS RECEIVE SNOOPYS

Payload workers Keith Amedefl and Jim Hughes were presented Silver Snoopy

Awards today by astronaut Mado Runco. Amsden and Hughes, both employees

of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co., train employees who help prepare

Defense Department payloads for Space Shuttle missions. ['Payload Workers

Receive Astronauts' Highest Award," FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 24, 1991 .]

g HOLLOWAY WINS DEBUS AWARD

McDonnell Douglas's Delta 2 Manager, Lyle Holloway, was today awarded the

National Space Club's most prestigious award: the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award.

Holloway was the second recipient of the Debus Award, the first having been

21
GeorgePage last year. Hollowayhas worked with the Delta launchvehicle

programsince 1962,whenthe rocket was an Air Force missile called Thor. He

moved to Rodda twelve years ago and was made Manager in Charge of the Delta

2 Team by McDonnell Douglas in 1985. ["Delta Manager Wins Kurt H. Debus

Award," FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 24, 1991 .]

FetmJmy 24: ENGINEERS STUDY DOOR HINGE8

Engineers tested the Space Shuttle Columbia's doors today to determine how

tight the doors would close even if the flawed part of the hinge failed. This test

cannot be done on Discovery while it is on the pad. Lba Malone, spokeswoman

for Kennedy Space Center said that, "it may not be clear-cut, black-and-white that

if doors don't close, we don=t go. If everything proves it's OK to fly as is, we'll

have the [flight readiness review] Wednesday. ff not, there might be more tests

so we can collect more data." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 25, 1991 .]

February26: DISCOVERY DECISION DUE SOON

"It's looking like we're going to be able to fly [Discovery] as is," said Kennedy

Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Malone remarked that with a simulated

hinge failure, Columbia's doors worked properly. The February 28 Flight

Readiness Review will focus on Discovery's cracked door hinges which were

discovered during an inspection last week. Tests on Columbia, which has

evidenced similar cracks, show that the flaw does not keep the doors from closing

tightly against the Orbiter's underside. Meanwhile, work continues on preparing

Atlantis for its April mission to deploy the Gamma Ray Observatory. There is

evidence that an onboard steedng thruster may be leaking; it will be retested.

Atlantis' rollout to Launch Complex 39B is expected to take place March 9.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 26, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, Feb. 27,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL Feb. 26, 1991 .]

Februaw 27: DISCOVERY LAUNCH: NO FIRM DATE

The Flight Readiness Review, originally scheduled for February 28 and March 1

usually is the forum during which a firm launch date had been expected to be set

for Discovery's STS 39 mission. That review has been postponed until March 4.

Richard I-LTruly, NASA Administrator, delayed setting the launch date and ordered

the meeting postponed after a telephone conference February 26 failed to resolve

safety concerns about Discovery's door hinges. "A number of people wanted to

eyeball the data rather than do it by phone," said NASA spokesman Mark Hess.

The astronauts' office, among other NASA offices, has asked for a review of

engineers' analysis which said that the flight could be made safely. That

conclusion was reached on the basis of tests done on Columbia's doors which

have been found to have cracks similar to those on Discovery's door hinges.

Johnson Space Center Director Aaron Cohen said, 'q'here's a very high probability

we'll fly as is." ff NASA managers decide to roll Discovery back to the Vehicle

Assembly Building the STS 39 mission would be delayed about a month,

according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Usa Malone. [Brown,

2 --_==..i
v

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Feb. 28, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-11,

Feb. 28, 1991 .]

Febnauy28: ROt t RACK FOR DISCOVERY

"Prudence calls for us to roll back and fix it," said Associate Administrator for

Spaceflight William Lenoir about NASA's decision to roll Discovery back to the

Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs to its door hinges. "We were walking on a

fine line. We concluded, 'Let's take a step on the safe side," he said. Lenoir went

on to say that had there been a pressing need, NASA would have flown. He said,

•ff there was a national defense or some emergency reason why we needed to go

fly, I don't think any of us would have any hesitation to go fly this bird. We're

being conservative." Shuttle Program Director Robert L Cdppen said Discovery's

launch should come in either late April or early May. [Center Director Forest S.

McCartrmy told a meeting of the NASA History Advisory Committee which met at

Kennedy Space Center March 12 and 13, that he expected the launch to come

in late April.] The repairs will delay the STS 39 mission for at least a month.

Kennedy Space Center Chief Engineer Chester Vaughan said, "Since we don't

know exactly what happened to the hinge mechanism, it makes us feel a little bit

nervous about the situation." Lenoir said engineers believed that one of the twoinch cracks in Discovery's door hinges occurred during a ground mishap when

a signal was sent to one of the doors to close while it was latched open. Since

no one is sure what caused the other crack, the agency chose the conservative

route of caution. There are no spares for the hinges which are original Shuttle

parts. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, March 1,1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

March 1, 1991, McCartney Remarks to the March 12, 1991, meeting of the NASA

History Advisory Committee at Kennedy Space Center; Leary, THE NEW YORK

T1MESj p. A 14, March 1, 1991 .]

g DELTA LAUNCH DELAYED

The launch of a Delta 2 rocket will have to be delayed until at least March 6 so a

faulty electronics unit on the rocket's second stage may be replaced. "We've

tested the new unit and everything looks good for Wednesday," said Anne

McCauley, a spokeswoman for Delta manufacturer McDonnell Douglas Space

Systems Inc. The Delta launch was to have been the first of 1991 due to the

delay in launching Discovery. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, March 1, 1991 .]

_- 23
March

n

!1

g

MARCH

1: DISCOVERY BORROWS HINGES FROM ENDEAVOUR

NASA said today that Discovery will be readied for an Apdl 25 launch using door

hinges borrowed from the newest Shuttle, Endeavour. NASA spokesman James

I-larBdleld called the repair decision, "not a long term-fix," but one which '_11 allow

Discovery to fly its STS 39 mission." He went on to say that using Endeavour's

equipment would allow engineers to remove the entire hinge mechanism from

Discovery and learn more about what caused the cracks in the first place.

Atlantis, hinges, whose cracks are thought not be as severe, will be repaired after

its early April mission. Columbia's hinges will be modified before its May flight.

Workers at Kennedy Space Center are currenffy making room in the Vehicle

Assembly Building for Atlantis which will be rolled over on March 13 and for

Discovery which will be rolled back March 14. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IA,

March 2, 1991 .]

TESTS DELAY DELTA LAUNCH

Launch of an intemstlonal communications satellite aboard a Delta rocket has

been delayed again to allow more time for tests of a faulty electronics box. The

launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is now scheduled for between 6

and 6:54 p.m. March 7, according to McDonnell Douglas Space Systems

spokeswoman Anne McCaJiey. ['Delta Rocket Tests Delay Liftoff Again,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 2, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E,

March 3, 1991 .]

LAUNCH/t.a, NDING OPS CONSOUDATION

NASA will investigate for four to six months the idea of consolidating Space

Shuttle operatlorls at Kennedy Space Center, making the launch and landing site

the same. NASA Deputy Administrator J. R. Thompson said the agency is looking

"very sedously" at the consolidation proposal which could cut the cost of

operations by about 25 percent. Consolidation would mean getting Space Shuttle

management together instead of having it spread among NASA headquarters,

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, and Johnson Space Center in

Houston, TX. The proposal was recommended by the Advisory Committee on the

Future of the Space Program on 10 December 1990. Thompson said that even

though KSC can=toffer the runway options and unlimited lengths that are available

in the West, the wide, three-mile-long Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space

Center proved to be more than adequate for the unscheduled 20 November

landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. [Space Calendar/February 25 - March 3, 1991,

p. 4.]

WASTE DUMP PROPOSED NEAR KSC

The Flodda Inland Navigation Di_ct plans to dump its dredging waste on a site

at U. S. 1 and SR 405, the entrance to Kennedy Space Center because the area

V

24 _'J
g

March

g

March

is free of wetlands, islands and open water. The "black ooze" is sand, silt and

much dredged from the bottom of the Indian River to make that river navigable.

The dumping plan has been opposed by TRusville business leaders and by new

Congressman Jim Bacchus (D-Orlando). Bacchus objected to the siting plan

saying, "It's a pdme piece of property in Brevard County. That is a site for which

we have high hopes for the space industry." The land itseff is part of a 95-acre

tract owned by Hughes Aircraft Co. [Rowe, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 2,

1991, POrto, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 3, 1991 .]

UNION APPROVES EG&G CONTRACT

The United Plant Guard Workers of Amedce, Local 128, has ratified a three-year

contract agreement with EG&G Florida Inc., base operations contractor at

Kennedy Space Center, according to company spokeswoman Laurie Slzzbxtore

today. Under the agreement, which expires November 1994, the union's 225

workers will receive an average pay increase of 4.1 percent, she said; she did not

disclose the union's wage scale. Contract negotiations continue between EG&G

and the Transport Workers Union, Local 525, which represents the company's 100

flreflghters and other emergency service employees at Kennedy Space Center;

their contract expires this month. ['Union Approves EG&G Contract," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 12C, March 2, 1991 .]

3." DISCOVERY, A'RAN11SSWITCH

Discovery's rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building depends on how work is

progressing on Atlantis which is scheduled to be rolled over to the VAB from the

Orbiter Processing Facility. Before the transfer, Discovery must have its explosive

devices disconnected and its onboard storage tanks drained. If work on Atlantis

falls behind [see below], NASA managers will order Discovery's rollback to take

place March 7. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, March 4, 1991 .]

ORBITERS TO GET NEW FUEL UNES

NASA has just signed a $27.6 million contract with Rockwell Intemational Corp.'s

Space Division to replace the 17-inch fuel lines in each Orbiter with new 14-inch

lines. The new lines will have better seals and new flapper valves designed to

prohibit a potentially catastrophic premature closure. ["Shuttles to Sport New Fuel

Unas," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, March 3, 1991.]

4" ATIJMCns VAB MOVE DELAYED

The transfer of Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building from the Orbiter

Processing Facility has been delayed for a day because of an electrical power

problem. That delay, however, will allow Discovery to be rolled back from the

launch pad to the VAB for door hinge repairs. '_/Vewanted to make the schedule

flexible in case this happened, and it did," said Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman lisa Malone. The electrical problem was identified over the

weekend when Atlantis' electrical systems were being tested. Malone said, "It may

..__ 25
D

March

March

March

just be a software problem, ff something comes up where it would be more

prudent to stay in the Orbiter Processing Facility, then of course we'd do that."

Rollback for Discovery is scheduled for 2 a.m. March 7. Replacement hinges for

Discovery have been taken from the Space Shuttle Endeavour now in the final

stages of construction in Califomia. The hinges are expected to arrive at KSC

either March 6 or March 7. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 5, 1991 .]

WEATHER STALLS DELTA LAUNCH

Bad weather at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this past

weekend again delayed the launch of an intemetional communications satellite

aboard a Delta rocket. That launch is now expected to come no earlier than

March 8, according to McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. spokeswoman

Anne McCauley. She said the launch window on the 8th will now be from 5:59

p.m. until 6:54 p.m. ['Inclement Weather Stalls Delta Flight," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, March 5, 1991 .]

5." ATLAN11S CRACK FOUND, TOO

A tiny crack in one of Atlantis' fuel line doors was detected after workers removed

paint and saturated the area with dye. A repair decision will not be made until

later in the week; the repairs would take two weeks. The crack is a quarter-inch

long and less than a 1000th of an inch deep. Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone said that earlier tests on Atlantis had failed to find the

cracks because the fuel line doors were not completely open. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 17A, March 6, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, March

S, 1991.]

6: HINGES WON'T DELAY A_

NASA officials said that Atlantis will fly i_lApril despite the discovery of two minute

door hinge cracks. Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce _ said,

"Most folks feel these cracks have been there awhile and we've flown with them

awhile." Another spokeswoman, lisa Malone, said that "tests and analysis show

that the cracks pose no threat to vehicle performance." The cracks found on

Atlantis are about a quarter-inch long and less than a thousandth of an inch deep.

NASA officials also said that, as a long-term solution, the agency will design a

single, "beefier," forged part to replace the faulty door hinge part. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 7, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1

& A-4, March 7, 1991 .]

7" DC.e_C_DVERYRETURNS FOR REPAIRS

Discovery made its retum trip from the launch pad to its processing hangar early

this moming. Repair of the cracked door hinges will take at least a month,

delaying the STS 39 mission until late Apdl or early May. Similar, though smaller,

cracks have been found on both Atlantis and Columbia. Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone said that engineedng tests confirm that the tiny cracks

26
March

n

March

on Atlantis pose no problem during liftoff or flight. Atlantis' launch target of April

4 will likely slip a few days to allow workers to replace and test an electronics

component which provides guidance information and repair four heat resistant

tiles. Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 8, 1991, Malone, KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 28-91, March 8, 1991 .]

8." DELTA LAUNCH SUCCESS

=What a beautiful sight as she lifts off," said McDonnell Douglas launch

commentator Ray Adams about the 6:03 p.m. launch of a Delta 2 rocket from

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. An hour after the launch, the Delta's payload

was deployed in geosynchronous orbit. The spacecraft, owned by the

Intemational Maritime SsteUlte Organization, is the second of a four-part network

which will enhance mobile telephone, data transmission and voice message

services to 30,000 INMARSAT users. The $75 million INMARSAT will become

operational in about six weeks. The last two satellites in the network will be

launched later in the year by the European Space Agency. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9A, March 9, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March 8, 1991,

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, March 9, 1991 .]

AT1.ANT_ MOVES TO VAB

The Space Shuttle Atlantis was moved today from the Orbiter Processing Facility

to the Vehicle Assembly Building where the Orbiter will be mated with its external

tank and two solid rocket boosters. The launch of Atlantis and its mission to

deploy the Gamma Ray Observatory has been from April 4 to April 5. The delay

was due to the need to solve a problem with an electronics box, according to

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Usa Malone. Work continued meanwhile

to prepare the Gamma Ray Observatory for its trip to the launch pad where it will

be inserted into Atlantis' cargo bay. The GRO, which weighs 17-tons, will be the

largest spacecraft ever carded by a Shuttle. Shuttle workers also began removing

cracked parts from Columbia's door hinges. The hinges will be shipped to a

Rockwell Intematlonal facility in Califomia where repairs will be made; the repairs

are nol_ expected to delay Columbia's May launch. Though cracks have been

found in the door hinges of all three Orbiters, those found in Discovery were

considered the most sedous and will force NASA to roll the Shuttle back to the

VAB. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, March 9, 1991 .]

9.- SPACEPORT FLORIDA EMERGES

Ed O'Connor, Director of Spaceport Florida, has been in the Florida Capitol this

past week drumming up support for the State's commercial space venture. '_/e're

getting a tremendous amount of support," he said today. Legislation sponsored

by Representative Charlle Robarts (D-Tdusville, FL) will increase the authority's

autonomy and give it more freedom in financial and political matters. Roberts said

of the authority's present operating conditions, "ff we want to pay a bill, we've got

to send it to Commerce. That's such a stilted way of doing business. We don't

want to be seen as a little subdivision." Roberts' bill would allow Spaceport

___ 27
Floridato condemnpropertyfor construction projects, such as expanding its

facilities; it would allow the authority to access money set aside for major

education construction projects if the authority conducts a project with a state

university; Spaceport Florida could sell tax-exempt bonds to raise revenue. [Nagy,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1B-2B, March 10, 1991 .]

March 11: ATLANTIS ROLLOUT: MARCH 14

Atlantis was meted to its extemal tank and solid rocket boosters over the weekend

and continues today to undergo electrical and connections tests in preparations

for its rollout to the launch pad on the evening of March 14, according to Kennedy

Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham. Uftoff is tentatively scheduled for

April 5. Discovery has been returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building an will

shortly be moved over to the Orbiter Processing Facility. Workers will begin

demeting Discovery from its stack March 12. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

March 11, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, March 12, 1991.]

g CONTROLLED BURN AT I¢5C

The smoke which obscured the view of Kennedy Space Center from across the

Indian River in Titusville, Florida, this moming was the result of a controlled bum

undertaken to control the growth of unwanted vegetation, according to James

Clark, law enforcement officer for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. He

said that an area of marshland south of Stete Road 402 and along the Indian River

was the target of the bum. ['Rangers Bum Refuge Vegetation," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1B, March 12, 1991.]

March 12: CRACKSDBCOVERERHONORED

John Rice, employed by Lockheed Space Operations Co. at Kennedy Space

Center, was awarded the NASA Flight Safety Award by Administretor FIk:hard H.

TnJly today. "With his meticulous attention to detail, John Rice shows us the

model of a Shuttle processing professional," said Doug Sargent, President of

Lockheed Space Operations Co. Rice was the individual who identified the cracks

in the door hinges on Discovery. Repair of those door hinges will delay the

launch of the Orbiter until late April or early May. The Flight Safety Award

recognizes individuals who make direct contributions to flight safety. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, March 13, 1991.]

March 13: ALS AND SPACEPORT FLORIDA

A proposed National Launch Development Center would be linked to Spaceport

Rortda and would lead research on new, lass-expensive methods of preparing

and flying space vehicles, including the Advanced Launch System. The Air Force

and NASA have been working jointly on an ALS which would be supported by a

$25 million research complex in Brevard County, Flodda. State Representative

Chadle Roberts (D-Titusville) said, "This compares to the announcement thet we're

going to have a space center, that we're going to have an Apollo Program, that's

8 _
g

March

there's going to be a Space Shuttle." The proposed NLDC would help the

government lower the cost of payloads and would provide commercial firms with

a place to learn better ways to do business in the international marketplace. Col.

Roger Colgrove, who heads the federal govemment's Advanced Launch

Development Program, said, "From a government perspective, that's very

important. From a commercial point of view, it's a matter of survival." Colgrove's

group is Wing to design both the ALS vehicle and its processing procedures

simultaneously. He said, '_n/hat we want to do is get in early and find out what

works and what doesn't." As currently envisioned, the research complex would

be constructed with funds derived from the sale of Spaceport Florida bonds and

would include a hangar large enough to hold a test vehicle the size of an external

tank when it is horizontal. Plans also call for individual laboratodes, an auditorium

and computer centers and the entire complex would be available for use by

government, industry and university researchers. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A & 2A, March 13, 1991 .]

GRO READY FOR PAD

NASA's Gamma Ray Observatory was ready this moming to be moved to Launch

Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, according to KSC spokesman George

DUlm. The 17-ton observatory will make the ten mile journey to the pad in a 65-

foot-tall cargo canister; the trip from the satellite processing facility will take 4 1/2

hours. Once at the pad, the satellite will be transferred to a satellite preparation

room. Liftoff for AtlanlJs is scheduled for April 5. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A,

March 13, 1991 .]

14: NEW HINGE CRACKS

The replacement door hinge borrowed from Endeavour to enable Discovery to

make its STS 39 mission has "the same design flaw = found on other Shuttles,

according to NASA officials. The crack is sufficiently small that it is not expected

to prevent Discovery's launch in late Apdl or early May of this year. "it's not a big

deal. It's certainly safe. it's a little bitty crack. Little starter cracks don't affect the

operation, the structural integrity or anything. They make you scratch your head,"

said William Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Spaceflight at NASA. Lenoir was

at Kennedy Space Center today for a meeting and press conference at the Press

Site Dome. "It's something inherent in the design and that's what we have to

change. We don't believe it's a manufactudng problem." NASA had planned to

replace all four of Discovery's hinges with those taken from Endeavour, whose

construction is nearly finished in California. The borrowing was necessary

because there are no other replacements. The new hinges arrived at Kennedy

Space Center last week. Meanwhile, there was a minor processing accident in the

Vehicle Assembly Building before Discovery was rolled over to its hangar in the

Orbiter Processing Facility. In the VAB, the Orbiter was being lowered to the

ground; workers apparently misjudged the height causing Discovery's wheels to

hit the ground too soon and bounce slightly. No damage was reported. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 15, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March

15, 1991, "Crack Found in Substitute Shuttle Hinge," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.

29
g

A13, March 15, 1991 .]

DELAYS JUGGLE LAUNCH SCHEDULE

The delay in launching Discovery has caused a number of changes in NASA's

1991 schedule.

Revised 1991 Schedule

Shuttle

Discovery

AUantis

AUantis

Mlesion

firs 43

STS42

firS44

Payload

___

TDRS-E Communications

Satellite

Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite

Defense Support Program

Date*

Apdl 25

July 25

"The [Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite] has to be alrbome before the end of

December," said wiirmm I.mmir, NASA Associate Administrator for Spaceflight at

a Kennedy Space Center press conference today. 'One of the objectives is to

catch the birth and formation of two cycles of the ozone hole forming over

Antarctica in the wintertime, ff the mission gets off after December, it misses one

of the cycles." Delayed until January 1992 is the Specelab International

Microgravity Laboratory mission which had previously been set for December

1991. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 14, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, March 15, 1991 .]

March 15: A'n.ANT_ ROLLOUT

•We have a big weekend ahead of us," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman

Bruce Bucldr,ghmn today aRer Atlantis was rolled out to its launch pad today. A

number of tasks remain to be accomplished before the Orbiter is ready for its April

5 launch:

(1) The Gamma Ray Observatory must be loaded into Atlantis' cargo bay; the

17-ton spacecraft arrived at the pad on March 13.

(2) The five-member crew of Atlantis must arrive at the space center March 17

to take part in pre-launch training and bdefings. The crew includes:

Commander Steve Nagel; Pilot Ken Cameron; and Mission Specialists

30
g

March

g

,Jerry Apt, Jerry Ross and Unda Godwin.

Pad technicians will check the three main engines of Atlantis for leaks and

load fuel.

(4) The launch pad will be cleared for a five-minute test firing of one of the

Orbiter's auxiliary power units, necessitated by NASA rules. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, March 14, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March

16, 1991.]

DISCOVERY LAUNCH DECISION

To fly or not to fly, that is the question which NASA will resolve about the Space

Shuttle Discovery next week. The Orbiter has fuel line door hinges which are

cracked; replacements for the door hinges will come from Endeavour which is

now under construction in Califomia. One problem: workers have found a tiny

crack in one of Endeevour's door hinges; managers are also looking into the

possibility of using door hinges from Columbia which are now being repaired for

cracks, according to NASA spokesman Bruce Buc_dnghmn. [Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-18, March 16, 1991 .]

18.- MCCARTNEY MEETS COMMUNITY LEADERS

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCarlney will host some 350

community leaders at Spaceport USA March 22. Activities will begin with a walkthrough of an Orbiter mock-up and an 8:30 breakfast at the Orbit Cafeteria. At the

meeting McCartney will discuss current plans and future programs of NASA;

McCartney's remarks will be followed by a showing ofthe new IMAX film "The Blue

Planet" and an optional tour of the space center. ['McCartney to Meet Local

Leaders," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, March 17, 1991 .]

QUAYLE CANCELS SPACE CONGRESS SPEECH

Vice President Dan Quayle canceled plans to speak to the 28th annual Space

Congress (Cocoa Beach, FL) April 23-26. He had tentatively agreed to deliver the

keynote address at the Congress, but said that other commitments forced him to

cancel. Executive Secretary of the National Space Council Mark Albrecht will

speak instead of Quayle. Other speakers at the Congress include Brig. Gen.

Jimmey MorreU, Commander of the 9th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base;

Arnold Alddch, NASA Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology;

Steven Hawley, former astronaut and Associate Director, Ames Research Center;

Edward O'Connor, Executive Director, Spaceport Florida Authority; Lt. Gen.

Thomas Moorman, Air Force Space Command; John Kiineberg, Director, Goddard

Space Flight Center; Lt. Gan. Donald Cromer, Commander, Air Force Systems

Division; Barbara Morgan, NASA Teacher-In-Space Designee; Col. Michael

Spence, Commander, 655th Aerospace Test Group, CCAFS; Richard Kohrs,

Director, NASA's Space Station Freedom Program. The Space Congress is

sponsored annually by the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies. ["Quayle

31
0

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March

Cancels Trip to Cocoa Beech; Albrecht to Address Space Congress," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 9E, March 17, 1991 .]

I_IDEAVOUR ENGINE PASSI_S TEST

The second of Endeavour's three main engines have completed acceptance tests

at Stannis Space Center in Mississippi. When final inspections are completed, the

engine will be shipped to Kennedy Space Center; the Orbiter Endeavour is

expected to arrive at the space center in May. The first of the three main engines

passed its tests at Stennis last year. The first flight of Endeavour is currently

scheduled for May 1992. ["Endeavour Engine Passes Tests," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 10E, March 17, 1991 .]

SHUTTLE CLOSES PLAYN.INDA BEACH

Playaiinda Beech at Canaveral National Seashore will be closed to the public until

after the launch of STS 37 in early April. Atlantis is now on the pad and the

access road to the beech falls within a three-mile security zone surrounding

Launch Complex 39B. The beech will be reopened to the public within 24 hours

of the launch, now expected to come on April 5. ["Shuttle Closes Playalinda

Beach," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, March 17, 1991 .]

CAPE CANAVERAL PAD FACEUFT

Anti-ruat repair work is underway at Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station. "We probably won1 get the whole tower done, but we're doing a

permanent fix for the things we are doing," according to Lt. Col. Randy Moyer,

Commander of the 1st Space Launch Squadron, the unit responsible for launching

Air Force Delta rockets from CCAFS. -we'd like to get in to 17B and do similar

work, but our initJai look showed that pad 17B is not as bad as 17A," Moyer said.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, March 17, 1991 .]

17: ASTRONAUTS ARRNE AT KSC

Bad weather at Kennedy Space Center end low fuel kept most of Atlantis' fivemember crew from landing its T-38 planes at the Shuttle Landing Facility; they

were diverted instead to Patrick Air Force Base. Commander Sieve Nagel, Pilot

Ken Cameron and Mission Specialists Linda Godwin and Jay Apt landed at PAFB;

Specialist Jemj Ross who had more fuel in hie T-38, welted aloft and landed at

KSC about 7:15 p.m. Ross' four colleagues were driven to the space center and

their T-38 planes were flown to KSC by other pilots. While at KSC, the crew will

practice landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility and receive briefings about the

status of Atlantis and, perhaps, inspect the cracked door hinges of the Orbiter.

The hinges have been cleared for flight by NASA. The crew will also train for

emergency escapes from the launch pad by driving an M-113 armored personnel

carrier and participate in a practice countdown involving the entire Kennedy Space

Center launch team. The Flight Readiness Review will be held beginning March

21. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 18, 1991 .]

v  ̧

2
I1 NEW SATURN V EXHIBITION FACILITY

March

11

NASA and TW Recreational Services have selected Morris Architects (Orlando, FL)

to direct a design team to provide the conceptual plan for a major new KSC tour

site involving the Satum V rocket and other Apollo era artifacts. Morris Architects

was chosen for contract negotiations to provide preliminary design concept

drawings and specifications for the new Saturn V exhibit. The facility is planned

for phased construction at an expanded Complex 39 Shuttle launch viewing site.

Other members of the design team include: Walsman Dewar Grout Carter, Inc.

(Vancouver, British Columbia); Bob Rogers & Company, Inc. (Burbank, CA);

Levitan Design Associates (New York, NY); Glatting Lopez Kercher Anglin, Inc.

(Orlando, FL); and TLC, Inc. (Orlando, FL). TW Recreational Services, Inc., which

operates Spaceport USA for the Kennedy Space Center, will manage the contract

leading to a conceptual design for an estimated $30 million tour exhibit site. "This

will be the most significant enhancement of the public visitor tour since its

inception," said NASA Visitor Center Office Chief Arnold Richman. 'q'his project

will not only ensure the preservation of the major artifact of the Apollo-Saturn

program, it will ensure that the human adventure of that period, the drama of this

nation's commitment to the manned lunar landings, will be experienced and

appreciated by future generations." The Saturn V rocket, one of only three actual

flight vehicles left over from the Apollo program, is presently displayed at the

southwest comer of the Vehicle Assembly Building parking lot; at that location, the

rocket is exposed to long-term environmental threats to its preservation. The new

exhibit facility will also include the Apollo lunar lander and the simulated Apollo-era

fldng room show currently housed at the Flight Crew Training Facility in the

industrial area at the space center. The relocation of the Satum V and Apollo

artifacts into a covered facility at the new site, located about two miles north of the

VAB, will ease traffic congestion caused by the high volume of bus tours. The

project is expected to be paid for with revenues from bus tour ticket prices and

will be built in phases beginning in 1993-1994. [Varnes, KSC NEWS RELEASE

NO. 35-91, March 18, 1991, Meguiar, SPACEPORT USA RELEASE NO. NTO583,

March 21, 1991 .]

18: WATER IN ATLANTIS ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Weekend rains dumped ten gallons of water inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis' rear

engine compartment. Officials said the water entered the compartment because

temporary covers, not flight doors, are now affixed to the Shuttle. The water was

mopped up and is not expected to delay the launch now targeted for early April.

A Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test for Atlantis' STS 37 mission begins

today and runs through tomorrow. Also today, workers began installing modified

door hinges on Discovery; the hinges were taken from Columbia. Discovery's

door hinges were removed so cracks found there could be studied. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 19, 1991 .]

WHITE HOUSE BACKS SPACE STATION

"We need, and must build, a space station optimized for life science research as

v 33
our first majorstep into the last greatfrontierand adventure. We should not

accept compromisesof this ultimate goal," said Allan Bromley,assistantto

PresidentBush. Bromlayspokefollowinga meetinghe attendedof the National

Space Council, chaired by Vice President Dan Quayle. The council's review was

part of a unified effort to support a revised space station plan before Congress in

early April. Bromlay went on to say that he agreed science alone could not justify

the station; scientific research and technology development, along with studies on

the effects of microgravity on human beings, he said, do justify the expenditure

of taxpayer dollars. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 19, 1991.]

March 19:. ACCIDENTS SNARL KSC 11:IAFRC

Traffic accidents invoMng ten cars held up rush-hour traffic at Kennedy Space

Center this moming. The automobile accidents resulted in minor injuries to one

woman, Evelyn Heedrick, an employee of Pan Amedcan Airways. Ms. Headrick

was treated and released from Parrish Medical Center (T'dusville, FL). The

accidents occurred at 6:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the NASA Causeway

over the Indian River. Three citations were issued by NASA security to drivers for

unlawful speed and failure to use due care. One citation was issued for careless

driving, according to NASA spokesman Karl _. "It appears that some

people were speeding and changing lanes on the bridge. Some cars were rearended and people just couldn't stop," said Kristofforson. He said the area was

cleared for traffic by about 9:15 a.m. ['2 Accidents Snad KSC Traffic," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, March 20, 1991 .]

rl ATLANTIS CREW EXCITED ABOUT MISSION

The STS 37 crew met the press today at Kennedy Space Center and Commander

Sieve Nagel pronounced his crew "excited." Mission Specialist Jerry Apt added,

"We've got an observatory that will look back to the beginning of time, and we'll

be doing the first specewalk in 5 1/2 years, so I think it's going to be greaL" The

astronauts are at Kennedy Space Center to take part in the Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test and practice emergency egress procedures at the launch pad.

The rest of the c_ew includes Pilot Ken C,ameron and Mission Specialists Unda

Godwin and Jemj Ross. Nagel said the crew was not concerned about the tiny

cracks in Atlantis' door hinges. "On the basis of all the briefings and discussions

we've had, rm quite comfortable flying with these hairline cracks. They present

no safety issue at all," Nagel said. Technicians at Kennedy Space Center today

also prepared to move a Spacelab Life Sciences module into the Orbiters'

processing hangar for Installation in Columbia. Payload Manager I_'ke Kinnan,

said the Spacelab module will be moved to the processing hangar and loaded

into Columbia's cargo bay later this week. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A,

March 20, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL March 20, 1991 .]

March 20: KSC SPACE STATION BUDGET CUTS

The restructuring of the Space Station Program is expected to cost Kennedy

Space Center about twenty percent of its share of the program's budget, officials

34
g

n

said today. 'We don't feel the cuts have been that significant," said KSC's Space

Station Project Manager Dick Lyon. "Everybody feels there's [a] better chance of

pulling the project off with its reduced size. People feel more positive about the

program." Space Station project spending at KSC will be reduced from $65 million

to $55 million, Lyon said. The overall FY 1992 KSC share was to have been $85

million and that is expected to be reduced by $10 million. The twenty percent cut

will be felt through 1999, managers said. The Space Station Processing Facility

will now house four instead of eight checkout areas. Harris Space Systems

Corp.'s Project Manager Bill McCesUn said that cuts will be made to the

company's contract to design the space station checkout system and to supply

necessary equipment, but that a full estimate was not yet available. McCaslin did

say that the cuts would come primarily in materials and not in design work. Harris

employs some 260 people under its KSC contract. Construction on the SSPF is

to begin next week and is not expected to be affected by the cuts. Other areas

will be affected, however. A separate processing facility where hazardous

materials were to be handled will be deleted. An Air Force complex will be used

instead. Construction of a logistics facility will be postponed from the mid 1990s

until 1999 and a maintenance depot's construction will be postponed indefinitely.

Also postponed is the employment of edditionai workers to process space station

hardware. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, March 21, 1991.]

WHITE HOUSE APPROVES SPACE STATION PLAN

Vlce President Dan Quayle traveled to Capitol Hill today to endorse NASA's latest

Space Station Program plan on behalf of the Bush Administration. "The question

is," Quayle said, "is America going to lead the way to space? it's part of the

American spirit to be pioneers. I am convinced the Congress will go ahead with

the space station; it may take some encouragement." Director of the Office of

Management and Budget, Richard Darman said, "Now what we need to do is build

a base of enthusiastic support." Senator Barbara Mikulsid (D-MD) said, "1think the

Congress...is going to be committed to the redesign." [Groer, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-2, March 21, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA LAUNCH DELAYED

Columbia's STS 40 mission in May will be delayed at least a week, according to

NASA officials, so workers can realign posts that hold solid rocket boosters onto

the Shuttle's mobile launch platform. "There will be some hit to the schedule.

We're talking several days rather than weeks or months," said Usa Malone,

Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman. "The whole [Shuttle] is resting on those

posts," she said and noted that proper alignment of the posts is critical to a

successful launch. Tests showed that the launch platform posts were improperly

aligned. Two booster segments have been removed from the MLP to allow

workers to begin making adjustments. The segments will be replaced March 23.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 8A, March 21, 1991 .]

---J 35
11 GOOD COUNTDOWN SIMULATION

March

"We had a good simulation. There were no problems. We would have launched

had it been the actual launch day," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buddr_ham of the just completed Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. The

Atlantis crew climbed aboard the Shuttle for the final three hours of the simulation

today. Meanwhile, technicians continued testing replacement door hinges on

Discovery. The hinges, taken from Columbia and modified, replaced cracked door

hinges removed eadier from Discovery; the Orbiter is expected to be returned

early next week to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be mated with its

extemal fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 8A, March 21, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL p. A-18, March 21,1991 .]

1 NEW SHUTTLE SCHEDULE ISSUED

NASA managers today announced adjustments to modify the February 1991

Mixed Fleet Manifest The modifications to the manifest were. necessary after the

STS 39 mission, scheduled for March with Space Shuttle Discovery, was

postponed due to cracks on the Orbiter's extemal tank door drive mechanism

housing. The flights now projected for calendar year 1991 begin with Space

Shuttle Atlantis and the Gamma Ray Observatory flying in April. Following repairs

to the door drive mechanism housing, Discovery will fly the SIS 39 mission in

May. The projected date for SIS 40/Spacelab Life Sciences mission aboard

Shuffle Columbia remains in May. Columbia will be taken off line as planned for

structural inspections and modifications for Extended Duration Orbiter capability

following completion of the STS-40 mission.

The Tracldng Data Relay Satellite mission originally scheduled to fly on Discovery

in July is now on Atlantis in August. The Defense Support Program mission

remains on Atlantis but will move from August to December. These two

adjustments preserve the agency's capability to fly Discovery with the Upper

Atmosphere Research Satellite payload during its required science window with

launch projected now for October. The International Microgravity Laboratory

mission which was planned for December 1991 will become the first flight in

calendar year 1992. The mixed cargo flight of the Tethered Satellite System and

the European Space Agency's European Retrievable Carder originally scheduled

for February on Shuttle Discovery will move to August 1992 and will fly on Space

Shuttle Atlantis. Flights in the mid-1992 time frame remain in their original

manifested positions with Atias-1 in April, the Intelsat reboost mission in May

which will involve the first flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the U. S.

Microgravity Laboratory in June. Spacelab-J and the mixed cargo flight of the U.

S. Microgravity Payload and the Laser Gecdynemics Satellite also remain as

scheduled for September 1992. The Canadian Experiments payload also is

joining this mission. Adjustments to the manifest beyond September 1992 are still

being examined and will be announced later.
1991Shutlle

Date Mission

May 1991

Vehicle Payload

April 1991 STS 37 Atlantis GRO

May 1991 STS 39 Discovery AFP 675/IBSS

STS 40 Columbia SLS-1

August 1991 STS 43 Atlantis

October 1991 STS 48 Discovery

December 1991 STS44 Atlantis

lgG_ Shuffle Launches

Date Mission Vehicle

TDRS-E

UARS

DSP

August 1992

Payload

February 1992 STS 42 Discovery IML-1

Apdl 1992 STS 45 Atlantis ATLAS-1

May 1992 STS 49 Endeavour INTELSAT-1

June 1992 STS 50 Columbia USML-1

STS 46 Atlantis TSS-1/EURECA

September STS 47 1992 Endeavour

Columbia September 1992 STS52

Spacelab-J

USMP/LAGEOS

/CANEX

[Hess, Campion, NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-44, March 21, 1991 .]

rl SPACE STATION: CUTS COST JOBS

Cutting the cost and size of the Space Station Freedom will cost private industry

a thousand jobs, according to NASA officials; no Brevard County Kennedy Space

Center workers are expected to be laid off, though. Dick Lyon, KSC Space

Station Project Manager, said that several hundred expected jobs will be either

delayed or canceled. Associate Administrator for Spaceflight William Lenoir said,

"The facts are in the fiscal climate in which we find ourselves today the proposed

budget from last year was not attainable. We took the directions from

Congrass...to heart. We've cut costs, simplified the design and reduced the

complexity of the project." He also said that Boeing and McDonnell Douglas are

cooperating in renegotiating contracts which will cost Boeing to lose 500 jobs

and McDonnell Douglas to lose 470 subcontractor jobs. "The companies," Lenoir

said, "are on board. They are behind this.' Lyon said that KSC will have its share

_._ 37
of theSpaceStationbudgetparedbyabout$445millionthrough 1997 and more

than haft that amount will eventually be retumed to the program once the Space

Station is fully operational in 1999. He said that most of the KSC cutbacks come

from putting of building and staffing warehouse and maintenance facilities.

"Before the redesign," he said, "most of the Space Station hardware was to be

delivered to KSC by 1997. That includes all the spares. We had to have a place

to put it. Now, because the manufacturing stages have been stretched out, the

companies can stock spares on site" until construction is complete. [Hasson and

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 10A, March 22, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL March 22, 1991 .]

g $PACEI.AB MODULE DAMAGED

A processing accident at Kennedy Space Center caused damage to a Spacelab

module scheduled for a May launch aboard Columbia. The launch is not

expected to be postponed, however, because there is already a week's delay

planned for realigning posts which hold the solid rocket boosters on the mobile

launch platform. Workers were using a crane to lift the Spacelab module from a

test stand in the KSC Operations and Checkout Building when the accident

occurred, according to space center spokesman Milch Vmnee. Apparently, a

worker mistakenly removed one of the three metal pegs used to hold the module

in the test stand; the module tilted about 18 inches and banged into a tray full of

electrical cables as it was being lifted. The accident caused a tear the size of a

quarter and a 7-inch long scuff was noted in one of the Spacelab's insulating

blankets. Vames said that the blanket will either be repaired or replaced. He

said, further, that managers still hoped to move the module into a Shuttle hangar

and install it in Columbia's cargo bay this weekend. Booster segments on the

mobile launch platform will be restacked starting this weekend. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY. p. 10A, March 22, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

March 22, 1991 .]

March 22 RETURN ENTERPRISE: MCCARTNEY

•We ought to get Enterprise back down here. This is where it belongs," Kennedy

Space Center Format 8. Mc_ told community leaders today at Spaceport

USA. "1think having it sit in a hangar on the edge of Dulles (airport) doesn't serve

the nation.' Enterprise was located at KSC for four months in 1985 but was

shipped to Dulles for housing in a National Air and Space Museum hangar in

December 1985. The shipment occurred because of an agreement between the

Smithsonian Institution (of which the museum is a part) and NASA; the agreement

calls for hardware no longer needed by the space agency to be offered to the Air

and Space Museum. Since 1985, Enterprise has been at DuUes awaiting

congressional approval of a $90 million appropriation to house both the Shuttle

and other historic aircraft. "1 don_t think we'd loan it out," said Marlin Harwit,

Director of the Air and Space Museum. '_Ne have never loaned Enterprise out

because of the danger of transporting it. ff we lost Enterprise, it would be a

national tragedy." Enterprise was not built for spaceflight, it's entire career had

been as part of Shuffle landing tests at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) in the late

v
n

1970s and as a pathfinder for tests at Shuttle launch pads both at KSC and at

Vandenberg Air Force Base. Un Ezell, Assistant Director for Collections

Management at the Smithsonian, said that his institution had been contacted by

officials at KSC to ask how the return of Enterprise to the space center could be

arranged. "We don=t make permanent loans," Ms. Ezell said. "But we do make

finite loans, usually for five-year periods, that can be extended." Officials at the

space center want to make Enterprise a center piece of a new $30 million exhibit

to be built at the Shuttle launch viewing site two miles north of the Vehicle

Assembly Building. The facility is already slated to hold the Satum V rocket now

just outside the VAB; additionally, it would hold a lunar lander and a simulated

Apollo-Era firing room now located in the Flight Crew Training Facility in the space

center's industrial area. Speaking of the new facility, KSC's Arnold Richman said,

"This will be the most significant enhancement of the public visitor tour since its

inception. This project not only will ensure the preservation of the major artifact

of the Apollo-Saturn Program, it will ensure that the human adventure of that

period, the drama of this nation's commitment to the manned lunar landings, will

be experienced and appreciated by future generations." [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY., pp. 1B-2B, March 23, 1991, SEE ALSO: March 17: New Saturn V

Exhibition Facility.]

BETrER SAFETY REPORTS NEEDED

The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said in its annual report today that workers

at Kennedy Space Center may fear punishment for reporting accidents. The panel

said that better communication between managers and workers following

incidents could eliminate the perception at the space center that disciplinary

actions for errors are too severe. KSC Director Fonrest S. McCarlney said today:

"! never have problems with any objective report about our operations here. We

welcome constructive criticism as a way to make sure our operations remain

effective, efficient and safe.' The panel went on to say, "By overreaching, NASA

has s_stched its scientific, engineering and administrative capabilities excessively,

thereby creating an environment where safety concems compete with operational

commitments, such as schedules."

Among the recommendations made by the panel:

*Develop the ability to automatically land a Shuffle in case the crew is

incapacitated.

*Appoint boards to investigate "close calls" in addition to accidents, which already

are probed.

*Make sure there is an ample supply of hard-to-find spares for the Shuttle's aging

and obsolete systems.

*Develop a better spacesuit for space station astronauts. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, March 23, 1991.]

_--_ 39
March25: A'RANI"IS MAIN ENGINE TEST

"It's the last of our engine tests prior to launch," said Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone, concerning a critical test of an Atlantis main engine

which is to be conducted today. She went on to say that the test involves cycling

engine valves, checking engine timing and calibrating various engine sensors.

Meanwhile, key NASA and Shuttle contractors begin their Flight Readiness Review

for STS 37 today; Discovery was towed from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the

Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with its external tank and solid rocket

boosters; rollout to Launch Complex 39A is expected to occur Apdl 1. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 25, 1991, Halvorson, FL,ORIDA TODAY, March 26,

1991 .]

March 25: SPACE STATION FACILITY GROUNDBRFAI_NG

Today NASA officials broke ground for construction of the $70 million Space

Station Processing Facility which will become the workplace for some 1400

persons at Kennedy Space Center. "The skyline around here is really going to

change. This will be the biggest facility that we have built since the Apollo days"

according to KSC Deputy Director Germ Thomas. The three-story, 457,000-

square-foot facility will be completed in three years and will house laboratories,

computer control centers end communications and electrical rooms. The facility

construction will be undertaken by Metric Constructors (Tampa, FL) and will

employ 500 people beginning next week. [Varnes, "Groundbreaking for KSC

Space Station Facility Slated for March 26," KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 32-91,

March 14, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 27, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-4, March 27, 1991 .]

March 27: STS 37 LAUNCH ADVISORY

NASA managers today set April 5, 1991, as the target date for Shuttle Mission STS

37. The launch date decision came at the conclusion of NASA's two-day Flight

Readiness Review held at Kennedy Space Center. Spokeswoman Lisa Malone

said, "The date's been set and we're marching forward. We've got a lot of work

left, but we'll be ready to pick up the countdown next week." Countdown

commences at 5:30 a.m. April 2; the astronauts arrive for the mission later that

day. The five-member crew includes Commender Slmm Nagal, Pilot Ken Cameron

and Mission Specialists _ Godwin, Jay Apt and Jecry Fioee. This will be the

39th flight of the Space Shuttle system and will involve deployment of the Gamma

Ray Observatory by the Shuttle Atlantis and its crew. The flight will also see the

first "spacewalld performed by Shuttle astronauts - Ross and Apt - since the return

to flight in 1988. The "spacewalld is the first of a sedes to prepare astronauts and

ground crews for the construction and operation of the Space Station. The launch

window on April 5 opens at 9:18 a.m. EST with the mission projected to last just

over 5 days, with the landing expected April 10 at Edwards Air Force Base (CA).

Shuttle Director Robed L Cdppen said, "The launch team has done a super job

in getting us ready to fly STS 37. With the delay in Discovery and the STS 39, the

team had a challenge to meet and they came through right on schedule."

0
March

March

March

[Campion and Malone, KSC NEWS RELEASE, March 27, 1991, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, March 28, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, March

28, 1991.]

SPACESUITS ABOARD ATLANTIS

Preparations for the April 5 launch of Atlantis continued without a hitch today as

spacesuits were packed aboard the Orbiter. The $10 million suits will be used

by spacewalking astronauts Jemj Ross and Jay Apt. Actually, three spacesuits -

one as a spare - were installed in the Space Shuttle's aldock._ The seven main

components of the suits are: a hard vest known as an upper torso, a helmet,

sleeves, gloves, pants, boots and a backpack with life-support systems. Each suit

weighs about 270 pounds on Earth and a third of that weight is the backpack with

its oxygen, radio, computer and a water circulation system to cool the outfit. The

Launch Complex 39B has been closed except for essential workers to allow for

the testing of explosive devices used to separate Atlantis from its solid rocket

boosters and extemal tank. Onboard propellant tanks must still be pressurized

in another hazardous operation. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, March 29,

1991.]

WINDS WORRY SHUTTLE MANAGERS

"We're not expecting the weather to interfere with work at the launch pad, but we'll

keep a close eye out,' said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone.

She said that winds of 14 miles per hour would not be a great concern, but that

stronger winds would cause technicians and safety officials to decide whether pad

work could continue. She also said that thunderstorms and lightning expected on

the weekend could halt some types of pad activities, especially those using

electricity. Currently, the projected forecast calls for winds between 14 and 29

mph at Launch Complex 39B, where Atlantis is awaiting its April 5 five-day mission

which is set to begin at 9:18 a.m. The STS 37 crew was isolated in crew quarters

at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) and have begun getting adjusted to their

onboard schedule which calls for them to wake each day at 2 a.m. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, March 30, 1991 .]

30: HOUDAY PAUSE AT agB

The pad crew at Launch Complex 39B had the Easter weekend off from the work

of preparing Atlantis for its STS 37 mission which is due to begin at 9:18 a.m. April

5. The countdown begins at 5:30 a.m. April 2; the crew arrives later that day.

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Karl _ said of the holiday work

schedule, "We're minimizing the number of people we have working on Easter

Sunday. We'll only have a couple hundred people working at launch pad 39B."

Meanwhile, in the Vehicle Assembly Building, workers are reading Discovery for

its rollout early on Apdl 1; launch for STS 39 is expected to come April 25.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, March 31, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, April 1, 1991 .]
n SPACELAB TESTING BEGINS

March

Testing has begun on the components for the first International Microgravity

Laboratory mission which is to be launched next February aboard Discovery. The

mission will be the first in a sedes designed to bring together the resources of

several space agencies around the world. Conldbutors to the mission are: the

European Space Agency, the National Space Development Agency of Japan, the

Canadian Space Agency, the French National Center for Space Studies and the

German Space Agency. Current tests are to verify the compatibility of flight

experiments with the Spacelab module. ["Spacelab Testing Begins," FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 10E, March 31, 1991 .]

31: SPACEPORT LISA ATTENDANCE

During the month of March 1991, 247,532 parsons visited Spaceport USA; the

year-to-date attendance stands at 651,01 7 visitors. Beginning April 11, the tourist

attraction's hours of operations extend from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.[SPACEPORT

USA NEWS RELEASE NTO5084, April 1, 1991 .]

2
APRIL

AprH 1: AIR FORCE BLUE TOUR RESUMES

The Blue Tour, discontinued for several weeks at Cape Canaveral AIr Force

Station due to the war in the Persian Gulf, will resume April 6, according to

officials at Kennedy Space Center. The tour originates at Spaceport USA west of

KSC and includes visits to Mercury and Gemini launch facilities, NASA's original

mission control building and the Air Force Space Museum two hours later.

Spaceport USA General Manager D. L Hennessy said, "While we're glad to have

the Blue Tour resume, its absence did not cause a major disruption of our visitor

services. A majority of our visitor guests request the Red Tour of Complex 39,

where the Space Shuttle is processed and launched." The Red Tour, which also

starts at Spaceport USA, takes in historic sites at KSC. Spaceport USA will be

open extended hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning April 11. ['Tour of NASA

Sites Resumes After Hiatus," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, April 2, 1991, "Historic Tour

Operations Resume at Kennedy Space Center Spaceport USA," SPACEPORT USA

NEWS RELEASE NT0584, Apdf 1, 1991, -Tour of Launch Sites Resumes On

Saturday," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 3, 1991 .]

[! DISCOVERY ROLLS OUT, JOINS ATLANTIS

"Things couldn't be better," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Usa

about the fact that both Discovery and Atlantis are now on launch pads

at the space center. Discovery completed its rollout to Launch Complex 39A by

9 a.m. today. At Launch Complex 39B, workers continued to prepare Atlantis for

launch April 5 at 9:18 a.m.; weather concems put the likelihood of an on-time

launch at 50-50 due to the expected arrival of a cold front and rain. Launch

controllers will be able to delay the liftoff until 1:56 p.m. before scrubbing for the

day. Weather forecasts indicate that launch conditions increases to 80 percent

favorable April 6 and 90 percent favorable on Aprli 7. Tomorrow Atiantis' crew of

Commander Slave Nagel, Pilot Ken Cameron, and Mission Specialists Unda

God'Mn, Jay Apt, and Jerry Ross arrives at the space center for two days of

emergency landing practices and briefings. Bad weather prevented the U. S.

Army's Golden Knight parachute demonstration team from making a planned jump

over Launch Complex 39A; it was rescheduled for the following day. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Apdl 2, lg91, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-7,

April 2, 1991, Sanchez, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 2, 1991 .]

Apfll 2: SHUTTLE CREW ARRIVES

"Somebody told me not to say something as trite as _/e're ready to go fly.' BUt

I couldn't think of anything better; we actually are ready to go fly," said STS

Commander Steve Nagel, 44, when he and the rest of the Atlantis crew arrived at

Kennedy Space Center today. Flying in formation aboard their T-38 training jets

the crew of Nagel, Ken Cameron, LJnda Godwin, Jemj Ross and Jay Apt touched

down at the Shuttle Landing Facility about 3:45 p.m. The countdown for the

mission began at 5:30 a.m. this morning and proceeded smoothly; NASA Test

_-_ 43
DirectorAISofgesaid,"There'sno badnews;thingsarelookinggood." Weather

conditionshaveimproveddueto a delayinthe expectedarrivalof a cold front on

the Space Coast. The launch window on April 5 extends from 9:18 a.m. till 1:56

p.m.; by the close of the window there is expected to be a 90 percent chance of

favorable conditions for launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 3, 1991,

Hoversten, USA TODAY, p. 11A, April 3, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

April 2, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 3, 1991 .]

n PARATROOPERS AT _C

The U. S. Army Parachute Team, also known as the Golden Knights, landed near

Launch Complex 39A at 8:30 this morning. Their goal was to photograph a tight

circle of eight paratroopers above the launch pad which is now occupied by the

Space Shuttle Discovery. Lt. Col. _ Knight said, "We hope the photos will turn

out good and everybody will enjoy a picture of the Army parachute team and the

Shuttle." The jump had originally been scheduled to coincide with the rollout of

Discovery but had been postponed due to high winds. The touchdown outside

the pad's perimstar fence was marred by high winds which caused most of the

parachutists to miss their precise marks. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April

3, 1991.]

Apli 3: EG&G, UNION AGREEMENT

KSC Base Operations Contractor EG&G Florida Inc. reached agreement today

with members of the Transport Workers Union, Local 525, on a contract calling for

a 4.1 percent annual pay raise and changes conceming break, meal and rest

pedods. At Kennedy Space Center, the Union covers 110 EG&G workers who are

flreflghters, fire technicians, fire inspectors, drivers, crew chiefs and paramedics.

The contract, which runs for four years, expires March 31, 1995. ["EG&G, Union

Reach Wage Accord," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12C, April 4, 1991 .]

0 WEATHER STill A CONCERN

A strong low-pressure system moving toward Florida that is expected to bring rain

showers or thunderstorms by Saturday could still impact April 5's launch because

of winds gusting between 12 and 23 mph. Air Force weather watchers predict a

60 percent chance that weather will be favorable for the 9:18 a.m. iiftoff; that is

down 10 percent since yesterday. Chances are expected to improve nearer the

close of the launch window at 1:56 p.m. The countdown, however, is proceeding

uninterrupted. "It's basically a textbook countdown. As you know in this

business, unforeseen problems can arise and cause major or minor glitches," said

NASA Test Director AI Sofge. Today workers at Launch Complex 39B loaded

liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into storage tanks aboard Atlantis; the two

chemicals are used to provide electricity and drinking water aboard the Orbiter.

Steve Nagel and Ken Cameron spent the day practicing emergency landings and

joined the rest of the crew - Unda Godwin, Jerry Ross and Jay Apt - for an

examination of crew equipment. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 1A, April 4, 1991,

v

44
• r

Wifford, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A9, April 4, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL April 5, 1991 .]

Aplg 4." ATLANTIS: READY FOR UFTOFF

As liftoff for Atlantis' STS 37 mission approaches, Air Force meteorologists predict

an 80 percent chance of favorable weather; it will be the first Shuttle launch of

1991. Pad technicians were to begin pumping liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen

into the Orbiter's extemal tank just after 1 a.m. tomorrow. The mission, which

features the deployment of the Gamma Ray Observatory and the spacewalks by

mission specialists Jay Apt and Jerry Ross, is expected to conclude April 10 with

a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Pilot Sieve Nagei will either utilize

Atlantis' new brakes or try landing the Orbiter without braking on the north end of

Rogers Dry Lake; it all depends on which way the wind is blowing. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 5, 1991.]

Aprg 5: STS 37 LAUNCH A 'BEAUTY'

Liftoff of Atlantis was delayed four minutes this morning while launch controllers

switched operations to allow them to execute an RTLS (Return to Launch Site)

maneuver, if needed, from the opposite direction on the Shuttle Landing Facility

at Kennedy Space Center. The change would have permitted enhanced visibility

for such an emergency landing. Launch came, then, at 9:23 a.m. from Launch

Complex 39B just as the clouds over the pad parted; in nine minutes the Space

Shuttle was in orbit above the Earth. '_tNe're off to a great mission. Today's a

happy day for us, but we have a lot of work ahead," commented NASA

Administrator Richard Truly; he also confessed an envy for the crew saying, "1wish

I were on it." The STS 37 mission came just a week short of ten years after the

launch of STS 1 on April 12, 1981. NASA officials said the tiny cracks on the door

hinges of Atlantis posed no problem for the Orbiter during its liftoff. '_/Ve felt good

about it, but it's an even you like to put behind you," said Shuttle Launek. Director

Robert B. Sieck. Two other problems surfaced during the ascent: a system, one

of three, which cools the Orbiter's auxiliary power units was momentarily clogged

with ice during liftoff and one of the Shuttle's 44 ateedng jets failed. The thruster's

plumbing was thought to be clogged by engineers; orbiter maneuverability was

not threatened because the remaining 43 steedng jets evidenced no problems and

can compensate the failed jet. Sieck also said, "The only thing we had to contend

with was the weather.' New visibility rules worked smoothly; they were instituted

after a problem arose with the last Shuttle mission, Columbia's STS 35 fight.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 6, 1991, White, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A,

April 6, 1991, Duryea, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, pp. 1A-2A, April 6, 1991, Date,

THE ORLANDO, SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, April 6, 1991, Conway, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-5, April 6, 1991, Halre, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-4, April 6,

1991.]

AIxB 9:. TORNADO HITS NEAR KSC

Kennedy Space Center flrefighters saw a tornado touch down about five miles

_-- 45
northofKSC,nearPlayalindaBeach.Thesightingledto BrevardCounty'sbeing

placed under a tornado warning beginning at 9:20 p.m., according to

meteorologist Gary Schmocker of the National Weather Service (Melbourne, FL).

The warning ended forty minutes later, at 10 p.m. ["Twister Touches Down Near

KSC," FLORIDA TODAy, p. 1B, Apdl 10, 1991 .]

/1_ 11: A'T1.ANT_ MISSION END6 AT I_DWARDS

A pinpoint landing in California marked the end of Atlantis' STS 37 mission; the

flight lasted an extra day because adverse weather on Apdl 10 delayed landing

at Edwards Air Force Base for 24 hours. Commander Steve Nagel landed Atlantis

on Edwards' Runway 33 at 9:56 a.m. EST. Astronaut Bdan Duffy radioed Nagel

saying, "Steve, you and your crew did it all and you made it look easy." Nagel

responded, "Itturned out to be a real humdinger." Johnson Space Center Deputy

Director Paul Weitz pronounced the mission a success, "It was an eminently

successful mission. We accomplished what we set out to do." [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 12, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-16,

April 11, 1991 .]

April 12: STS 1, GAGARIN ANNIVERSARIES

Today is significant in space history for two reasons; thirty years ago the Soviet

Union sent Cosmonaut Yud Gagarin into space making him the first human being

to travel into space; ten years ago the United States launched the Space Shuttle

Columbia on the first-ever Shuttle flight, STS 1. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, April 12, 1991, "Soviets Use Anniversary to Boost Space Program," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, Apdl 12, 1991 .]

U DELTA 2 LAUNCH TODAY

"it would be great if we could get our rocket launched on the same day our

friends at NASA celebrate the tenth anniversary of the first ShutHe launch," said

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. spokeswoman Anne McCauley about the

expected launch today of a Delta 2 rocket carrying an Amedcan communications

satellite to orbit. A technical review was conducted by launch managers yesterday

and it was concluded that all systems were go for launch. Uftoff of the Delta 2

carrying its GTE Spacenst cargo is expected to occur between 6:31 and 8:41 p.m.

and weather forecasts predict a 90 percent chance of favorable launch conditions.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, April 12, 1991 .]

O NA'nON AsmoNAurMEMORU¢

Two members of the U. S. Congress want the Astronaut Memorial at Kennedy

Space Center designated as the National Memorial to Astronauts. U.S.

Representative Jim Bacchus (D-Orlando, FL) and U. S. Senator Jake Garn (RUtah) have filed legislation to that effect in the House and Senate; the identical

legislation calls for the Astronaut Memorial currently under construction at

Kennedy Space Center to be designated the national memorial for astronauts who

6
g

have died in the line of duty. Bacchus said, "This Astronaut Memorial helps us

remember what has come before and reminds us of the bright future that space

exploration offers to our nation and to all people. Above all, it reminds us of the

risks involved in expanding the boundaries of exploration and knowledge and tells

us that we must push forward despite these risks," he said. ["2 Lawmakers Call

for National Astronaut Memodai," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, April 12, 1991 .]

DELTA LAUNCH SUCCESS

A McDonnell Douglas Delta 2, carrying a GTE communications satellite, was

launched tonight at 8:09; the spectacular ascent was visible for miles. The launch

itself was delayed for 42 minutes while company engineers in Huntington Beach,

CA, analyzed information from weather balloons above the Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station in Florida. Jean Davis, spokeswoman for GTE Spacenet (McLean,

VA), said the launch was 'terrific." Launch Commentator Ray Adams said, "A

happy crew here in the mission director's office as spacecraft separation was

confirmed." The $40 million communications satellite, ASC-2, was built by GE

AstroSpace Division and owned by GTE Spacenet. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

5A, April 13, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, April 13, 1991 .]

g ATLANTIS: POST-LAUNCH INSPECTION

Post-launch inspection of the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Edwards Air Force Base

(CA) show: (1) the Shuttle's heat protection tiles were damaged in at least 59

places, requiring about a dozen to be replaced; (2) slightly cracked hinges on

two doors on the Orbiter's underside fared well during the mission; (3) a paperthin piece of metal fell from Atlantis after the two doors were opened after landing.

The metal strip was part of a system used to keep an electrical charge from

building between the Orbiter and external tank; the strip is normally dropped off

with the tank some nine minutes after launch, but it did not prevent the doors from

functioning properly. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, April 13, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5, Apdl 13, 1991 .]

April 13: STUDENTS VIEW ATLANTIS LAUNCH

Students from North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T State

University were on hand April 5 for the launch of Atlantis STS 37 mission. The

students recently completed a full-scale engineering research model of a

proposed manned space vehicle, the HL-20, under an agreement between NASA's

Langley Research Center and the Mars Mission Research Center, a cooperative

effort between the two universities. The HL-20 is designed to transport people

and cargo into low Earth orbit and would have conventional runway landing

capability. The trip was sponsored by Rockwell Internationai. The students from

North Carolina State University were: Greg Alexopoulos,Michael Duncan, Jay

Haren, RobertLong, A anShepard,Joseph eenn ScottTettarton,

Kenneth Dean Driver, Don Vess and Robert Vees. Students from North Carolina

A&T State University were Leslie Farley, Cad Jones, John Jones, Lasonja I.an,

_-- 47
Robert WilBams,DennisHugley,and ThurmanExum. [-students Treated to

Shuttle Launch, = FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, April 14, 1991 .]

Apr_ 14: HERCULES AEROSPACE CONTRACT

Hercules Aerospace has been awarded a contract worth between $50 and $1 O0

million to provide upgraded solid rocket boosters for McDonnell Douglas Space

Systems Co. Delta 2 rockets. The contract requires Hercules Aerospace to

provide 117 boosters - 13 complete flight sets - in 1993 for Delta launches using

9 boosters each from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. ['Hercules Wins Delta

Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, April 14, 1991 .]

n KSCOPENHOUSE, J Nn/ERS/UW

Kennedy Space Center celebrated ten years of Space Shuttle launch history with

an Open House for employees and their families; attendance was estimated at

30,000. The first Shuttle Pilot Robert L Cdppen, who is now Shuttle Program

Director, spoke to the crowd saying, rl'hat first launch [April 12, 1981] didn't come

easy. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into it." STS 1

Commander John Young, also spoke to the crowd, "This is where the action has

been for the last 30 years and where it will be for the next 130 years. The things

the Space Shuttle has been able to do have been absolutely fantastic, but you all

know about those." He said that KSC will have a continuing role in manned space

flight in the years to come. Former KSC Director Richard Smilh was also in

attendance. He said, "I'm more relaxed than I was 10 years ago. It's hard to

believe it's been that long. You look around and see all the same faces and

realize what makes this place work are the people.' [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, April 14, 1991, "Shuttle Insiders Celebrate lOth Anniversary," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-23, April 14, 1991 .]

AprB 15: DISCOVERY LAUNCH DATE SET

'We're ready to go and the Shuttle [Discovery] is ready to go," said Kennedy

Space Center spokeswoman lisa Malone in announcing the April 23 launch date

for the Orbiter; the launch comes just 18 days after that of Atlantis. Discovery's

launch window on the 23rd runs from 7:05 a.m. to 10:31 a.m.; countdown begins

at 8:45 a.m. Apdl 20. The seven-member STS 37 crew at about 6:30 p.m.; the

crew includes Pilot Micheei Coats, Pilot L Blaine Hammond, Jr. and Mission

Spedal tsGuk BJu ord, Grego Had ug RichardHiab,DonldUcUonagme

and Chadee L Veach. Meanwhile, launch preparations continue today at Launch

Complex 39A; Discovery's computers are being loaded with mission programs

and launch pad storage tanks are being filled with the liquid hydrogen and liquid

oxygen which will be loaded onto Discovery prior to launch. Atlantis is expected

to leave Edwards Air Force Base (CA) April 16 for a one-day flight to Kennedy

Space Center, barring ill weather. A refueling stop has been scheduled for Kelly

Air Force Base CI'X); arrival at KSC should come at 6:30 p.m. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, April 16, 1991; Headline Radio News, 1350 a.m., April 17, 1991,

V45
n

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, April 13, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

April 16, 1991 .]

.COUNTDOWN STANDARD SET

Shuttle Launch Director Robert Sieck was so pleased with the execution of the

processing flow and the terminal countdown for the Gamma Ray Observatory

mission (STS 37) that he says that it could establish the standard procedure for

future flights: milestones were on target in virtually every sequence of events. He

said the count never varied more than ten minutes and "was one of the best

countdowns" he'd experienced. [Kolcum, AVIATION WEEK & SPACE

TECHNOLOGY, p. 25, April 15, 1991 o]

April 18: WEATHER MIGHT STALL ATLAS LAUNCH

There is a 60 percent chance that weather will be favorable for launch of a

General Dynamics-built Atlas 1 rocket tonight at 7:14. There is the threat of rain,

however. The Attas will carry a direct broadcast satellite into orbit for the

Japanese Broadcasting Co.; the launch is paid for by General Electric. Charlie

Uoyd, Vice President of General Dynamics Commercial Launch Services Inc.,

spoke about the prospects of his company in the commercial launch market

saying, "In the long-term we see some very favorable things for our commercial

launch business." The GE Program Manager Ron Maettl said, "It's a very

important mission for us in the satellite industry because the Japanese direct

broadcast market has really demonstrated the viability of this form of satellite

communications." The satellite replaces one lost in an Arlane rocket failure last

year. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 18, 1991 .]

n BACCHUS: SPEND MORE ON SPACE

Freshman Congrss3man Jim Bacchtm (D-Melbourne, FL) called for increased

spending for NASA on space exploration and scientific research. 'I believe there

is unanimous agreement in this House that we must increase our competitiveness

in the international marketplace," he said. "But how in the world can we profess

a commitment to competitiveness when we fail to invest in one of the few

technology areas in which the United States remains a clear international leader?."

[Hasson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, April 18, 1991.]

n A'fLAS43ENTAUR MALFUNCTIONS; LOST

Six minutes after launch at 7:30 p.m., an Atlas-Centaur rocket went out of control

and had to be destroyed along with its multimillion dollar communications satellite

payload. "it clearly was a disappointing event for u, but also for our customer,"

said Alan Lovelace, Chairman of General Dynamics Commercial Services, about

the unsuccessful mission. The customer Lovelace referred to was the Japanese

Broadcasting Co. whose satellite was destroyed. The Atlas rocket's first stage

separated properly from its Centaur upper-stage at 41/2 minutes into its flight, but

two minutes later only one of two Centaur rocket engines ignited causing a loss

-_ 49
of conb'ol,accordingto MissionCommentatorSkip Madmy. The rocket was

blown up on commandby Air Force rangesafetyofficersto avoid dangerto

populatedareas. Totalcost of the launch,andspacecraftwas$100million;the

last previous Atlas Centaur failure came in March 1987 when lightning destroyed

one of the rockets shortly after launch from Cape Canaveral. The launch had

been delayed 16 minutes due to high winds over Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station. General Dynamics is focusing its investigation into the failure on a

problem with the rocket's engine. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April 19,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-IO, April 19, 1991, "Builder

Suspects Engine Failure Spoiled Uftoff," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 6. April 20,

1991 .]

I1 ATLANTIS RETURNS TO KSC. RNALLY

The retum of Atlantis to Kennedy Space Center officially ended its Gamma Ray

Observatory mission; the Shuttle arrived atop its 747 Shuffle Carder Aircraft at the

Shuttle Landing Facility at 9:37 a.m. The landing occurred Just minutes before rain

pummeled the KSC area. The Orbiter will be towed to the Orbiter Processing

Facility tomorrow morning to be readied for a July mission to deploy a Tracking

and Data Relay System satellite. Meanwhile, preparations for Discovery's launch

April 23 continue without problems. NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone said,

"We're right on schedule and looking forward to a launch on Tuesday."

Discovery's rear engine compartment was readied for launch today and the

countdown begins April 20 at 8:45 a.m. The seven-man crew also arrives at

Kennedy Space Center at about 6:30 p.m. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April

19, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 18, 1991 .]

Apdl 19:. COUNTDOWN READY TO START

•Everything's ready to go," announced Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buckir.ghem; countdown for STS 39 is ready to proceed. The seven-man crew

is expected to fly into KSC this evening at approximately 6:30 for final preparations

for their eight-day Department of Defense mission. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

6A, Apdl 20, 1991.]

Aplg 20:. DtSCO_=RY_ CREW ARRNES AT KSC

•We're all excited to be here," said STS 39 Commander Michael Coals on his

arrival today at Kennedy Space Center. -We're very, very proud of this flight. We

think it's a tremendous challenge for NASA - probably one of the most challenging

flights were flown." Launch preparations continue to go well, according to NASA

Test Director AI Sofge. "All we need is some good weather. If you know any

prayers please say them, because we'll be anxious to climb in and just do it for

one time," said Coats. The STS 39 crew also includes Pilot Blaine Hammond, Jr.,

backup pilot Don McMonagle and Mission Specialists Greg Ha_h, Guion

Bluford, Lacy Veech and Rick Hiab. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 21,

1991, SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-39 COUNTDOWN STATUS, Apd121,1991 .]
I] HILMERS REPLACES CARTER IN '92 FUGHT

Manley "Sonny" Carter, 43, was killed April 5 in a plane crash near Brunswick, GA,

that also took the Iifa of former U. S. Senator John Tower. Carter will be replaced

aboard a 1992 Spacelab mission by veteran Shuttle astronaut David Hilmers. That

flight is scheduled to launch in February 1992. In announcing the crew change,

Donald Puddy, Director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson Space Center, said,

•It is with great regret that i have to make this selection under these

circumstances. We all miss Sonny Carter; he was a special person and friend

who can never be replaced.* [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, April 21,

1991.]

Apdl 21: LAUNCH FORECAST UNFAVORABLE

Shuttle Weather Officer Ed Pdselac said today that almost every weather condition

required for launch is threatened. There are low-altitude clouds which could block

visibility; upper-level winds are predicted to be twice as strong as the area's

normal 50-knot gusts; thunderstorm clouds which might provide lightning may

blow over Kennedy Space Center April 23. Weather for Tuesday's launch of

Discovery's STS 39 mission is forecast to be less than favorable with 70 percent

chance of violating launch constraints at the opening of the window. There is a

60 percent chance of violating constraints throughout the entire three-hour, 26

minute window, a front located in westem Florida and into the Gulf will probably

produce low clouds and favorable conditions for showers. April 24's forecast calls

for a 60 percent chance of violating launch constraints; April 25's forecast calls for

a 40 percent chance of violation. Nevertheless, despite the forecasts, everything

at Launch Complex 39A is continuing on schedule today as launch team members

work toward the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery at 7:05 a.m., April 23. The

launch window extends through 10:31 a.m. The countdown clock came out of the

T-27 hour planned sight-hour built-in hold on time this morning at 8:45. The clock

will continue to count down until 4:45 p.m. today at which time it will enter another

planned hold. Last night, April 20, final servicing of the STS 39 payload was

completed and the payload bay doors were closed today at 8:30 a.m. At the pad

today, the Power Reactant and Storage Distribution System on-board storage

tanks are being serviced with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. The

pad was cleared for this hazardous fueling operation at 9:00 a.m. Following PRSD

loading operations, the Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit is scheduled to be

retracted at about 4:45 p.m. today. Communication activation checks are targeted

to begin about 9:00 p.m. The Rotating Service Structure is scheduled to be moved

away from the vehicle at 11:45 a.m. April 22. The STS 39 flight crew arrived at

Kennedy Space Center about 6:30 p.m. April 20; today the seven-member crew,

already divided into two teams to accommodate a 24-hour in-flight work schedule,

had their final medical exams and flew training missions in the Shuttle Training

Aircraft and T-38 Trainer Aircraft. [SPACE SHLrI'n.E MISSION STS-39

COUNTDOWN STATUS, April 21,1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 22,

1991, Date, "Shuttle Slated to Go Tuesday, May Be Delayed," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-14, April 21, 1991 .]

51
22: ATLANTIS LANDING NOT PERFECT

For the first time in 38 Orbiter landings, the Space Shuttle Atlantis put down 200

yards short of its lakebed runway at Edwards Air Force Base two weeks ago; the

proximate cause was fluky winds and a late tum. There was no danger to the

crew or the Orbiter because of the vast expanse of desert land in the area. At

Kennedy Space Center, however, Atlantis would have had only 377 feet to spare

on the 1,000-foot Shuttle Landing Facility. Shuttle Program Director Robert L

Cdppen said, 'We have taken some steps to see that we don't have that kind of

action again." He said, nonetheless, that the Atlantis landing would not deter

NASA from resuming regular landings at KSC next year. Landing at Kennedy

Space Center will save NASA about $1 million per flight in cross country

transportation costs - once improvements to the Orbiters are fully tested.

According to NASA spokesman Jeff Can', Atlantis touched down 623 feet short of

the runway markings on the Edwards runway due to a sudden wind shift and a

slightly wide tum by Commander Slave Nagel. Carr said Nagel began his turn "a

hair too late" and met a drastic wind shift from 105 mph out of the northwest to

about 20 mph from the north. Carr went on to say that ground controllers were

aware of the wind shift but failed to relay the information to Nagel because they

did not know of Negers wide turn. "This is the first time we've encountered this

kind of thing in wind speed," Carr said. Starting with the landing of Discovery's

STS 39 mission, ground controllers will continually update astronauts on changing

wind conditions through touchdown; in addition, Shuttle commanders will undergo

additional training to help them deal with wind shifts. [Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL pp. A-1 & A-5, April 23, 1991 .]

g AT1,AS ENGINE SHUT DOWN

v

Both of the engines on the ill-fated Aties Centaur rocket ignited last week after

launch, but one shut down causing the rocket to be destroyed over the Atlantic

Ocean. "We are trying hard to determine what happened. Unfortunately, we'll

never get the motors back," said Arthur Wegner, President of United Technologies'

Pratt & Whitney. Until the failure on April 18, 178 Centaur engine had fired in

space, all successfully, according to Pratt & Whitney. ["Two Atlas Engines Ignited,

1 Shut Down, Company Says," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 23, 1991 .]

April 23: DISCOVERY'S LAUNCH SCRUBBED

A problem was found in one of Discovery's three main engines this morning at

1:15; launch will be postponed from two to five days. A transducer on a main

engine turbopump failed just five-and a half hours before liftoff was to have

occurred; NASA spokesman Joe McRoberts said Ilftoff may come no earlier than

April 26. If not launched then, the mission must be postponed until next week

because the payload must be reserviced after the 26th. Technicians must drain

528,616 gallons of fuel from the Orbiter before workers can enter the cramped rear

engine compartment to attempt to pinpoint and fix the problem with the main

engine. [Halvorson and Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 23, 1991, "Shuttle

Discovery Launch Is Scrubbed," USA TODAY, p. 3A, April 23, 1991 .]
n

g

g

EG&G AT SPACE CONGRESS

EG&G Fire Services personnel will be on hand at the Space Congress in Cocoa

Beach through April 25 to demonstrate gear and equipment used by EG&G

flrefightere and by the launch pad crew at Kennedy Space Center. Also on

display will be EG&G's new Document Imaging Processing System. ["EG&G at

Space Congress," THE TRIBUNE, p. 4B. April 24, 1991 .]

,&i RRECHT AT SPACE CONGRESS

Mink Albred¢ Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, told the 28th

Space Congress (Cocoa Beach, FL) that scrapping the $30 billion space station

program after it has undergone six years of development and four major design

changes would seriously erode public support for future missions to the moon

and to Mare. Albrecht delivered the Congress's Keynote Address as a stand-in

for Vice President Dan Quayle who had a scheduling conflict. Albrecht welcomed

debate, but called space station critics "confused." He said judging the space

station by the number of experiments it can perform would be misguided. He said

that argument would have derailed Christopher Columbus. Albrecht used the

opportunity to speak to the Space Congress to pronounce the U. S. space

program in "excellent condition, in a class by itself." He said much of the credit

for the successful prosecution of the war against Ira(] was due to the Global

Positioning Satellites which aided allied troops in going through mine fields and

kept soldiers in constant communications with their commanders. He said, "No

other nation in the world could have done this. No other country has this

capability." [Ash, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B-2B, April 24, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY: FIVE-DAY LAUNCH DELAY

Discovery's STS 39 may be grounded as many as ten days while technicians and

engineers work to solve an electrical problem which might have caused an in-flight

engine failure. A longer delay would impact Columbia's STS 40 Spacelab mission.

Boyce Mix, Deputy Manager of the space agency's Shuttle Engine Project Office,

said of the problem, "This is a first for us and we don_t really understand what

happened. We're just going to have to go and see what we find." In the last

hours before its scheduled liftoff, a pressure sensor in an engine turbopump failed.

Technicians will also attempt to determine whether a wire harness and the

engine's main computer need replacing, ff only the sensor needs to be replaced,

launch could occur April 28 between 7:01 a.m. and 10:21 a.m., Mix said. If the

wire hamess must be replaced, launch would be delayed until April 29 between

7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. If the engine computer must be changed out, the

launch delay could be the middle of next week or later. There are spare parts

available for all three contingencies at Kennedy Space Center. When Discovery's

problem appeared, engineers noted an incorrect reading from one of two sensors

which measure pressure in an engine turbopump; the sensor improperly signaled

a dangerous Increase in pump pressures. That reading could have caused the

Shuttle to shut off one of its main engines in-flight, requiring an emergency landing

attempt at the Shuttle Landing Facility at KSC or one of two emergency landing

_-_ 53
stripeinSpainor in NewMexico. [Halvorson,FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, April

24, 1991, "Shuttle Delay," USA TODAy, p. 3A, April 24, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-1 & A-7, April 24, 1991 .]

AI_ 24: PROBLEMS FIXED; COUNTDOWN RESUMES

Countdown docks at Kennedy Space Center will start up today at 8:45 a.m.,

looking toward an April 28 launch between 7:01 a.m. and 10:21 a.m.

Replacement of two suspect parts in a Discovery engine cleared the way for

restarting the countdown. KSC spokesman Bruce Buddnghm_ said, "The team

is confident were solved our problem." The faulty parts - a sensor and a wire

harness - were replaced today when technicians entered the Orbiter's engine

compartment. Launch managers have three opportunities to launch Discovery -

April 28, 29 and 30 -before its payload must be reserviced. If the payload must

be reserviced there will be a further six-day delay. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAy,

p. 1A, April 25, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR DEBUTS IN CALIFORNIA

Endeavour, the replacement Space Shuttle for Challenger, roils out of its Rockwell

International assembly hangar (Palmdele, CA) today amid flag-waving ceremonies.

•It's going to look very, very good coming out of the barn," said John "np" Talone,

the KSC manager who is in charge of preparations for transporting Endeavour to

the space center next week. The new Orbiter, which may be the last one ever

built, has dozens of improvements over its three sister ships. It has a drag chute

to make landings safer and allow them to take place routinely at Kennedy Space

Center; Endeavour has upgraded navigation, steedng and computer systems and

it will be equipped to stay in space for up to 28 days. Rep. Jim Bacchus (DOrlando) said, 'Ideally I'd like to see us build another Orbiter. I also believe we

need to expand the Initial efforts to develop a new heavy lift launch vehicle.

Realistically, we're going to be facing some very conslTaining budgetary situations

that may make it very difficult to build another Orbiter." Endeavour is expected to

arrive at Kennedy Space Center May 2. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, April 25,

1991, "Delayed Discovery Set to Go on Sunday,' USA TODAY, p. r3A, April 25,

1991, "NASA Touts Its Latest Endeavour," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. 1A, April

28, 1991.]

Apdl 25: QUAYLE APPROVES BOOSTER PLAN

Vice President Dan Quayle, chairman of the National Space Council, has

approved a $10 to $12 billion plan to develop and fly an new space booster that

would fly in 1999. The new boosters would be based on the Shuttle's external

fuel tank and propelled by up to six improved Space Shuttle main engines. The

planned boosters are known as the National Launch System and would eventually

replace the Space Shuttle, the military's 1"dan 4 and other expendable rockets.

Congress has been asked to authorize $350 million for the project, but Marshall

Space Flight Center Director Jack Lee said, "Congress hasn't been very good to

us so far." Lee added that if Congress approves the project, main engine

v
rl

n

development would begin next year. Launch would be from a refurbished Space

Shuttle pad at Kennedy Space Center and a new pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station. Lt. Gen. Thomas Moormen, Commander of the Air Force Space

Command, said, "We envision a family of vehicles that serve a range of needs.

NASA hopes plans to have the new launch system operational by the time Space

Station Freedom is occupied by astronauts in 1999. The military plans on making

use of _ system in 2005; the Department of Defense and NASA will share

development and management costs. Commander of the Air Force Space

Systems DMsion, Lt. Gen. Donald Cromer, said the new launch vehicle should be

more reliable, easier to operate and cheaper to fly than current expendable

launchers. "We want to make the launch pad analogous to the end of a runway.

You fuel and launch in a matter of hours or days, not weeks, months or even a

year," he said. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1B-2B, April 26, 1991 .]

CALIFORNIA: ENDEAVOUR JOINS FLEET

The Space Shuttle Endeavour (0V-105) joined NASA's fleet of Orbiters today when

it was rolled out of its California hangar to meet the press. NASA Administrator

Richard Truly was on hand for the event and said, "Endeavour is a beauty, and

in this case beauty is more than skin deep." The newest of the four Space

Shuttles is a much Improved model [see story dated April 24], but the primary

difference between Endeavour and its sister ships is its ability to stay in space for

up to 28 days, nearly three weeks longer than the longest Shuttle mission so far.

Astronaut Dan Bmndenstetn, who will command the Orbiter's first mission in 1992,

commented, "Endeavour is the jewel of the fleet." Executive Vice President of

Rockwell International's Space Systems Division Sam lacobe_ expressed

confidence that more Orbiters will be constructed, saying, "Shuttle Endeavour is

the latest Orbiter, but it won't be the last." The Augustine Report has suggested,

however, that Endeavour be the last Orbiter built. The newest Shuttle is expected

to arrive at Kennedy Space Center on May 2 in time for the dedication of the

Astronauts Memodai at Spaceport USA. [Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, April 25, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY COUNTS DOWN TO LAUNCH

Meteorologists for the Air Force today predicted a 70 percent chance that weather

will cooperate with the April 28 attempt to launch the Space Shuttle Discovery at

7:01 a.m.; there is some concem about the possibility of thick, low-level clouds

and rain showers in the area. Weather is expected to improve to an 80 percent

favorable prediction by the close of the launch window at 10:21 a.m. The faulty

sensor on Discovery was removed and another installed along with a new wire

harness on April 24. The faulty sensor was flown to Marshall Space Flight Center

for testing. "We proved that it was a bad sensor," said Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. [See story below.] Launch Complex 39A will be

cleared of all but essential personnel April 26 while hazardous propellants are

loaded onto the Space Shuttle. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 26,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 26, 1991 .]

_-- 55
I1 MSFC TESTS ON SENSOR, HARNESS

Space Shuttle Main Engine Project engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight

Center have completed their initial examination and testing of the pressure

transducer and the electrical wiring harness removed this week from the high

pressure oxidizer turbopump of Main Engine number three aboard Space Shuttle

Discovery. That transducer malfunctioned during Discovery's countdown Apdl 23

in preparation for the STS 39 Department of Defense mission. According to Jemj

Smeleer, Manager of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Project Office, the transducer

and harness arrived at Marshall Center April 24 and underwent tests, during which

engineers were able to replicate the problem that occurred during tanking. '_/Ve

know now that it was the transducer that caused the problem," Smeiser said. "The

faulty transducer was affected by the cold temperatures, a problem we haven't

seen with transducers in any of the previous 39 Shuttle flights." He noted that low

temperatures are present in the aft engine compartment during tanking due to the

presence of cryogenics in the fuel. Smelser said the faulty transducer was being

ratumed to its manufacturer for further testing to determine why the low

temperatures adversely affected it. He indicated that both the transducer and the

wiring harness have been replaced on Discovery, which is now being prepared

for launch April 28. [=Tests Completed on STS-39 SSME Transducers," MSFC

STATUS REPORT, April 25, 1991 .]

AprB 28: NASA READY FOR LAUNCH

"We're rarin' to go; right now, everything is proceeding as scheduled. We're

actually a few minutes ahead of schedule. I don't see any problem with launching

on Sunday," said Eric I:led_, NASA Test Director. The countdown to launch

proceeded smoothly through the loading of propellants April 28. Air Force

meteorologists put the chances for launch at 80 percent with possible low clouds

and rain showers the only constraints on the horizon. Meanwhile, technicians

towed the Space Shuttle Columbia from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the

Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with its external tank and solid rocket

boosters in preparation for a May 24 launch on its STS 40 mission. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 27, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, April 27,

1991 .]

n MANNED SPACE FLIGHT ANNIVERSARY

Plane are on course for the 30th anniversanl of manned space flight celebrations.

Howard Benedict, Executive Director of the Mercury 7 Foundation, promises that

the occasion is "going to be a big time." Mercury astronauts Alan Sbeperd, Scott

Carpenter, Gordon Cooper and Wally Schirra will attend a May 9 ceremony

dedicating the $6 million astronaut memorial under construction at Spaceport

USA. Among others, the astronaut memorial honors the memory of the late

Mercury Astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom. On May 10, Shepard will speak at 11

a.m. at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 5 where his 15-

minute spaceflight originated in 1961. This speech will begin a major effort to

preserve and expand the Air Force Space Museum near LC 5. At noon, Shepard
willtake part in a recreationof his 1961countdownandthe launchof a 1/14thscale modpl of the Redstone rocket near the Kennedy Space Center

headquarters.Thepublicis invitedto meetCooper,Carpenter,Schirraand Deke

Slaytonat the U.S.AstronautHailof Fameoutsidethe KSCgatesnearT'rtusville,

FL [Haivorson,FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, April 27, 1991 .]

AI_ 27: ORBITER UPDATE

Columbia is in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, where

technicians are attaching the Orbiters external tank and solid rocket boosters.

The Shuffle is scheduled to be rolled to Launch Complex 39B by the end of the

week with launch targeted for May 24 on its STS 40 mission. Atlantis is in Hangar

No. 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility where technicians are continuing postflight inspections and tests. Atlantis is next scheduled for flight in July; the

mission is STS 44. Endeavour, NASA's newest Space Shuttle, is to arrive at

Kennedy Space Center on May 2. On arrival, the new Orbiter will be towed into

the OPF for a brief stay, then be rolled over to the VAB for an extended stay until

early August. ["Orbiter Update," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, April 28, 1991 .]

g WINS CONGRESS AWARD

This year's Space Congress Achievement Award was awarded to Roy Freeman

(Cocoa Beach, FL), an employee with Rockwell International's Space Systems

Division. He was cited for technical excellence and outstanding achievement in

the military's launch of the Global Positioning Satellites, which are manufactured

by Rockwell. The award was presented by John Letherow, Chairman of the

Canaveral Council of Technical Societies, which sponsors the Congress. ["Cocoa

Beach Resident Wins Achievement Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, April 28,

1_1.]

Apdl 28: STS 39 LAUNCH

"The most sophisticated mission we've launched so far," said MkRmel Griffin, Head

of Technology for the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization when speaking of

today's 7:33 a.m. launch of STS 39. Today's launch marked the eighth mission

for the Department of Defense, but the first that was not secret. Griffin went on

to say of the ambitious Pentagon mission: "it will tell us what our targets will look

like in the space environment, the environment we would have to fight in." NASA

Administrator commented on the launch, saying: "What a greet way to end a

beautiful month for the space program." This morning's launch came just 22 days

after Atlantis was launched on April 6. The only time previously when two shuttles

were launched in the same month was January 1986 when STS 61-C and STS 51 -

L were launched. NASA spokesman George Dillar said, '_/Ve always had a longterm plan to have two vehicles flying from two (launch) pads. It's a comfortable

feeling to be getting back to that." The launch of STS 39 today culminated five

years of training and several delays for its crew. The mission had originally bees

scheduled for November 1990, but it was delayed due to the hydrogen fuel leaks

which grounded the fleet for a large part of the year. A March 9 launch date

-- 57
slippedaftercrackswerefoundin hingemechanismson two fuel inlet doors on

the Orbiter'sunderside. Then,on April23,the missionwasscrubbedsix hours

beforeits scheduledlaunchbecauseof a falsesensorin an engineturbopump.

Today,the countdown proceeded smoothly, although launch was delayed 32

minutes due to a problem with a flight data recorder which turned itseff on about

20 minutes before the scheduled 7:01 a.m. liftoff. "It acted like it had a mind of its

own," said Robed B. Slack, Shuttle Launch Director. The recorder was shut down

and appeared to work perfectly after being reset, Slack said. The countdown had

been held to ensure that the Shuttle's computers did not send a false command

to the recorder. An earlier problem with an Orbiter cooling system was resolved

by using beck-up equipment. The crew: Commander Michael Coats, Pilot Blaine

I"lammor¢l and Mission Specialists Guion Bufcxd, Donald McMonagle, Richard

Hieb, Chades "Lacy" Veach and Gregcxy I-Imbaugh rose for the traditional launch

day breakfast of steak and eggs at 2:40 a.m.; they dressed and were driven to

Launch Complex 39A at about 3:50 a.m. The mission is expected to last eight

days, seven hours and 24 minutes with a scheduled landing May 6 at Edwards Air

Force Base (CA). [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A & 4A, April 29, 1991,

Hoversten, USA TODAY, p. 6A, Apdl 29, 1991, Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p.

A11, Apdl 29, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1991, Date, THE

ORlaNDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-5, April 29, 1991 .]

g BOOSTER RETURN UNDERWAY

The solid rocket boosters from the Discovery launch are being towed by the

recovery ships to Hangar AF. They are scheduled to arrive at the Hangar at about

5 p.m. today. Sating the boosters is the first order of business. Afterwards, they

will be inspected and washed down. Thermal foam and exterior cork will be

removed with high pressure water. Disassembly operations are scheduled to take

about ten days. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1991 .]

Ap_ 29: STS 40 PROCESSING

The STS 40 Shuttle Interface Test on the Orbiter Columbia began this morning.

Mating with the extemai tank has been accomplished as have the electrical and

mechanical connections between the vehicle elements and the launch platform.

Roilout to Launch Complex 39B is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. May 2; a

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is scheduled for May 6-7 and the STS

40 Flight Readiness Review will take place May 13 and 14. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Apdl 29, 1991 .]

g STS 43 PROCESSING

Sniff checks of Atlantis' orbital maneuvering system motor valves has begun as

have preparations to drain residual hypergolic propellants from the onboard

storage tanks. Lube oil service for auxiliary power units has been performed and

preparations have begun to remove the Orbiter's three main engines which will

take place tomorrow. Stacking of the left aft booster, first booster segment for

v _
STS 43, has begun in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Work completed includes

removal of external tank umbilical housings; draining of the waste management

system; main engine drying operations; removal of the remote manipulator

system; replacement of the no. 3 fuel cell and replacement of window no. 1.

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, April 29, 1991 .]

Apdl 30:. COLUMBIA PREPPED FOR ROLLOUT

The Space Shuttle Columbia will be rolled out to Launch Complex 39B at 12:01

a.m. May 2 in advance of its May 24 launch on its STS 40 mission. Today the

electrical and mechanical connections between the Orbiter and its fuel tank and

solid rocket boosters were checked. Atlantis is also being prepared for its next

mission, STS 44. During preparations workers tried to open Atlantis' cargo bay

doors while they were still latched shut; a motor which opens the doors ran for

about three seconds when it was realized that the doors weren't moving and the

motor shut off. Lockheed Space Operations Co. spokesman J. B. Kiump reported

no damage to Atlantis, but the company is considering disciplinary actions against

the employees involved in the incident. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 11A, May

1, 1991 .]

-,--_ 59
MAY

May1- STS 4O PREPARATIONS

Columbia's pre-rollout preparations continue; the Orbiter is scheduled to be rolled

to Launch Complex 39B starting tomorrow morning at 12:01. Today work

platforms are being rolled away from the Shuttle and the crawler transporter is

being readied for the trip to the launch pad. The Shuttle Interface Test to verify

cdtical connsctions between the vehicle's elements and the launch platform has

been completed as has installation of the extemai tank separation camera.

Among the tasks to be accomplished at 39B are: launch pad validations; hot

firing of one auxiliary power unit tomorrow night; the extension of the Rotating

Service Structure about 4 a.m. May 3. This weekend technicians will conduct a

Helium Signature Leak Test of the main propulsion system and the three Shuttle

Main Engines; they will also conduct a main engine flight readiness test. The

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is scheduled for May 6-7 and the Flight

Readiness Review remains set for May 13-14. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

May 1, 1991, SEE ALSO: KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 55-91, May 1, 1991 .]

n WORK ON ATLANTIS FOR STS 43

Preparations continue to drain residual hypergoUc propellants from the onboard

storage tanks. Stacking of the second booster segment - the left aft center - is

underway in the Vehicle Assembly Building as are routine inspections of the 17-

inch disconnect. Installation of a fourth power reactant storage and distribution

system tank has been set. Draining of residuals from the auxiliary power unit

catch bottles proceeds as do preparations to replace a thruster on the right orbital

maneuvering system pod and vent filters in the Orbiter's midbody. Completed

work includes the removal of the three Shuttle Main Engines and sniff checks of

the orbital maneuvering system motor valves. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

May 1, 1991.]

[! ENDEAVOUR TRANSPORT PREPARATIONS

Endeavour is being prepared for delivery to KSC this week. Today, the new

Orbiter is being mated to the new 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft using the Orbiter

Lifting Frame. The first leg of the cross country ferry flight, from California to

Texas, is scheduled to begin the morning of May 2. A refueling and overnight

atop is planned at Ellington Field in Houston, TX. The joumey, from Texas to

Rodda, will continue Friday. Pending favorable weather conditions, Endeavour's

estimated time of arrival at Kennedy Space Center is noon May 3. Once demated

from the 747, Endeavour will be towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility where the

tail cone, ferry flight kit items, the two simulated orbital maneuvering system pods,

and mock forward control system will be removed. Endeavour will then be towed

to the Vehicle Assembly Building for powered down work. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 1, 1991 .]

v

0 V_
May 2: COLUMBIA ROLLS TO PAD

I]

11

The Space Shuttle Columbia headed for Launch Complex 39B last night at 11:26

end was hard down at the pad early this morning. A practice countdown for the

nine-day STS 40 mission is scheduled for early next week. The crew includes:

Commander Bryan O'Connor, Pilot Sidney Gutienez, Mission Specialists Tamara

Jemigan, Margaret Rhea Seddon and James Bagian, and Payload Specialists

Francis Andrew Gaffney and Millle Hughee-Fulford. ['Columbia Moved to Launch

Pad," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 2, 1991 .]

TECHNICIANS MEMORIAL DEDICATED

Kennedy Space Center officials today officially dedicated a memorial to

technicians killed while working at the space center. "People make the events

happen here; hardware does not get processed by itself. We move around

hazardous things, and all of this does not come without risk," said KSC Forrest S.

McCmtney. Seven persons' names are on the memorial located in the IMAX

Theatre at Spaceport USA. The memorial features a bronze statue of an eagle,

an astronaut helmet and a hard hat. Those listed are: Forrest Cole and John

Bjomstad, who died in 1981 after entering the Space Shuttle Columbia's rear

engine compartment while it was filled with gaseous nitrogen; Sidney Dagle, Lot

Gable end John Fassett, who died April 14, 1964, when a solid-rocket motor they

were working on ignited; W. B. Estes, killed May 16, 1968, at Launch Complex

39A after being struck by an unattached water line inadvertently subjected to high

pressure; Clarence Hailey, who suffered a fatal fall on July 27, 1989, inside the

KSC Utility Annex next to the VAB. Credited with persuading KSC managers to

establish the memorial is retired Rockwell Intemational worker Guenter Wendt.

[Benke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 2, 1991 .]

MANLEY CARTER'S NAME ADDED TO MEMORIAL

The name of the late astronaut Manley "Sonny" Carter will be added to the

Astronaut Memorial which is scheduled to be unveiled at Spaceport USA next

week. "Everybody felt very strongly he mat the criteria. He was on duty, going

to give a speech representing the Astronaut Office," said Kennedy Space Center

Public Affairs Director Chuck Hollinshead, who is on an advisory panel to the

Astronauts Memorial Foundation which built the monument. Carter, was killed in

an airplane crash on April 5 along with former Texas Senator John Tower and 21

others; the crash is currently under investigation. Richard Truly, NASA

Administrator wrote a letter to the AMF urging that Carter's name be added to the

memorial. AMF Chalrman Alan Helman said, '_Ne're pleased we're in a position

to recognize Sonny. The memorial is designed to be able to add names as time

goes on. Hopefully, we'll never have to do it again." Carter's name will be

represented temporarily on the memorial by a gold star until it can be replaced

with permanent recognition on the first anniversary of his death. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, May 2, 1991 .]

_-_ 61
[1 ENDEAVOURS CROSS COUNTRY TRIP

Endeavour's departure from Palmdale, CA, has been delayed due to adverse

weather in the flight path from California to Texas. The main concern today is

turbulence over the Rocky Mountains. Endeavour will remain on the ground until

conditions improve. Officials are keeping a close eye on the weather. The ferry

flight could begin tomorrow morning [May 3] pending favorable weather

conditions. Yesterday, the Orbiter was successfully mated to the new 747 Shuttle

Carder Aircraft. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 2, 1991 .]

n HOUSE OK'S NASA SPENDING

The U. S. House of Representatives voted 361 - 36 to approve a NASA budget of

$14.9 billion next year; the figure includes $20 million for the Spaceport Florida

Authority. President Bush had requested $15.7 billion. The legislation provides

a 10% increase over 1991. Among other items included in the legislation were:

President Bush's full $2 billion request for the Space Station in 1992. Melbourne

Democrat Rep. Jim Bacchus commented on the bill's passage, "rm especially

happy with the strong support for the space station and also for the $20 million

launch improvements for the Florida Spaceport Authority." NASA has already

expended $5.5 billion on the Space Station Program and expects the total cost

at completion to be $24.5 billion. Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who heads the

Government Operations Transportation Subcommittee, predicts the cost of

completing the Space Station to be $180 billion. [Hasson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9A, May 3, 1991, Crawford, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL p. A-9, May 3, 1991 .]

May 3:. ENDEAVOURS TRANSCONTINENT/¢ JOURNi_Y

The Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour, and its 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft touched

down at Biggs Army Air Field near [] Paso (TX) at 11:22 a.m. EDT to complete the

first leg of its flight from Palmdale (CA) to the Kennedy Space Center. Weather

conditions are not favorable for continuing the flight today and Endeavour will

remain ovemight at El Paso. At this time, weather conditions are somewhat

marginal for continuing the eastern journey on May 4. Ferry flight managers have

scheduled weather bdeflngs this evening and again tomorrow morning before

making a decision on proceeding on toward KSC. On its arrival at Biggs, workers

noticed a small panel on top of Endeavour's crew cabin was open. The panel

covers a T-shaped handle that, when pulled, pops off the two square windows on

top of the Orbiter, giving the astronauts inside an emergency escape route. It is

thought that the panel may have opened enroute to Texas, but there was no

apparent damage and workers closed it. [SPACE SHUTI'LE ORBITER

ENDEAVOUR STATUS REPORT, May 3, 1991, Bank(}, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A,

May 4, 1991, Bank(}, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 5, 1991 .]

H KSC CLOSED TO PUBUC ON MAY 9

The Kennedy Space Center will be closed to the public until 1 p.m. on May 9, for

the dedication of the Astronauts Memorial, a tribute to the nation's astronauts who

2 v
have died in the line of duty. Only badged employees, news media and specially

invited guests will be permitted into the center through the customary access

points at Gate 2 on State Road 3 on the south end of the center and Gate 3 just

off U. S. Route 1 two miles south of Tltusville, FL The dedication of the memorial

is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Among the participants in the hour-long

ceremony is Vice President Dan Quayle. The memorial was erected by The

Astronaut Memodai Foundation on a six-acre site at Spaceport USA, the Kennedy

Space Center's visitor center. To assure the dignity of the dedication, no vehicular

traffic will be permitted on the NASA Causeway running past the visitor center

from 10:45 a.m. until the conclusion of the ceremony. Normal traffic flow will

resume at I p.m. Spaceport USA will open to the public shortly after 1 p.m. for

bus tours of KSC. [KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 56-91, May 3, 1991 .]

May 4: ENDEAVOUR MOVES MAY 5

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will remain on the ground at Biggs Army Air Field

near El Paso tonight before continuing its cross country joumey to Florida

tomorrow. Current plans are for Endeavour to travel atop its 747 Shuttle Carrier

Aircraft from Biggs to Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio) as early in the day as

central Texas weather will permit. Weather in that region is expected to clear by

midday. A decision to continue the trip to Florida or to remain overnight at Kelly

will be made based on further weather assessment and available time. At this

time, Houston area weather is not expected to support an appearance at Ellington

Field on May 5. Should Endeavour remain in San Antonio Sunday night, a

decision will be made early May 6 on the routing of the flight for that day. [NASA

NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-037C, May 4, 1991 .]

May 5: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The Space Shuttle Endeavour stop its 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft is expected to

stop over bdefly May 6 at Eilington Field (Houston, TX) on its way to the Kennedy

Space Center, Florida. The reason for the detour to Ellington is that Johnson

Space Center, the NASA field center responsible for the construction of the

Orbiter, is near EIIington and officials there would like to give JSC employees a

chance to see a Shuttle in their backyard, according to NASA spokeswoman

Barbara Schwartz. Endeavour will arrive in Houston at approximately 10 a.m. CDT

and remain until 2 p.m. before flying on to Columbus AFB (MS), where it will stay

the night. Poor weather along the route has slowed the transcontinental trip from

Palmdaie, CA. The Orbiter and 747 have made stops at Biggs Army Air Field (El

Paso, TX) and Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX)where it spent the night of

May 5. At Kennedy Space Center, Endeavour will spend a year being readied for

its first mission and will undergo extensive tests and inspections, according to

KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. A few weeks before its first launch, the testing

phase will culminate at Launch Complex 39B with a 20-second test firing of

Endeavour's three main engines. Endeevour's Processing Manager John "rip"

Talons, said of the testing process, "The challenge at KSC is the turn-around

processing of previously flown Orbiters with plenty of miles already on them.

Processing a first flow of a brand new Orbiter, once you get it assembled and

_-_ 63
everything ready to go, should be pretty smooth. We fully expect Endeavour will

be that way." The assembly Talons referred to concems the absence of parts

from Endeavour which were removed for installation in the other three Orbiters as

replacement for problem parts. Removing those parts prevented Rockwell

International, Endeevour's manufacturer, from conducting some tests at the

Palmdale facility. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 5, 1991, NASA NEWS

RELEASE NO. 91-037F, May 5, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY LANDS TODAY

Discovery completes its 81"8 39 mission today at 2:50 p.m. EDT with a landing at

Edwards Air Force Base (CA). Weather conditions at Edwards are predicted to

be perfect. Discovery's orbital maneuvering engines will fire at 1:48 p.m. EDT to

slow the Orbiter for its descent. Meanwhile, Endeavour, aboard its 747 Shuttle

Carder Aircraft will leave Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX) at 10 a.m. May 6

for a four-hour stay at EIIington Field (Houston, TX) and then fly to Columbus Air

Force Base (Columbus, MS) for an ovemight stay before proceeding to Kennedy

Space Center on May 7 where it is expected to arrive before noon. At Kennedy

Space Center today, Columbia's STS 40 crew of seven arrived to take part in May

7's terminal countdown demonstration test. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May

5, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 6, 1991.]

May6." HANG-FIRE ON JOUST/PROSPECTOR

An attempt was made today to launch the Joust/Prospector launch vehicle at 8:55

a.m. The ignition signal was sent, however, the motor did not ignite. The launch

team is continuing the back-down procedure to sate the vehicle. Once the vehicle

has been sated, an investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the

hang-fire. The Joust/Prospector sounding rocket and its payload, worth about $1

million, was scheduled to Iiftoff for a short suborbital trip into space and

deployment of ten experiments. Manufactured by Orbital Science Corp.'s Space

Data Division (Chandler, AZ), the vehicle is powered by a Thiokol Castor 4 motor.

The small rocket would launch from the rail launcher at complex 20 which was last

used by the Army's Starbird rocket last December. The launch would have been

the fourth for the University of Alabama consortium, one of 16 NASA Centers for

Commercial Development of Space. Three previous flights occurred in New

Mexico. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 6, 1991, Joint Statement:

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Orbital Sciences Corporation; NASA Office of

Commercial Programs; U. S. Air Force, May 6, 1991.]

g DISCOVERY LANDS AT K.SC

Discovery landed today at Kennedy Space Center at 2:55:36 p.m. EDT on Runway

15 after traveling 3.47 million miles around the world. The Orbiter's uneven

landing - the seventh at KSC since the beginning of Shuttle flights in 1981 -

caused damage to one tire, but KSC Director Fowast S. McCmlrmy was optimistic

about future Florida landings, saying, "We just hope they keep doing it. I look at

it as a very positive step forward in the program." Flight controllers diverted the
landingto KSCbecauseof higherthan acceptablewindsat EdwardsAir Force

Base,CA. Minutesafterthe approachof theOrbiterwasannouncedbytwo loud

sonicbooms,the 106-ton Space Shuttle glided first north, then south to a landing

on the Shuttle Landing Facility. From Mission Control in Houston, astronaut Ken

Bowersox radioed to the crew: "Welcome back to sunny Florida, and

congratulations on an outstanding mission." NASA Test Director Rob Kelso said,

"The Shuttle's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. We accomplished

just about everything that we went into space to do. We knew this flight was

going to be ambitious and a real test of everyone involved. And I can tell you

there is a deep satisfaction among the crew and everyone at NASA." Discovery

was towed to Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 st 9 p.m. where post-flight

deeervicing operations are expected to begin shortly. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, May 7, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 7, 1991 .]

g STS 40 PROCESSING_PACELAB

Preparations are underway to load hypergolic propellants onboard the Space

Shuttle Columbia for its upcoming STS 40 mission. Propellants will be loaded into

the Orbiter's orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system storage

tanks. Auxiliary power units and solid rocket booster hydraulic power units will

be serviced with hydrazlne as part of this operation May 9. Work has also begun

on applying foam to the solid rocket boosters' aft skirts. The Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test begins tomorrow (May 7) with a simulated main engine cutoff

at 11:34 a.m. EDT. At the same time, the STS 40 crew have been completed

emergency egress training exercises. Launch pad validations have been

completed also. The Flight Readiness Review for STS 40 will occur May 13 and

14. [KSC SHU'I'I'LE STATUS REPORT, May 7, 1991 .]

[1 STS 43 LAUNCH PROCESSING

Work in progress on the Space Shuttle Atlantis for its STS 43 mission includes

checks of the main propulsion helium system and thermal protection system

operations. Work remaining to be done includes auxiliary power unit leak and

functional tests, power reactant storage and distribution system tests and tests of

the Tacan System and S-Band Antenna. [KSC SHU'FFLE STATUS REPORT, May

7, 1991 .]

May 7: LOW TROPHY FINAUSTS

Eight finalists have been chosen for the 1991 George M. Low Trophy - NASA's

Quality and Excellence Award. The finalists are:

"--- 65
g

g

EG&G Florida, Inc. (Kennedy Space Center, FL)

Grumman Technical Services Division (T'duaville, FL)

Honeywell, Inc., Space and Strategic Systems Oparations (Clearwater, FL)

Computer Sciences Corp., Applied Technology DMsion (Houston, TX)

Cray Research, Inc., Manufacturing DMsion (Chippewa Falls, Wl)

Thiokol Corp., Space Operations (Bdgham City, UT)

TRW Space and Technology Group (Redondo Beach, CA)

Unisys Space Systems DMsion (Houston, TX)

The award recognizes both NASA's pdme contractors, subcontractors and

suppliers for outstanding achievements in quality and productivity improvement

and total quality management (I"QM). Key goals of the award are to intemalize

quality and productivity practices and TQM processes throughout NASA and the

agency's contractors and to transfer performance improvement methods of the

award recipients to others. [NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-70. May 7, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUR'S ARRNAL

The Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived, atop the new 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft,

at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility this morning at 9:28 a.m. EDT after the final leg

of the five-day ferry fiight. Welcoming the new Orbltar to Kennedy Space Center

was its Director Forrest S. McCmlney who said, "This is the home of the Orbiters.

This is where they all roost, isnl she pretty? The tile's all shiny and black. She's

shiny all over. I just wish there was another one coming." Endeavour's arrival

marks the first time since January 1986 that NASA has had four Orbiters at the

Kennedy Space Center. KSC processing teams are scheduled to demate the

Orbiter from the 747 by early this moming. Endeavour will be towed to the

Vehicle Assembly Building ovemight. Eventually the tall cone, ferry flight kit items,

the two simulated orbital maneuvering system pads, and mock forward reaction

control system will be removed. [Brown and Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, May 8, 1991, KSC SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, May 7, 1991, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, May 7, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY: POST-FUGHT PROCESSING

Work is underway to offioed residual propellant from the fuel cell storage tanks

and to install access platforms in vadous areas Including the aft compartment.

The payload bay doors will be opened May 10 and post-flight inspections will

commence. Thermal barders between tiles will be replaced on the Orbiter's

underside. About twice as many fillers as usual will have to be replaced because

of over-temperature conditions experienced during the Orbiter's re-entry. Initial

indications are that about 10 tiles will need to be replaced as a result of the overtemperature conditions. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 7, 1991 .]
May8: DISCOVERY'S LANDING DAMAGED TIRES

g

g

Damage to Discovery's tires, according to NASA officials was due more to an offbalance landing than to a planned braking test. Landing at 240 miles per hour,

Discovery's right landing gear touched down on Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle

Landing Facility about 215 feet before the left gear touched the runway.

Commander Michael Coats applied the Orbiter's new carbon brakes hard after the

vehicle had traveled 6,136 feet down the 15,000 foot runway; the right-hand

brakes were more vigorously applied than were those of the left gear. "The key

was to demonstrate the landing capabilities on the Orbiters - the brakes and the

stesdng, and to gain confidence in that new configuration," said KSC Launch

Director Robert B. Sieck. In combination, these activities caused one of the Space

Shuttle's tires to shred, according to NASA spokesman James Harlslkdd. He said

that three of the tire's 17 layers wore away; engineers say that the tire would have

exploded if as many as ten layers had worn through. A new Shuttle tire, less

susceptible to wear, may be available to the four-member fleet as early as

December. Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCarlxmy said, "It

probably looked a whole lot worse than it was; it's not normal to go through the

top few ply." Damage to the tire will not delay preparations for Discovery's next

mission - STS 43, set for July - because the tires are routinely replaced between

flights. Otherwise, inspections showed that the Orbiter returned from space in

good shape, although the intense heat of re-entry did damage some tiles,

according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. There was no danger to the

vehicle or the crew, she said. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 9, 1991,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, May 7, 1991, See story on May 7, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 8, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA'S LAUNCH PROCESSING

Columbia will be ready for launch May 22, according to NASA managers. A minor

accident in the Spacelab module which was discovered today will not delay the

launch. A portable emergency oxygen bottle and mask had fallen from its mount

into a safety net in the module, ff a loss of pressure in the Spacelab occurred, the

astronauts would make use of the oxygen as they evacuated the module. The

Spacelab was not damaged; officials speculated that the bottle likely fell when

Columbia was raised into the vertical position for mating, or during its rollout to

Launch Complex 39B. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 6A, May 9, 1991 .]

PROSPECTOR ROCKET INVESTIGATION

A second attempt to launch the 50-foot Prospector rocket at Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station will not be made until the middle of next week, officials said today.

Engineers require more time to understand why the Orbital Sciences Corp. rocket

failed to ignite during the initial attempt May 6. Some of the ten experiments on

board must be reserviced before the next launch effort. The cargo was removed

today for that servicing. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, May 7, 1991, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, May 9, 1991 .]

_-_ 67
May9: ASTRONAUT MEMORIAL DEDICATED

'_/e dedicate this monument to the memory of strong, courageous, smart and

daring astronauts who pursued an adventurous dream and who died in peaceful

service to their country," said Vice President Dan Queyle at a ceremony for the

astronauts at Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA. "Think of what they might

tell us if they were here today. I believe they would say, 'Carry on, America.

Continue on our path. Live the dream. Build the future. That is what'Amedca will

do. And like this Inspiring space mirror that bears their names, our pioneering

splrlt and our wllllngness to dream will be our lasting tribute to them." A

dedication plaque reads: "Whenever mankind has sought to conquer new

frontiers there have been those who have given their lives for the cause. This

Astronauts Memorial, dedicated May 9, 1991, is a tribute to the American men and

women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, believing the conquest of space is

worth the risk." Four T-38 training jets flew over the crowd attending the

ceremony; one suddenly pulled away, leaving a hole in the formation. This

"missing man" maneuver was NASA's tribute to the 15 astronauts who died on

duty. The most recently deceased astronaut - Manley "Sonny" Carlir - was to

have flown in the formation before his fatal plane crash last month. Participants

in the flyover maneuver were astronauts David Hilmem, William Readdy, Stephen

Oswald, Andrew Allen, Eugene Cenan and Ron Grabe.

"1think it most appropriate to have the memodal located here at Kennedy Space

Center, where the workforce not only can look at it and reflect on the sacrifices

made, but also rededicate themselves to the work _ hand," added KSC Director

Forreet S. Mc_ in his brief remarks to the crowd of 2,000 in attendance at

the dedication ceremony. NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly and Astronaut

Memorial Foundation Chairman Alan Heiman also spoke at the ceremony. The

monument is made of black granite and is called "Space Mirror;" it stands 42 1/2

feet tall and is 50 feet wide. it stands in front of KSC's Spaceport USA. The

monument honors 15 as_'onauts, including Manley Carter who died last month.

The others memorialized are the seven Challenger astronauts, three Apollo

astronauts and four astronauts who died in training jet crashes. [See story

below.] Lorna Onizuka, widow of Challenger astronaut Bison Onizuka, said, "It

reminds me of seeing the Shuttle at the launch pad at night. It's special in the

sense that this is a memodal for all 15 families to share. A lot of them have had

individual memorials and tributes, but I think this is nice in the sense that we now

have all of their spirits together." Bien Jarvis, whose stepson Gregory Jantis, was

killed in the Challenger accident, said, 'This was a very overwhelming ceremony

for us and we sincerely thank the people of Florida for making this possible." Cad

McNair, whose son Ronaid McNalr, also died on Challenger, said, "A lot of fathers

have lost sons and nothing good has come out of it. I look at this and I think of

all the good that will come." Also on hand for the ceremony was Grace CoiTigan,

mother of Challenger astronaut S. Chrism Mc/mlilfe. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY,

pp. 1A-2A, May 10, 1991 .]

68
rl MEMORIALIZED ASTRONAUTS

The fifteen astronauts killed in the line of duty and memorialized today on the

Space Mirror are:

_qlleodore Freeman, 34. Killed outside Houston ('I'X) on October 31, 1964. Air

Force captain and engineer,

*Elliot See, Jr., 38. Killed in St. Louis (MO) on February 28, 1966. Engineer

chosen as Gemini 9 command pilot.

*Cttmlee Baasett II, 34. Killed with See. Air Force captain and engineer chosen

as pilot of Gemini 9.

Williams Jr., 35. Killed en route to Mobile, AL, on October 5, 1967.

Marine major and engineer.

"Virgil *Gus" C-,dasom, 40. Killed in Apollo 204 fire on the launch pad. A/r Force

lieutenant colonel and engineer. Mercury astronaut. Command pilot of Gemini

3.

*Edward White II, 36. Killed in Apollo 204 fire. Air Force lieutenant colonel and

engineer. Pilot of Gemini 4. Performed the first U.S. spacewalk in 1965 flight.

*Roger Chaffee, 31. Killed in Apollo 204 fire. Navy lieutenant commander and

engineer. Never flew in space.

*Francis "Did(" Scobee, 46. Challenger astronaut. An engineer. Flew in space

once in 1984. Commander of Challenger's last flight.

*Michael Smilh, 40. Challenger astronaut. Navy captain and engineer. Pilot for

Challenger's final flight, his first.

*Bison Onizuka, 39. Challenger astronaut. Air Force lieutenant colonel and

engineer. Rew in space once in 1985, STS 51C.

*Judilh Re=nil(, 36. Challenger astronaut. Engineer. Flew in space in 1984 on

STS 41D.

*Ronald McNair, 35. Challenger astronaut. Physicist. Flew in space in 1984 on

STS 41 B.

=3. Chdsta McAulilfe, 37. Challenger astronaut. High school teacher, making her

first spaceflight.

*Gregory Jan_, 41. Challenger astronaut. Engineer making his first spaceflight.

*Manley "Sonny" Carter, 43. Killed in plane crash en route to a speech for NASA.

_ 69
Flew on STS 33. ["15 Space Pioneers Gave Uvee Over 30-Year Trek," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, May 1O, 1991, Uston, ASTRONAUT STATUS GUIDE, KSC Archives.]

May 10:. SHEPARD FLIGHT ANNIVEFISARY

•Thank you again for a hell of a dde," Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard told a

crowd of 200 near the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station site where his Mercury

Redstone rocket lifted him into space 30 years ago today. Speaking at the

occasion was F_mle Malrtassy, a founder of the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile

Museum. "The Air Force does not have enough construction money to build

anything here to help preserve the exhibits. The history of our space program is

going down the tubes," Mainesay said. Shepard agreed, "All of us aren't going

to be around forever, and we're going to need to encourage youngsters to follow

in our footsteps." A recreation of the Shepard launch was held using a model

rocket and the event was attended by Shepard's Mercury colleagues: Wally

Schirra, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Soott C,arpentar, Deke Slayton and Betty

Grbsom, widow of _ "Gus= Gdssorn. The Gannett Foundation later in the day

hosted a reception for the Mercury astronauts at Bemard's Surf Restaurant

(Cocoa Beach, FL). The Mercury Seven Foundation, a nonprofit organization

founded by the original Mercury astronauts, has awarded ten scholarships in

science and engineering to the following persons: James Moore, Deborah

Swats, RictamJ Plnehark Jr., Ed¢ Sharpe, Kalhy Shellenl0_rger, W. Scolt Tamblyn

IV, Debora Falrbrolher, Gragaoj Tmermhalk, Edward _and Kevin Rutland.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 11, 1991, "Mercury 7 Group Awards

Scholarships," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 12, 1991 .]

May 11: GENERAL DYNAMICS CONTRACT

NASA has awarded General Dynamics a contract worth $112 million to launch a

space science satellite from Caps Canaveral Air Force Station in 1995, the space

agency announced. The rocket will carry NASA's Solar and Heliospheric

Observatory to an egg-shaped orbit above Earth; the spacecraft's on-board

propulsion system will then move the satellite into a position about one million

miles from the Sun. The SOHO spacecraft will investigate the physical processes

which form and heat the solar corona. ['General Dynamics Wlns NASA Contract,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, May 12, 1991.]

D LOCKHEED BOOSTER RECORD

Lockheed Space Operations Co. has set a new record for processing a Space

Shuttle solid rocket booster stack at Kennedy Space Center; they have readied

Columbia for launch in 22 days instead of the usual 26 or 27 days, according to

company spokesman J. B. IOump. ["Lockheed Sets Booster Record," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 10E, May 12, 1991 .]

D MICROGF_VITY LAB TEST

In Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building, the Intemational
MicrogravityLaboratoryhaspassedtests conductedby astronauts and ground

controllers. The tests simulated conditions which will Spacelab will experience in

space aboard Discovery early next year. According to Mission Manager Robert

McBrayer of MSFC, "The payload - both the Spacelab elements and the

experiment hardware - performed with minimal problems. The testing gave us

very good information on the actual payload charactedstics. We're comfortable

that the systems and software are functioning properly." The mission's next

milestone will come this fall when tests are conducted to insure the experiments

are properly hooked up in their Spacelab carder. The STS 42 crew includes:

Commander Ronald Grabe, Pilot b-"teven Oswald, Mission Specialists Norman

Thagard, David Hinters, and William Readdy and Payload Specialists Roberta

Bondar and Uff Merbold. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 12, 1991 .]

g JUUE BROWN WINS SNOOPY

Julle Brown (Cape Canaveral, FL) who works in Kennedy Space Center's Launch

Control Center has been awarded a Silver Snoopy from NASA astronaut Curt

Brown. She is responsible for producing and maintaining major customer review

presentations and provides computer graphics support to several NASA and

contractor organizations. ["Cape Canaveral Resident Wins NASA Silver Snoopy,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 12, 1991 .]

May 13: FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW: STS 40

NASA began its Flight Readiness Review for Columbia's STS 40 mission today at

Kennedy Space Center. Current schedules call for the Orbiter to be launched May

22; it will carry the Spacelab module with experiments aboard to research the

effects of space on living things. The official launch date is traditionally set at the

conclusion of the FRR. Meanwhile, launch preparations are continuing according

to schedule. Ordnance has been installed on the Shuttle. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, May 13, 1991.]

g UARS ARRIVES AT KSC TODAY

NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), scheduled to be launched

aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery's STS 48 mission this fail, is scheduled to

arrive at Kennedy Space Center today. UARS was shipped by barge down the

Atlantic coast from Salem, NJ, by the spacecraft designer and builder, General

Eiectric's Astro-Space Division (East Windsor, NJ, and Valley Forge, PA). At KSC,

UARS will arrive at the barge canal turn basin adjacent to the Vehicle Assembly

Building; the spacecraft will be offloaded and taken to the Payload Hazardous

Servicing Facility (PHSF) located in the KSC Industrial Area where it will undergo

final preparation and testing. On or about July 24, UARS will be transferred to the

Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) for the start of the integrated tests to verify its

compatibility with the Orbiter. On approximately August 13, the spacecraft will be

transported to Launch Complex 39A for Installation into Discovery where a final

battery of tests will be undertaken to verify connections with the Orbiter and the

spacecraft's readiness for launch this fall. UARS is the first of a long-term,

_._ 71
nationalprogramofspaceresearchintoglobalatmosphericchangeanda leading

elementof the space agency's Missionto PlanetEarth. The spacecraftwill

providethe comprehensive database needed to understand changes in the upper

atmosphere and '=forpolicy decisions to address the human role in such changes."

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite is managed by Goddard Space Flight

Center (Greenbelt, MD) for NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications.

[NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-88, May 10, 1991 .]

n COLUMBIA LAUNCH DATE OFFICIAL: MAY 22

At the end of the first day of the STS 40 Flight Readiness Ravlew, NASA managers

have made it official; Columbia will launch May 22 during a window extending

from 8 a.m. until I0 a.m. "We're not working any problems that would prevent us

from going on that day. Everything looks good," said KSC spokesman Karl

Kdstolfemon. Landing is expected to occur nine days later on May 31 at Edwards

Air Force Base, CA. If the launch does proceed as scheduled, it will set a NASA

record - the third shuttle flight in 47 days. The previous record was three in 54

days in October-November 1985. The countdown for the mission will begin May

18, a few hours earlier than usual because workers at Launch Complex 39B need

more tlme to load the Spacelab module into Columbla's cargo bay along with

equipment and supplles. Also included in the manifest are 30 rats and 2,400 tiny

jellyfish. The STS 40 crew is expected to arrive May 19 at about 1:30 p.m. The

seven-member crew includes Commander Bryan O'Connor, Pilot Sidney Gutlem_

Mission Specialists l:l#teaSeddon, James Bagkm and Tamara Jemlgan; Payload

Speclalists are Drew Galfney and Mlllle Huglhee.Fulford. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY p. I A, May 14, 1991, "Next Shuttle Launch Could Set A Record," USA

TODAY. p. 3A, May 14, 1991, STS-40 LAUNCH ADVISORY, May 13, 1991 .]

g STS 40 PROCESSING PROGRESS

Work in progress in preparation for next week's launch of Columbia's STS 40

mission includes: closeouts of the aft main engine compartment; delivery and

offioading of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into launch pad storage farms and

the Flight Readiness Review underway at Kennedy Space Center. Work

scheduled for completion includes Launch Control Center preparations to begin

the countdown May 18; Extravehicular Mobility Unit checkout; and aft main engine

cloeeouts. All ordnance devices have been installed and checks have been made

of firing circuits; hypergolic propellants have been loaded into the Shuttle's Orbital

Maneuvering System and Reaction Control System storage tanks. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 13, 1991 .]

g A'll.ANTIS STS 43 PREPARATIONS

In KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility's High Bay 2, leak and functional checks have

begun on the auxiliary power units; pre-launch testing has also begun on the

TDRS spacecraft payload in the Vertical Processing Facility. The removal of the

forward reaction control system has been scheduled as have lube oil service for

the auxiliary power units and functional tests of the orbital maneuvering system

2
g

g

n

pods. Completed processing work includes the removal and replacement of a

suspected leaky thruster on the right orbital maneuvering system pod. K_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 13, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY POST-FMGHT OPERATIONS

Currently being removed from Discovery's cargo bay are the primary STS 39

payloads. Completed work includes the removal of STS 39 brakes and tires;

these were shipped back to their respective vendors for analysis. Sleep stations

and waste containment systems have also been removed. Remaining to be

completed: removal of main engine heat shields. The STS 48 payload - the

Upper Atmosphere Research Facility has arrived at the space center.

Meanwhile, the newly arrived Space Shuttle Endeavour has been jacked off the

floor and leveled. Preparations are underway for removal of the ferry flight tail

cone. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 13, 1991 .]

PROSPECTOR LAUNCH RESCHEDULED: JUNE 5

The launch of a 50-foot Prospector rocket has been rescheduled for June 5 from

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A first attempt failed on May 6 when an

electrical problem prevented ignition of the rocket's solid rocket motor, said Scott

Webster, President of Orbital Science Corp.'s Space Data Division (Chandler, AZ),

manufacturer of the booster. Discovery's launch on May 22 and a Delta 2 launch

scheduled for May 29 have delayed the second attempt to launch Prospector.

The commercial rocket will carry ten expedments for the University of Alabama's

(Huntsville, AL) Consortium for Materials Development in Space, one of 16 NASA

Centers for Commercial Development of Space. ["Prospector Launch

Rescheduled," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, May 14, 1991 .]

NASA SYSTEMS ANALYSIS OFFICE CREATED

' 4

NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly today announced the establishment of a new

Systems Analysis and Concepts Office at NASA Headquarters and designated

James D. Bain as its Director. The creation of the office is another step in NASA's

implementation of the recommendations made in December 1990 by the Advisory

Committee on the Future of the U. S. Space Program, which is also known as the

"Augustine Committee." in a separate recommendation, the Augustine Committee

proposed the establishment of an independent cost analysis function to serve the

Administrator and his immediate office. In response to that recommendation, Truly

has decided to significantly augment the independent cost capability recently

initiated by the NASA Comptroller. This group will report administratively to the

Comptroller and provide independent assessments to the Administrator and his

immediate office, to include the new Systems Analysis and Concepts Office. Bain

previously served as Executive Secretary to the Augustine Committee and is

currently staffing the implementation of the Committee's recommendations within

NASA. [NASA NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-74, May 13, 1991.]

73
May14: RUNWAY NOT DANGEFIOUS: O'CONNOR

Astronaut Bryan O'Connor, who is commanding Columbia's upcoming STS 40

mission, says the runway at Kennedy Space Center is not dangerous despite its

rough surface which contributes to tire wear. "I'm satisfied that the runway at

Kennedy is safe," said the astronaut who served as chairman of NASA's Space

Flight Safety Panel from September 1986 through February 1989. He said the

investigation which followed Discovery's recertt rough landing at KSC showed that

tire wear occurred alter Discovery had braked to between 34 and 46 mph; the

Orbiter had touched down at 242 mph. "That runway is rough," O'Connor said,

"and it does wear the outside tread of tires. But if what we're talking about is

losing the outside tread of the tire at 34 mph,...I don't consider that to be a safety

problem." [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. P_.A,May 15, 1991 .]

n COLUMBIA LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

g

Launch countdown preparations continue for Columbia's STS 40 mission. Purges

of the extemal tank are underway as are cloeaouts of the aft compartment and the

solid rocket boosters. Final ordnance installation is scheduled for May 16 and the

aft compartment will be closed for flight May 17. The countdown starts May 18

at 5 p.m. The STS 40 crew arrives May 19 at 1:30 p.m. and launch is set for 8

a.m. May 22. There were no significant Issues of concem in yesterday's Flight

Readiness Review. Installation and testing has been completed on the two

space,suits placed onboard the Orbiter for contingency purposes. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, May 14, 1.991.]

STS 43 PROCESSING: All.ANllS

Removal of Atlantis' forward reaction control system is underway. Other work in

progress for the STS 43 mission includes: auxiliary power unit (APU) leak and

functional tests; power reactant storage and distribution system testing; checks

of the main propulsion system helium system; thermal protection system

operations; and functional tests of the waste containment system. A leaking

thruster on the right orbital maneuvering system pod has been replaced. Still to

be completed are the lubrication of the auxiliary power units and functional tests

of the orbital maneuvering system pods. The SIS 43 solid rocket boosters have

also been in processing: technicians are mating the left forward motor segment

to the stack and are performing joint closeouts. Still to be completed on the

SRBs: stacking the left forward assembly/nose cone to the booster and stacking

the right aft segment to the launch platform on May 16. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, May 14, 1991 o]

n DISCOVERY PAYLOADS REMOVED

STS 39 payloads have been removed from the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Technicians have begun removal of the Orbiter's heat shields, checks of the

orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system motor valves,

preparations to deservice lube oil from the auxiliary power units, main propulsion
v

system leak and functional tests, post-flight inspections and thermal protection

system operations. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, May 14, 1991 .]

g STS 49 PROCESSING: ENDEAVOUR

The newest Space Shuttle - Endeavour - is undergoing preparations to remove its

tail cone by the end of this week and the installation of access to the forward, mid

and aft sections of the Orbiter. Also in progress is the removal of ferry flight

fixtures. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 14, 1991 .]

May 15: JOUST 1 UPDATE

The launch of Prospector, a commercial suborbital rocket carrying 10 materials

and biotechnology experiments, is set for June 5 from Launch Complex 20 at the

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL The launch is set for 7 a.m. (ED'I') and will

have a three-hour launch window. The mission entitled Joust I is sponsored by

the University of Alabama in Huntsville's Consortium for Materials Development in

Space (UAH CMDS), Orbital Sciences Corp., Space Data DMsion, under a

contract with the UAH CMDS, will provide the rocket and launch services. Orbital

Sciences engineers have determined that an apparent malfunction in the safe and

arm device was the cause of a hangflre of the Prospector rocket on May 6 from

Launch Complex 20 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The safe and arm

device, located below the rocket's service module, is responsible for preventing

an accidental ignition of the rocket. When in an armed position, the device allows

a fldng pulse to pass and ignite the rocket. A new flight-ready safe and arm

device will be installed before the June 5 launch attempt is made. The Prospector

will provide about 13 minutes of microgravity time for the experiments. The UAH

CMDS is one of NASA's 16 Centers for the Commercial Development of Space.

UAH CMDS Associate Director Francis Wsssling said the payload has been

removed from the rocket and work to refurbish the experiments is underway.

Most of the work is replenishing chemicals and replacing biological samples used

in the experiments. He also said the work could include recharging batteries used

to power the experiments. '_/e're ready to fly," said Wessling. '9"he principal

investigators will be returning shortly to Florida to complete their work and will

have no problem in meeting the June 5 launch date." ['Joust 1 Program Update,"

NASA/KSC PRESS RELEASE ,May 15, 1991 .]

May 16: 39B CLOSED FOR ORDNANCE INSTALLATION

Launch Complex 39B will be closed today while technicians install explosive

devices and pressurize the Orbiter's onboard power system. Kennedy Space

Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone, speaking of launch preparations, said,

•Everything's going right on schedule. We're pressing forward to start the

countdown clock at 5 p.m. The team is looking forward to Columbia's launch next

week." She said technicians would remove covers from the Orbiter's 44 steering

thrusters tomorrow and take down work platforms from around the Shuttle's three

main engines. Today technicians finished pressurizing onboard storage tanks

containing toxic chemicals used to power Columbia's orbital maneuvering systems

L_ 75
and continuedreadyingthe Orbiter'srearenginesectionfor launch; workers are

installing insulation and removing access platforms. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY., p.

2A, May 16, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, May 17, 1991 .]

V

g NOW CONSI'RUCTION CONTRACT

NOW Const_ction, Inc. (T]tusville, FL) has been awarded a $380,800 contract for

the construction of an addition to the Occupetional Health Facility (OHF) at

Kennedy Space Center, The small business firm will have 180 days to complete

the 5,000-square-foot, concrete reinforced addition, which will be used for office

space. The contract also calls for the inatallation of modular office furniture.

[NASA KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 60-91, May 16, 1991 .]

g HAMILTON ROORNG, INC. CONTRACT

Hamilton Roofing, Inc. (Palm Bay, FL) has been awarded a $215,121 contract for

the third and final phase of roofing work on the Headquarters Building at Kennedy

Space Center. Under the fixed price contract, the small business firm has 120

days to replace the built-up roof system on the fourth floor and adjacent third floor

areas of the Headquarters Building. The company had also been awarded an

earlier contract for roofing work on the east and west wings of the building. Built

in the early 1960's the Headquarters Building is one of several major structures

of that era scheduled for renovation. [NASA KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 59-61,

May 16, 1991 .]

g COLUMBIA STS 4O STATUS

VFinal ordnance installation has been completed for Columbia's STS 40 mission

which is due to begin at 8:00 a.m. May 22. Work already underway includes

pressurizing the Orbiter's hypergolic propellant tanks and closeouts of the aft

compartment and solid rocket boosters. Launch Complex 39B will be reopened

for final launch preparations this aftemoon. Work remaining to be done includes

inetalUng the doors on the aft compartment - set for May 17; The start of the

launch countdown is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. May 18 and the STS 40 crew

is expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center about 1:30 p.m. May 19.

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 16, 1991 .]

n SIS 43 A11.AN1"lS WORK PROGRESS

Leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units have been completed on

Atlantis and the Orbiter's brakes have been installed. The external tank umbilical

door hinge housings must yet be installed; APU lube oil service will be made this

week. On May 18, Atlantis' three main engines will be Installed and functional

tests of the Orbiters OMS pods will be made next week. Work in progress

includes leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers; hot lube oil flush of

the auxiliary power units; power reactant storage and distribution system testing;

checks of the main propulsion system helium system; thermal protection system

operations; functional tests of the waste containment system; installation of the

6 . _,,_r
landing gear flight wheels and tests of the Orbiter's flight control system. K_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 16, 1991.]

g DISCOVERY STS 48 PROCESSING

The Space Shuttle Discovery continues to undergo processing in the Orbiter

Processing Facility High Bay 1. A thruster on the right orbital maneuvering system

pod is being replaced currently; it was found to be leaking May 15. Heat shields

are being removed; checks are being made of the orbital maneuvering system

and reaction control system motor valves; preparations have begun to deservice

lube oil from auxiliary power units and to conduct main propulsion system leak

and functional tests. Additional post-flight (STS 39) inspections are being carried

out as well as thermal protection system operations and main engine drying

operations. Also underway are preparations to offloed residual hypergolic

propellants. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 16, 1991 .]

May 17: NEW LAUNCH DIRECTOR AT KSC

James Hardngton will be substituting for Robert B. Sieck as Shuttle Launch

Director when Columbia begins its STS 40 mission on May 22. Sieck will be away

from Kennedy Space Center celebrating the marriage of his daughter Anne and

will be missing his first Shuttle launch since the return to flight of Discovery on its

STS 26 mission in 1988. Preparations for the launch of Columbia are. on track;

the crew is expected to arrive at about 1:30 p.m. on May 19. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, May 18, 1991.]

n KSC WORKERS TREATED FOR RASHES

A white powdery substance was noticed in Discovery's mid-fuselage area today

while technicians were removing thermal blankets from the payload bay. Ten

Lockheed Space Operations Co. employees performing this job at Kennedy Space

Center's Orbiter Processing Facility complained of itchy, rash-like skin irritations

on their arms and faces and some complained of respiratory problems, according

to KSC spokeswoman Usa Malone. They were sent to the Occupational Health

Facility where they were treated and released. Discovery's bay has been

vacuumed and an environmental engineer is analyzing the substance. Malone

later said that preliminary analysis indicated that the substance was either

titanium-oxide or titanium-silicate, both of which are non-toxic. She said further

that the substance probably came from one of the heat-resistant blankets or a

primer coat of paint on the Shuttle. The Orbiter was undergoing post-flight

processing following its landing at KSC May 6 at the conclusion of its STS 39

mission. Discovery's next flight is expected to come in September. ["Dust in

Discovery," .N.ASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE, no number, May 17, 1991, 1:30 p.m.,

"KSC Workers Treated for Rashes," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, May 18, 1991 .]

May 18: COUNTDOWN FOR STS 40 CONTINUES

The countdown for Columbia's STS 40 mission continues on schedule for its May

77
rl

g

D

22 launch, according to KSC spokesman George DBer. Columbia's rear engine

compartment and two solid rocket boosters are now ready for launch; payload

bay doors will be closed today. Propellant loading onboard the Orbiter will also

begin today; the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen are used to provide electricity

and ddnking water. "The early weather outlook appears favorable with an 80

percent chance of acceptable weather at the scheduled launch time," said Diller.

A temperature of about 72 degrees with winds from the east at 9 to 14 miles per

hour are forecast along with two layers of scattered clouds and visibility for seven

miles. "The only concem," Diller said, "Is a slight chance of an early morning

rainshower moving on shore from the Atlantic." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

May 19, 1991, Memo to PIOS/Prass From George Diller/NASA-KSC, May 17,

1991.],

GEORGE M. LOW AWARD RNAUSI"S

Two Kennedy Space Center contractors have been chosen as finalists for NASA's

top quality and productivity award - the George M. Low Award - NASA announced

recently. EG&G Rorida, Inc. (Cocoa, FL), Base Operations Contractor, was named

a finalist for the 1991 Award for the third consecutive year. Also selected as a

flnailst was Grumman Technical Services Division ('l'itusville, FL), a subcontractor

on the Shuttle Processing Contract. The award is named for former NASA Acting

Administrator George M. Low and recognizes performance among the agency's

contractors and subcontractors. The winner will be announced in October. ["KSC

Contractors Up for Award,' FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, May 19, 1991 .]

25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO KSC

Union Carbide Industrial Gases Inc.'s Unde Division (Mims, FL) has been

providing liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen to Kennedy Space Center for the past

25 years. K$C Director Format S. McCmtney recognized their achievement by the

plant a KSC Group Achievement Award. He commended their years of safe

operation without a lost work day case and noted the Unde plant's drivers' record

of traveling more than 6.6 million accident-free miles. The company also provides

Iiquifled gases to hundreds of industrial plants in Flodda and Georgia. ["Mires

Plant Marks 25 Years Serving NASA," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, May 19, 1991 .]

GETAWAY SPECIALS RIDE AGAIN

"It feels good to be back on the Shuttle again," said Clarke Prouty, Getaway

Special Mission Manager for NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt,

ME)). Columbia will be carrying Getaway Special experiment packages for the

first time on any Shuttle since the Challenger accident in 1986. The program is

designed "to provide anyone with the opportunity to fly a small, self-contained

experimental payload on a Shuttle mission and to do so for a very low cost,"

Prouty said. Columbia will carry twelve such expedments. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY po 9E, May 19, 1991 .]

78
May 19:. STS 40 CREW ARRIVES AT KSC

'_Ne're all ready to go. Ught 'em," said Mission Specialist Tammy Jernigan,

flashing a thumbs-8- sign to journalists on hand at the Shuttle Landing Facility

today. "We hope you'll have your fingers crossed for clear skies and smooth

sailing Wednesday rooming," added Rltea Seddon, also a Mission Specialist.

Columbia's STS 40 crew of seven arrived at Kennedy Space Center today at.

The other members of the crew include Commander Bcyan O'Connor, Pilot Ski

GulieeTe¢ Mission Specialist James Bagian and Payload'Specialists Drew Gaffney

and Mille Hu_ulford, At Launch Complex 39B, technicians are preparing to

load hazardous fuels aboard the Orbiter. The STS 40 mission will be NASA's third

in seven weeks and the 41st since launches began April 12, 1981. The STS 40

mission is also the first in which as many as three women have been members of

a single Shuttle crew. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 20, 1991.]

n STS 40 POSTPONED: HARDWARE PROBLEMS

Officials at Kennedy Space Center have decided today to postpone the liftoff of

STS 40 until June 1 at the eadiest while the launch team replaces and retests the

9 temperature transducers, the multiplexer demuitiplexer and general purpose

computer number 4. After failure analysis recently conducted by the vendor in

New Hampshire, officials decided to replace the nine cryogenic temperature

transducers in the main propulsion system. There is a concern they could break

off as the propellant is flowing through the main propulsion system and wind up

in the main engines. The multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM) is one of 23 and is

located in the Orbiter's aft compartment bay 5. MDMs receive and translate data

from the Orbiter's general purpose computers to critical systems. This particular

MDM FA 2 controls functions for solid rocket boosters, Orbiter hydraulic systems,

ordnance devices and the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control

system. General purpose computer number 4 is one of 5 and is located in the

Orbiter's crew cabin. The temperature transducers, or sensors, are six inches

long and shaped like a cigarette; they measure the temperature of liquid oxygen

and liquid hydrogen as they flow from the extemai tank to the three main engines.

They are manufactured by RDF Corp. (Hudson, NH). NASA engineers feared that

a weld defect could cause a sensor to break free and drop into the fuel lines,

potentially causing a shuttle failure. Columbia's processing manager, Baecom

Murrah, said, "If one did let go, it would be a bad day. it's just too dsky...because

there is nothing in between the probes and the pumps on the engine. The pump

couldn't withstand that kind of problem, so I think we would lose an engine for

sure." He said that NASA was notified of the potential problem early this morning

as the countdown approached 30 hours before liftoff. RDF Corp. said that tests

on a sensor which failed during a Columbia fueling test in September 1990

showed that the unit had a cracked weld. That specific sensor was replaced, but

later analysis suggested that all of the sensors might be suspect.

Murrah said he did not know why the analysis =failed to surface until when it did;

It shouldn't happen, but it did and we've got to fix that problem." RDF spokesman

Randy Gauthiar said his company had no comment on the analysis or the late

79
notificationof NASA.Thespaceagencysaidthat its earlydecisionto scrubthe

launch proved its post-Challengersafety system worked. "The mission

management team was formed following the Challenger accident to deal with just

such problems at a very high level," said NASA Test Director Mike _.

Preparations to replace the MDM, temperature transducers and general purpose

computer number 4 are underway as workers gain access to the aft compartment.

Work has also begun to reconnect the Orbiter midbody umbilical to the Shuttle.

This unit was used to deliver reactants to the Orbiter's fuel cell storage tanks and

will be used to offioad propellants. Ordriance devices will also be disconnected.

Columbia's communications systems have been activated; the tail service masts

on the launch platform have been prepared for launch; these masts are means

through which liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants are loaded into the

extemal tank. The crew of STS 40 will retum to Johnson Space Center (Houston,

TX) early tomorrow morning for more training. Mission Commander Bryan

O'Connor said, "The crew is disappointed we couldn't go on time. We were ready

to go up and do this mission. We understand that there are a lot of things that

can go wrong on the Shuttle, and we're glad the Cape team is attacking the

problems as thoroughly as they are. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 1 p.m.,

May 21, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 22, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, May 23, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp.

A-1 & A-11, May 22, 1991 .]

g SPACE MIRROR CRACKED

Tiny cracks have been spotted in four stones in the Space Mirror, the newly

dedicated Astronauts Memodal; the granite blocks will have to be replaced,

according to AMF spokeswoman Debbie Laing. "We think it's a problem that can

be easily fixed. It's something that came up that nobody could plan for," Lalng

said. The designers of the $6.2 million memorial knew about the cracks as early

as February, but repairs could not have been completed before the May 9

dedication. NASA's Ed Harrison knew about the cracks, too. "We want it to be

corrected and they've agreed to correct it, but it doasn_t distract from the

memodal's attractiveness,* Hardson said. Lalng said that the monument's

designers believe that the clear acrylic that fills each letter of the astronauts'

names is expanding because of the heat and that is putting pressure on the

surrounding stone. So far, six cracks - each leading from the comer of a letter to

the edge of a panel - have been discovered. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B,

May 22, 1991, "New Astronaut Memorial Flawed,' USA TODAY, p. 3A, May 22,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-11, May 22, 1991 .]

May 22: STS 40: LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Kennedy Space Center processing teams are continuing work on a processing

schedule which could lead to launch of Columbia on Saturday, June 1. The twohour launch window opens at 8 a.m. EDT. Preparations are underway to replace

the nine propellant temperature transducers, the multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM)

and the number 4 general purpose computer. Workers are scheduled to

disconnect ordnance devices from 8 p.m. to midnight tonight. The pad will be

80
"v

g

closed to all non-essential personnel during this operation. Replacement of all

components is scheduled to begin at midnight tonight after the pad has been

reopened and will continue through tomorrow. Retest of the transducers and the

GPC is scheduled to be completed by tomorrow (May 23) afternoon. Retest of

the MDM requires more time and is scheduled to continue through Saturday (May

25). Launch countdown preparations will also begin Saturday; ordnance devices

will be reconnected and dosed out for flight next week. The countdown is

scheduled to begin May 28 at 5 p.m. with the countdown clock at the T-43 hour

mark. [KSC SHU'I-I'_E STATUS REPORT, 4 p.m., May 22, 1991 .]

SENSOR CRACKS ON STS 37 & 39

Dan _, Johnson Space Center Shuttle Office Head, said that if he had

known about sensor cracks in time he would have halted the countdowns for both

STS 39 and STS 37. The metallurgy report which indicated the cracks was not

available before those launches, even though the analysis was complete by then.

RDF Corp. (Hudson, NH) which manufactured the temperature transducers

(sensors) which were found to have cracks on Columbia had completed its

analysis of the sensors as early as April 1. The company did not notify NASA

about the cracked weld until early on May 21, just 32 hours before Columbia was

to launch. In the meantime both Discovery and Atlantis had been launched.

Concern about the sensors began in September 1990 when the space agency

was concerned about hydrogen leaks on Columbia and Atlantis. Engineers noted

that one of Columbia's fuel-line sensors leaked slightly, so the sensors were sent

to the Orbiters manufacturer Rockwell Intemational. Then Rockwell sent the

sensors to the wrong subcontractor - Eaton Corp. (CA) - where it stayed for four

months. "Somebody thought they knew where [the sensor] goes to and just

didn't take the time to look it up," according to Shuttle Orbiter Division Director

(JSC), Keilh Hudldns. The actual sensor manufacturer - RDF Corp. - did not get

the sensors until January 1991.

Germany said the error occurred because the sensor evidenced only a small leak

and not a crack; that resulted in a low priority being assigned. He said that now

all problems with a "criticality 1" rating would be assigned high priority and be

tracked much more closely. Criticality 1 hardware is any part whose failure could

destroy an Orbiter. When RDF finished its analysis on April 1, it consulted with

Rockwell and agreed to send the suspect part to a metallurgy lab for more study,

according to Germany. That report was completed May 20 and reported to

Rockwell within hours; Rockwell reported to. NASA right away and the countdown

was halted. Germany said, "We dodged a bullet on that. The weld was cracked

all the way around...It was just a matter of time before that tip had broken off." He

said cracks found on Discovery's sensors were not as severe as those on

Columbia's transducers and were not judged as likely to sever. Space Shuttle

engineers are giving thought to removing entirely some sensors located

immediately above the Orbiter's main engines. "If, technically, we can get by

without the sensors, we'll go do that," Germany said. Other sensors in the system

are not deemed much of a problem because of their location. Meanwhile, workers

have removed insulation which surrounds the sensors in preparation for removing

81
all nine and replacingthemwitheithersparesor plugs. [Date,THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL pp. A-1 & A-19, May 23, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-?A,

May 23, 1991, Brown, USA TODAY, p. 1A, May 23, 1991, "NASA Says Error In

Shipping Part Delayed A Liftoff," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. AS, May 23, 1991 .]

May 23: SPCCGROUNDBRF_,,AKING

NASA's Kennedy Space Center will host a groundbrealdng ceremony for a Space

Shuttle Proceesing Center (PCC) at 1 p.m., (Tuesday) May 28. The PCC will be

a three-story, 99,000-square-foot facility dedicated to Space Shuttle Orbiter testing,

launch team training and Launch Processing System (LPS) maintenance. The

buildlng will provide Space Shuttle engineers and tachniclans with state-of-the-art

areas to improve and maintain their skills during pre- and post-flight processing

flows. Each of the PCC's three floors is designed to serve a specific purpose.

The facility's first floor will consist of offices, workshops and laboratories for the

malntanance and testing of LPS and related equipment. The second floor will

contain additional office space as well as areas for launch team training and

computer software production. Orbiter control rooms will dominate the PCC's

third floor. Three control rooms are planned for use in supporting ongoing Space

Shuttle processing inside the three Orbiter Processing Facility high bays. The

ceremony's featured speakers will include Kennedy Space Center Director Forreet

S. McCarlney, KSC Director of STS Management and Operations Jay Honeycutt

and KSC's Director of Engineering and Development Walter Murphy. The PCC will

be located between the Orbiter Processing Facility and Operations Support

Building in the Launch Complex 39 area. The $8.9 million facility was designed

and will be built by The Hsskell Co. (Jacksonville, FL) Construction is set to begin

on May 29, and the building is scheduled to be operational by June 1, 1992.

["Groundbreakinq for Shuttle Processina Control Center to be May 29,", May 23,

1991 .]

I1 PAYLOAD CANISTER FACILITY GROUNDBREAK]NG PLANNED

A groundbreaking ceremony for KSC's Canister Cleaning and Rotation Facility

(CCRF) will be held at 10 a.m. (Friday) May 24. The multi-purpose CCRF will be

used for cleaning and maintaining the two environmentally controlled canisters

which are used for housing Space Shuttle payloads dudng moves from their

processing facilities to the launch pad or Space Shuttle Orbiter. The CCRF will

also be used to rotate the 65-foot-long payload canister from a horizontal to

vertical configuration or vice-versa, depending on payload requirements. Payload

canisters currently must be transported from their processing areas to the Vehicle

Assembly Building to be rotated as requirements necessitate. The CCRF will be

built in the immediate area of existing payload processing facilities, resulting in

more cost-effective and streamlined operations. "The Canister Cleaning and

Rotation Facility will be a tremendous asset to the whole program," remarked

KSC's Director of Payload Management and Operations John Conway. "It will

make the processing of payloads a safer and more efficient operation." Featured

speakers for the groundbreaking ceremony include KSC Director Forrest S.

McCarthey, KSC Director of Engineering Development Walter Murphy, KSC

2
Director of Payload Projects Management JoAnn Morgan and Conway. The CCRF

will consist of an approximate 7,0(X)-square-foot high bay outfitted with a lO0-ton

overhead bridge crane for rotating the payload canister and the facility will be

located in the KSC Industrial Area. The $5.3 million CCRF was designed by and

will be built by Ivey's Construction, Inc. (Merritt Island, FL). Construction is set to

begin May 24, and the building is scheduled to be operational by mid-summer

1992. p'Groundbreaking for KSC Payload Canister Facility Set for May 24," May

23, 1991, "Payload Canisters to Get New Home," FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, May

26, 1991.]

g COLUMBIA'S SENSORS REMOVED

All nine fuel-line sensors have been removed from the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Managers have decided to leave out three of four temperature sensors in

Columbia's liquid hydrogen lines and plug the holes for the June 1 launch. Henry

Pohl, Director of Engineering at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) said, "ff we

can take them out, we ought to take them out. But you have to look at all the

avenues to make sure you don1 fix one thing and complicate something else."

The fourth sensor is in a position where it could be caught by a safety net

installed for that purpose. Simultaneously, other Kennedy Space Center workers

replaced a computer and a computer interface unit. KSC spokeswoman Lisa

Malone said that sensors from both Atlantis and Endeavour will also be removed

and inspected. NASA Administrator I:lichard H. Truly is unhappy that it took so

long for Launch Managers to learn of the sensor analysis; they received a

metallurgy report just 32 hours before launch was to have taken place. "From a

safety point of view on upcoming flights, we're not concerned at all. From a

procedural point of view, we're damn concerned how this one faked us out," Truly

said. [Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, May 24, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. IOA, May 24, 1991, "Shuttle Problems," USA TODAY, p. 3A, May 24,

1991, "NASA Debates Removing Sensors on Space Shuttle," THE NEW YORK

TIMES. p. A16, May 24, 1991 .]

May 24: STS 40 COUNTDOWN TO START

The countdown clock for the 1lth flight of the Orbiter Columbia, and the 41st

Space Shuttle launch, is set to begin at 9 p.m. EDT, May 28, at the T-43 hour

mark. This countdown is longer than most and includes 40 hours of built-in hold

time leading up to the opening of the launch window at 8 a.m. EDT on June 1.

The launch window extends to 10 a.m. EDT. Extra time built into this countdown

is to allow for the installation of several time critical experiments including the 20

rodents which will ride in the Spacelab module and 10 in the Orbiter's middeck.

The last two built-in holds will be 10 minutes in duration and will occur at the T-20

minute mark, or at 7:20 a.m., and at the T-9 minute mark, or at 7:41 a.m. During

the final hold, the flight crew and ground team receive the NASA Launch Director's

and the Mission Management Team's final "go" for launch. [=STS-40 Launch

Countdown Will Restart May 28, NASNKSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 68-91, May 24,

1991.]

83
I1 NASA REVIEW OF SENSOR PROBLEM

g

g

Following a meeting today with senior management of NASA's space flight and

safety programs, Administrator FUcberd H. Truly said the agency will conduct a

prompt and thorough review concerning the recent discovery that a fuel sensor

removed from Space Shuttle Columbia last fall was cracked. He emphasized,

however, that he is confident Columbia is fully capable and safe for the upcoming

launch of STS 40/Space Life Sciences-1. '_/e have appointed an expert panel to

review how the sensor problem was handled from start to finish," Truly said.

•Equally important, we want to determine where any deficiencies exist in NASA's

system for handling such Issues. I guarantee that any and all necessary changes

will be made. NASA will continue to place the greatest emphasis on mission

safety and reliability." Truly said he expected preliminary findings to be

announced by NASA management at a bdeflng May 30. The NASA Administrator

said the sensor problem has been corrected on Columbia and poses no risk to

the Shuttle and its crew of seven, which will undertake a 9-day life sciences

mission involving many important, first-time expedments. Launch, which was

originally scheduled for May 22, is now tentatively scheduled for June 1. In

addition to Truly, today's meeting included WBiam B. Lenok, Associate

Administrator for Space Flight; Robert L Cdppen, Director, Space Shuttle; and

George A. I:k)dney, Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Quality.

['NASA to Review Sensor Problem, Truly Says Columbia 'Ready to Fly',"

NASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 91-79, May 24, 1991 .]

STS 43 PROCESSING PROGRESS

Work in progress upon Atlantis for its STS 43 mission includes a gimbal test of the

orbital maneuvering system engines; thermal protection system operations;

potable water servicing; water spray boiler leak and functional tests; main engine

and main propulsion system tests; functional tests of the orbital maneuvering

system; tests of the forward reaction control system at the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility; and auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing. Tests of the ultra

high frequency communications system have been completed. Work scheduled

for next week includes a functional test of the external tank door; installation of the

forward reaction control system; tests of the nose wheel steering system and antiskid brake tests are planned. [KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT, May 24, 1991 .]

DISCOVI_W PROCESSING: STS 48

Main engine flight readiness tests and flow checks of the main propulsion system

helium regulators have been completed on the Space Shuttle Discovery. Work

continuing includes window polishing; preparations to remove the three Shuttle

main engines; thermal protection system operations; and inspections of the

Orbiter's hydraulic system. Shuttle main engines must be removed next week.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 24, 1991 .]

84
May 25: COLUMBIA'S SENSORS REPLACED

'Everything's still on schedule [for the launch June 1 of Columbia]," according to

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngham today. Faulty equipment

has been removed from the Orbiter; replacements have been installed and tested.

The countdown for STS 40 begins May 28 at 9 p.m. The countdown is expected

to be four hours shorter for this second attempt, because some work does not

need to be repeated, according to KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. NASA's

Shuttle Program Managers decided to plug suspect sensors rather than replace

them. One plug did not work properly and was scheduled for retesting and

possible replacement. That work is not expected to delay the launch of Columbia

on June 1 between 8 and 10 a.m., EDT. Five liquid oxygen sensors were replaced

on Columbia, though there has been no evidence of damage on any of these

sensors. Four hydrogen sensors on Discovery are thought to be suspect. NASA

engineers are convinced that there is a sufficient record of flight experience to

allow future Shuttle missions to fly without the potentially dangerous sensors.

Kennedy Space Center will be largely shut down in observance of Memorial Day

(May 27), but work will resume May 28 with the countdown starting in the evening.

Sunday (May 27) technicians installed explosive devices on the Orbiter and tested

a replacement component. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 26, 1991,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, May 27, 1991 .]

May 2B: COLUMBIA COUNTDOWN STAIn'S TODAY

Preparations are underway to begin the countdown tonight at the T-43 hour mark

for Columbia's STS 40 mission. Work continues on closing out the Orbiter's aft

compartment, removing protective covers from components in the aft

compartment, final inspections of the compartment and closeouts of the solid

rocket boosters. Finished processing work includes a retest of the multiplexer

demultJplexer (MDM), replacement of six cryogenic propellant temperature

transducers and three plugs in the liquid hydrogen 12-inch feedUnes. Successful

leak tests of the temperature transducers and the plugs have been completed as

have a retest of the newly installed general purpose computer and a reconnection

and retest of the Orbiter's ordnance devices. The crew of STS 40 is scheduled

to arrive once more at Kennedy Space Center May 29 at 3 p.m. Launch remains

scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT June 1 when there is a probability of acceptable

weather. The following day, Saturday, there is a 80 percent probability of

favorable launch weather. For the overall window on June 1 (from 8 a.m. until 10

a.m.) there is a 95 percent chance of being within weather commit criteria. Work

completed in the processing of Atlantis for its STS 43 mission includes servicing

the potable water system and auxiliary power unit lube oil. Remaining to be

completed are tests of the external tank door; nose wheel steedng and brake antiskid tests. On Discovery - in preparation for its STS 48 flight - work on the

midbody continues as do preparations to remove the three Shuttle main engines

and checks of the forward reaction control system. On Endeavour purges of the

freon coolant loop are progressing as is installation of platforms in the midbody

and aft compartment. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 28, 1991 .]

85
I] PLAYALINDA BEACH CLOSES

Playailnda Beach will reopen to visitors during daylight hours the day following the

launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia on its STS 40 mission and will remain open

until further notice. Other Canaveral National Seashore beaches such as Apollo

Beach are not affected by Space Shuttle launch operations. ["Playaiinda Beach

to Reopen After STS-40 Launch," NASAVKSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 63-91, May 28,

1991, BumpuevH.ooper, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. B-1 & B-4, May 26, 1991 .]

n COLUMBIA READY TO FLY

"We're looking great for Saturday [June 1]. I know of no technical problems that

we're working at all," said Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCarlney

said today. Echoing the remarks was KSC spokeswoman Usa Malone, who said,

"All the work is done, and we're ready to go." Countdown clocks began at 9 p.m.

at the T-43 hour mark, pointing toward an 8 a.m. launch Saturday. All of the

Orbiter's sensors have been replaced; technicians have also replaced a faulty

general purpose computer and a multiplexer demuitiplexer. The crew for STS 40

retums to KSC about 3 p.m. tomorrow. The only reason for a delay until Sunday

(June 2) would be if there is a delay until May 30 in today's launch of a Delta 2

rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. NASA and the Air Force, which

operates the Eastem Test Range at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, have

agreed to give McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems Co. a second launch attempt

this week if bad weather or a minor technical problem halts today's Delta launch.

In that event, Air Force workers would need about two days to prepare range

safety equipment for a Shuttle launch attempt. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A,

May 29, 1991, "New Parts for Shuttle Pass Finai Test Before Countdown," THE

NI_W YORK TIMES, p. AIO, May 29, 1991, "Shuttle on Target," USA TODAY, p. 3A,

May 30, 1991, "Columbia Parts OK as Countdown Starts," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, May 29, 1991 .]

May 29: STS 43 PREPARATIONS

A number of processing activities are currently underway for Atlantis' STS 43

mission: installation of the forward reaction control system; thermal protection

system operations; main engine and main propulsion system tests; functional

tests of the orbital maneuvering system pods; replacement of the low pressure

oxidizer turbo pump on Shuttle main engine number 1; and positioning of the

aerosurfaces. Closeouts of the STS 43 solid rocket boosters have begun and

cables are being routed for the boosters. Discovery is undergoing removal of

Shuttle main engines 1 and 2; functionai tests of the forward reaction control

system; thermal protection system operations; and deconflguration of the payload

bay. Shuttle main engine number 3 has already been removed and the Orbiter's

power system has been validated. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, May 29,

1991.]

v
I1 ATS: SUBCONTRACTOR OF YEAR

g

g

Atlantic Technical Services (ATS) has been awarded Subcontractor of the Year in

the Southeast by the U.S. Small Business Administration. At Kennedy Space

Center, ATS provides mall distribution services to more than 260 buildings over

a 42-mile route. Roger Gnldde, Acting Regional Administrator for the SBA, said,

"This is a topflight operation when you see what goes on in day-to-day

operations." Jim Dubay, EG&G Florida President and the person who nominated

ATS for the award said, "A reliable mall system is critical to the information needs

of the many organizations at the Kennedy Space Center. And ATS has a staff

that gets the job done." Founded in 1971 by Eschol Walker, the 47-employee

company is directed at KSC by AI Nelson, Project Manager and Postmaster of the

space center's post office. [Byrd, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12C, May 30, 1991 .]

DELTA LAUNCHES ALASKAN SATELLITE

"We see the vehicle going right down the middle of the path. That's the way we

like to see them fly," said Ray Adams, launch commentator for today's successful

launch of a McDonnell Douglas Delta 2 rocket at 6:55 p.m. The launch was

delayed 31 minutes for the replacement of a broken launch-pad camera which

was needed to watch for liquid oxygen leaks while the rocket's first stage was

being filled with the propellant. "The communications era has really opened the

state for our people. It's more than just a convenience; it's a lifeline service," said

Tom Jensen, spokesman for Alascom Inc., Alaska's long-distance telephone

provider. "In the next 60 to 90 days, all of Alaska will be using that [Aurora II]

satellite to communicate,' he said. When upper-level winds changed directions,

Air Force officials required 300 VIP spectators to move to another viewing site to

avoid possible falling debds if the rocket exploded or had to be destroyed. The

next Delta mission is scheduled for June 26, an Air Force navigation satellite.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 30, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

May 29, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, May 30, 1991 .]

,STS 40 CREW ARRIVES, AGAIN

The STS 40 crew returned to Kennedy Space Center today at 3 p.m. Columbia's

Commander Bryan O'Connor said, "We hope this time we can get up there and

do some science for our country and space program. The crew is ready." NASA

Test Director Mike Leinbach said, 'ff the hardware stays good to us, we'll be ready

to go Saturday [June 1]moming." Columbia's Pilot is Sk:l GuSerrez; the Mission

Specialists are: James Bagkm, Tommy Jemigan, and Rhea Seddon; the Payload

Specialists are: Drew Gaffney and MBIe Hughes_ulford. The crew's four medical

specialists - Bagian, Seddon, Gaffney and Hughes-Fuiford - will work in the

payload bay's Spacelab module conducting heart, lung, blood and other tests on

each other to help scientists better understand how humans adjust to space.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, May 30, 1991 .]

87
May30:. BARGE CANAL BRIDGE STALLS TRAFFIC

"1 had 15,000 people backed up from here to Nova Scotia, and let me tell you

these people get irritated," said Bridgetender Pat C.,asey, Brevard County Road

and Bridge Division. The bridge malfunctioned at 4:30 and left one side of the

draw bridge stuck 5 inches above the road's surface. Hundreds of rush-hour

Kennedy Space Center workers were held up for 25 minutes. After Cesay had

raised the bddge to allow a tugboat and a barge to pass, the bridge locked and

the control board lost power, she said. "It could have been a multitude of things

that caused it - they're not really sure. But It has been remedied and is working

fine now," Casey said. Traffic was directed by the Florida Highway Patrol during

the Incident. ['M. I. Bddge Stalls Traffic," FLORIDA TOpAY, p. 1B, May 31, 1991 .]

g EQUIPMENT FAILURES INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

An investigation continues today into potential Space Shuttle equipment failures

and reporting procedures as Columbia is being readied for an 8 a.m. launch June

1. Forecasts indicate a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for Iiftoff on time.

Today, technicians at Kennedy Space Center will load 30 rats and 2,478 jellyfish

into a Spacelab module in the OrbIter's cargo bay and middeck lockers. The

countdown proceeded normally throughout the day; the newly installed

temperature sensors and computer parts have been extensively tested. The

previous attempt to launch Columbia on May 22 was called off 30 hours before

liftoff when managers learned of a report raising safety questions about the

Orbiter's fitness for flight; a temperature sensor had been found defective. In

addition, there were unrelated computer equipment problems. "We would prefer

that our procedures had enlightened us and alarmed us about the potential

problem sooner than it did," said WUUam Lenoir, NASA Associate Administrator for

Spaceflight. He said NASA engineers had missed the questionable nature of the

sensors' design and that the probes should not have been certified for flight. He

said also that the space agency should have been notified earlier about the

sensor problem. "In retrospect, we didn't recognize the potential severity of the

problem as early as we should have," Lenoir said. George A. Rodrmy, who heads

the Office of Safety and Mission Quality for the space agency, said, "The issue of

why it (the sensor problem) happened is a very sadous issue. Our systems didn't

minimize the dsk as well as we had hoped they would." Rodney also said that the

system would be improved to make sure equipment problems no longer "sneak

up and bIte us" as they did last week. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, May 31,

1991, "Weather Ukely 'Go' for Columbia Launch," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p.

A-l, May 31, 1991 .]

88
JUNE

June 1: STS 40 SCRUBBED; RESET FOR JUNE 5

The launch of Columbia on its STS 40 mission was scrubbed this moming at

about 7:15 a.m. EDT when one of three inertial measurement units (IMUs) was

deemed unacceptable for launch. The mission was originally scheduled to be

launched May 22. The IMUs are the heart of the Orbiter's navigation system and

all three are necessary for launch. The accalerometers in IMU No. 2 were

behaving erratically early this morning. IMU No. 2 will be replaced starting later

today. The 58 pound unit is located on the Orbiter's flight deck just forward of the

control and display panels. Each IMU is about 10 inches high, 11.5 inches wide

and 22 inches long. 'We're disappointed this happened. We came back here

thinking the Orbiter was ready to go," said Commander Bryan O'Connor. "1think

we all realize that there are millions of parts involved in this vehicle and that it's

a miracle when we do launch." Kennedy Space Center Launch Director Robed

B. Sieck said, WVe're going to attack it, fix it and get on with flying this machine.

In this business, it takes a lot of patience, and disappointment is something we

deal with."

Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants are being drained from the external

tank today; residual hydrogen will be allowed to boil off until tomorrow morning.

Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen storage farms at the pad will be replenished

on June 2 and June 3. Columbia's fuel cell storage tanks will be topped off with

liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants on June 3. STS 40 Commander

Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sid Gutlerrez will be flown by STA to Edwards Air Force

Base, CA, tomorrow. They will practice landing approaches on the primary

landing site's runways and retum to Kennedy Space Center tomorrow night. The

rest of the crew - Tammy Jemigan, Rhea Saddon, James Bagian, Drew Gaffney

and Mile Hughee-Fulford will remain at KSC for the June 5 launch attempt.

Payload specialist Drew Gaffney will leave the catheter in place in a vein near his

heart. The 30 rodents and 2,500 tiny jellyfish will be replaced in the Orbiter

middeck and in the Spacelab. These operations will be conducted in parallel with

the IMU replacement. Pending the successful completion of planned work, the

launch countdown is scheduled to resume at the T-11 hour mark at about 5:40

p.m. EDT June 4. Launch is planned for 8 a.m. EDT June 5. At a pre-flight

bdeflng May 31, Space Shuttle Director Robert L Cdppen had declared NASA

ready to launch Columbia. Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said, "We feel

good about the hardware. It's behaving well; the repair work is all behind us."

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 1,1991, Banke and Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, June 2, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 4, 1991,

Lean/, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 8, June 1, 1991 .]

0 WILEY NAMED MISSION ASSURANCE DIRECTOR

Warren W'dey has been named Director of Mission Assurance at Kennedy Space

Center; the position is a new one at the space center and is located within the

Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorate at KSC. Wiley has been

-_ 89
employedby NASAsince 1971and has servedas Chief of the Orbiter Main

Propulsion System Section at KSC and later as Chief of the Main Propulsion and

Fuel Cell Branch and Chief of the Fluids Systems Division. Immediately prior to

assuming his new job, Wiley was Deputy Director of Vehicle Engineering. [Banke

and Halvorson, "NASA Veteran Named to New KSC Post," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

9E, June 2, 1991 .]

June 2: STS 40 LAUNCH SCRUB TURNAROUND

Operations at Launch Complex 39B continue this moming as workers move ahead

with launch scrub turnaround procedures. Work to replace the faulty inertial

measurement unit that failed yesterday and prompted the scrub of mission STS

40 has been completed and engineers have begun the IMU retest. By Monday

avaning, the IMU calibrations should be complete. The launch of the Space

Shuttle Columbia and the Spacelab Life Sciences mlesion STS 40 is currently

targeted for 8 a.m. June 5. Ten of thirty rodents were removed from two animal

enclosure modules last night at about 5 p.m. The approximately 2500 jellyfish

were also removed at that time. Removal of the other 20 rats, located in the

research and animal holding facility in the spacelab module in Columbia's payload

bay is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. tonight. Other work at the pad today

Includes circulating an Inert gas into the external tank to keep it dry. Additional

liquid oxygen is scheduled to be delivered to the pad today; a delivery of

additional liquid hydrogen will arrive at the pad tomorrow. The Orbiter mid-body

umbilical unit has been mated to Columbia and the connections leak checked.

Fuel cell topping off operations are scheduled for early June 3. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, June 2, 1991 .]

June 3: COUNTDOWN RESUMES

"We will have a chance of showers anytime on Wednesday (June 5), but the best

chance of thunderstorms will be in the aftemoon hours," said Meteorologist

Rodney Smith of the National Weather Service office (Melbourne, FL). The

countdown for STS 40 is sat to resume today at 1 a.m. for the space agency's

third attempt to launch the Columbia whose No.. 2 IMU has been replaced.

Launch is set for 8 a.m. June 5. The countdown will begin a day eadler than had

bean announced to make it easier to coordinate today's modified schedule of prelaunch work, according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham. Testing and

calibration of the new IMU is set to begin about 8 a.m. today; results will be

available June 4. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,, p. 1A, June 3, 1991 .]

June 4." LSO'S SARGENT TO RETIRE

Douglas Sargent, President of Lockheed Space Operations Co., will retire August

1 and be replaced by Gerald Oppliger, who has been Vice President and Assistant

Program Manager for KSC Shuttle Operations since 1987. Kennedy Space Center

Director _ S. McCmlney said of Sargent, "his contributions to the return to

flight= since the Challenger accident have been significant. "Oppliger," McCartney

continued, "has been [Sargent's] deputy and is no stranger to us. rm certain he
rl

n

n

will pick it"up without missing a single beat." Oppliger said he did not plan to

change oparations at present, describing the promotion as a "fantastic

opportunity. We'll just continue the operation as it's been going." [Boylan,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 18C, June 4, 1991 .]

1_2 SPACELAB LAUNCH ON TRACK

Equipment housing experiments for a future Spacelab flight has completed a

major sedas of tests at Kennedy Space Center, keeping the Shuttle mission on

track for a March 1992 launch. The Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and

Science (Atlas 1) will be the first Spaoslab mission solely dedicated to studying

the Earth's atmosphere and how changes in the sun affects the sky. "The payload

is in excellent shape," said Anthony O'Neii, Mission Manager, "1believe the Atlas-1

experiments, Spacelab hardware and software performed exceptionally well during

the tests and are ready to support the mission sequence test" which is scheduled

to run for five days beginning June 10. It will test the entire payload as it is

expected to operate on a typical day in orbit. Five astronauts and two payload

specialists, commanded by Charles Bolden, will fly the seven-day mission.

["Spacelab Mission On Track," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, June 2, 1991 .]

PROSPECTOR LAUNCH DELAYED BY SHUTrLE

A Prospector rocket carrying 10 experiments will have to wait two days to be

launched; the delay is caused by the Wednesday (June 5) launch of Columbia

taking precedence. The Prospector launch is now scheduled to occur between

7 a.m. and 10 a.m. June 7. An investigation into the failed launch attempt on May

6 showed that a device designed to prevent accidental ignition of the rocket did

not rotate into the proper firing position. "ff you're going to have a failure, that's

probably the best kind of failure, whereas if you have to destroy a missile, you end

up starting all over from scratch." The "safe and arm" device has been replaced.

Orbital Sciences Corp. spokeswoman Barbara 7.adina said, "Everything should be

ready to go. We're confident that we have a good crew out there and that they've

done a good job identifying and fixing the problem." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 2A, June 4, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, June 2, !991 .]

COUNTDOWN STATUS

Technicians at Launch Complex 39B are performing a repair on a small portion

of the insulation of the Extemal Tank being flown on the STS 40 mission. During

a walkdown of the pad this morning, it was noticed that the foam insulation

covering a plate had debonded. The insulation area measures four and onequarter inches on a side and is 1.35 inches in thickness, it is located near the

forward attach point for the Orbiter and External Tank. NASA spokesman Ed

Campion said, "The concern is that the insulation might come loose during ascent

and pieces could fly back and damage the tiles on the Orbiter." The patch was

glued back on the tank at 2 p.m. and touched up again about 6 p.m. it is now

expected that the Rotating Service Structure at the pad will be rolled back

between 6 and 7 p.m. in preparation for the tanking operation to begin shortly

91
beforemidnight. Off-linetestsofthe curingprocessareunderwayanddatafrom

those tests will be reviewed as part of the decision-making process on whether

to proceed with tanking. The tests will provide data on bonding strength at

different cure times. A decision on proceeding with the tanking operation will be

made late this evening. This moming, Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sial

Gutleerez practiced approaches to the Shuttle Landing Facility in the T-38 jets.

Meteorologists for the Air Force were watching a cool front moving in from

Canada which increased the chance of excessive cloudiness, lightning and

thunderstorms over Launch Complex 39B. The probability of acceptable weather

at 8 a.m. June 5 is 50 percent. For the overall window, there is a 60 percent

chance of being within launch weather commit criteria. One of thirty laboratory

rats will miss the flight because the water dispenser in its cage was

malfunctioning. [_'RS-40 COUNTDOWN STATUS, 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 5, 1991,

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 4, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, June 5, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-11, June 5, 1991,

"Shuttle Launch," USA TODAY, p. 3A, June 5, 1991, Leary, THE NEW YORK

TIMES. p. A12, June 5, 1991 .]

ri STS 4,3 PROCESSING: ATt,ANTlS

Work in progress on the Space Shuttle Atlantis includes thermal protection system

operations, main engine and main propulsion system tests, functional tests of the

orbital maneuvering system pods, hookups of the low pressure fuel turbopump

on Shuttle main engine no. 3 and a wing positive pressure test. Functional tests

of the galley have been completed. Installation of heat shields around the three

main engines and of the getaway special beam in the payload bay remain to be

accomplished. [SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 4, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY, ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: STS 48

A number of processing operationu are underway for Discovery's STS 48 mission:

tests of the fuel cells, leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers, main

propulsion system tests, thermal protection system operations, deconfiguration of

the payload bay. Scheduled work includes replacement of the nose landing gear

axle. Work in progress on the Space Shuttle Endeavour includes main propulsion

system leak checks, thermal protection system operations, work in the

environmental control life support system and removal of the 2 and 4 inch lines

in the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system. [SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

June 4, 1991.]

June 5: COLUMBIA: THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM

Space Shuttle Program pioneer Columbia finally made it into space today with a

9:25 a.m. liftoff from Launch Complex 39B. The twice delayed STS 40 carded into

orbit seven astronauts - four men, three women - along with 29 rats and 2,478 jelly

fish on a nine-day medical research mission. Launch Director Robert B. Slack

said, '_Ne're certainly pleased to have Columbia, the crew and all the critters in

orbit. Speaking at a news briefing, NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly noted

92

V
that NASA "has been launching a safe and su_ccessful space shuttle flight every

month-and-a-haft for two years and eight months." That success, he said, proved

that the space agency could operate large projects and make use of the Space

Shuttle to support the proposed Space Station. The full House of Representatives

is to vote on funding for the Space Station June 6. The STS 40 mission was

originally scheduled to be launched May 22 when concern about the Orbiter's

temperature fuel sensors safety scrubbed the liftoff attempt. When a navigation

unit failed June 1, the second effort was scrubbed. This morning's launch was

threatened by cloudy weather and concern about a 4-inch-square piece of foam

insulation on the extem fuel tank. The patch that was put on the tank was

considered ready enough for launch and the clouds eventually moved sufficiently

to allow the launch. The countdown was halted at the 9 minute mark just before

8 a.m. and was resumed at 9:15. Columbia is expected to launch June 14 at

Edwards Air Force Base, CA. [Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A2A, June 6, 1991. Other feature stories on the launch of STS 40 may be found on

p. IOA of the cited issue; Leary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A8, June 6, 1991,

Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-8, June 6, 1991, Broad, "Space

Errors Share Pattern: Skipped Tests," THE NEW YORK TIMES, pp. B-5 & B-8,

June 11, 1991 .]

June 6: SPACE STATION REVIVED

The U. S. House of Representatives today voted to provide NASA with $1.9 billion

of the $2 billion President Bush asked for to fund the Space Station Project.

NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly said: The totally bipartisan vote in the House

of Representatives to continue development of Space Station Freedom was a big

victory for all America. It was a vote to remain the leader in space exploration, to

inspire and challenge our young people to do better, to reassert our technological

leadership [and] to make an investment in America's future, and set the stage for

discovery and breakthroughs in medicine, materials, transportation and energy.

I am confident that Freedom will win support in the Senate. Much work remains

to be done to provide a final FY 1992 budget for NASA that is well balanced

between science, manned space flight and exploration, aeronautical research,

earth observation and technology development. I remain committed toward that

end. The U. S. Senate takes up NASA's proposed 1992 budget in July.

[Crawford, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-2, June 7, 1991, Crawford, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-6, June 9, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, June 7, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, June 8, 1991, NASA/KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 91-88, June 6, 1991, Lawler, SPACE NEWS, pp. 3 & 28, June 10-

16, 1991.]

I] PAD DAMAGE SUGHT

Scorched paint was the only damage noted on Launch Complex 39B, according

to KSC spokesman Bruce Buddngham. No damage was reported in the payload

changeout room.Pad workers spent today cleaning the pad and began

preparations for moving Columbia's mobile launch platform back to the Vehicle

Assembly Building no June 13. Discovery's SIS 43 mission will be the next flight

93
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D

to odginete from LC 39B. Columbia's solid rocket boosters were recovered June

5 and retumed to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station the next day; Buckingham

said little damage was observed in initial inspections of the boosters. Buckingham

said the boosters would be cleaned, disassembled and prepared for a future

launch. He said that mission managers were discussing a leaking helium tank

discovered in Atlantis and whether to replace it. The leak is considered small and

may not require replacing the tank. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 7,

1991, KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, June 6, 1991 .]

PROSPECTOR LAUNCH DELAYED, AGAIN

The launch of Prospector, a commercial suborbital rocket, has been tentatively

reset for June 8 at 7 a.m. from Launch Complex 20 at the Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station. The Joust 1 mission was scrubbed after poor weather prevented

the Orbital Sciences Corp., Space Data Division launch team from completing

vehicle processing work June 5. Dr. Charles _ Director of the University

of Alabama in Huntsville Consortium for Materials Development in Space (UAH

CMDS), said lightning around Launch Complex 20 kept the team away from the

launch pad for approximately three hours. Lundquist said the team would resume

its work today weather permitting. Because of the weather delay, a simulated

countdown scheduled for today will be conducted at 6:30 a.m. June 7. A final

decision to pursue a June 8 launch would be made the moming of June 7. Air

Force weather forecasters said today that there was a 40 percent chance that

weather conditions would be favorable for a launch June 8; weather conditions

must also be taken into account for the safe operation of the payload recovery

ship which is located in the Atlantic Ocean about 250 miles from the launch site.

The Prospector will carry 10 materials and biotechnology experiments

approximately 380 miles into space and provide the experiments about 13 minutes

of weightlessness before the payload returns to earth for an ocean landing. The

Joust 1 mission is sponsored by the UAH CMDS, a NASA Center for the

Commercial Development of Space. Orbital Sciences, under a contract witl, the

UAH CMDS, will provide the rocket and launch services. [Banks, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 6A, June 7, 1991, JOUST 1 UPDATE, June 6, 1991 .]

STS 43 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

A number of processing activities are underway on Atlantis in preparation for its

STS 43 flight which is scheduled now for a late summer Iiftoff. Work in progress

includes: main engine and propulsion system checks; main engine heat shield

installation; thermal protection system tile work; replacement of left OMS engine

actuator due to malfunction during gimbaling test; payload integration verification

test; Environmental Control and Life Support System servicing; and a landing gear

functional test. Completed work includes: a main landing gear strut hydraulic

level check; gaseous nitrogen leak check; and installation of the OMS heat shield.

Checks and tests remaining to be done are the SSME interface leak checks;

payload verification tests and a crew equipment interface test. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS, June 6, 1991 .]

v94
June 7: POST-LAUNCH CLEANUP

Columbia's solid rocket boosters arrived today at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station; there was no noticeable damage observed. Post-launch

operations were underway at Launch Complex 39B where auxiliary power unit

service carts were being removed. The mobile launcher platform was scheduled

to be removed to the VAB high bay 3 on June 10. Columbia is scheduled to land

at 1:14 p.m. EDT at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, June 7, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY CONTRIBUTION TO COLUMBIA MISSION

Discovery's payload bay and payload bay doors were configured to support an

extra-vehicular activity demonstration test. This test is required to support

possible a EVA on Columbia to repair the lett-hand payload bay door aft bulb

seal. The test will involve astronaut Kathy Sullivan performing the EVA

demonstration. Lube oil servicing on the auxiliary power units is underway as are

water spray boiler leak and functional tests and main propulsion system and OMS

pod system checks. Main engine controller checkouts and TACAN system checks

have been scheduled in preparation for Discovery's STS 48 mission. [KSC

SHUI-rl.E STATUS REPORT, June 7, 1991, "Test Is Determining Need of Shuttle

Repair,' .THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 6, June 8, 1991 .]

g A"n.AN11S LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

The payload integration and verification test has been completed for the STS 43

mission of Atlantis, now scheduled for July 25. Work in progress included

preparations to replace main propulsion system helium tank number 4 following

a leak test failure; main engine heat shield installation; main engine and main

propulsion system checks; thermal protection system tile work; Environmental

Control and Life Support System servicing and a landing gear functional test.

Orbiter hydraulic operations are scheduled as are SSME interface leak checks,

crew equipment interface tests and main landing gear functional tests, rKSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 7, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IOE &

9E, June 9, 1991.]

g WAVES DELAY PROSPECTOR LAUNCH

The launch of a Prospector sounding rocket has been delayed until June 9 at the

earliest because of high waves in the Atlantic Ocean. For recovery of the rocket's

experiment payload to be successful, waves must be six feet or less. Air Force

forecasters predict that waves are expected to remain high through the weekend.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 8, 1991 .]

n AMES WINS PUBUC SERVICE MEDAL

M. H. "Red" Antes, Boeing Space Operations Project Engineer, has been awarded

a NASA Public Service Medal for contributions to the U. S. space program.

95
KennedySpaceCenterDeputyDirectorJamesA. _ Thomas presented the

award to Ames. Dean I-leing, General Manager of Boeing's Engineering Support

Contract at KSC, said, "We are very proud of Red and his unrelenting efforts

toward the successful completion of many NASA/Boeing projects." Ames was

cited by NASA for successfully leading an effort to upgrade a device used to test

lilting equipment at KSC's Launch Equipment Test Facility. ['Boeing Engineer

Wins NASA Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, June 9, 1991 .]

June 9:. PROSPECTOR AIMS FOR JUNE 14 LAUNCH

Prospector was ready to launch this morning when a technical problem could not

be solved quicldy and the launch was scrubbed. "It wee most disappointing

because the countdown wee proceeding the scrub wee so clean," said Scott

Webster, President of Orbital Science Corp.'s Space Division (Chandler, AZ).

About forty minutes before its scheduled 7 a.m. launch, workers prepared to

connect two wires aboard the rocket when it wee discovered that one had more

electrical energy running through it than launch rules allowed. The cause of the

high voltage readings is now attributed to batteries which power the flight

termination system. Officials now say that June 14 is the eadlest possible date for

the next launch attempt, because an ocean recovery ship will not be available until

that date. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 10, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A, June 11, 1991 .]

June 10: UCF AID8 SPACE STATION RESEARCH

A potential Space Station crew retum vehicle is being designed and tested in

Odando by engineering students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The

Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) is an escape vehicle that would enable sick

or stranded astronauts to retum safely to Earth in the event a Space Shuttle

rescue mission was unable to reach the crew in a timely manner. NASA has

decided that the ACRV will be a critical element of Space Station Freedom prior

to it becoming a permanently manned facility. UCF's involvement with the ACRV

began in the 1989-90 school year when about 30 senior-level engineering

students worked on potential designs for the rescue and recovery subsystems of

the crew retum vehicle. Using the Apollo capsule as the basis for their concept,

the students designed a detailed ACRV which wee later constructed on a one-fifth

scale by the 1990-91 senior engineering class. Balance and drop tests were

conducted in a local swimming pool and a water test facility at Oregon State

University to simulate ocean conditions over a pedod of five days. The project

was headed by Dr. Loron Arclerson of UCF; he said, "[The ACRV] took a lot of

abuse, but it worked like we planned and came out all right from the testing. It

wee a valuable test for the project and an invaluable experience for the students."

KSC's ACRV Manager, Glenn Parker, has worked closely with Anderson and

assisted and monitored the college's work on the project. "The work they've done

over there at UCF has been absolutely great," remarked Parker. "We've had to

give them quite a bit of guidance, but the students ere so committed and

dedicated that it's been well worth the effort." Anderson said he expects students

to continue to work on the ACRV project for at least the next school year. '_/e
have significantlyimprovedour work on the program,"Andersonsaid, "and

certainly inspired interest in aerospace engineering as a result of our involvement.

We're happy to be a part of the Space Station." [Varnes, NASA/KSC NEWS

RELEASE NO. 69-91, June 10, 1991 .]

June 11: SPACE EXPLORATION INITIATIVE STRATEGY

A Federal study group - the 22-member Synthesis Group -headed by former

astronaut Thomas Stalford, today proposed a strategy for retuming humans to the

Moon by 2004 and on to Mars by 2014. "By starting the Space Exploration

Initiative now, we can enable America to lead humanity on its inevitable path into

space and toward the bdghter future it will provide for all," said Stafford at a White

House news briefing. Vice President Dan Quayle, who spoke at the briefing, said

the report "sets the path for permanent, manned exploration of space."

Quayle called the Synthesis Group report the first "sedous look ... at how to fulfill

the president's objectives in space." Expressing optimism that public support can

be generated for the Space Station project, Quayle went on to say, "We've all just

gone through a bruising, tough fight on Space Station Freedom. If the Space

Station had not gone forward, in my judgment it would have set space exploration

back for at least a generation. We all know there are budget limitations," Quayle

continued, "But I can assure you that the political will in the [Bush] administration

for these types of endeavors will continue." Stafford said his group did not have

the resources or mandate to make cost estimates of the exploration ventures, but

studies by NASA and other organizations have put the cost at $500 billion or

more. Stafford said the whole effort could be got underway for '_ery modest

sums," adding, "No one is being asked to sign a blank check for this effort."

[teary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A10, June 12, 1991, "Study: U. S. Should

Return to Moon, Shoot for Mars," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. pp. A-1 & A-4, June

12, 1991, Isbell, SPACE NEWS, p. 6, June 17-23, 1991 .]

June 12: SUPPORT OPERATIONS DIRECTOR DIES

James F_ Face, 58, Director of Center Support Operations at Kennedy Space

Center died at his home today. KSC Director Forrest S. McC.,a_ said of him,

"Jim Rice's contributions over his long and distinguished career have been

numerous and significant. He is truly one of the pioneers of the Kennedy Space

Center and has been a respected colleague of all of us. His loss will be felt by

the center and his many friends, but we all feel the better for having had Jim as

a companion and team member these many years." James E. Rice is survived by

his wife, Arleen Rice (Satellite Beach, FL), and a daughter, Nicole Rice (Cocoa

Beach, FL). Services will be conducted June 18 at Trinity Presbyterian Church

(Satellite Beach) with a reception to follow immediately. [Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 3B, June 15, 1991 .]

g STS 43 PROCESSING: ATLANT1S

Environmental Control and Life Support System servicing has been completed on

Atlantis in preparation for its STS 43 mission scheduled for July 25. Orbiter

97
hydraulicoperations,mainengineand mainpropulsionsystemchecksand main

engine heat shield installation have also been accomplished. In progress are aft

bay cioseouts, aerosurfece cycling operations, special bulb seal inspections,

thermal protection system tile work, structural checks, and preparations for final

payload bay cleaning. SSME interface leak checks are scheduled as is final

payload bay door dosing. The TDRS-E payload will be delivered to the pad June

17. Work is also progressing on the external tank and solid rocket boosters being

readied for Discovery's upcoming mission. Electrical metes and checkouts are

proceeding; replacement of the lower strut and associated line cable is underway

as are strut closeouts and foaming operations. [KSC SHU'I-I'LE STATUS REPORT,

June 12, 1991 .]

H _'_ PROGRESS

Main propulsion system checks, S-Band antenna system checks and deployment

of the remote manipulator system to vertical have been completed in the

processing of Discovery for STS 48 which will deploy the Upper Atmosphere

Research Satellite (UARS) in the early fail. Landing gear functional tests are

proceeding as are Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) functional checks, onboard

fuel cell tests and the water spray boiler 48-hour decay checks. Main engine

controller checkouts, hydraulic and flight control checkouts and auxiliary power

unit leak and functional tests remain to be completed. [KSC SHUT/'LE STATUS

REPORT, June 12, 1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: STS-49

The 17-inch disconnect has been installed on the newest Orbiter Endeavour and

the 2-inch and 4-inch liquid hydrogen lines have been removed. Checks of the

disconnect and main propulsion system ar in progress; thermal protection system

work is also proceeding. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 12, 1991 .]

June 14: TORNADO ALERT AT KSC

Work was halted bdefly at Kennedy Space Center today when a tornado was

sighted over the Banana River, south of the space center. The tornado warning

sounded at 10:50 a.m.; employees moved into hallways and other secure

locations. The warning was canceled at 11:05 a.m. and no damage or injuries

were reported, according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buddngham. ["Tornado Puts

KSC On Alert," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, June 15, 1991 .]

!1 COLUMBIA LANDS IN CALIFORNIA

"Now that was a great mission," Shuttle Program Director Robert L Cdppen said

after Columbia landed at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) at 11:39 a.m. this moming.

"Some people tell me," Cdppen added, "Columbia's got a few years on it, but

machines don't behave any better than that." Astronaut Stephen Oswald,

speaking from Mission Control (Houston, TX) spoke to the crew of the 11-flight

Orbiter, "Welcome back and congratulations on a super flight." Amauld

98
Nic_, Directorof NASA'sLifeSciencesDivision,remarkedafterthelanding,

"Wearestartingto havelittleglimpsesof newthings. Someof thethings that we

thought were true are not true anymore; for example, how the body senses gravity

and what is the memory in our body to retain that sense. I know there's a lot of

happy people looking forward to analyzing the data." W'dhin 30 minutes of landing

the crew disembarked into a specially equipped van and immediately began

physical examinations as part of another week of experiments and investigations.

The Information gleaned from the mission and the pest-landing examinations is

expected to pave the way for longer missions aboard Space Station Freedom and

the planned flights to the moon and to Mars. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

June 15, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 15, 1991 .]

June 15: COLUMBIA: MINOR FUGHT DAMAGE

Columbia returned to Earth with some minor damage; the re-entry charred and

melted a door on the Orbiter's underside which covers the fuel lines connecting

the Shuttle to its external tank. Heat did not penetrate the interior of the Orbiter.

Officials speculate that a thermal protection system tile came off during launch.

Columbia's Processing Manager Bescom Murrah said, "We don't really know yet;

it's a concern, but it's a minor problem. The vehicle, once we got it up there, just

performed flawlessly as far as rm concerned. I think it was 99 percent hard work

and 1 percent luck. We just had an outstanding flight." An early damage

assessment showed 118 tiles dented with 22 having gouges larger than one inch.

That falls within the normal range of Orbiter damage. The loose weatherstripping

inside the Shuttle's payload bay was examined in California. Murrah said, 'We

don't see anything abnormal. We're not sure we can see much. We will do our

main investigation once we get back to KSC." Murrah indicated that Columbia's

braking system and tires worked well. The ferry-flight home aboard NASA's

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft will begin June lg at 11 a.m. and take two days, arriving

at Kennedy Space Center June 21. The ferry flight will proceed to Biggs Air Force

Base (El Paso, "IX) initially, where weather will be assessed before proceeding on

to Flodda. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 16, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, June 19, 1991 .]

June 16: ATLANTIS PAYLOAD WORK PROCEEDS

Payload work on the STS 43 mission of Atlantis is proceeding smoothly at

Kennedy Space Center where preparations were made tonight to move a TDRS

satellite to Launch Complex 39A. Atiantis is currently being processed in the

Orbiter Processing Facility and will be transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building

June 19 for mating with its solid rocket boosters and its external tank. Rollout to

39A will occur the following week. In Caiifomia, Columbia is being readied for its

return flight to KSC. It is scheduled to leave Edwards Air Force Base June 19 and

retum to Rodda the next day. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 2A, June 17, 1991 .]

June 17: TDRS MOVED TO LC 39A

TRW's Tracking and Data Relay System satellite and its Boeing two-stage booster

99
weretransferredtoday to LaunchComplex39Ato awaitthe arrivalof the Space

ShuttleAtlantisnextweek,accordingto KSCspokesmanGeorgeDilk3r.At about

11 p.m.tonight,Atlantiswill beb'ansferredfrom the Orbiter Processing Facility

(OPF) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating with solid rocket

boosters and an extemal tank. "Evewthing is on schedule, or ahead of schedule,"

Diller said. Uftoff is targeted tentatively for July 25, but launch officials are

examining the poesibility of moving up the date from three to five days. The

official launch date will be set in early July following the STS 43 Flight Readiness

Review. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 18, 1991 .]

g PRO6PECTOR SET FOR LAUNCH, AGAIN

Prospector, the rail-launched, one-stage sounding rocket, will make its third

attempt to liftoff tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. The suborbital rocket carries a

package of ten experiments on a short - 13-minute - dde into space. "All systems

are go. Everything looks good," said Laura Ayres, spokeswoman for the rocket's

manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 6A, June 18,

1991 .]

g ROAD WIDENING BEHIND SCHEDULE

KSC officials expect to complete the space center's portion of the North Merritt

Island road widening project on State Road 3 by August. County officials say the

remainder will take another year. Primary cause of the delays: acquisition of

needed property. Several property owners are fighting county attempts to take

their land for the road project. [Nagy, FLORIDA TODAY, June 18, 1991 .]

June 18: PROSPECTOR DESI"ROYED

Technicians blew up the Prospector rocket when it went out of control shortly after

launch. Ten science experiments valued at more than $1 million were lost at sea

after a Coast Guard search was called off. The Prospector lifted off late - at 7:34

a.m. - and 25 seconds into flight had to be destroyed when it swerved off

course. Cameras recorded a part falling from the rear of the vehicle before it was

destroyed. The rocket exploded again on impact in the Atlantic Ocean. No one

was hurl in the accident. Recovery efforts for the Joust 1 payload will not be

renewed June 19. The payload was apparently destroyed upon impact into the

Atlantic Ocean after separating from the rocket. "We realize that failures can

happen. That's part of the whole business of putting things in space," said

Cltmkm Lun_ Director of the UAH Consortium for Materials Development in

Space. '_Vhile we're disappointed, we're not in any way discouraged," he said.

Officials of Orbital Sciences Corp. said that an investigation is underway. Review

of videotapes of the launch showed an irregular burst of flame coming from the

rocket's nozzle; the rocket lurched higher at first, then veered lower than its

planned path. The new rocket was insured for only part of its costs. Prospector

was NASA's second commercial space development center failure. A Space

Services Inc. Starflre rocket failed just after launch from New Mexico in 1989.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 19, 1991, 'Launch Abort,' USA TODAY, p.

100 ._.
3A, June 19, 1991, JOUST 1 UPDATE, June 19, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-5, June 19, 1991 .]

g THOMAS: FREEDOM DODGED A BULLET

Kennedy Space Center's Deputy Director James "Gene =Thomas said tonight that

"Space Station Freedom dodged a bullet" in the recent Congressional vote which

revived spending plans for the Space Station Project. Speaking to the opening

ssssion of a NASA-sponsored meeting on engineering for university students,

Thomas went on to say, "The top management of NASA feels that if the Space

Station had gone away that was the death knell for manned spaceflight." Even

with the reprieve, NASA will have to find $1 billion for program expenses within its

own budget, he said. "That's discouraging, but Ithink it's encouraging that NASA

won another one. Based on what's happened, I think the Space Station is going

to have a solid future. I don't think Space Station is going to go away." The

conference in Cocoa Beach, FL, included about 500 students and

professors from 45 schools which participate in the University Space Research

Association's advanced design program. The program gets $1.6 million annually

from NASA. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 19, 1991 .]

June 19: ATLANTIS MOVES TO VAB

When the Orbiter Atlantis rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from

the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) earlier this week, it bested the postChallenger record for shortest time spent in the OPF by 10 days. Atlantis first

entered OPF Bay 2 on April 19, 1991, after its STS 37 was completed; it spent 59

days in the bay for processing for its STS 43 mission now scheduled for July 22.

The previous OPF record, also held by Atlantis, was for processing the STS 36

mission. "We have had an extremely good OPF flow," said Conrad Nagel, NASA's

Flow Director for Atlantis. "The hardware was very good to us and we had very

few problems during.processing." Originally, managers had hoped for a 65 day

flow, but the lack of problems shortened the schedule to a record-setting pace.

The Task Team Leader concept was also a contributing factor. Under this

program, specific individuals are responsible for coordinating activities, getting the

necessary paper work ready prior to the scheduled job, and tracking the work

until the job is complete. Nagel described the program as "a real asset, it made

a definite impact to our processing flow. Every day we came out of the

scheduling meeting we all knew what had to be done during the next 24 hours.

We could go plan our work and be sure it was going to be accomplished," he

said. 'I feel we can clean up the flow evan more. We can roll out with not only

the shortest tum around possible, but also with all the work completed, all the

paper closed, and with all the requirements met. I don't want to come out of the

OPF on a wing and a prayer. I want the spaceship to come out of the OPF as it

is supposed to come out - ready to fly.'[Buckingham, NASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE

NO. 76-91, June 21, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 20, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 21, 1991.]

------ 101
I1 PROSPECTOR PAYLOAD BITS FOUND

Parts of the failed Prospector rocket's payload have been recovered but any hope

of refiying some of the payload have vanished. "We're disappointed," said

spokesman Rick Mould of the University of Alabama at Huntsville. 'We were

hoping we might find the payload intact. The rocket, but the not the payload,

were insured and the insurance money may fund another project scheduled

tentatively for next year. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 20, 1991, Date,

"Searchers Find Bits of Rocket's Payload Capsule," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

June 20, 1991 .]

g AMBASSADOR TO STAY TILL 19g_

Ambassador, a replica of the Space Shuttle built by Guard-Lee and Co. (Apopka,

FL), will remain at Spaceport USA until 1992, according to Geoq_ Meguiar,

Director of Marketing for the KSC toudst attraction. "Initially, the company wanted

a place to try it out and see how it would transport and how well people reacted

to it. The Shuttle is actually built in sections, which are transported in individual

carders. It took 22 semi-trucks to bring it here." The exhibit is free and visitors are

able to walk inside the Shuttle's crew quarters and go up a set of stairs to the

flight deck. The replica will leave Spaceport USA early next year, but Meguiar

explained, "There are currently no specific plans for another replica to replace this

one. But we will definitely have another one someday. That's very much a part

of our objectives.' [Lethbridge, STAR-ADVOCATE, June 19, 1991 .]

June 20: KsC: PRIMARY LANDING SITE!

Atlantis will land at Kennedy Space Center following its July mission and, this time,

KSC will be the primary landing site, NASA said today. "We're delighted," KSC

Director Forrest Mc_ said. "Itwill allow us to operate more effectively and

efflcientF;." Space business booster Bob Allen remarked, "Landing Shuttles at

KSC will help us sell the area as a true spaceport. A company can see the logic

of setting up right outside KSC if their expsdments will be coming back here."

Weather in Florida remains a concem and may prompt landings at California's

Edwards Air Force Base; heavy payloads and two-week or more missions may

also end at Edwards. The decision to start regular landings at the space center

was due, in part, to the development of better brakes, improved steering and the

planned addition of parachutes to the fleet. Seven of the 41 Space Shuttle

launches have landed at Kennedy Space Center. In other news, NASA

announced that it had rescheduled Atlantis" STS 43 mission's launch to July 22;

it had previously been set for July 25. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 21,

1991, "KSC Gets Landing Site Role," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-1 +, June

21, 1991, "Shuttle Landings," USA TODAY, p. 3A, June 21, 1991 .]

V

g CHEMICAL SPILL AT LC 39B

Drops of a caustic cleaner splashed on four technicians at Launch Complex 39B

today, q'hey were seen at the health facility and released to return to work," said

102
J. B.Iq3ump,spokesmanwith LockheedSpaceOperationsCo. Thedrops came

from a bubble of sodium hydroxide during a cleaning operation designed to vent

toxic nitrogen tetroxide from Orbiters. Two of the workers were soaked by the

chemical and took emergency showers at the launch pad, the other two were

splattered. The accident caused the pad to be evacuated bdafly while officials

determined if any danger existed for the remainder of the work crew. Launch

Complex 39B is undergoing major modifications to prepare it for Endeavour's first

launch in May 1992; no other Space Shuttle will be launched there until

Endeavour's mission. The 2-inch pipe Involved in the accident was being

replaced by a four-inch pipe as part of the modifications. The $3.3 million project

will include some 50 modifications to enable safer Shuttle launches and more

efficient launch operations. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, June 21, 1991 .]

June 21: COLUMBIA ARRIVES AT KSC

Columbia and its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft arrived at Kennedy Space Center this

morning at 8:59. It was demated from the SCA and towed to the Orbiter

Processing Facility (OPF) early June 22. Preparations were made for removal of

the Shuttle Tailcone and for setting up the work platform configuration and other

post-flight operations. A special congressional delegation was on hand at the

space center to greet the retuming Columbia. The representatives are members

of a NASA oversight committee and had come to the Space Coast to see how

NASA is spending the money it is given. Rep. Jim Bacchus (D-Orlando, FL) said,

"It bothers me that people still have to work in trailers and have to walk a good

ways to go to the rest room. That's not what seems to me to be the cutting

edge...of high technology." The group was interested in seeing what NASA was

doing in the five years since the Challenger accident. "Some of us are anxious

to see in this trip what changes we've made, what precautions we've taken to

avoid a similar accident. I think we'll go back with a greater confidence in what

we are doing in space." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 22, 1991, KSC

SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, June 24, 1991 .]

June 22 ELECTRICAL CHECKS ON ATLANTIS

Atlantis must undergo important electrical and mechanical checks of connections

between the Orbiter and its solid rocket boosters and extemal tank before rollout

to Launch Complex 39A for its STS 43 mission. Rollout is scheduled for 3 a.m.

June 25; launch is set for July 22. The Space Shuttle Columbia returned to

Kennedy Space Center June 21 and was moved to the Orbiter Processing Facility

for post-flight servicing and removal of the Spacelab payload. Later this summer

Columbia will be retumed to Califomia in eight weeks for extensive modifications

including the installation of new brakes and a parachute for safer landings.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, June 23, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

June 24, 1991 .]

g LC 39B CLOSES FOR REPAIRS

Launch Complex 39B is closing down for repairs after having launched a dozen

_._ 103
SpaceShuttlesin the past three years. Workers begin shortly a $3.3 million

modification designed to enhance safety and efficiency in the business of

launching Orbiters. it will become more like LC 39A than it has been. Both pad

originally were constructed for launching Satum rockets thirty years ago. The

manager in charge of LC 39B, Buzz Brown of Lockheed Space Operations Co.,

said, "In the history of aerospace, where we have had more than one launch

complex, one has never been exactly like the second one. You're constantly

incorporating new features." After the Challenger accidents and before flights

were resumed in September 1988, modifications were begun on both pads. That

work stopped at LC 39B when Discovery was ready for the Retum to Flight

mission (STS 25). Brown said, "We got back into the flying business faster at Pad

B than Pad A did." With Columbia soon to be in Califomia and Endeavour still not

ready to fly for another year, it was thought that now is a good time to finish the

modifications begun after Challenger. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 10E & 9E,

June 23, 1991 .]

June 23: ATLANTIS READY FOR ROLLOUT

Atlantis has been mated to its solid rocket boosters and to its extemal fuel tank.

Tests of electrical and mechanical connections remain to be completed before

rollout to Launch Complex 39A begins shortly after midnight tonight, according to

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngttam. Call to stations for the

rollout is set for 8:00 p.m. Atlantis' payload for its STS 43 mission, a Tracking and

Data Relay System satellite (TDRS) ts already at the pad. The new satellite will

join three others already in orbit around the Earth. Atlantis' launch, expected to

be July 22, will be the 42 Shuttle liftoff and fourth of this year. At LC 39A,

preparations are underway to receive Atlantis; and the TDRS payload is getting

its final fuel servicing. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 24, 1991, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 24, 1991 .]

June 24: STS 48/STS 49 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Ammonia boiler servicing and on board fuel cell system tests have been

completed on Discovery in preparation for its STS 48 mission. Also completed are

OMS system functional checks, flight control inspections and nose wheel steering

checkouts. Payload bay door functional tests are scheduled. Underway presently

are bulb seal repair work, payload bay reconflguration, helium tank leak checks,

radiator inspections, robot arm tests, and auxiliary power unit leak and functional

tests. A number of operations are also in progress upon the newest Shuttle

Endeavour. Checks are proceeding on the Orbiter's 17 inch disconnect, the aft

compartment is being cleaned and thermal protection system work is continuing.

Checks are being made of the ammonia boiler installation and the external tank

door housing mechanisms. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 24, 1991 .]

June 25: ATLANTIS_O__

The Space Shuttle Atlantis, on the first leg of its STS 43 mission, rolled 3 1/2 miles

from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39A; the journey began

104
g

at 12:55 a.m. and the Orbiter was hard down on the pad at 7:09 a.m., according

to Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Bucldngham. Presently, connections

between the vehicle and the launch pad are underway. Over the weekend

concem had arisen over a TDRS antenna, but additional tests determined that an

antenna hinge "was more flexible than we had assumed," explained TDRS Project

Manager Nidmlas ChdssolJmos. Engineers had similar problems with a Galileo

spacecraft antenna which has not been fully deployed. The TDRS will be installed

in Atlantis tomorrow and a helium signature leak test will also be performed on the

main propulsion system and the three main enginss.[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, June 25, 1991, KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, June 25, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 26, 1991 .]

STS 48 PROCESSING: DISCOVERY

In the Orbiter Processing Facility's Bay 1, the Space Shuttle Discovery is

undergoing verification of its orbital maneuvering system electrical redundancy

capability and servicing of its supply of potable water. In addition, repairs of the

Orbiter's payload bay bulb seal have begun as have leak and functional tests of

the auxiliaw power units, thermal protection system operations and evaluation of

the Tacan antennas. Discovery's three main engines will be installed over June

28 and June 29. [KSC SHU3TLE STATUS REPORT, June 25, 1991 .]

g POST-FUGHT PROCESSING OF COLUMBIA

The tail cone has been removed from Columbia and preliminary inspections have

been made inside the Spacelab module. Residual propellants are scheduled to

be removed the auxiliary power units shortly. Post-flight processing which has

already begun includes inspections of the payload bay door bulb seal, removal

of ferry flight kit hardware and installation of platforms for access to various parts

of the vehicle. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 25, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, June 26, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING OPERATIONS

Currently, ammonia boiler tubes are being installed on board Endeavour as are

snaps and buttons for thermal control blankets. The right orbital maneuvering

system pod has just arrived from its manufacturer and is being offioaded into the

VAB's High Bay 2. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, June 25, 1991 .]

June 26: TDRS LOADED INTO ATLANTIS

The $100 million Tracking and Data Relay System satellite, a key part of NASA's

communications system, was loaded into the Space Shuttle Atlantis today in

preparation for the STS 43 mission. Atlantis is expected to be launched July 22.

John Blaha, Mission Commander for STS 43, commented, "We're very excited

about getting no with the mission. The crew's been together for about a year

planning to do this mission. We're looking forward to it. It's going to be a

challenging mission." Blaha's crewmatas include: Pilot Michael Baker, and

105
MissionSpecialistsShannonlucid, JamesAdanffionand G. David Low. Lucid will

be making her third flight; Adamson and Low will each be making his second trip

into space. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 4A, June 27, 1991 .]

June 27: ATLAS FAILURE BLAME) ON DEBRIS

A bit of debris may have been at fault in the Atlas rocket failure last April,

according to accident investigators. "We'll never know for sure, but it probably

was a bolt, a washer or some foreign object that caused the engine's

turbomachinery to seize up. Then everything stopped and the rocket tumbled,"

said General Dynamics Corp. spokesman Jack Isabel. The rocket and its payload

- a Japanese television satellite - were destroyed six minutes after launch on April

18 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. According to Isabel, an investigative

team studied flight data for two months before concluding that debris must have

jammed the engine turbopump. These findings clear the way for the remaining

three Atlas flights scheduled for this year. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

June 28, 1991 .]

g LEAK CHECKS ON A'n.ANllS

Electrical connections between Atlantis and its payload -a Tracking and Data

Relay Satellite - are being completed today and other workers are preparing to

check the Orbiter's propulsion system for leaks tomorrow. Preparations have also

begun for loading propellants into Atlantis' onboard storage tanks and power

system. The Orbiter is scheduled to launch July 23 for a nine-day mission which,

besides deploying the TDRS, will be devoted to science and medical experiments.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, June 28, 1991 .]

g M.A.P. MECHANICAL CONTRACT

MA.P. Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Homestead, FL) has been awarded a

$1,675,000 contract to increase the capacity of the Orbiter Processing Facility

(OPF) high bay HVAC/chilled water systems. The current HVAC system (heating,

ventilating and air conditioning) is old and showing signs of deterioration and

corrosion. Some operations performed in the OPF, such as the bonding of the

thermal tiles on the Orbiter, are very temperature sensitive. The modifications will

ensure an environment in which the temperature and humidity levels can be

controlled. [Stoalay, NASA/KSC News Release No. 79-91, June 27, 1991 .]

June 29: KSC TEAM LAUNCHES SCOUT AT VAFB

A four-stage Scout rocket was successfully launched by a 25-member team from

Kennedy Space Center today at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Califomia. The

Scout carded a 212-pound satellite into orbit. "It was beautiful. We saw it all the

way through third stage ignition,? said Jim Meyer, Test Controller for the launch

team. The Scout launch was the first directed by a KSC launch team, according

to Meyer. At Kennedy Space Center, technicians continued to prepare Atlantis for

its late July launch. Electrical and mechanical connections between the Orbiter

106 --_.-
and its TDRS cargo were tested and the Shuttle's engine valves and sensors were

calibrated. ["NASA to Launch Scout Rocket Friday," FLORIDA TODAY., June 23,

1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, June 30, 1991 .]

107
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JULY

STS 43 PROCESSING: ATI.ANi18

The crew of STS 43 arrives today at 3 p.m. to prepare for tomorrow's Terminal

Countdown Demonstration Test; call to stations is set for 8 a.m and the test will

run until 11 a.m. July 3. An end-to-and test of the Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite is in progress at Launch Complex 39A. Work completed at the pad

includes a helium signature leak test of the three main engines and the main

propulsion system, a payload to Orbiter interface verification test , final

connections between the launch pad and the vehicle and a main engine flight

readiness test which calibrates engine valves and sensors. A Launch Readiness

Review is scheduled for July 8 and a Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for

July 11-12. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 1, 1991 .]

STS 48 PREPARATIONS

Two of the three Shuttle Main Engines have been completely installed; the third

is currently being Installed. An extemai tank door functional test has been

completed on Discovery in preparation for itsSTS 48 (UARS) mission. Discovery's

potable water system is being serviced and the Orbiter's payload bay bulb seal

is also being repaired. The auxiliary power units are undergoing leak and

functional tests. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, July 1, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA'S POST-FUGHT pROCESSING

The Spacelab module and getaway special beam have been removed from

Columbia as part of the post-STS 40 processing. Work is underway to remove the

forward reaction control system on JUly 2 and inspect the payload bay door bulb

seal. Ferry flight kit hardware is being removed and technicians are preparing to

drain residual fuels from the auxiliary power units; there is also some work being

done on the Orbiter's thermal protection system. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS

REPORT, July 1, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUR'S s'rs 49 PROCESSING

Work continues in preparation for Endeavour's first mission, STS 49. Leak checks

of the main propulsion system are in progress as are the installation of covers on

the main propulsion system lines, brazing water lines into the environmental

control life support system, mounting the external tank umbilical door drive

mechanism and brazing in lines for the ammonia boiler. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS

REPORT, July 1, 1991 .]

ATI.ANTIS CREW AFIRIVES FOR TEST

The STS 43 crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center today to take part in a

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test which begins at 8 a.m. tomorrow and

runs until 11 a.m. July 3. Bruce Buddngttam, spokesman for KSC, said, "It will

"_.,=4 r
July 2:

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give the astronauts and the launch team an opportunity to go through real live

launch-day activities without actually having to launch." Mission Specialist James

Adamson arrived early in the day and was followed to the space center in T-38

training aircraft by Commander John Blaha, Pilot blichesl Baker and fellow Mission

Specialists Shannon Lucid and G. David Low. Tomorrow the crew will practice

emergency egress procedures at Launch Complex 39A. On the morning of July

3, the entire crew will put on flight suits and board the Orbiter for the final hours

of the practice countdown. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 2, 1991 .]

DELTA 2 UFTOFF TONIGHT

A Delta 2 rocket is scheduled to Iiftoff tonight at 10:36 from Cape Canaveral Air

Force Station's Launch Complex 17; the launch window extends until 11:07 p.m.

The Air Force's Delta 2 will carry a $65 million Navstar Global Positioning System

satellite which will join 15 other such spacecraft in orbit 12,000 miles above Earth.

Eight more satellites must be launched to complete the planned 24-satellite

system. There is a 60 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch, but

forecasters are concerned about electrically charged clouds in the area.

[Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 2, 1991 .]

COUNTDOWN DEMONSTRATION TEST

"The vehicle really looks good. We're ready to go for our nine-day space

mission," said Atlantis Commander John Blaha. The crew spent this afternoon at

Launch Complex 39A, inspecting the Orbiter's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

payload and practicing emergency escapes from the launch pad. Blaha noted

that the launch pad evacuation bunker is now equipped with oxygen hoses that

can be connected directly to flight suits. Before, astronauts would have had to

open their helmets to obtain oxygen. The TCDT is scheduled to end tomorrow

at 11 a.m.; a firm launch date will be set next week following the mission's Flight

Readiness Review. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 13A, July 3, 1991 .]

DELTA 2, ONE MORE TIME

A storm in Virginia prevented the launch of an Air Force Delta 2 at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station tonight; a second attempt will be made July 3. Bad weather shut

down a ground station in Virginia which relays information about the rocket's flight

path from a South Atlantic backing station. The launch is scheduled to occur at

10:32 p.m. The last Air Force Delta flight took place seven months ago; between

the two launches was used to begin needed repairs on two Delta launch pads.

A March 1991 Air Force report wamed of the deterioration of the two pads:

"Catastrophic failure of both towers is possible should they experience winds

which approach structural design limits. The confidence level that the service

towers will remain safe for the next two or three launches is very low." Repairs

have now been made, according to the Air Force. "It's absolutely safe, otherwise

we wouldn't be launching," said Air Force It. Col. James Jannette. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 3, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 3,

1991.]

109
July 3: DELTA LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY

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•Everything looks very good, very clean," said Sldp Mackey, Chief of a team which

tracks the flight of rockets as a Delta rocket carrying a Navstar Global Positioning

System satellite was successfully launched tonight at 10:32 p.m. from Launch

Complex 17A. The launch marked the delivery of the 1lth GPS satellite into orbit;

when completed the navigational system will include 24 satellites. The launch had

been threatened by the prospect of rainy weather. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, July 4, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEl., July 4, 1991.]

BOTrOM FELL OFF PROSPECTOR ROCKET

Invest|gators know that the Prospector rocket went off course because the bottom

of the rocket fell off; what they don_ know yet is why. "We still are investigating

the precise mode of failure," said Laura Ayree, spokeswomen for manufacturer

Orbital Sciences Corp. She said that investigators found no indication that the

rocket's motor, guidance or control system contributed to the rocket's failure. She

added that investigators are still trying to determine whether an unanticipated

recirculation of exhaust gases within the rocket played a role in the accident and

that a rapid flapping of the rocket's fins as the vehicle reached speeds of about

700 mph might also have contributed to the failure. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 13A, July 3, 1991 .]

DRESS REHEARSAL GOES WELL

"Everything went smoothly," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buddngham of the just completed Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.

During the test, the STS 43 crew of Commander John Blaha, Pilot Michael Baker

end Mission Specialists G. David Low, Shannon Lucid and James Adamson

practiced an emergency escape from the launch tower at Launch Complex 39A.

During the day, pad technicians prepared to :oad toxic propellants into Atlantis to

power its orbital maneuvering units and steering thrusters; the loading begins May

8. Pad workers also tested the doors near the trailing edge of Atlantis' right wing.

Tomorrow, only a skeleton crew of security and safety workers will be on hand at

KSC as the space center closes down for the July 4 holiday. [Banks, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 12A, July 4.]

DELTA PADS GET REPAIRS IN lgg_

-we'll build our launch schedule based on using one pad at a time. We will not

have dual pad operations," said Delta Program Commander Lt. Col. Randolph

Moyw. The two Delta launch pads run by the Air Force will be closed down one

at a time next year to undergo repairs made necessary by corrosion of the 30

yeer-old towers. He said launch operations on the pads will be suspended from

three to five months at a time. Moyer also said that repairs made on Launch

Complex 17A just prior to tomorrow's Delta launch were sufficient to eliminate

critical concems and that a complete structural analysis of the pad is underway.
July5.-

Work at LC17Bwasnot deemedas critical. [Brown,FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12A,

July 4, 1991 .]

SAILORS ARRESTED AT KSC

Security officers at Kennedy Space Center arrested two sailors from

Massachusetts who made a navigational error and mistakenly anchored near a

Space Shuttle launch pad. _ Handllon and Paul O'Lemy (BrookUne, MA)

said they became lost in the Intercoastai Waterway and anchored to a small island

in the Banana River. The two were released on their own recognizance. An

invastigstion is underway to discover how security was broken. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, July 6, 1991.]

e.- LOCKHEED AWARD WINNERS

Lockheed Space Operations Co. announced that Carla ICing (Orlando, FL) has

been named Shuttle Processing Contract Employee of the Month Award.

Supervisor of the Month was awarded to Tom Studstill (T'_usville, FL). King is a

senior software engineer and is responsible for analyzing launch processing

problems, meeting with engineers to clarify details and writing problem

specifications and defining methods of solutions. Studstill supervises 11 people

inthe Finance-Logistics-Performance Measurement group in Lockheed's Business

Systems Department. ["Employee, Supervisor Reap Space Awards," FLORIDA

p. 9E, July 7, 1991 .]

D HELUNG WINS SAFETY AWARD

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. McCadney presented the Director's

Award for Outstanding Safety Performance to Dean Hefting, General Manager of

Boeing Aerospace Operations, Inc.'s Engineering Support Contract. The award

is based on a point system involving lost-time accidents, damage to hardware,

work place inspections, job surveillance and timely submittal of reports. ["Boeing

Group Wins KSC Safety Award," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, July 7, 1991 .]

D HOUDAY BREAK ENDS AT KSC

A four-day holiday break ends for Kennedy Space Center workers tomorrow as

preparations for a July 23 launch of Atlantis resumes. Thermal protection system

work on each Orbiter continues July 7. The STS 43 Flight Readiness Review

begins July 11 and a definite launch date for the mission will be set at the

conclusion of that review. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 6, 1991, Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 7, 1991 .]

Jtdy 8.- LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW

Kennedy Space Center managers meet today to discuss whether the Space

Shuttle Atlantis and its TDRS payload are ready to be launched on July 23.

According to KSC spokeswoman Usa Malone, managers will discuss how pre111
launch tasks are proceeding and determine when the space center will be ready

to launch the Orbiter. Launch Complex 39A will be closed to all except essential

workers as toxic propellants are loaded onboard Atlantis. Technicians will wear

special safety garments for protection against leaks or toxic vapors while the

loading operation is underway. The pad will reopen late on July 9. [Banks,

FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, July 8, 1991 .]

0 LRR CONTINUED

KSC managers completed the STS 43 Launch Readiness Review this afternoon

without identifying any significant issues. K$C Launch Director Bob Sled( said,

'KSC is proceeding toward the safe and successful launch and landing of Atlantis

the end of this month." The managers are recommending a launch on July 23.

While the managers met, the five members of the STS 43 crew were at Kennedy

Space Center to inspect the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite they will

deploy. Commander John Creighton said, "This is very much an environmental

mission." Mission Specialist John Buchli added, "It's the type of thing, in my mind,

will give environmentally oriented scientists a lot of data to look at and really finetune their thinking." The FRR begins July 11. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

July 9, 1991, STS-43 LAUNCH READINE_SS REVIEW, July 8, 1991 .]

n NIGI'II"llMI_ LANDING PLANNED

Discovery Commander John Cmighton is practicing for the first-ever landing at

Kennedy Space Center after dark. "In my opinion a night landing is a little more

difficult then a day landing," he said of the planned conclusion to the Orbiter's

STS 43 mission. Launch of the mission is expected to be September 12 with

landing coming five days later at 1:30 a.m. at KSC. [Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. 2A, July 9, 1991 .]

July 9:. LAUNCH PROCESSING: _ 43

The Launch Readiness Review for STS 43 has been completed at KSC; the Flight

Readiness Review begins at the space center July 11 and is completed the

following day with the announcement of a firm launch date for the mission. The

target date is presently July 23. Currently underway at Launch Complex 39A is

the loading of hypergolic propellants into Atlantis' reaction control system and

orbital maneuvering system storage tanks. During the loading operation, the pad

is closed to all non-essential personnel. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July

s, 1gel.]

n LEAKYVALVESONATLANTB

Technicians wearing special safety suits replaced two leaking oxidizer valves

aboard Atlantis today at Launch Complex 39A. The valve problem has put a

hazardous fuel loading operation behind schedule, but Kennedy Space Center

officials remained confident that the July 23 launch date could be met. Loading

is expected to be completed July 10, about 12 to 16 hours behind schedule,

112 __,
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according to spokeswoman Usa Malone. Meanwhile, routine pad work continues

as workers open the payload bay doors of Atlantis to conduct final pre-launch

preparations on its STS 43 payload, a $100 million Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July I0, 1991 .]

FIRE AT CAPE CANAVERAL COMPLEX

A small electrical fire took place today at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station; it began about 4:45 p.m. and lasted about an hour. An

investigation is underway and the pad is being inspected for damage. The next

launch from the pad is scheduled for September - a mission to deploy NASA's

Mars Observer spacecraft; officials were unsure whether today's fire would delay

the mission, according to Air Force spokeswoman Terd Brasher. The pad had not

been used since June 1990 for the launch of a commercial T'dan 3 carrying a

communications satellite. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, July 10, 1991 .]

RUNWAY WORRIES NASA MANAGERS

NASA's managers are concerned that the rough surface of the Shuttle Landing

Facility runway might shred the tires of Atlantis if it is allowed to land at Kennedy

Space Center after its STS 43 mission. "Some people would prefer to wait until

new tires are installed on the Shuttles," said NASA spokesman Ed Campion. On

an unplanned landing of Discovery in May, the Orbiter's tires shredded; the space

agency is developing more durable tires for the fleet of Shuttles. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 10, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY WORK PROGRESS: STS 48

Connection of the main engine interfaces have been completed in processing

operations conducted upon the Space Shuttle Discovery in preparation for its STS

48 mission. Work in progress includes: Crew Equipment Interface Test with STS

45 flight crew; installation of heat shields around the main engines; tests of the

Ku-band antenna; closeouts of the aft compartment; installation of the Orbiter's

tires; repair of the payload bay bulb seal; thermal protection system operations.

Work scheduled to be completed includes: functional test of the galley; payload

bay inspections and cleaning; and rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building in

about two weeks. In the VAB's High Bay 3, mating the right aft center segment

of Discovery's solid rocket boosters is underway as are preparations for mating

the right forward center segment. Stacking of the motor segments for the left

booster is scheduled for next week. [KSC SHU'I"FLE STATUS REPORT, July 9,

1991.]

COLUMBIA: POST-FUGHT PROCESSING

Technicians continue to prepare the Space Shuttle Columbia for its _p to

California for extensive modifications; the removal of auxiliary power unit no. 3 has

been accomplished. Work underway includes: venting the orbital maneuvering

system helium tanks; removal of the power reactant storage and distribution

113
systemtanks;removalof theheatshieldsfromaroundthe main engines; payload

bay door bulb seal inspection and thermal protection system operations. Work

scheduled to be done involves the removal of Columbia's brakes; offioading

residual propellants this weekend; removal of the two orbital maneuvering system

pods this weekend and early next week. Columbia will be ready for its ferry flight

to Palmdale (CA) in early August. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 9,

19el.]

g ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: STS 49

Endeavour is scheduled to undertake its first flight (STS 49) next year to rescue

an Inteleat satellite, but processing work has been underway since its arrival at

KSC in May. That work includes installation of the Orbiter's ammonia boiler; leak

checks and inspections of the main propulsion system; installation of covers on

the main propulsion system lines; installation of insulation on the auxiliary power

units and preparations to perform leak checks of the freon coolant loops.

SHU'R'LE STATUS REPORT, July 9, 1991 .]

July 10: FUGHT READINESS REVIEW TODAY

NASA managers will answer several questions when they meet at Kennedy Space

Center today for the STS 43 Flight Readiness Review. They will review Atlantis'

readiness for flight, set a definite launch date and decide whether KSC will be the

pdmary landing site for the mission. Some officials have questioned whether

Atlantis' tires are durable enough to withstand the stress of landing on the Shuttle

Landing Facility's rough runway. Discovery had tire and brake damage when it

made an unplanned landing st KSC in May. Yesterday technicians loaded

propellants onboard the Orbiter; LC 39A will be reopened for other launch pad

aotivitles today. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, July 11, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 11, 1991 .]

g ATLANTIS PAD WORK CONTINUES

At Launch Complex 39A, technicians replaced two reaction control system oxidizer

quick disconnects; the valves had been stuck in the open position which delayed

the hypergolic loading operation. No impact is expected on the launch target

date of July 23. In addition, pad workers loaded oxidizer into the Orbiter's storage

tanks. During these operations the pad was closed to all non-essential personnel.

[KSC SHUTI'L._ STATUS REPORT, July 10, 1991 .]

July 11: CRIPPEN STA EMENT: KSC LANDINGS

Shuttle Director Robert L Crippon announced today that KSC will be the primary

landing site for STS-43. "This decision has been bdefed to, and concurred with,

by management officials at all levels within NASA. The KSC landing is going to

be approached in a conservative manner using very restrictive flight rules to

ensure the safety of the vehicle and crew. Consequently, there is a high

probability that the landing could be at Edwards Air Force Base and the program

114 .__
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is prepared to handle a landing at either site." Bad weather - rain, high winds or

cross winds - at Kennedy Space Center would send the Orbiter to a landing at

Edwards Air Force Base, CA. There are 22 runways at Edwards located on a

huge dry lake bed. KSC has two runways, both surrounded by water.

[STATEMENT FROM SHUl"I'LE DIRECTOR Robert L. Crippen REGARDING KSC

LANDING, July 11,1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 12, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 12, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 &

A-14, July 14, 1991 .]

SOVIET VISITORS AT KSC

Kennedy Space Center hosted a group of high-level Soviet space officials at the

beginning of an eight-day cross-country tour of NASA facilities. The Soviets

began their overview of NASA with a tour of the Shuttle launch site. KSC Forrest

S. McCarlney greeted the 15-member delegation and hosted a luncheon in their

honor. The group also saw the Launch Control Center, the Orbiter Processing

Facility, Vehicle Assembly Building and several launch pads. Among the

delegates were Oleg Nikolaevich Shishldn, Minister of General Machine Building

and Yudy Semyenov, General Director, Chief Designer of the Soviet's heavy-lift

booster Energia. The group heads for Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville,

AL) July 12 and will subsequently visit Stennis Space Center (MS), Johnson Space

Center (Houston, "I'X) and Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD). [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 12, 1991.]

STS-43 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

The Flight Readiness Review for STS 43 began today at Kennedy Space Center

and will conclude July 12. During the day, pad technicians concluded hypergolic

propellants loading; they opened the pad for routine work and opened the

payload bay doors to complete pre-launch preparations on the TDRS-E payload.

Technicians continue work to closeout the Orbiter's Flipper Door and to check for

leaks in the auxiliary power units and to check hydraulic circulation. Hydraulic

operations, disconnects, and retests remain to be completed; also scheduled for

completion are elevon retests, TDRS battery charge operations, aft compartment

closeouts and installation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit. [K$C SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, July 11, 1991 .]

STS 48 DISCOVERY PROCESSING

Main landing gear wheel and tire installation have been completed upon Discovery

in preparation for the Orbiter's STS 48 mission; also completed are the heat

shield's installation and preparation for hypergolic operation. Hydraulic operations

are scheduled. Work is in progress for other integrated hydraulic operations, main

engine and aft compartment closeouts, bulb seal repair work, nose landing gear

wheel and tire installation and service freon coolant lines. [KSC SHLrTrLE

STATUS REPORT, July 11, 1991 .]

115
11 COLUMBIA_NDEAVOUR PROCESSING WORK

Columbia's SLS Tunnel Adapter and support equipment have been removed and

post-mission propellant deservicing has been scheduled. Still in progress is work

to remove the Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System tanks, auxiliary

power unit system preparations for sending the Orbiter to Palmdale, CA, thermal

protection system operations and removal of the main landing gear brakes. The

processing of the Space Shuttle Endeavour continues as well. The work in

progress includes: ammonia boiler installation, installations of auxiliary power unit

insulation, nose landing gear hydraulic operations and water spray boiler line

checks. [KSC SHUI-rLE STATUS REPORT, July 11, 1991 .]

July 12: SIS 43 LAUNCH DATE

NASA managers today set July 23, 1991, as the launch date for the next flight of

the Space Shuttle system. The STS-43 mission will see the Atlantis and its crew

of five astronauts conduct a mission highlighted by the deployment of the fifth

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E). The launch window on July 23rd

opens at 10:54 a.m. EDT. The flight, which is a little less than 9 days in duration,

is scheduled to land on August 1 at either Kennedy Space Center or Dryden Flight

Research Facility, (Edwards, CA), depending on weather conditions at those sites.

Shuttle Director Robert L Cdppen commented [see article following], 'q'he launch

team did a superb job getting Atlantis and its payloads ready for flight. The

experience we gain with the processing of each mission allows us to have

smoother flows and that showed in the Atlantis being processed in record time."

Taking note of concems about landings at KSC, Cdppen also said that extremely

restrictive weather requirements for landings here will preclude situations that

could damage Atlantis' tires. Landings at KSC save the space agency about $1

million - the cost of ferrying the Orbiter back to the space center. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TOIpAy, p. 6A, July 13, 1991, NASA NOTE TO EDITORS: SHUTTLE

MISSION STS-43 LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED, July 12, 1991 .]

n CONTINGENCY SPACE SUITS STORED

Two contingency space suits have been installed aboard the Space Shuttle

Atlantis and tests of the suits are underway in preparation for its July 23 STS 43

mission. Payload cloeeouts were continuing as was battery charging on the

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite which is the primary cargo on next week's flight.

The elevon flipper doors are being dosed out as is the aft compartment. The

hydraulic system is being prepared for flight. A number of tasks have been

scheduled: continued charging of TDRS batteries and its Inertial Upper Stage.

Launch countdown praparatlons will be started and vehicle ordnance devices

must be installed and tests of the fldng circuits must be conducted next week as

well. The Orbiter's hypergolic propellant system tanks must be pressurized; the

launch countdown begins at 4 p.m. EDT July 20 with launch coming at 10:54 a.m.

EDT on July 23. [KSC SHU'I-rLE STATUS REPORT, July 12, 1991 .]

116 v
I'! DISCOVERY PRE-I.AUNCH PREPARATIONS

Discovery's new tires have been installed and tests of its Ku-band antennas have

been completed prior to the Orbiter's STS 48 mission. Work in progress includes:

integrated testing between the main engines and main propulsion system; tests

of the dosed circuit television communications system; installation of heat shields

around the main engines; closeouts of the aft compartment and avionics bays;

thermal protection system operations. Scheduled work includes: cycling payload

bay doors; inspecting and cleaning the payload bay and rolling over Discovery to

the Vehicle Assembly Building on July 22. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July

12, 1991.]

g COLUMBIA: POST-LAUNCH WORK

[1

Reaction control system and orbital maneuvering system helium tanks have been

vented aboard Columbia and a simulated forward reaction control system has

been installed in the Orbiter. Preparations are being made to offload the residual

propellants from the auxiliary power units, orbital maneuvering system and

reaction control system tanks. Removal of the power reactant storage and

distribution system tanks has begun; the heat shields from around the main

engines are being removed. Thermal protection system operations are underway

and the payload bay door bulb seal is being inspected. Brake removal has been

scheduled; residual propellants will be offloaded this weekend to ready Columbia

for its ferry flight to Paimdaie, CA, in early August. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS

REPORT, July 12, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUR'S PROCESSING PROGRESS

Though leak checks of freon coolant loop number one has been completed,

Endeavour is scheduled to undergo a number of other processing activities:

installation of panels in the crew cabin; installation of lines for the main propulsion

system; leak checks of freon coolant loop number 2; installation of covers on the

main propulsion system lines; thermal protection system operations; installation

of insulation on the auxiliary power units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July

12,1991.]

July 14: GUPPY TO RETIRE

NASA's "Super Guppy" which has carded two million pounds of cargo - including

the Hubble Space Telescope and jet fighters- to Kennedy Space Center is retiring

after twenty-five years of service to the space agency. Its pilot, speaking of the

plane, said, "It's like a flying dinosaur." Cargo is loaded through the front of the

plane which is swung open; on takeoffs the Guppy's nose gear leaves the ground

after the main gear and reverses the process for landings. The plane is being

retired because it needs four new engines and re-enforced wings and NASA

cannot afford the $6 to $10 million needed to repair the airplane. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, July 14, 1991 .]

117
July 18: ATLANTIS: FAILED POWER SUPPLY

During power up this moming, there was an indication of a failed power supply

with MDM FA3. This electronic component, part of the Orbiter's data processing

system, is located in the aft compartment in avionics bay 6. The function of the

MDM is to interpret data between the Orbiter's major components and the general

purpose computers. Engineers are troubleshooting the box to determine the

exact problem. At Launch Complex 39A, the external tank has been purged and

ordnance devices have been installed on Atlantis in preparation for its July 23d

mission to deploy the TDRS-E. In progress work includes: connections of the

Inertial Upper Stage batteries; payload closeouts; trickle charging of the Tracking

and Data Relay Satellite ('FDRS) battedas; closeouts of the Orbiter's aft

compartment and launch countdown preparaUons. The tasks remaining to be

completed Include: a simulated payload countdown tonight; purges of the power

reactant storage and distribution system tomorrow; pressurization of the Orbiter's

hypergolic propellant system tanks July 17; tests and final connections of the

ordnance firing circuits July 18. The flight crew of Commander John Blaha, Pilot

Michael Baker and Mission Specialists G. David Low, Shannon Lucid and James

Adamson arrives at Kennedy Space Center at 1:00 p.m. July 20; the launch

countdown begins at 4:00 p.m. heading for a launch July 23 at 10:54 a.m. EDT.

[KSC SHUTI'I.E STATUS REPORT, July 16, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, July 17, 1991 .]

g SPACEPORT USA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

"l'his is where America can come and see the launch site - not only to look at

what we have done over the past 30 years but to dream of the future," said

Kennedy Space Center Director Fon'ast S. McCadney at the 25th anniversary

celebration of the space center's visitors center held today at Spaceport USA.

During the past 25 years, 43.5 million persons have visited Kennedy Space Center

•to see our space program firsthand," as McCartney put it. The occasion also

honored four employees who have been with the visitors center since it opened:

tour bus drivers Joseph Wallace, Jr. and Dords WlBams, cash control agent Sallye

Foster and marketing representative Burton Prince. The 22nd anniversary of the

Apollo 11 launch was also noted with Center Director McCartney saying, "There

are no footpdnts [on the moon] that aren't an American's. And it's not just one

footprint; there are 24 footprints up there." Spaceport USA General Manager

Donn Henmmsy, referring to the planned $30 to $40 million expansion of the

attraction, said, "it depends on current cash flow. But rd like to break ground on

it in 1994." The expansion would focus on the Apollo-Saturn V space program.

Despite the recession in 1990, a record 3.1 million persons toured the attraction

which competes for toudsts with Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Disney-MGM

Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens. ["Spaceport USA Celebrates

Anniversary," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, July 17, 1991, Harris, FLORIDA TODAY, pp.

1A-2A, July 16, 1991 .]

118
0 STS-43: SRB PROBLEM

g

[1

[1

A circuit which sends signals from an electronics unit to a separation motor on the

right booster of Atlantis gave no reading during a test at Launch Complex 39A

today. Further testing will take place tomorrow in an attempt to locate the site of

the problem. If the electronics box must be replaced launch will be delayed one

day. Another problem threatened to delay the launch, when circuitry within an

electronics box in Atlantis' rear engine compartment failed during a test;

examinations which took all day showed that the problem was within circuitry used

only for tests and not for flight, according to NASA spokeswoman Usa Malone.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 17, 1991, KSC SHLI'I'R_E STATUS

REPORT, 6:30 p.m., July 16, 1991 ]

STS 48 PROCESSING WORK

The Space Shuttle Discovery has a number of processing operations underway

at present: troubleshooting of a cabin pressure transducer; inspections of main

propulsion system screams; cleaning the payload bay; installation of ordnance

devices; leak checks of auxiliary power unit no. 3; closeouts of the aft

compartment and avionics bays; thermal protection system operations. Work

scheduled to be completed includes: Orbiter positive pressure leak checks;

cycling payload bay doors; payload bay inspections and cleaning; determining

Orbiter weight and its canter of gravity and rollover of Discovery to the Vehicle

Assembly Building on July 22. [KSC SHLrl"rl.E STATUS REPORT, July 16, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA: FERRY-RJGHT PREPARATIONS

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility's Bay 2 have disconnected ground

support equipment used in offioading residual propellants from the auxiliary power

units, orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system tanks. Work

remaining to be completed includes: preparations to remove the ammonia boiler

aboard Columbia; removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system

tanks; removal of heat shields from around the main engines; payload bay door

bulb seal Inspections; thermal protection system operations. The Orbiter is now

ready for ferrying to Paimdale, CA, for extensive modifications. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, July 16, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOURS PROCESSING FOR STS 49

Work underway on Endeavour in behalf of its maiden mission, STS 49, includes:

installation of panels in the crew cabin; installation of lines for the main propulsion

system; leak checks of freon coolant loop no. 2; installation of covers on the main

propulsion system lines; thermal protection system operations; installation of

insulation on the auxiliary power units. The newest Orbiter will be transferred to

OPF Bay 1 on July 22. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July 16, 1991 .]

_--_ 119
July 17: ATLANTIS: ELECTRONICS UNIT REPLACEMENT

Kennedy Space Center managers decided today to replace a suspect electronics

unit on Atlantis; the unit - an Integrated Electronics Assembly - controls ignition

and separation of the Orbiter's right solid-rocket booster. KSC spokeswoman Usa

Malone said, "it does make the schedule tighter, but we can still make it [the

launch target of July 23]." The malfunctioning unit also controls deployment of the

SRB's parachutes after dropping away from the Shuttle and its extemal tank. The

difficulty with the unit was evidenced by tasting at Launch Complex 39A July 16;

circuits failed to give readings indicating separation. The decision to replace the

electronics unit came after further tests showed the circuits were functioning

properly, Malone said. The replacement will be installed and tested tomorrow.

No launch delay is expected. In other prelaunch pad actM_es, workers completed

connections of the Inertial Upper Stage batteries. Troubleshooting of multiplexer

demultiplexer (MDM) FA3 was finished. After a sedes of tests and conferences

wtth the vendor, officials determined that the MDM is flight worthy end there is no

concern with the power supply. The function of the MDM is to interpret data

between the Orbiter's major components and the general purpose computers.

Other work in progress prior to the flight includes: a simulated payload

countdown; closeouts of the aft compartment; disconnection, replacement and

retest of the forward integrated electronic assembly (lEA) on the right solid rocket

booster; payload cioseouts; trickle charging of the Tracking and Data Relay

Satellite (TDRS) batteries. The schedule for further work at LC 39A includes:

purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system (July 19);

pressurization of the Orbiter's hypergolic propellant system tanks for flight (July

19); final ordnance preparations (July 19); arrival of the five-member crew at 1:00

p.m. July 20. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, July 18, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 17, 1991, "Despite Repair, Shuttle Is to Fly on

Tuesday,' THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A11, July 18, 1991 .]

0 ST'3 48 PROCESSING: DISCOVERY

Aboard Discovery in OPF Bay 1, a panel in the Orbiter's middeck associated with

a failed cabin pressure transducer (sensor) has been removed. Inspections of

Discovery's main propulsion system screens are underway as is cleaning of the

payload bay. Other work currently being performed on the Orbiter include: leak

checks of auxiliary power unit no. 3, cioseouts of the aft compartment and

avionics bays, thermal protection system operations and positioning of the main

landing gear strut. Work scheduled: Orbiter positive pressure leak checks,

cycling of payload bay doors, payload bay inspections and cleaning, determining

Orbiter weight and center of gravity and a July 24 roilover to the Vehicle Assembly

Building. Work continues in preparing the solid rocket boosters for mating with

Discovery. Columbia is undergoing final preparations for its ferry-flight to

Palmdale, CA, where it will undergo major modifications. Technicians have

completed disconnecting ground support equipment used in offloading residual

propellants from the auxiliary power units, orbital maneuvering system and

reaction control system tanks. Work has been done to remove the Shuttle's Kubend antenna, dry the Orbiter's main engines, prepare for removal of the vehicle's

120
ammoniaboilerand its powerrea_antstorageanddistributionsystemtanks and

heat shields from around the main engines. Payload bay door bulb seal

inspectionsremainto be done and there are further thermal protection system

operations to be undertaken. [KSC SHU'II'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 17,

1991 .]

D STS 49:. INTB.SAT RESCUE MISSION

The newest Space Shuttle - Endeavour - is undergoing preparations for its STS

49 Intelsat Rescue mission and for the vehicle's rollover to OPF Bay I on July 24.

Freon coolant loop no. 1 and 2 pressure testing is complete. Work in progress:

installation of panels in the crew cabin; installation of the payload bay door drive

shaft; installation of lines for the main propulsion system; installation of covers on

the main propulsion system lines; thermal protection system operations and

installation of insulation on the auxiliary power units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., July 17, 1991 .]

July 18: lEA REPLACED IN ATLANTIS

A new integrated electronics assembly has been installed on Atlantis' right solid

rocket booster in the place of a suspect assembly discovered in pre-launch testing

activities at Launch Complex 39A. Engineers still don't understand why the

original assembly's circuitry failed. The new assembly is now undergoing testing

A simulated payload countdown has also been completed. Also underway are

purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system as well as trickle

charging of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite batteries. Tomorrow, pad

technicians at LC 39A will pressurize Atlantis' onboard propellant tanks. The

countdown to launch begins at 4 p.m. July 20. Launch of STS 43 continues to be

on schedule for 10:54 a.m. July 23. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m.

July 18, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 19, 1991 .]

g STS 48: DISCOVERY'S PROCESSING FLOW

Technicians in the Orbiter Processing Facility's High Bay 1 have completed a

positive pressure test of the Orbiter's wing. They are also engaged in replacement

of the liquid hydrogen recirculation pump package aboard the Orbiter and

inspections of the main propulsion system. The flight control system is being

tested as is a newly installed Tacan no. 2. Reconnection of a control panel in

Discovery's middeck is underway as are thermal protection system operations,

cleaning of the payload bay and closeouts Ofthe midbody and aft compartment.

Scheduled work includes: Orbiter positive pressure leak checks, cycling of

payload bay doors, payload bay inspections, determination of the Orbiter's weight

and center of gravity and rolling the vehicle over to the Vehicle Assembly Building

on July 24. Meanwhile, work continues on readying the Space Shuttle Columbia

for its ferry-flight to Palmdale, CA, for extensive modifications. The Orbiter's heat

shields have been removed from around the main engines, the left OMS pod has

been electrically disconnected from the vehicle and the Ku-band antenna has

been removed. The latest addition to the Space Shuttle fleet - Endeavour - has

121
also beenunderg6ingprocessingoperationspriorto its 1992maidenvoyageon

STS49. The freon coolant loops are being dried; various sensors are being

installed in the vehicle as well as linkages for the extemal tank door and the

payload bay door drive shaft. Endeavour is also undergoing thermal protection

system operations or tile work. The Orbiter is scheduled to be transferred from

VAB High Bay 2 to OPF Bay 1 on July 24. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, July

1s,1991.]

July 19:. ATLANTIS DELAYED A DAY

A faulty electrical circuit used to separate Atlantis from its fuel tank during flight

has delayed the launch of STS 43 for one day; liftoff is now scheduled for July 24

dudng a launch window running from 10:55 a.m. through 3:12 p.m. The circuit

was tested unsuccessfully today. When technicians entered the aft compartment

to analyze the failure they found a frayed wire which is due to be repaired and

retested. The circuit involves the left-hand Orbiter/external tank attach point

separation function. To prevent further delay, the repairs must be completed by

noon July 20 to allow for the pressurization of on-board tanks filled with

propellant. Failure to achieve full separation of the tank from the Orbiter could

result in the destruction of the crew and the vehicle. The arrival of the STS 43

crew of Commander John Blaha, Pilot Michael Baker and Mission Specialists

Shannon lucid, James Adamson and G. David Low - was delayed until July 20 at

1 p.m. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 19, 1991, KSC PRESS DOME,

•Launch Delay Announcement," 5 p.m., July 19, 1991 .]

July 20: CIRCUIT FlXi_D; COUNTDOWN BEGINS

With its faulty electrical circuit repaired and tested, Atlantis is cleared for the

countdown to begin today. Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce

Buddngtlem said, "Barring any unforeseen problems, we're in a good position for

launch Wednesday momino [July 24]. Everything tested out just fine." The nineday STS 43 mission is scheduled to land August 2 at KSC, the first time since

1985 that the space center has been the primary landing site. Tomorrow,

technicians will complete work in the Orbiter's rear engine compartment and seal

it for liftoff; final payload preparations should be finished July 22, according to

Buckingham. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 21, 1991 .]

g ATLANTIS CARRIES NEW SOFTWARE

The five general purpose computers aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the STS

43 mission will run some new software for the first time. Rob Kelso, NASA Flight

Director for STS 43, said, "Periodically we bring in new software that gives us new

capabilities. This will give us a lot more flexibility.' The Orbiter will be able to

perform certain maneuvers with six small steedng thrusters rather than 38; that will

save fuel and make the ride a little easier for sensitive cargo. ["Atlantis Will Carry

New Software," FLORIDA TODAY, July 21, 1991 .]

122
l] ATLANTIS' MANIFEST: MORE THAN TDRS

The Space Shuttle Atlantis will carry more cargo into space than the Tracking and

Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E) which is its prime payload. One of these is SHAREII, an acronym for the Space Station Heat Pipe Advanced Radiator Experiment

which is designed to test how well a pumplsss cooling system can dissipate heat;

the system, when fully developed, is intended for use on Space Station Freedom.

Also on the manifest is the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultra-Violet Instrument

(SSBUV) which will calibrate ultraviolet instruments on orbiting satellites from two

canisters located in the cargo bay. The information from this experiment will

ultimately be used to calibrate ozone-measuring instruments aboard satellites.

The Optical Communications Through Window Experiment (OCT_ contains two

transmitter/receiver modules. One is mounted in the payload bay; the other is in

the aft flight deck for operation by the crew. The experiment should demonstrate

video and audio transmission via fiber optic cable, versus conventional radio

frequency transmission.

Flying for the first time is the Tank Pressure Control Experiment (TPCE) which is

aimed at determining the effectiveness of jet mixing as a means of controlling tank

pressures and equilibrating fluid temperatures. The experiment features a Get

Away Special canister mounted on an adapter beam.

The Auroral Photography Experiment (APE-B) is also located in the aft flight deck

and features a camera and associated equipment. It will involve extensive

photography of auroras, aurora optical effects, Shuttle glow phenomena, and

thruster emissions.

The Protein Crystal Growth (PCG-III) experiment will fly in the OrbIter's middeck

and will supply data on the scientific methods and commercial potential for

growing large high-quality protein crystals in microgravity.

In the same field, current processes for growing large protein crystals in

microgravity will be studied inthe Bioserve-lnstrumentation Technology Associates

Matedals Dispersion Apparatus (BIMDA). Investigations into Polymer Membrane

Proceasing (IPMP) is designed to flash evaporate mixed solvent systems in the

presence of convection to control the porosity of a polymer membrane.

The Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) is designed to provide data

to other payloads on the acceleration environment of the middeck. The Solid

Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) will make the second of eight planned

flights on STS 43. It is designed to measure flame spread rate, solid-phase

temperature, and gas-phase temperature for flames spread in the reduced gravity

environment of space. Also making a return aboard a Space Shuttle is the Air

Force Maul Optical Site (AMOS) experiment in which the Orbiter serves as a

calibration target for this electro-optical facility on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

[Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 21, 1991, NASA FACTS, KSC RELEASE

NO. 72-91, June 1991 .]

_-_ 123
July21: CRACK FOUND: NO DELAY EXPECTED

A small crack was fourld in Atlantis' engine comPar!ment today, but the problem

is not thought likely to delay the July 24 launch of STS 43. The countdown began

at 4 p.m. today; the crew of five astronauts arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility

in their T-38 training jets some twenty minutes after countdown began.

Commander John _ spoke on arrival, "We're happy to be here. We hope the

weather is good Wednesday moming for the launch so we can be out of here for

a nine-day spaceflight." The Commander and Pilot will fly in the Shuttle Training

Aircraft tomorrow and the entire crew will receive medical examinations, review

flight data files and perform fit checks of their flight equipmenL Forecasters

presently call for a 70 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time.

Technicians found a 4 I/2 inch crack in a structural beam on the floor of Atlantis'

rear engine compartment in a review of photographs taken just before the

compartment was to be closed for flight. Managers said the flaw was not a

concem for flight; the crack measures from about one-eight to one-sixteenth of an

inch. Referring to a series of technical problems which have cropped up late in

the Orbiter's processing, Shuttle Test Director Ai Sofge said, "1guess we're a little

snakebit." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 22, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 11 a.m., July 22, 1991 .]

July 22: LAUNCH MINUS TWO DAYS

This aftemoon liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants will be loaded into

Atlantis' onboard storage tanks as the countdown to launch of the STS 43 mission

continues. The Shuttle main engines and main propulsion system are being

prepared for flight. The 4.4 inch crack found yesterday on one of the structural

beams in the aft compartment has been repaired and the compartment was

closed out this moming at 5 a.m. The payload bay doors were closed and ready

for flight ten minutes later, at 5:10 a.m. Trickle charging of the Tracking and Data

Relay Satellite batteries have been charged and a faulty firing circuit has been

replaced. Final ordnance connections and firing circuit tests have also been

completed as has pressurization of the Orbiter's hypergolic propellant system

tanks for flight. The Orbiter's communications system will be activated tonight.

At 2:35 a.m., pad technicians will begin loading the extemai tank with haft a million

gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. Launch is expected to

come at 10:55 a.m. July 24. Weather is expected to allow for a 50% probability

for launch and the chance of violating constraints for the entire launch period is

rated at 40%. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., July 22, 1991, "Shuttle

Mission," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 23, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July

23, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, July 22, 1991 .]

[] STS 48 PROCESSING CONTINUES

The liquid hydrogen recirculation pump package has been installed upon

Diecovery in preparation for its STS 48 mission. A retest of a control panel in the

middeck has also been completed. Tests of the newly installed Tacan no. 2 are

underway. Other tasks in process include: cleaning the payload bay, closeouts

V

124 _.____
of the midbody and aft compartment, thermal protection system operations,

positive pressure leak test of the aft compartment and inspections of the radiators.

Work scheduled includes: Orbiter positive pressure leak checks, cycling of the

payload bay doors, payload bay inspections and cleaning, determination of the

Orbiter's weight and center of gravity and its rollover to the Vehicle Assembly

Building now targeted for early morning on July 25, delayed a day by the change

in the STS 43 launch day to July 24. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m.,

July 22, 1991 .]

D COLUMBIA'S LEFT OMS POD REMOVED

The left OMS pod has been removed from the Space Shuttle Columbia in

preparation for its ferry flight to California. Preparations are under way to remove

the right orbital maneuvering system pod and the power reactant storage and

distribution system tanks. Thermal protection system (tile) operations are also

proceeding. Technicians will begin the removal of Columbia's three main engines

tomorrow (July 23) as well as the installation of the mock OMS pods. K_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., July 22, 1991 .]

July 23: WEATHER CONCERNS STS 43 MANAGERS

There is only a 50 percent chance that weather will allow Atlantis to meet its 10:55

a.m. launch time tomorrow; however, the Orbiter will be ready, NASA managers

said today. Overall, there is a 60 percent chance that weather will be favorable

for launch during the window which extends until 3:12 p.m. The repair work in the

Shuttle's aft compartment has been completed and the payload doors have been

dosed for flight. The astronauts who will fly on the STS 43 mission have had

medical examinations and have checked out their flight equipment. Today the

crew will receive a briefing on the status of Atlantis, its payload and the weather.

Commander John Blaha and Pilot Michael Baker spent a portion of the day

practicing approaches and landings on the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle

Landing Facility where Atlantis is due to touch down on August 2. Prelaunch pad

work continues as technicians have bonded two carrier panels on the payload bay

doors, one each on the left and right doors. The extemal tank will be loaded with

500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants beginning at

2:35 a.m. tomorrow. Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants have loaded

into the Orbiter's onboard storage tanks. The Shuttle main engines and main

propulsion system have been prepped for flight and the Orbiter's communications

system has been activated. The tail service masts have been prepared for launch

and crew seats have been installed in the crew cabin. The crew will be awakened

at 6 a.m.and departs for Launch Complex 39A at 7:40 a.m. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, July 23, 1991, KSC SHU'R'LE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., July 23,

1991 .]

July 24: STS 43 SCRUBBED: COMPUTER PROBLEM

WRh the Space Shuttle Atlantis cleared for flight yesterday and the five-member

crew "gung ho and ready to go," the STS 43 mission was scrubbed this morning

---_- 125
becausechannelA onthe mainenginecontrollerfor engineno. 2 had shutitself

down and mission managers were unable to restart it. The problem occurred

about 4:30 a.m. and tests were performed to determine the cause of the failure;

then the launch was called off at 5:38 a.m. The delay may be as much as a week

to ten days. A minor problem arose yesterday when technicians found that two

of 64 fasteners that attach eight protective plates on the outside of the Orbiter's

payload bay doors were broken; the two bolt holes were apparently stripped of

their threads, a problem which has occurred before. Managers resolved the

problem by deciding to fill the two holes with an adhesive and make a permanent

repair after the mission was completed. "If it's not a concern stnJcturally, you

don't want to take a chance of mucking up something," said Shuttle Test Director

N Sofge. The postponement of the STS 43 mission came just when weather

forecasters were predicting more favorable conditions for launch. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A-2A, July 24, 1991, Date, THI_ ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A6, July 24, 1991, Hoversten, USA TODAY, p. 6A, July 24, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, July 25, 1991, STS 43 STATUS REPORT. 4:15 p.m., July 25,

1991.]

I] STS 43 GROUNDED TILL AUGUST 1

Replacement and testing of a faulty computer that caused NASA to scrub today's

launch of STS 43 will postpone the Ilftoff until at least August 1, officials said.

Atlantis' five-member crew returned to Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) after

the scrub was announced. The failure of an engine controller in flight could have

forced the crew to attempt a risky emergency landing overseas. Launch Director

Robert B. Sled( said, "It was pretty obvious it was going to be a hardware

changeout. You get over the disappointment pretty quickly and get on with the

job." Commander John Blaha speaking for his crew said, 'We wished we had

launched and were up there right now, but we're totally behind NASA's decision

to fix the problem. That's the right thing to do." The crew departed for Houston,

TX, at 1:30 p.m.; the five-member crew will return to Kennedy Space Center three

days before launch.

Launch pad technicians were immediately occupied with extending the rotating

service structure around the vehicle, connecting the Orbiter's midbody umbilical

unit for draining propellants from both the external tank and the onboard storage

tanks. When that hazardous operation is completed, the technicians will climb

into the rear engine compartment to remove the faulty controller and replace it

with one on hand. This procedure has been done before on Atlantis prior to its

October 1989 (STS 34, the Galileo mission) flight; that delay was just five days

due to there having been no propellants onboard. A special work stand will have

to be constructed to help liftthe 213-pound controller; it measures 14-by-18-by 23

inches. NASA spokesman Bruce Buddnoham rejected the idea that there was a

generic problem with the controller saying, "The more you fly, the more likely we

are to duplicate a failure." Jeny Smeiser, Main Engine Program Manager at

Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) said, "We can't anticipate the kind

of problem we had (Wednesday) morning. You can't guess why it happened or

when it happened." The delay is not expected to impact negatively the planned

126
Septemberflight of Discovery(STS48) or Atlantis'next mission(STS42) now

scheduledfor December. [Brown,FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, July 25, 1991,

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 25, 1991, Leafy, THE NEW YORK

TIMES, p. A10, July 25, 1991 .]

o BUSH ADMINISTRATION: NO NEW SHUTTLES

'In all probability, we have purchased the last Space Shuttle. It is time for a new

phase in space launch," said Vice President Dan Quayle in a speech at

Vandenberg Air Force Base (CA). Quayle, who chairs the National Space Council,

said the new policy proposes to extend the life span of the Shuttle fleet and

maintain the capacity to produce needed spare parts, "but the policy does not

envision acquiring new Orbiters." Quayle went on to say, "It is time for a new

phase in space launch. I am here to announce that as of today, we have entered

that new phase." NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly said today that he supports

the Bush Administration's new "National Space Launch Strategy." He said, "It is

a thoughtful plan that lays out important priorities for a new launch system while

still maintaining the inherent capability for Shuttle support or production in the

event of an Orbiter loss or other demonstrable need."At Kennedy Space Center,

Public Affairs Director Chuck HoaJ_ said, "It doesnR seem to indicate a shift

in policy. This is generally what were been working toward. We will continue to

see Shuttles flying out of here on a regular basis." U. S. Representative Jim

(D-Orlando, FL) said, "Ideally, rd like to see another Shuttle, but

realistically I think the administration's policy is correct."

The policy calls for joint development of a new family of launch vehicle by NASA

and the Department of Defense. They would be based on new technology and

replace the current launch vehicles. The policy also envisions making use of longrange missiles retired from military use as the need for nuclear missiles declines.

The new policy states 'due regard to economic impact on the commercial space

sector" will be a concern. A new long-range plan to implement the new launch

strategy is due in December and will be designed by joint effort of NASA, the

Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. THE NEW YORK TIMES

reported that the cost of developing a new family of launch vehicles might run as

high as $11.5 billion; the goal is to reduce the cost of launching from $3,600 a

pound to about $300. The directive said that NASA and DOD "should actively

explore having private industry take part in the new rocket plans." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, July 25, 1991, "Delay," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 25, 1991,

"U.S. Plans to Build No New Shuttles," THE NEW YORK TIMES,p. A10, July 25,

•

,July 25: TEST FAILURE MAY DELAY STS 43 LAUNCH

A developmental Space Shuttle main engine sustained extensive intemal damage

while It was undergoing ground testing yesterday at NASA's Stennis Space Center

(Bay St. Louis, MS). The test failure occurred at approximately four seconds after

engine start when engine sensors detected abnormal operating conditions.

Ground-control systems terminated the test immediately and there was no

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apparent damage to the test stand on which the engine was mounted. The exact

nature and extent of damage to the engine, as well as the cause of the incident,

are being investigated. However, from initial external observations, the damage

appears to be largely internal to the engine. A team of engineers with NASA and

the prime contractor for the main engine, Rockatdyne Division of Rockwell

international, have begun gathedng all pertinent test data for analysis.

The engine which was being tested is a development engine and its configuration

is different from engines used in the Shuttle flight program.

•Failures such as this do occur from time to time in the aggressive ground-test

program that were always maintained, and especially when we're testing

advanced design components. However, it has bean over two years since we've

had such an incident and during that time, we've accumulated over 100,000

seconds of engine operation, with 257 engine starts," said Jem/Smelser, (Main

Engine Project Office Manager, MSFC). "The engine, unit number 0215, had been

tested extensively in the past. it had been run 15 times prior to the aborted test,

with an accumulated run time of 5,255 seconds, or approximately 87.6 minutes."

Referring to the incident itself, Smelser said, "It was not spectacular at all. You

just saw the steam come out and then it suddenly stopped. I didn't even know

there had been any damage to the engine until much later," said Stennis

spokesman Myron Webb. If investigators determine that the problem which

caused the destruction of the engine at Stennis could occur with one of Atlantis'

main engines, the launch of the Orbiter could be further delayed. Tentative plans

are to launch August 2, but, if the replacement and retesting goes well, August 1

is a possibility. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY., p. 1A, July 26, 1991, NASA NEWS

RELEASE NO. 91-118, July 25, 1991 .]

DISCOVIERY READIED FOR TRANSFER

The landing gears have been retracted on the Space Shuttle Discovery in

preparation for its transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 2 this

aftemoon. The Orbiter has been bolted to the crawler transporter and its weight

and center of gravity have been determined. Meanwhile, all three main engines

have been removed from Columbia; freon coolant loop no. 1 has been deserviced

and the power reactant storage and distribution system tanks have been removed.

Purges of the potable water system continue as do thermal protection system

operations and the installation of closeout panels and the ferry flight cover for the

forward reaction control system. The mock OMS pods must still be installed prior

to the Orbiter's ferry flight to Palmdale, CA. [KSC SHUI-rl_E STATUS REPORT,

July 25, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY, ENDEAVOUR SWITCH PLACES

The Space Shuttles Discovery and Endeavour switched places late tonight.

Discovery was rolled from the Orbiter Processing Facility into the Vehicle

Assembly Building at 11:55 p.m. to be readied for its September launch. The

Endeavour was rolled from the VAB into the OPF at 11:40 p.m., for further

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preparationsfor its May 1992 flight. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 27,

July PLATFORMS READIED FOR REPLACEMENT

Pad technicians have completed setting up platforms on the top deck of the

mobile launcher under Atlantis' main engine number 3 and access to the Orbiter's

aft compartment has been gained. Propellants have been drained from the

Orbiter's onboard storage tanks. The main engines must be positioned and

locked into place and the faulty controller must be electrically disconnected. The

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite must be recharged. Still scheduled are the

removal of heat shields around the main engine, the removal and replacement of

the controller - now scheduled for July 27 - and testing of the new controller July

28. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 26, 1991.]

July 27: COMPUTER REPLACEMENT PREPARATIONS

The main engine controller which caused the STS 43 mission to be scrubbed July

24, will be replaced today and retested, according to Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Launch may come as early as August 1. Still under

discussion is the impact, if any, of the failure of a Shuttle main engine in a test at

Stennis Space Center (Bay St. Louis, MS). Russell Barrios, Deputy Director of

Systems Analysis at NASA Headquarters, said, 'Prior to launch, we have to have

a pretty good understanding of what the failure was." ff engineers believe that

whatever caused the test failure could pose a similar problem for Atlantis, the

launch could be delayed beyond August 1. The test engine, however, was not

identical to those on Atlantis. NASA managers meet July 29 to discuss the

situation. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, July 27, 1991 .]

0 SOFGE, LEINBACH PROMOTED AT KSC

AI Sofge and Mike Leinbadl, who have both served as NASA Test Directors, have

been promoted to the newly created post of Shuttle Test Director at Kennedy

Space Center. They are responsible for all Shuttle testing and launch

preparations from a console in the Launch Control Center adjacent to the Vehicle

Assembly Building. The console is managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Shuttle Test Directors will assume the role of Chief NASA Test Director during the

final nine hours of Shuttle countdowns; they will oversee the team of NASA Test

Directors at KSC and will be available for special projects to Shuttle Launch

Director Robert B. Sisck. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, July 28, 1991 .]

0 ATLANTIS: CONTROLLER INSTALLED

Technicians installed a new main engine controller today and tests of the new unit

begin tomorrow; The computer will control main engine no. 3. ff the testing is

successful, launch could come as early as August 1, otherwise a second attempt

would occur the next day. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 28, 1991.]

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July29:. MANAGERSTO SET DATE FOR STS 48

The countdown for STS 43 may begin today because the installation and testing

of a replacement controller for Atlantis' main engine no. 3 went very well. "At this

point it looks achievable. We are leaning toward picking up the countdown on

Monday [July 29], but we haven1 committed to it yet." This morning, Shuttle

managers meet at Kennedy Space Center to discuss the Orbiter's readiness for

flight and set an official date. If the countdown is not begun today, it will most

likely begin tomorrow aiming for an August 2 launch. Barbara Sctmmrz, a

spokeswoman for Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) said, the five-member

astronaut craw will retum to Kennedy Space Center no eadler than tomorrow. The

craw is practicing flight maneuvers on a simulator at JSC today. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, July 29, 1991 .]

n LAUNCH DATE UPDATE: STS 43

Launch is targeted for 11:01 a.m. EDT August 1. Senior Shuttle Managers will not

give a final go for IIftoff until tomorrow (July 30) after they have reviewed the data

from the failed engine test at Stennis Space Center last week. "We really don't

feel that's going to be a concem with Thursday's launch attempt," said Eric

I:_, NASA Test Director. Redding emphasized that the test engine was not

only not identical to the Shuttle main engines now in use on Atlantis, but it had

also been fired many more times than any Shuttle engine that had flown. The

probability for being within launch weather criteda at the opening of the window

is 60 percent. There is a 70 percent chance for good weather for the entire

window which ends at 3:06 p.m., according to KSC spokesman Bruce

Buc_ngham. Work in progress: preparations to start the launch countdown at

4 p.m. EDT, closeouts of the aft compartment and installation of the aft

compartment. Scheduled work includes loading of liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen reactants into the Orbiter's onboard storage tanks; closing Of the aft

compartment July 30; flight crew arrival; retraction of the rotating _ervice structure

away from the vehicle July 31 at 11 a.m.; loading of the external tank for flight

begins at 2:41 a.m. August 1 at the T minus 6 hour mark. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., July 29, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 30,

1991, "Shuttle Countdown," USA TODAY, p. 3A, July 30, 1991 .]

g DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CONTRACT - KSC

Kennedy Space Center has awarded an $8.5 million contract to Digital Equipment

Corp. (Orlando, FL) for the design, installation and on-site support of a Payload

Data Management System (PDMS) to handle Space Shuttle and Space Station

payload processing requirements. DEC will be responsible for assisting NASA

and its payload ground operations contractor, McDonnell Douglas Space

Systems, Co., with the implementation and successful operation of the PDMS, a

highly sophisticated multiple computer system that will lead to more efficient and

streamlined payload operations. Primary capabilities of the PDMS include storage

of a data base and all documents relevant to NASA payload operations. The

system will also produce and track the schedules of all KSC payloads as well as

130

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the equipment and manpower needed to process space flight hardware. The

PDMS will be fully accessible and communicable with similar systems at other

NASA facilities. "We believe the PDMS will provide a more cost effective and

productive working environment," said KSC Payload Management and Operations

Director John Conway. "PDMS is a sound investment in efficiency and savings

for payloads being processed now and in the coming years." The contract is for

five years and runs from July 29, 1991, and runs through July 28, 1996.

[NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 89-91, July 29, 1991 .]

July 30:. STS 43: MANAGERS SAY GO!

Senior NASA officials today gave the go-ahead to proceed toward the launch of

STS 43 on August 1. The managers cleared Atlantis to fly following a review of

the analysis conducted on a non-flight configuration Shuttle main engine that was

damaged during ground testing at Stennis Space Center last week. To date,

analysis points to a failure in the high pressure fuel turbine on the development

test engine. "All three of Atlantis' main engines have significantly less run time

than components on the development engine that experienced the failure," said

Shuttle Director Robert L Cdppen, "and the fabrication, inspection and repair

histories of these units are well within our experience base for Shuttle engines."

[NASA/KSC STS-43 LAUNCH ADVISORY, July 30, 1991 .]

fl STS 43: LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS

The countdown for STS 43 was started at 4 p.m. July 29 and held at the T-27

mark for a built-in hold. The countdown resumed at noon today. Mike Leinbadl,

Shuttle Test Director, said, "Everything's going well. We're not tracking any

problems that would prevent us from getting to a launch attempt Thursday

moming." All non-flight items have been removed from the aft compartment of

Atlantis and the batteries of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite have been

charged. Currently, pad technicians are inspecting and closeout the aft

compartment and are loading liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants into the

onboard storage tanks. Some preflight preparations had to be handled gingerly

when stormy weather, Including a funnel cloud, moved over Kennedy Space

Center. The change in work plans did not cause any unexpected delays in launch

plans. The STS 43 flight crew arrived at 12:15 a.m. today after a week of training

at Johnson Space Center (Houston, "I'X). "We're glad to be back. We're looking

forward to a launch on Thursday," said Mission Commander John Blaha. The

crew, which also includes Pilot Michael Baker and Mission Specialists (3. David

Low, Shannon Lucid and James Adamson, arrived in their T-38 training jets.

Among the tasks remaining to be done are: activation of the Orbiter's

communication system, scheduled for midnight; preparing the main engines and

main propulsion system for tanking and launch; retracting of the rotating service

structure away from the vehicle about 11 a.m. tomorrow; loading of the external

fuel tank for flight which begins at 2:41 a.m. August 1 at the T minus 6 hour mark.

The probability for being within launch weather criteria at the opening of the

window is 70 percent. There is an 80 percent chance of having acceptable

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weather for the duration of the launch window. Atlantis is expected to conclude

its STS 43 mission with a landing at Kennedy Space Center on August 10;

Edwards Air Force Base [CA] will serve as the backup site. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 30, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, July 31,

1991.]

81"8 48 PROGESSING GONTINUE8

The Space Shuttle Discovery continues to undergo processing for its STS 48

mission expected to come in September. The Orbiter will be mated to its external

tank and solid rocket boosters no earlier than August 1. Rollout to Launch Pad

39A is targeted for August 12. Currently technicians are monitoring the vehicle's

systems. Endeavour, being readied for its STS 49 mission next year, has had its

right mock orbital maneuvering system pod removed. Currently technicians are

installing panels and electronic panels which are necessary for powering up the

vehicle and they are establishing access to all areas of the vehicle; preparations

are also underway to service the vehicle with freon. Work scheduled includes

opening of the payload bay doom, power-up testing of all vehicle systems August

5. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 30, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA READIED FOR FERRY FUGHT

The oldest Space Shuttle, Columbia, is being readied in OPF Bay 2 for its crosscountry flight to Palmdale, CA, for extensive modifications. The ferry cover for the

forward reaction control system has been Installed and the auxiliary power unit

catch bottles have been removed. Technicians me inspecting Columbia's payload

bay door seal and preparing to install the simulated left orbital maneuvering

system pod. Thermal protection system (tile) operations are underway. The

payload bey doors will be closed for the last time before flight shortly and the tail

cone still must be installed. On August 7, Columbia will be transferred to OPF Bay

3 for a one-day facility fit check and the Orbiter's ferry flight to Califomia is

targeted for August 9. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 30, 1991 .]

NEW CENTER SUPPORT DIRECTOR: JONES

Marvin L Jones was named Director of Center Support Operations by Kennedy

Space Center Director Forreet S. Mc_; Jones' promotion is effective August

4. Jones succeeds the late Jim Rice who died June 12 following a long illness;

Jones had been serving as Acting Director since Rice's death. Jones joined

NASA in October 1985 and has served as Director, Safety, Reliability and Quality

Assurance, and Protective Services as well as Director of the Protective Services

Office. Jones has been Deputy Director of Center Support Operations since

January. Before joining the space agency, Jones commanded the Eastern Space

and Missile Center (Patrick Air Force Base, FL); he served 20 years in the U.S. Air

Force. Center Support Operations Directorate provides assigned base operations,

maintenance and center support services for all KSC and tenant organizations on

the center, certain joint services for the Eastern Space and Missile Center, and

v

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managesspacevehiclepropellantsforNASAandothergovemmentagenciesand

their contractors. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 90-91, July 30, 1991 .]

D UGHTNING RESEARCH IMPACTS PLAYAUNDA BEACH

The northem portion of NASA-owned Playalinda Beach on Canaveral National

Seashore will be closed on weekdays from August 5 through August 30 to permit

the safe conduct of a research program designed to enhance the accuracy of

lightning forecast systems. The research program is being conducted through the

launch of three-foot-long folding fin rockets trailing hair-thin strands of copper wire

into thunderstorms to trigger lightning strokes. Launches will be conducted from

a pad on the western shore of Mosquito Lagoon on the northem portion of the

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 87-91, July 30,

1991.]

July 31: STS 43: LAUNCH MINUS ONE DAY

AT 10 a.m. this morning, the countdown for STS 43 was in a built-in hold of 12

hours, 41 minutes at the T-11 hour mark. The clock will resume at 8:41 p.m.

tonight. The rotating service structure was retracted at 10 this moming; pad

technicians were preparing the main propulsion system and Shuttle main engines

for flight, preparing the pad area for launch and installing flight crew time critical

equipment. The Orbiter's communication system has been activated and crew

seats have been installed in the flight and mid decks. The crew has been

receiving vehicle, weather and payload briefings today. Still remaining to be done:

preparing the fuel cells for launch later tonight; loading of the extemal tank for

flight beginning at 2:41 a.m. at the T-6 hour mark; the flight crew is awakened at

6:06 a.m. and departs for the launch pad an hour and forty minutes later. Launch

is targeted for 11:01 a.m. and the window runs till 3:06 p.m. The probability for

being within launch weather criteria at the opening of the launch window is 70

percent; the probability for favorable weather improves to 80 percent over the

course of the window. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., July 31, 1991 .]

g U.S,/U.S.S.R SPACE COOPERATION

The United States and the Soviet Union have agreed to expand civil space

cooperation by flying a U.S. astronaut on a long-duration Soviet space station Mir

mission and a Soviet cosmonaut on a U.S. Space Shuttle mission, increase

cooperation in monitoring the global environment from space and initiate annual

consultations activities. The agreement was reached by Presidents George Bush

and Mikhail Gorbachev during the July 30-31 Summit in Moscow. These initiatives

were developed for the U.S. side under the guidance of the National Space

Council, chaired by Vice President Dan Quayle. The purpose of the exchange of

flights is to conduct Life Sciences research of mutual interest, it would advance

current efforts to standardize in-flight medical procedures which would improve

comparability of data taken by each side. The exchange would involve training

of the crew members at appropriate U.S. and Soviet facilities, exchange of medical

equipment for flight on the space missions and establishment of a

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telecommunicationslink betweenappropriatefacilitiesof the two sides for use

during missions. A new joint working group (JWG) on manned space flight will

be established as an annex to the 1987 U.S./U.S.S.R. space science agreement

to implement the flight project. The manned space flight JWG will work with the

existing JWG on Space Biology and Medicine, which will be responsible for

implementing the life sciences research. The agreement also calls for expanded

cooperation In the monitoring of the global environment. Both sides will exchange

information on their respective plane for Earth observation programs and develop

cooperation where joint action could improve Earth science research and

environmental monitoring on a global scale and facilitate the free and open

international exchange of data from those programs. This cooperation will be

carded out by the U.SJU.S.S.R. Earth Sciences JWG. It was also agreed to hold

annual meetings between the two govemmants on civil space issues and

cooperative activities. The JWGs are coordinated on the U.S. side by NASA and

the Department of State-ted "lnteragency Working Group on U.S./Soviet Space

Cooperation," under the guidance of the National Space Council. [NASA/KSC

RELEASE NO. 91-122, July 31, 1991, Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, August

1, 1991.]

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AUGUST

Auguat 1: LAUNCH DAY: STS 43

Uftoff for STS 43 is scheduled for 11:01 a.m. today; the five-member crew left their

quarters in the Operations & Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center and

headed for Atlantis aboard Launch Complex 39A. Mission managers are watching

rain showers which are expected to move into the launch area during the day.

The launch window extends until 3:06 p.m. NASA's failed effort to launch Atlantis

on July 24 was due to a faulty main engine controller. The controller failed due

to a defected soldered joint on a circuit board within the engine computer,

according to Jemj Smelser, Main Engine Project Office at Marshall Space Flight

Center (Huntsville, AL). Smelser said, "This particular joint had a deficiency in the

manufacturing process. However, it was sufficiently attached that it did perform

its function for a period of time. This clearly is an isolated case." Technicians for

Honeywell Inc. (controller manufacturer) found the improperly soldered joint in a

search of about 9,000 such joints in the computer; it had been undetected in five

previous Shuttle missions. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 1, 1991, Leafy,

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A12, Aug. 1, 1991 .]

n WEATHER, HARDWARE CAUSE SCRUB: STS 43

Atlantis' STS 43 mission was scrubbed because of a problem with a switch which

raised doubts about whether the crew cabin was properly pressurized; when that

problem was solved, bad weather moved into the launch area and forced the

postponement of the Iiftoff until August 2. The launch was scrubbed at 12:28 p.m.

by Shuffle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck. Crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing

Facility rose above the 17 mph mark; that is a violation of launch rules. "We were

looking very good at the beginning of the window, but after the first haft hour, it

deteriorated rapidly," said Staff Sgt. SaF_cla Larabee, an Air Force meteorologist.

"The problem was the threat of rain showers and, to some extent, high winds."

[Haivorson and Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 2, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-3, Aug. 2, 1991, Leary, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A

11, Aug. 2, 1991.]

G SPACEPORT USA RESTAURANT IMPROVED

Dining facilities are being improved through a $1.3 million expansion of the Lunch

Pad restaurant at Spaceport USA. The eatery will more than triple its floor space,

from 2500 square feet to 7800. The 11,500 Square feet of adjacent outdoor patio

area will be placed under a protective cover. The exterior of the restaurant will

be remodeled to match that of the recently upgraded Spaceport Central building.

By the end of the year, the Spaceport's souvenir store - The Gift Gantry - will

undergo a major interior renovation; the Flight Crew Training Building, the first tour

stop, will be modified to ease access and egress of visitors. The expansion

projects are financed through a Services Improvement Account generated by

sales to visitors; there are no taxpayer funds involved. In July, there were 298,662

visitors at Spaceport USA. Year-to-date attendance stands at 1,621, 235.

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[SPACEPORT USA RELEASE NO. NT0589, Aug. 1, 1991, "Spaceport Expands

Restaurant," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12C, Aug. 3, 1991 .]

Auguat 2: STS 43 LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY

"We had a great countdown. We had no problems to deal with. We did what we

like to do best, launch on time with no anomalies. It's good to be flying again,"

said Shuttle Launch Director Robed B. Sied_ at a news conference after Atlantis

lifted off at 11:02 this morning. Mission Commander John Blahs said, "It was the

best ride in the world." Six hours alter launch the crew of five launched its pdmary

cargo, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. The STS 43 mission was the ninth

for Atlantis; it had been delayed twice for technical problems and once for bad

weather. There had been a further technical problem before launch; engineers

decided that the problem with a signal relayer was not critical to the mission since

the relayer would not be used in the mission. Early in the flight there was a

malfunction in a system which was used to cool lubdcents for the auxiliary power

units; engineers decided that this too was not sedous enough to affect the

mission. [lean/, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 6, Aug. 3, 1991, Brown and

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 3, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-IO, Aug. 3, 1991 .]

g BUCKINGHAM: RRST LAUNCH COMMENTARY

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham had a career first today

when he became the seventh parson to handle the job of "Voice of Shuttle Launch

Control," sincethe beginning of Space Shuttle launches on April 12, 1981. ['l'he

other commentators have been Hugh Harris, Lisa Malone, Jim Ball, Mark Hess,

George OBer and Jack King.] Buckingham was greeted with cheers when, a half

hour after launch, he rstumed to the KSC Press SIte. He said, "It was one of the

most intense pedods of my life." Buckingham's father, Jamie Bu(ddngham, is

pastor of the Tabernacle Church (MeJboume, FL) said of his son, '_Nllen you grow

up in the home of a writer and a speaker, part of It just rubs off, Ithink. We're real

proud. This is the kind of thing every dad hopes for his son some day."

Buckingham, 35, joined NASA in September 1985, after working for former U. S.

Rep. Bill Nelson. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 3, 1991 .]

Augtmt 5.- $1"S-43: POST-LAUNCH

Launch Complex 39A sustained minimal damage from Atlantis' STS 43 launch

August 2 at 11:02:00.0432 a.m. EDT. The solid rocket boosters arrived at Hangar

AF at 12:30 p.m. EDT on August 3. No unusual anomalies have been reported;

the exit cone has been removed from the right booster. High pressure water will

be used to strip the boosters of their thermal protective foam. STS 43 is expected

to conclude with a landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility

August 11, at 8:19 a.m. EDT on orbIt 142. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10

a.m., Aug. 5, 1991 .]

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DELTA ROCKET GROUNDED

A technical problem with its navigation satellite cargo will keep an Air Force Delta

rocket from launching for at least two weeks. The McDonnell Douglas Systems

Co. rocket had been scheduled to liftoff August 8 from Launch Complex 17 at

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The earliest opportunity for launch will come

August 22. The cargo is a Navstar Global Positioning System satellite and would

be the 12th in the system. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 6, 1991 .]

Ab"I11ONAI./TS MEMORIAL SHUTS DOWN: SAFETY

Safety concerns at Spaceport USA caused the Astronauts Memorial to be closed

to the public today, officials at the attraction said. Randy Barridge, of the

Astronauts Memorial Foundation, said, "The memorial itself, as far as its ability to

rotate and pitch, has been shut down for safety reasons." Engineers from VSL

Corp. which designed the memorial are flying to Florida to inspect the memorial

which worked improperly today. Barridge said the moving memorial was making

an unexplained popping sound. He said, "NASA engineers and our own

consultants have determined that the mechanism that controls the pitch of the

mirror got out of synch by an inch and a half." Barridge said that engineer had

not yet found any structural damage. He said the popping sound that had been

heard might have come from several screws that were found broken loose. No

estimates of the repair's cost or the time needed to effect the repair were

available. Barridge said that determining such details was low on the Astronaut

Memodal Foundation's priority list. "We just want to get it back in operation," he

said. Scaffolding will be erected August 8 to allow repairmen to make inspections

of the $6.2 million "Space Mirror." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 6, 1991,

"Memorial Closed," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 7, 1991, "Memorial Closed," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 8, 1991, 'Engineers Inspect Astronauts Memorial," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 9, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-7, Aug.

6, 1991.]

PROCESSING: DISCOVERY & COLUMBIA

In the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, workers attached the

Space Shuttle Discovery to its external tank and solid rocket boosters today and

will check electrical connections tomorrow, according to Lisa Malone, KSC

spokeswoman. Discovery will continue pre-roUout processing in the VAB for

another week and should be rolled to Launch Complex 39A beginning 12:01 a.m.

August 12. Discovery's STS 48 mission will deploy NASA's Upper Atmosphere

Research Satellite (UARS). In the Orbiter Processing Facility, the Space Shuttle

Columbia is undergoing the final preparations for its ferry flight to Palmdale, CA,

where it will spend half a year receiving modifications and an overhaul. Before its

flight, Columbia will spend one day at KSC in a newly refurbished processing

hangar, according to Malone, so that workers can see how a Shuttle fits in the

new work area. At a KSC hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers

have begun disassembling Atlantis' two solid rocket boosters which were

recovered over the weekend and towed through Port Canaveral to CCAFS.

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[Banke,FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 6, 1991 .]

August 6: STS-43:. FUGHT DAY 5

The STS-43 solid rocket boosters are being stripped of thermal protective foam

with a hydrolasing technique using high pressure water. The motor segments will

be disassembled and shipped back to Thiokol in Utah for refurbishment. The aft

and forward sections will be refurbished here at KSC by USBI. The mobile

launcher platform used to launch STS-43 is being transferred today from Launch

Complex 39A to the park site located just outside of the Vehicle Assembly

Building. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 6, 1991 .]

n STS 48 PREPARATIONS

Electrical connections between Discovery and its extemai tank have been

completed and the vehicle was powered up at 1:23 this moming. In progress is

• Shuttle Interface Test which validates connections between the vehicle elements

and the launch platform. Late on August 9, platforms will be retracted from the

vehicle. Rollout to Launch Complex 39A is targeted for 12:01 a.m. August 12.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 6, 1991 .]

Au_ 7." ATLANT BOOSTEREFURBSHMENT

Technicians are continuing to strip thermal protective foam from the STS 43 solid

rocket boosters with a hydrolasing technique using high pressure water. Both the

robot hydrolesar and manual method are being used to strip the foam away. The

aft skirts are scheduled to be removed from both boosters today. The motor

segments will be disassembled and shipped back to Thiokol (Brigham City, UT)

for refurbishment. The aft and forward skirts will be refurbished here at KSC by

USBI. The mobile launcher platform used to launch STS 43 was transferred

yesterday from Launch Complex 39A to the park site located just outside the

Vehicle Assembly Building. KSC's Landing Team will assemble today for a

briefing to review landing procedures and plans. That landing is expected to

occur at Kennedy Space Center August 11 (Sunday) at 8:23 a.m. EDT, on orbit

142. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 7, 1991 .]

V

n COLUMBIA'S FERRY FUGHT

Columbia's aft compartment has been closed out in preparation for its ferry flight

to Palmdale, CA; the crew cabin has also been closed out and the tall cone has

been installed for the journey. Work in progress includes closing out the flipper

doors which protect the wing hinges and the transfer of the Orbiter iteeff to OPF

Bay 3 for a fit check this rooming at 10 a.m. Technicians are also awaiting the

arrival today of the Shuttle Carder Aircraft and the C141 Pathfinder aircraft.

Tomorrow (August 8) at 4 a.m., Columbia and the SCA will be towed to the Mate

Demate Device at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) for mating. Departure for

California is planned for 7 a.m. August 9. [KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT, 10

a.m., Aug. 7, 1991 .]
I] STS 48 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

n

The Space Shuttle Discovery is presently undergoing a Shuttle Interface Test to

validate connections between the Orbiter and the launch platform. Leak checks

are being performed of the cavities between the extemai tank to Orbiter

disconnects; tests of the solid rocket boosters ' hydraulic system are being

conducted. The platforms around the vehicle must be retracted August 9; rollout

to Launch Complex 39A is projected to take place August 12 beginning at 12:01

a.m. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 7, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUR'S FIRST POWER UP TESTS

Endeavour will be powered up this week at Kennedy Space Center; this significant

event marks the beginning of major testing of the newest Space Shuttle prior to

its April 1992 launch. 'We're happy to get started on processing Endeavour for

its first flight. We've worked hard to schedule all the required tests and the team

is ready," said Tip Talone, Endeavour's Flow Director. Endeavour arrived at

Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility atop the new 747 Shuttle Carrier

Aircraft on May 7 of this year and it was temporarily housed in High Bay 2 of the

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) until July 25 when it was transferred to the

Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. In the VAB, several major components were

installed in the newest Orbiter, including the liquid hydrogen 17-inch disconnect,

the ammonia boiler, the flash evaporator and the external tank door drive

mechanisms. The forward reaction control simulator was removed in the VAB, but

work in the VAB centered on preparing the Orbiter for power up testing in the

OPF.

Last week, the mock left and right orbital maneuvering system pods were removed

from Endeavour and installed on Columbia for its ferry flight to California. "First

Flow = tests of a vehicle, to be performed during Endeavour's planned sevenmonth stay in the OPF, are the most rigorous an Orbiter ever undergoes.

Extensive integrated tests and checks of each system will validate the operation

of the vehicle. Also in the OPF, several major vehicle components will be

Installed: the three new main engines featuring upgrades that include new

controllers, the forward reaction control system, and two orbital maneuvering

system (OMS) pods. For the first time, KSC's processing team will install the new

drag-chute on an Orbiter. Endeavour is the first Orbiter outfitted with the drag

chute pod. Stacking of the solid rocket boosters for Endeavour's flight is

tentatively scheduled for the November/December period. Mating with the

external tank is sat to occur early next year. Once the Orbiter is completely

outfitted and its systems fully tested, it will be towed to the VAB for mating with

the ET and SRBs; this is scheduled to occur in mid-February 1992; rollout to the

launch pad is planned for the following week. A Flight Readiness Firing, which is

a standard requirement for all new vehicles, is targeted to occur in early March

1992. While bolted to the launch pad, the Orbiter's three main engines are fired

for approximately 20 seconds. No astronauts will be aboard for this test.

Objectives of the test include validating the integrity of the new Orbiter's systems

and evaluation of the main propulsion system performance and propellant delivery

"-_ 139
systems. Other routine tests end operationswill also be performed while

Endeavouris at the launchpad,includinga TerminalCountdownDemonstration

Test scheduledfor March1992. Endeavour'sfirst mission, STS 49, will carry

seven astronauts into space in Apdl 1992. The mission will be highlighted by a

space walk to attach an upper stage to reboost an Intelsat satellite which was

stranded in an inoperable orbit following launch aboard a commercial Titan 3

rocket last March. [NASAVKSC RELEASE NO. 94-91, Aug. 7, 1991 .]

Auguat 8:

D

g

YOUNG: KSC LANDINGS ARE RISKY

Young, former STS 1 commander and presently a safety official at Johnson

Space Center, said today that NASA is taking unnecessary risks with its expensive

Space Shuttles by making Kennedy Space Center the prime lending site. Atlentis

is due to lend here on the morning of August 11. Young, who is a Special

Assistant for Engineering, Operations and Safety at JSC, said, "It's an increased

risk, end I told them that." He referred to the potential for saving up to $3 million

per flight by lending at KSC and said that the cost of a lost $2 billion OrbIter vastly

overshadows the savings. "ff there's an accident, It's certainly going to look

penny-wise end pound-foolish," said John Pike, Space Policy Analyst for the

Federation of Americen Scientists. He advocated foregoing landings at KSC until

all the Orbiters had been outlltled with drag chutes; only Endeavour has this

safety feature. KSC has not been a primary lending site since April 19, 1985,

when Discovery blew out a tire lending on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at

the space center. 'We're making it very tough on ourselves. We'll lend wherever

it's safest," said Jim Cast, NASA spokesmen. Space agency officials said that

NASA had not taken the risks lightly but felt that modifications to the Orbiter

brakes, tires end steedng led them to believe that KSC landings can be made

safely. ["Young: Landing Shuttle At KSC Increases Risk," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

Aug. 9, 1991.]

ENDEAVOUR POWERED UP

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, newest member of the four-vehicle fleet, was

powered up today in the Vehicle Assembly Building. "We're happy to get starting

on processing Endeavour," said John "T'_' Talone, Processing Manager for the

Orbiter. When Columbia has left for California, the new Orbiter will be moved to

the OPF. During its seven-month stay in the Orbiter Processing Facility,

Endeavour will undergo a sedes of initial tests and have its main engines installed

along with other important flight gear. KSC technicians will also install a drag

chute designed to help slow the Orbiter down on lending. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 12A, Aug. 9, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA MODIRCATIONS

Once Columbia arrives at Palmdale, CA, for a six-month stay for modifications,

technicians will demate the Orbiter from the SCA using a device called the Orbiter

Lifting Frame; then the vehicle will be transferred into Rockwelrs Orbiter Assembly

end Modification Facility. Some fifty (50) modifications are planned, including

140 -___
[]

improved nose wheel steering capability, carbon brakes, improved auxiliary power

units and the five new general purpose computers. Additionally, Columbia will be

outfitted with the drag chute pod and its thermal protection system will be

enhanced. Changes to equip the Orbiter for an extended flight include increasing

the capacity of vehicle systems such as power and waste collection, adding a

regenerating system for removing carbon dioxide from the crew cabin atmosphere.

installing two additional nitrogen tanks for the crew cabin atmosphere, and adding

extra middeck lockers for stowage. With these changes, Columbia can support

a mission up to 16 days in duration. As pad of periodic maintenance, Columbia

will undergo the most extensive structural inspections performed on an Orbiter to

date. Visual and borescope inspections will be performed to identify any fatigue,

stress or cracks in the Orbiter's structure. Columbia's last structural inspections,

in 1984-85, were not as extensive. When it ratums to KSC, Columbia will have a

new identifying mark - its name painted on the right wing. The omission of its

name painted on the outside of the ship has been a visible difference between

Columbia and its sister ships. Its first mission on returning to KSC will be the STS

50 mission, targeted for June 1992; it will be of extended duration - 13 days - and

carry a crew of seven and the United States Microgravity Lab-1 payload.

Columbia is the oldest Shuttle; it has flown eleven times, including the first five

missions of the program. It flew for the first manned Spacelab flight, the ASTRO-1

payload and retrieval of the Long Duration Exposure Facility. [NASA/KSC

R.ELEASE NO. 96-91, Aug. 8, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. g,

lssl.]

ATLANTIS KSC LANDING: AUG. 11

The first planned end of mission at Kennedy Space Center since 1986 is set to

occur at 8:24 EDT, August 11, on the Shuttle Landing Facility; it will be the eighth

landing at KSC. This mission marks the first time since SIS 81-C (January 1986)

that NASA managers determined end-of-missions could again be scheduled at

KSC. In January 1986, Columbia was unable to make a KSC landing as planned;

after being waved off three days running due to bad weather, the Orbiter was

instructed to land at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) and Edwards has been the

pdmary site since that time. The Presidential Commission on the Challenger

Accident indicated that modifications were needed on the OrbIters before KSC

landing could resume.

Modifications made to the Space Shuttle fleet include upgrades to the main

landing gear, an improved carbon braking system, and an upgrade to the nose

wheel steering capability. These and other enhancements have been made and

successfully tested both at Edwards and KSC. Enhancements have also been

made and successfully tested both at Edwards and KSC. Enhancements have

also been made at the SLF, Including work to grind smooth half mile sections on

each end of the runway to remove cross grooves. These were replaced with

smaller "corduroy' ddges that run the length of the runway. The primary purpose

of this change was to enhance safety by reducing tire wear. Two landings have

been made since the return to flight in 1988; both of these had been scheduled

_-_ 141
for landingsat Edwards,but were divertedto KSC due to poor weatherin

Califomia.

Previouslandingsat KSCwere:

41-B- Challenger, Feb. 11, 1984

41-G - Challenger, Oct. 13, 1984

51 -A - Discovery, Nov. 16, 1984

51-C - Discovew, Jan. 27, lg85

51-D - Discovery, Apdl 19, 1985

STS-38- Atlantis, Nov. 20, 1990

STS-39 - Discovery, May 6, 1991

General weather restrictions for a landing at KSC are specified in part as:

*Surface winds must be less than 20 knots in any direction, and less than 12

knots for croeswinds;

*The ceiling must be greater than 10,000 feet. For scattered clouds below 10,000

feet, cloud cover must be observed to be less than 20 percent at the deorbit bum

go/no go decision time;

*Visibility must be seven miles or greater;

*There can be no precipitation at the surface or aloft in the proximity of the

Orbiter;

*Thunderstorms, rain or the potential for lightning cannot be within 30 nautical

miles of the landing site;

*Vertical cloud clearance at the 30 nautical mile range, must be greater than 2

nautical miles.

[NASA/KSC RELE_ASI_NO. 95-91, Aug. 8, 199 ! , "Atlantis Sat for Sunday Landing

at KSC," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 10, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

Aug. 11,1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-15, Aug. 10, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 11, 1991 .]

August 9: COLUMBIA: CALIFORNIA HERE IT COMES

The Space Shuttle Columbia, the oldest of the four-vehicle Orbiter fleet, was

scheduled to take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility for Palmdale, California this

142

v

V
rl

1

n

moming at 10:30, but that was delayed a day due to deteriorating weather

conditions. It has been stripped of its main engines, its nose-and-tail steedng jets,

fuel storage tanks and a number of other systems. The Orbiter will make the trip

aboard the 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft. The first leg of the ferry flight is likely to

be to Eglin Air Force Base (FL), with a possibility of continuing on to Tinker Air

Raid (Tulsa, OK); a decision will be made in flight. The final leg - to Palmdale, CA

- will be made the following day. Takeoff tomorrow is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. In

California, Columbia will its most extensive inspection ever on a veteran Space

Shuttle. NASA spokesman Ed Campion said, "You could characterize it as your

car going in for a major inspection." Bascom Murrah, NASA Manager for

Columbia Processing said, "This is kind of an intedm space station, to keep us up

there longer and do more work." In addition to the new storage facilities,

Columbia will have installed a new drag chute, stronger brakes and an improved

nosewheel steering system. Discovery and Atlantis will be overhauled in 1992 and

1993 respectively. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 9, 1991, KSC

SHUTI"LE STATUS REPORT, 12:30 p.m., Aug. 9, 1991, "Weather Delays

Columbia's Calif. Trip Until Today," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 1O, 1991 .]

STS 48/UARS PROCESSING

Main Propulsion System checks on Discovery have been completed as have liquid

hydrogen and liquid oxygen fill and drain leak checks and the Orbiter and External

Tank were aleClTiCally mated. The Shuttle Interface Test is underway as are a

retest of the Master Events Controller, the final Orbiter/External Tank mate and

umbilical closeouts and liquid hydrogen recirculation pump leak checks. Platform

retractions are scheduled to begin tonight and roUout to Launch Complex 39A will

begin at 12:01 a.m. August 12. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 9, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOURS STS 49 PROCESSING

Electrical power up operations have been completed on Endeavour (OV 105); they

were begun yesterday for the first time as a member of the Shuttle Fleet. The

payload bay doors were opened last night as well. Freon coolant loop service

has begun and inspections of drag chute modifications are also underway.

Technicians are cleaning and inspecting the RTL8 (Retum to Launch SIte) dump

line and the main propulsion system. Electrical system validations are scheduled.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Aug. 9, 1991 .]

I_TIONAL MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY (IMI.)

A pre-move review of the IML Spacelab module was held eadier this week at KSC,

and a consensus was reached to proceed with plans to move the IML payload to

a test stand where it will undergo many of the final portions of its pre-flight

processing. IML is now positioned in the Operations & Checkout Building's Test

Stand III. On August 14, IML is scheduled to be hoisted by a crane and placed

into an adjoining test area where more extensive checkouts can be conducted.

IML will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS 42, now targeted for

_- 143
launchinJanuary1992. [INTERNATIONAL MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY (IML)

STS 42 PROCESSING .STATUS UPDATE, Aug. 8, 1991 .]

g PI.AYALINDA BEACH CLOSURE

Playalinda Beach will be dosed to visitors for a few hours August 12 as the

Orbiter Atlantis makes a planned landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle

Landing Facility. The beach will close at 8:00 p.m., its normal time, but not reopen

until an hour alter landing which is scheduled for 8:24 a.m. [NASA/KSC RELEASE

NO. 98-91, Aug. 9, 1991 .]

August 10: COLUMBIA'S FERRY FUGHT BEGINS

Columbia, attached to its Shuttle Carder Aircraft, left Kennedy Space Center today

at 10:48 a.m., accompanied by a NASA Gulfstream jet. It spent the night at

MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, FL). [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 11,

1991, "Space Shuttle Columbia Has a Layover in Tampa," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Aug. 11, 1991 .]

g JONES MADE SI DIRECTOR

Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest S. Mc_ today named Mawin Jones

to be Director of Center Support Operations. Jones had been Deputy Director

and Acting Director since the death of Jim Rice on June 12. "We are very

fortunate to have someone with Marv's experience and ability to take over for Jim

Rice," McCartney said. Jones (Merritt Islands, FL) joined NASA in 1985 when he

managed KSC's security and safety, reliability and quality divisions. He had

sewed as Rice's deputy since January 1990. Prior to joining NASA, Jones had

been Commender at Patrick Air Force Base and retired with the rank of Colonel.

['Former commander Gets New NASA Job," FI_ORIDA TODAY, Aug. 11, 1991 .]

g MDSSC AWARD WINNERS

Five employees of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems CO. have been awarded

Manned Flight Awareness Program awards. These are: Dena Pierce, Materials

Coordinator; /urlhur _ Safety Engineer; K]mbedy Sedozo, Associate

Project Support Analyst; Throm, Ronald, System Technician; Margo Collier,

Financial controls and Accounting Department. ["NASA Gives Honors to

Contractor Employees," FLORIDA TODAY, Aug. 11, 1991 .]

g MORE TESTS FOR SPACE MIRROR

.we'll announce an opening date when we're satisfied the tests agree with our

initial assessment" that there was no damage, said Randy Barddge, a board

member of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. The three-month old "Space

Mirror," the Astronauts Memorial, will be closed for more tests end inspeotions,

officials said today. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Aug. 10, 1991 .]

144

V
11: ATLANT1S MAKES GRACEFUL LANDING

At 8:23 a.m. this moming, preceded by twin sonic booms, the Space Shuttle

Atlantis glided easily to a landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing

Facility. "Welcome home Atlantis and congratulations on a picture-perfect

mission," Spacecraft Communicafor Bob Cabana greeted the crew. The crew

emerged from the Orbiter an hour after landing; they were greeted by KSC

Director Fowest S. McCarlney, Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck and Shuttle

Program Director Robert L Crippen and then boarded a van to be taken to their

medical checkups. The flight's only problem had been the overheating of an

auxiliary power unit - one of three - used to power hydraulic systems during

launch and landing. None of the units presented problem during the landing, but

the crew delayed tuming on one unit to avoid its overheating.

Crippen said that preliminary inspections showed minor tire wear on one of the

four main landing gear wheels. He was referring to one tire which "did show some

wear on the cords." He also said the sees no need to smooth the landing strip,

"I'm happy with it the way it is." Nevertheless, Cdppen said he expected landings

to occur at Edwards Air Force Base about 60 percent of the time. Speaking for

the crew Commander John Blaha said, '_/e're really happy to be back. Atlantis

gave us no problems." After their checkups, the Atlantis crew - Blaha, Pilot

Michael Baker and Mission Specialists James Adamson, G. David Low and

Shannon Lucid - the crew showered and boarded a NASA plane for a flight to

Houston.

NASA had been concerned about the landing to the extent that guests had been

banned and the number of media representatives was limited at a special viewing

site near the runway. Managers thought toxic fumes blowing toward the viewing

site might be a danger to spectators and had prepared 200 oxygen masks in case

of an emergency. No toxic gases were detected, though fans were in use as part

of routine post-landing procedures. Atlantis was towed to its processing hangar

at 3:00 p.m. so preparations could begin for a planned November flight to deploy

a military satellite. At the Orbiter Processing Facility, the crew module was

opened, the doors were removed from the aft compartment and access to the

vehicle was established. Tomorrow activities will include post-flight operations to

safe the pyrotechnics on the vehicle and preparations to offloed residual

propellants from the power reactant storage and distribution system tanks.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAy, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 12, 1991, KSC SHUITLE STATUS

REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 12, 1991, "Mission Accomplished for Atlantis," USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Aug. 12, 1991, Rohter, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. AIO, Aug. 12,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 & A-4, Aug. 12, 1991 .]

August 12: RUNWAY REPAIRS BEGIN

Goodson Paving Inc. (Cocoa, FL) will begin a $350,000 project to resurface each

end of the space center's aging Shuttle Landing Facility. Early next year a $4

million project to repair the facility's shoulders and upgrade lighting will begin.

David Went'm=cth, Project Manager in KSC's Engineering Development Directorate,

said that rainwater loosened and broke up the runway material over time.

145
n

rl

0

"Normally, this type of surface is not a problem. But in the case of the Orbiter,

with its tiles and tires and it coming in so hot, you can damage the tiles or

possibly pop the tires," he said. Since the material wouldsimply break up again,

repairing the overruns won't help; managers have decided to put down a new

surface, Wentworth said. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 12, 1991,

NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 97-91, Aug. 12, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY READY FOR FIOLLOUT

Technicians have readied Discovery for rollout this moming, one month before

projected launch date - September 12 - for the STS 48 mission. Discovery's cargo,

the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), was moved out to Launch

Complex 39A lest week. The UARS will be installed in the Orbiter's cargo bay

August 14 and will then be tested to ensure the spacecraft is working in concert

with Diecovery. The Shuttle's five-man crew will come to KSC this weekend for the

Terminal Countdown Demonstn_on Test August 19-20. The STS 48 crew

includes Commander John Cry, Pilot Kenneth Rei_, and mission

specialists James Buchii, Mark Brown and Charles "Sam" Gemar. Meanwhile,

Columbia aboard the SCA, will try to fly as far as San Antonio, TX, today from

MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, FL). Bad weather had interrupted the ferry flight

yesterday. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 12' 1991, KSC SHU'I-I'LE

STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 12, 1991.]

ROLLOUT OF STS 48

Discovery was rolled out to Launch Complex 39A beginning at 1:37 a.m.; the

vehicle was harddown at 9:19 a.m. Rollout was delayed an hour and a half

because of thunderstorms in the area; weather rules required that the Shuttle not

be moved if the chance of lightning within 20 miles is greater than 10 percent,

according to KSC spokesman Bruce Buck_. "Once we got under way, the

rollout went extremely well," Buckingham said. At the pad technicians were

occupied making connections between the vehicle, launch platform and the

launch pad. There will be a hot firing of auxiliary power unit no. 3 tonight. Work

scheduled includes: rotation of the service structure around the vehicle early

tomorrow, installation of the UARS payload August 14, helium signature leak test

of the main propulsion system and three Shuttle Main Engines August 15 and the

Countdown Demonstration Test August 19-20. [KSC SHU'I'I'LE STATUS REPORT,

11 a.m., Aug. 12, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 13, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA'S FERRY FLIGHT CONTINUI=S

Columbia departed MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, FL) at 9:30 a.m. today enroute

for Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX). Ferry flight officials will evaluate the

weather from Texas to Califomie before making a decision on the next leg of the

ferry flight. An engine problem on the pathfinder aircraft and adverse weather

conditions have delayed the cross-country ferry flight. The escort jet will either be

repaired or replaced and the ferry flight is expected to continue at 8 a.m. August

13. rKSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 12, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA

146 ---.-
TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 13, 1991.]

rl ENDEAVOUR PREPARATIONS

Technicians continue to make preparations for Endeavour's maiden flight - STS

49. Platforms have been installed in the Orbiter's midbody. Validations of the

electdceJ system are also underway as are the adjustment of payload bay door

latches. Leak checks are being made of the ammonia system; the instrumentation

system is being verified and the main propulsion system is being checked. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 12, 1991.]

g SPACE MIRROR: NO STRUCTURAl. DAMAGE

The Astronauts Memorial is not structurally damaged, but it will remain closed until

later this week, according to officials. Workers will repair damaged screw which

hold white panels to the rear of the memoriai and they will operate the mirror for

a day before reopening the Space Mirror to the public, according to David Walsh

of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. ['Memorial Damage Not Structural,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 13, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 13,

1991.]

g ATLANTIS IN RNE SHAPE

Robed Hill, a NASA manager, said th_ the Space Shuttle Atlantis will require little

in the way of repair work. He said that four tiles must be replaced as well as a

layer of haze which clouded two of AtJantis' sixmain cockpit windows. One of the

vehicle's tires was worn slightly, but officials expressed little concem. Hill said,

"The bottom line is KSC is back in the landing business, and we're glad to see it,"

Hill said. [Banke, F.LORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 13, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Aug. 13, 1991 .]

August 13: A.11AN11S: FUEL CELL CONCB:INS

Following power down procedures at about 4:00 a.m. August 12, fuel cells 2 and

3 were inadvertently left operating. The error was not noticed until about 5:00

p.m. and may result in replacement of the cells. Two of the three $7 million cells

will be replaced. According to NASA Manager Robert i-ffil, 'q'here's no reeJ fear

we have done any damage to them; we just want to be very careful." NASA is

concerned that water from the cells may have backed up into the unit, potentially

causing damage. Technicians discovered the problem when they were working

in the crew cabin and heard a fan running when it should have not have been.

According to KSC spokesman Bruce Bucldngham, Orbiter power had been turned

off at 4 o'clock on the morning of August 12, when an excess of gaseous helium

was discovered to have entered the fuel cell system from a ground line which had

been overpressurized. A momentary power drop occurred in the cells' electrical

output, so engineers ordered an emergency power-down of the Orbiter. The

method used to shut down the power inadvertently prevented the two suspect fuel

cells from shutting down their electricity generating capacity. Buckingham said,

___ 147
"We are concemedabout the possible damage to the fuel cells and why the

procedures allowed this to happen, but at no time was there any danger to the

Orbiter." The 255-pound fuel cells will be removed and shipped to their

manufacturer, International Fuel Cells Division of United Technologies (South

Windsor, CT). Replacement with spare fuel cells is not expected to delay the

projected November 19 launch of Atlantis' STS 44 mission. Meanwhile, crew

module items have been dsstowed from the Orbiter. Technicians are at work on

main engine drying operations, hypergolio fuel daservictng and cryogenic fuel

offioad preparations. [KS C SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 13, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 14, 1991 .]

rl 8T8 48 PRE-LAUNCH b"I"ATU8

After rolling out to Launch Complex 39A yesterday, Discovery was powered up

and an auxiliary power unit was hot fired. Technicians are currently working on

launch pad validations and rotating the service structure around the vehicle.

Scheduled for completion: opening the payload bay doors, installing the payload

August 14 and conducting a helium signature test of the main propulsion system.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 13, 1991 .]

0 COLUMBIA FERRY UPDATE

The Space Shuttle Columbia departed Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, "IX) at

9:34 a.m. EDT yesterday and arrived at Palmdale, CA, at 1:25 p.m. EDT.

Columbia has been demated from the 747 Carder Aircraft and was towed into the

Rockwell Facility where it will spend the next six months being modified and

inspected. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 13, 1991, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 14, 1991 .]

Q STS 49:. ENDEAVOUR UPDATE

Water flex lines have been installed on the Space Shuttle Endeavour; inspections

of the Orbiter's drag chute modifications are underway. Technicians have begun

freon coolant loop service, main propulsion system inspections and electrical

system validations. The vehicle is presently in the Orbiter Processing Facility's

High Bay 1. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 13, 1991.]

August 14: FUEL CELL INVESTIGATION BOARD

Kennedy Space Center Director Formst S. McCarlney has appointed a board to

investigate the circumstances surrounding the August 12 mishap which involved

possible damage to two of Atlantis' three fuel cells. Atiantis is presently located

in Bay 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility. The Orbiter landed at KSC August 11

to complete its nine-day STS 43 mission. Jack Smilh, Dlractor of Safety and

RellabUity, is daslgnated as chairman of the beard. Other beard members are:

Harvey CTawford, Chief of Fuel Cell Systems Section in the Vehicie Engineering

Directorate; SIBphen Francois, Deputy Director of Space Shuttle Payload

Operations; Albert Sofge, Shuttle Test Director, Shuffle Operations; and Thomas

48 k_"--4"
Wffilams, Chief of Shuttle Electrical and Telecommunications Systems Division in

the Vehicle Engineering Directorate. Board functions include investigating the

facts surrounding the mishap, determining its probable cause, assessing the

possibility of a recurrence and recommending corrective actions. A final report is

due by early October. Advisom appointed to the board are: Alan Gattleman,

representing the Payload Safety Branch in the Safety and Reliability Directorate;

Ot_ Cannon from the Chief Counsel's office; Lisa Malone from the Public

Affairs Office; and Michael Genecale from the Engineering Branch of the Shuttle

Logistics Project Management Directorate. The two fuel cells will be removed from

their location in the midbody of the Orbiter next week and shipped to the vendor

[See story dated August 13] where the extent of the damage, if any, to the units

will be determined. The three fuel cells operate as independent electrical power

sources fed by oxygen and hydrogen reactants. Power and water are produced

through the chemical reaction that takes place in these power plants. Each cell

measures 14 Inches high, 15 inches wide and 40 inches long. Each weighs 255

pounds and is capable of supplying 12 kilowatts peak and 7 kilowatts of maximum

continuous power. [NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 99-91, Aug. 14, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 15, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Aug. 15,

lee1.]

g STS 48: DISCOVERY PREPARATIONS

Discovery received its major cargo at Launch Complex 39A today: the Upper

Atmosphere Research Satellite was loaded into the Orbiter's payload bay in

preparation for the five-day STS 48 mission scheduled for September 12.

Tomorrow technicians will conduct a routine leak test of Discovery's main engines;

next week, a Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test will occur and the crew will

participate. The SIS 48 crew is expected to arrive at KSC on August 18 for the

test and to familiarize themselves with the emergency egress system. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 15, 1991 .]

August 15: DISCOVERY LAUNCH: SEPT. 12

The STS 48 mission will begin with launch at 6:57 a.m. September 12, according

to current planning at Kennedy Space Center. "We're about ready to go and in

less than a month we'll be on our way," said Discovery Mission Specialist James

Buchli. The Orbiter is expected to land at KSC at 1:55 a.m. September 18.

Commander John Cr_ noted, "! think there's a little higher risk landing at

night than in daytime, but that's true of all airplanes." Pilot _ F_

added, "if we didn_ think it's safe, we wouldn't be flying there." The other

members of the crew are Mission Specialists Charles "Sam" Gemar and Mark

Brown. The mission's primary job will be to study the Earth's atmosphere and

Program Scientist Joe McNeei calls it "a new era in the study of our global

environment." The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite that the crew will launch

is expected to provide atmospheric data for two years. The five-member STS 48

crew will fly to the space center August 18. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug.

16, 1991.]

_ 149
I] SOVIET ROCKET CAI:RES U.S. DEVICE

A Soviet Cyclone rocket launched today at 5:15 a.m. EDT carrying a NASA-built

Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) which is designed to monitor holes

in the ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere. The liftoff came from Plisatsk

Cosmodrome in northem Russian and carded a Soviet Meteor-3 Satellite which

will also measure the ozone layer. NASA wants to have an ozone-monitoring

device in orbit continually, according to Stanley Way, the agency's Deputy

Manager for the project. The data gained from the mission will be jointly shared

between Soviet and U.S. scientists. ["Soviet Rocket Carrying U.S. Device Blasts

Off," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 16, 1991.]

August 16: mS 4etDBCOVERYSTATUS

A helium signature leak test of the Discovery's three main engines and main

propulsion system have been completed. Technicians have also completed

connections between the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) and the

Orbiter and have replaced Tacan no. 1. Preparations have begun to service the

vehicle with hypergolic propellants and to retest the Tacan antenna. Shortly,

technicians will conduct purge tests of the cavity between the 17-inch external

tank disconnect and the Orbiter. They will also be applying protective foam that

hardens around the liquid hydrogen recirculation pump package located in the aft

compartment. Scheduled work includes: payload interface verification tests

(August 17), the Countdown Demonstration Test (August 19-20) and loading

hypergolic propellants into the Orbiter's storage tanks next week. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 16, 1991.]

fl ATLANTIS POS"F-FLIGHT PROCESSING

Atlantis' payload bay doors have been opened and its Ku-band antenna has been

deployed. Technicians have installed protective covers over the Orbiter's radiators

and offioad lubricating oil from the auxilianj power units. Post-flight inspections

of the vehicle continue as do preparations to offioad residual hypergolic propellant

from the Orbiter's storage tanks. Workers are electrically disconnecting the

Shuttle Solar Backscat_r Ultraviolet (SSBUV) payload from the Orbiter and they

have begun to remove the Space Station Heat Pipe Advanced Radiator Element-II

(SHARE) from the Orbiter's payload bay. The vehicle's waste management system

has also been removed. More payload items are still to be removed from the

cargo area and checks must be made of the vehicle's navigation aids. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 16, 1991 .]

fl WORK ON ENDEAVOUR CONTINUES

A functional test of Endesvour's payload bay doors has been scheduled for next

week in OPF Bay 1. Workers are removing the simulator fuel cells from the

Orbiter and are validating the electrical system. Checks of the main propulsion

system are under way; the instrumentation system is being verified. Checks of all

150 _--"
the Orbiter systems are being made in preparation for the first flow processing.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 16, 1991.]

0 I_sC0VERy: LEAK TEST CONTINUED

With an eye cocked in the direction of Tropical Storm Bob, technicians at Kennedy

Space Center completed a leak test of Discovery's three main engines in

preparation for the Orbiter's STS 48 mission. "There were no problems.

Everything looks good," said KSC spokesman Bruce Bucki._Rmt. Onboard fuel

storage tanks will be filled with propellant next week. The five-member crew

arrives next week, too, to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration

Test (TCDT), receive training in emergency egress from Launch Complex 39A and

attend briefings about the mission. ['Workers Test Discovery's Engines," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 2A, Aug. 17, 1991 .]

rl ASTRONAUT MEMORIAL TO REOPEN

The Astronauts Memodai opened today at 9:00 a.m., having been closed the past

two weeks for repair of a potential safety hazard. "it's great to have this behind

us," said David Walsh, Astronauts Memorial Foundation board member. 'With

anything new you're going to have some glitches, and this one turned out to be

minor. Hopefully, we won't have any more problems in the future." Once

engineers determine what caused cracks in four of the Space Mirror's granite

stones, they will be replaced. The cracks were unrelated to the malfunction in the

mirror's swivel mechanism." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Aug. 17, 1991,

"Space Mirror Repaired, Will Reopen This Weekend," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

Aug. 17, 1991 .]

August 17: SPACELAB READY FOR USE

The Spacelab module, used during Columbia's June mission (STS 40) has been

disassembled by Kennedy Space Center workers. Mitch Vames, KSC

spokesman, said, "The experiments have been retumed to their principal

investigators and the hardware elements of the module have been turned over to

the KSC processing teams." The next use of the Spacelab's tunnel will be for the

Intemationai Microgravity Laboratory mission scheduled for January 1992; the

pressure shell of the Spacelab will be used in the spring of 1992 for the U.S.

Microgravity Laboratory mission. ["Spacelab Ready for Use," FLORIDA TODAy,

p. 10E, Aug. 18, 1991 .]

0 3RD OPF BAY TO OPEN

"It's going to be th.__eebay to operate in," said Ken GeUer, Activation Project Office

Director for Lockheed Space Operations Co. "The technicians that have been

over there so far just love it." Geiler referred to the September 1 opening of KSC's

third Orbiter Processing Facility work bay. The Space Shuttle Columbia, oldest

member of the Orbiter fleet, spent one day in the facility before being flown to

Caiifomia for extensive modifications. The Space Shuttle was moved there for

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techniciansto checkhowwellan Orbiterwouldfitwithinthefacility. "There were

no surprises when Columbia went in," said Geiler. Workers did note that some

equipment in the facility protruded uncomfortably close to Columbia and that will

be taken care of. The third OPF is actually the converted Orbiter Maintenance

and Refurbishment Facility and houses equipment ferded from the moth-bailed

Shuttle facility at Vandanberg Air Force Base. Geiler said, "We transferred

thousands of items out here. To see that equipment come back here and finally

be utilized in the Shuttle program is a personal as well as a professional

achievement." The OMRF was modified by Lockheed contract at a cost of $85

million; a completely new facility would have cost $170 million to construct.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. IOE & 9E, Aug. 18, 1991, Memorandum dated Aug.

14, 1991, General Distribution, Subject: Area Permit Badging for Orbiter

Processing Facility High Bay 3 (OPF H/B 3).]

Auguat 18: STS 48 CREW ARRIVES AT KSC

The five-member crew of Discovery's STS 48 mission arrived today to take part in

a TCDT, emergency ogress training and mission briefings. Mission Specialist

Mad( Brown said, 'It's always a pleasure to be in Florida - especially when the

hurricane's (Bob) going someplace else." Fellow Mission Specialist Cttades"Sam"

Gemar said, "We have a healthy satellite, we've got a healthy Orbiter, and we're

looking forward to putting this baby in orbit." The crew also includes veteran

Mission Specialist James Buchi, Commander John Creighton and Pilot Ken

Ralghllar. The commander and pilot will practice KSC landings in a Shuttle

Training Aircraft. The STS 48 crew will be at Kennedy Space Center through

Tuesday (August 20). [Crew Photograph, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 19, 1991,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Aug. 19, 1991 .]

Auguat 19: W & J CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

W & J Construction Corp. (Cocoa, FL) will resurface about 1.5 miles of roadway

on Kennedy Space Center and perform additional work at the KSC Prototype Lab

in fulfillment of a $309,645 contract. The company will resurface and repaint

swatches of the NASA Parkway, beginning later this month with a portion of the

overpass west of the Headquarters Building. Afterward in the Industrial Area,

segments of C, D and E Avenues will temporarily become single lanes while the

paving is repaired. W & J also will install paving additions at the Prototype Lab

located south of the Operations and Checkout Building. [.NASA/KSC Release No.

101-91. Aug. 19, 1991.]

n SAFETY SUPPORT CONTRACT

NASA at Kennedy Space Center has entered into the final negotiations with

Hemandez Engineering Inc. (Houston, TX) for a new Safety Support Contract

worth $6.5 million. The contract runs for two years and may have price options

for an additional two years. Hemandez is to provide technical and engineering

services in support of KSC's Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorate.

The company's primary responsibilities will relate to flight and ground hardware

152
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processing, and will involve independent safety assessments and

analysas.Hemandaz replaces Ebon Research Systems which has held the

contract since 1986; most of Ebon's 46 employees will be hired by Hemandez,

according to Wesley H. Dean, Director of Procurement, Center Support Operations

at KSC. Both Hemandez and Ebon are minority-owned small businesses; Ebon

has graduated from the Section 8A program, which has a seven-year limit, under

the Small Business Administration Act. This is the first time at KSC that a Section

8A contract will be awarded on a competitive bssis, Dean said. The other,

unsuccessful, bidders were CEXEC Inc., (McLean, VA); Creative Management

Technology Inc. (Cocoa Beach, FL) and ETC Technical and Professional Services

Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK). [NASA/KSC Release No. 103-91, Aug. 19, 1991, "Firm

Clinches Contract," FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Aug. 25, 1991 .]

P,tOBE COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT

Globe Communications Inc. (Durham, NC) has been awarded a fixed priced

contract worth $889,557 to install new communication lines between three

Kennedy Space Center facilities. The company will install audio and fiber optic

cable between the central communications center at KSC, the Communications

Distribution and Switching Center, the Tel IV Central Telemetry Station in the south

area of the space center. The fiber optic cable replaces the older copper cable

used previously. Globe will also install audio and fiber optic cable to link the

Communications Distribution and Switching Center with the Canister Cleaning and

Rotation Facility now under construction in the KSC Industrial Area. [NASA/KSC

Release No. 102-91. Aug. 19, 1991 .]

SpE"EGI P CONSTRUCTION CO. CONTRACT

Speegle Construction Corp. (Cocoa, FL) will provide two buildings and upgrade

the area on Contractors Road where heavy equipment is restored under a

$523,950 contract at Kennedy Space Center. The company will provide labor,

equipment and materials to fumish the two pre-engineered metal buildings, and

associated services invoMng the exterior lighting, parking area, concealed

fasteners and ceramic tile wainscotting. An old shed on the property will be

razed; the area, which is located north of the Roads and Grounds Building and

is operated by Lockheed Space Operations Co., was dedicated August 12.

[NASA/KSC Release No. 100-91, Aug. 19, 1991 .]

KSC FACES POSSIBLE LAYOFFS

NASA's manager have been drawing up plans to absorb cutbacks which are likely

to occur when Congress passes the space agency's budget. That budget is

expected to be up to $1 billion less than NASA asked Congress for. Hugh Harris,

Deputy Director of Public Affairs at Kennedy Space Center, said "It's premature to

talk about layoffs since a number of decisions havenR been made yet - mainly

what NASA's budget is going to be. We're not excluding any options. No

decision has been made, nor will any be made until Congress completes its work

and we know where we stand and what we have to work with." Lockheed Space

153
OperationsCo.spokesmenJ. B.Klumpacknowledgedthat"we've been asked to

give NASA options to cut costs. Reductions in the work force was among several

suggestions." Lockheed, with 6,700 workers, is the biggest employer at KSC.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 20, 1991 .]

g TERMINAL COUNTDOWN DEMONSTRATION TEST

Discovery's STS 48 Commender John Oeigitton said, speaking of today's

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, "It's sort of a dress rehearsal for the real

event. It's very similar to the real thing except we don*t start the main engines

when we get down to T-minus-zero." The TCDT started this moming and will be

completed August 20. In the early portion of the test, the crew attended mission

bde_ngs participated in training exercises including emergency egress from the

launch tower end practicing night landings. The crew also includes Pilot Ken

Flalghller end Miasion Specialists Mink Brown, James Buchli and Charles "Sam"

Gemar. STS 48 is planned to end in the first ever night lending at Kennedy Space

Center. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Aug. 20, 1991 .]

Augum 20:. STS 48: PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

The five-member crew of STS 48 made a sharp edge inspection of the payload

bay yesterday and were briefed today on emergency escape procedures at the

launch pad, slidewlre end bunker. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test

ended at 11 a.m. with a simulated main engine cutoff; the astronauts are expected

to retum to Houston this aftemoon. Preparations are underway to service

Discovery with hypergolic propellents; calibration of the inertial measurement units

has also begun. The payload bay doors WlUbe dosed tonight in preparation for

hypergolic loading operations which begin tomorrow. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 20, 1991 .]

g TIRES REMOVED FROM ATLANTIS

Workers in OPF Bay 2 have removed the tires from the Space Shuttle Atlantis end

are scheduled to remove carder panels end heat shields this week. Other work

in progress on the Orbiter includes post-flight (STS 43) inspections of the vehicle,

preparations to offload residual hypergolic propellant from the Orbiter's storage

tanks, troubleshooting the cabin vent valve, preparations to remove fuel cells no.

2 end 3, inspections of spare fuel cells in preparation for installation end main

propulsion system tests. In addition, technicians will be engaged in main engine

drying operations, post-flight inspections of the thermal protection system and the

removal of payload equipment from the payload bay. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 20, 1991 .]

g STS 49:. ENDEAVOUR PREPARATIONS

A functional test of the payload bay doors of Endeavour is scheduled to occur this

week in OPF Bay 1. Work in progress includes: rigging the payload bay doors,

preparing the freon coolant loop for servicing, validations of the electrical system,

154
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[1

tests of the main propulsion system gaseous oxygen system, verification of the

instrumentation system, checks of all Orbiter systems for first flow processing, test

and repair of orbital maneuvering system pods at the Hypergolic Maintenance

Facility. [KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 20, 1991 .]

MIXL=D FLEET MANIFEST ISSUED

Today NASA issued its semi-annual Payload Flight Assignments - NASA Mixed

Fleet Manifest, providlng the latest schedules for payloads to fly on the Space

Shuttle and on expendable launch vehicles (ELVs). The Shuttle schedule for the

remainder of 1991 has the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite mission (STS 49)

being accelerated to September 1991 and the Defense Support Program (STS 44)

planned in December. In 1992, 8 Shuttle missions are planned. International

Microgravity Laboratory-1 (STS 42) will lead off the year, followed by Atlas-1 (STS

45), the Intelsat Reboost mission (STS 49), U.S. Microgravity Laboratory-1 (STS

50), Tether Satellite System/European Retrievable Carder-1 (STS 46), Spacelab J

(STS 47), Laser Geodynamics Satellite II/U.S. Microgravity Payload/CANEX-2 (STS

52), and a DOD mission (STS 53). Highlights in 1992 will include the first flight of

the Shuttle Endeavour on STS 49 and the return of Columbia to flight status on

STS 50 which is planned to be the first 13 day extended duration mission of the

Space Shuttle Program. Several missions in 1992 will feature intemational

collaboration and flights of foreign payload specialists including a European and

a Canadian on STS 42, an Italian on STS 46, a Japanese on STS 47 and a

Canadian on STS 52. Aatro-2 has been added to the manifest in September 1994.

This August manifest projects out through Fiscal Year 1997, which ends

September 1997. Among the missions planned in that time frame are Shuttle

assembly and utilization flights to complete the man-tended configuration of Space

Station Freedom and to begin using the facility, a second visit to the Hubble

Space Telescope, Atlas-5, Spacelab E-2 and Spacehab-8/U.S. Microgravity

Payload-8. Two ELV launches remain in 1991 - the NOAA-1 weather satellite on

an Atlas E rocket and the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer on a Delta II vehicle. Five

ELV launches are planned in 1992, including the joint U.S.-Japan Geotail mission

in July and the Mars Observer in September. The Expendable Launch Vehicle

manifest has been modified by the delay of the GOES I/J missions to December

1992 and August 1993, respectively. The ELV manifest now includes flights

through September 1997 (FY 1997). [NASA/KSC Release No. 91-132, Aug. 20,

1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Aug. 21, 1991 .]

BUDGET THREAT TO MARS PLAN

Air Force Col. Frank Sliding said today that Congress has proposed cutting the

$1.2 billion Titan budget request by one-third. '_'hat could pose a serious problem

for us if we don_t get that money restored," he said. "It would have fairly

substantial impact across the program, including our ability to support Mars

Observer.' The Mars Observer is a NASA program scheduled for a September

1992 launch aboard a Commercial Titan rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station. LC 40 is the only pad capable of handling the launch

and is currently being extensively modified; a budget cut could seriously delay the

-v 155
renovations,Stidingsaid. "Rightnow we're doing everythingwe can to get

LaunchComplex50online. It's goingto betight, butwestillthinkwe canmake

It," he said." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9A, Aug. 21, 1991 .]

Auguat 22: DISCOVERy: ONBOARD TANKS Fn i _-n

At Launch Complex 39A, the Space Shuttle Discovery's onboard storage tanks

have been filled with propellants in preparation for its STS 48 mission scheduled

for September 12. The reaction contTol system's storage tanks were loaded with

monomethylhydrazine. Oxidizer was loaded into the Orbiter's orbital maneuvering

system tanks and hydrazine will be loaded into tanks for the Orbiter's auxiliary

power units and for the solid rocket boosters' hydraulic power units. After the

propellant loading, the pad was reopened briefly, then dosed again for another

hazardous operation August 24 when technicians install explosive devices, said

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bnce Buddngttam. The payload bey doors

were closed today at 10:10 a.m. A Launch Readiness Review is scheduled for

August 26 and a Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for August 28-29. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY., p. 8A, Aug. 23, 1991, KSC SHUT£LI_ STATUS REPORT, 11 p.m.,

Aug. 22, 1991 .]

O ATLANTIS: STS 44 PROCESSING

Workers have deserviced freon from Atlantis' freon coolant loop and tests of the

radar altimeter and heeds up display have also been completed. The auxiliary

power units will be desarviced this weekend. Work in progress includes: postflight inspections of the Orbiter, removing and replacing fuel cells no. 2 and 3 - the

old units will be shipped to their manufacturer for analysis while an investigation

of the mishap regarding them continues. Also in progress are main propulsion

system tests, removal of heat shields, shuffle main engine drying operations and

post-flight inspections of the thermal protection system. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS

REPORT, 11 p.m., Aug. 22, 1991 .]

O STS 49 PROCESSING

A functional test of Endeavour's payload bay doors has been completed; the

Orbiter's radiators will be tested next week. Work in progress includes:

inspections of the vehicle's radlstors, removal and replacement of the potable

water lines, preparing the freon coolant loop for servicing, validations of the

electrical system, tests of the main propuls!on system gaseous oxygen system,

verification of the instrumentation system, checks of all orbiter systems for first

flow processing and testing and repair of orbital maneuvering system pods at the

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHUTTLE_ STATUS REPORT, 11 p.m., Aug.

22, 1991.]

August 23: S'I'S 48 STATUS REPORT

Hypergolic propellants have been loaded into Discovery's onboard storage tanks

for the reaction control system and the orbital maneuvering system. Hydrazine
g

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wee loaded into tanks for the vehicle's auxiliary power units and for the solid

rocket booster's hydraulic power units. Launch Complex 39A will be opened

tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. when preparations begin for installing ordnance.

Work scheduled includes: the end-to-end testing of the Upper Atmosphere

Research Satellite (UARS), the Launch Readiness Review begins August 26. On

August 27 a flight readiness test will be conducted to cycle the Orbiter's main

engine valves and calibrate engine sensors. A flight readinees review is planned

for August 28-29; aft compartment doseouts begin next week. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 23, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Aug.

24, 1991.]

STS 44 STATUS REPORT

Fuel cells number 2 and 3 have been removed from Atlantis and will be shipped

to the vendor for analysis and any necessary repair. The heat shields have been

removed from around the main engines. Underway is the installation of equipment

needed to remove the Orbiter's radiators; post-flight inspections of the vehicle;

main propulsion system tests; main engine drying operations and post-flight

inspections of the thermal protection system. Scheduled for completion is the

deservicing of the auxiliary power units this weekend; removal of the three main

engines and the radiators next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m.,

Aug. 23, 1991.]

STS 48:. ENDEAVOUR STATUS REPORT

A functional test of Endeavour's payload bay doors has been completed; a

functional test of the Orbiter's radiators is scheduled for next week as is the

removal of the fuel cell simulators. Inspections of Endeavour's radiators are

currently ongoing. Other work in progress includes: removal and replacement

of a few of the potable water lines which are located in the middeck below the

flooring; preparations to remove the fuel cell simulators; validations of the

electrical system; preparing the freon coolant loop for servicing; tests of the main

propulsion system gaseous oxygen system; verification of the instrumentation

system; repair of the two orbital maneuvering system pods at the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHLTITLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 23, 1991 .]

LOCKHEED ANNOUNCES LAYOFFS

The Shuttle Processing Contractor, Lockheed Space Operations Co., announced

today that it will begin to layoff 400 workers in two to three weeks. All cuts will

be completed by mid-October, according to spokesman J. B. K]ump. The exact

positions to be eliminated have not yet been determined; that will depend in part

on haw many employees choose to leave voluntarily. Klump said, "We don't

expect any adverse Impact on our ability to meet Shuttle schedules. Orbiter

technicians will be minimally impacted." Subcontractors Thiokol Corp., Grumman

Corp. and Johnson Controls Inc. will also be impacted. The layoffs are expected

to save Kennedy Space Center $15 to $20 million of the $50 million shortfall for

the fiscal year beginning in October, said Center Deputy Director Gene Thomas.

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"We're not promising there won't be any more layoffs, but we hope this will be the

last one we have," he said. "We've been taking this real seriously and it looked

like (layoffs) were the only way." He added that with the new OPF ready to open

September 1, about 100 jobs would be eliminated them. "We decided to just do

it all at once," he said. [Brown, FL,ORIDA TODAY, p. 12C, Aug. 24, 1991 .]

HUMAN _RCES & EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR NAMED

Ueutanant General Spence (Sam) M. _ (USA,=, Rat.) was named today

to the new position of Associate Administrator for Human Resources and

Education by NASA Administrator Rlchmd H. Truly. Armstrong (Columbia, TN) is

a 1956 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in engineering; he has

an M.S. in astronautical engineering and M.S. in Instrumentation engineering from

the University of Michigan and has attended Columbia University's Executive

Program in Business Administration and the Senior Managers in Govemment

program at Harvard University. Armstrong retired from the Air Force in 1990 after

a 34- year career including positions as Vice Commander of the U.S. Air Force

Systems Command, Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission to Seudi Arabia, the U.S.

Central Command. On retirement, he served as Director, Program Architecture for

the Synthesis Group, in support of President Bush's Space Exploration Initiative.

Truly said, "This new Associate Administrator will be responsible for developing

NASA's human resources strategic plan and for furthering NASA's emphasis on

national education goals. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to appoint

an individual with the extensive qualifications of General Armstrong to this very

Important positlon. [NASA/KSC Release No. 91-138, Aug. 23, 1991 .]

EXPLORATION ADMINL.RrRATOR NAMED

Dr. MkCmei D. Griffin was named Associate Administrator for Exploration today by

NASA Administrator Ftict,ad H. Truly. Griffin, in his new position, is expected to

provide direction, integration and oversight of activities involving NASA's

exploration goals, including program, technical and fiscal management for matters

reiating to the Office of Exploration. Griffin is currently Deputy for Technology,

Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), U.S. Department, of Defense,

responsible for all technical research within the program. He has been awarded

the Defense Department's Distinguished Public Service Medal for his key role in

defining and technically directing the SDIO "Delta sedes" of space missions. He

has also worked at JPL and Goddard Space Flight Center. Griffin received his

B.A. in physios from Johns Hopkins University and master's degrees in Aerospace

science from Catholic University, in electrical engineering from the University of

Southern Califomia, in applied physics from Johns Hopkins University and in

Business Administration from Loyola College of Maryland. He has a Ph. D. in

aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland and is a registered

engineer in both Maryland and California.In his announcement of Griffn's

selection, Administrator Truly said, =NASA is very fortunate to have Mike Griffin on

the NASA team. He bflngs a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication that

will be instrumental in leading NASA's efforts to expand exploration beyond Earth

orbit into the solar system." [NASA/KSC Release No. 91-139, Aug. 23, 1991 .]

158 _.-.-_
August 24: NEW LOCKHEED BOSS

Gerald Oppliger has been named President of Lockheed Space Operations Co.

(Titueville, FL) and Program Manager of the Shuttle Processing Contract.

"Lockheed is a big corporation, and to think that you were given the job out of all

those thousands of people that are out there, it's a big honor," Oppliger said.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 10E & 9E, Aug. 25, 1991 .]

August 28: DISCOVERY LAUNCH PFr=PARATIONS

Troubleshooting of software used to check ordnance firing circuitry for Discovery's

STS 48 solid rocket boosters has been completed at Launch Complex 39A. Late

on the night of August 23, tasting failed for the right booster's forward frustrum

parachute deploy firing circuit. A change has been made to the software and the

test has been rascheduled this week; the launch schedule is not expected to be

impacted. Ordnance installation and tests of the firing circuits had been planned

for late August 23 and early August 24. The STS 48 Launch Readiness Review

begins this afternoon. End-to-end tests of the Upper Atmosphere Research

Satellite (UARS) are underway at the pad. In addition, technicians are circulating

hydraulic fluid in the Orbiter and testing Discovery's communications system.

Scheduled work includes a UARS launch readiness test for August 27; a flight

readiness test to cycle the Shuttle's main engine valves and calibrate engine

sensors will also take place August 27. Ordnance devices will be installed late on

August 28 and aft closeouts will be started as well. The STS 48 Flight Readiness

Review begins August 28 and runs through August 29. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 26, 1991 .]

g ATLANTIS: POST.FUGHT WORK

Technicians in OPF Bay 2 have drained residual fluid from Atlantis' APU catch

bottles and are preparing to remove the right hand radiators for inspections.

Other work in progress includes: leak checks of the two newly installed fuel cells;

rigging and cycling of the main landing gear doors; removal of auxiliary power unit

(APU) no. 1; poet-flight inspections of the vehicle; main propulsion system tests;

preparations to remove the three Shuttle main engines, scheduled for tomorrow;

and post-flight inspections of the thermal protection system. Also scheduled are

_eak and func_onal tests of the auxiliary power units. [KSC SH_ STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 26, 1991 .]

n STS 49/ENDEAVOUR STATUS

The fuel cell simulators have been removed from Endeavour as processing for the

newest Shuttle's STS 49 mission continues. The Orbiter's radiators will undergo

a functional teat this week. In progress are: inspections of the radiators; removal

and replacement of several flexible metal potable water lines; preparing the freon

coolant loop for servicing; validations of the electrical system; tests of the main

propulsion system gaseous oxygen system; verification of the instrumentation

_-- 159
O

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system and repair of the two orbital maneuvering system pods at the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 26, 1991 .]

LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW STATEMENT

Kennedy Space Center managers decided thee Discovery's STS 48 mission will

commence on or about September 12. That decision was made during today's

Launch Readiness Review. "The Launch Readiness Review was a smooth one,

and there were no significant concerns expressed by either the Discovery or

UARS management teams. I hope the Flight Readiness Review will also go as

uneventfully, since work at the launch pad [Launch Complex 39A] is essentially

going as planned,* said Flobert B. 81eck, Shuttle Launch Director today at the

conclusion of the LRR at Kennedy Space Center. A firm date will be set following

the Flight Readiness Review scheduled for August 28-29. Meanwhile, prelaunch

actlvitlas continue at LC 39A where payload technicians will test the 15,000-pound

environmental research satellite (UARS) inside the Orbiter's payload bay, "It's a

fairly major test for the payload guys. it will be their last major test before launch,"

said KSC spokesman GeocDe Drier. A test of the Shuttle main engines will also

be conducted; the test will involve cycling engine valves and calibraUng main

engine sensors, l_Steeement Followinfl Launch Readiness Review," Aug. 26, 1991,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Aug. 27, 1291 .]

lIGHTNING PROJECT INJURy

A approximately 1:15 p.m. today, a Mighty Mouse rocket being used in the Rocket

Triggered Ughtning Program at KSC inadvertently launched, slightly injuring a

French electrical engineer from one of the French research teams here for the

summer program. Kennedy Space Center spokesman Karl Kdeeofhmon said, "He

had just finished wiring the rocket and then he took two or three steps away from

it, and the rocket just went up." Mr. Louis Berret was taken to the Complex 39

Disperlsary and then to Parrish Medical Center (Titusville, FL) where his injuries

ere reported to be minor bums to his left leg. He was treated and released. The

accident occurred shortly after final adjustments to the rocket had been made for

launch. The rocket was not armed and standard safety procedures were being

observed. The rocket landed in the normal impact zone on the east side of

Mosquito Lagoon. There were no injudas at the impact site. Two rockets

remaining in the launcher and a third in a nearby servicing area are being returned

to an ordnance storage facility. A mishap investigation team has been established

end is currently geehedng data. At this time, the cause of the misfire is unknown.

Launches at the Rocket Triggered Ughtning Site have been suspended pending

the findings of the team, expected to take less than a week. The Rocket

Triggered Ughtning Program is an annual research project involving several

federal agencies, universities and intemationai lightning research teams. The

Mighty Mouse Rocket, used in the program, is 2.75 inches in diameter and 4 feet,

eight inches long and carries a payload consisting of an airborne field mill (an

electric field sensor) and a pressure transducer which is a barometric device.

[RockeeTdaaered Uahtnina Proaram Incident, Aug. 26,1991, Haivorson, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Aug. 28, 1991 .]

160 v
v

August 27: DISCOVERY PRE-LAUNCH STATUS

End-to-end tests of the Upper Research Satellite have been completed; UARS is

the primary cargo of Discovery's STS 48 mission. The Orbiter's communications

systems have also been tested. A Flight Readiness Test of Discovery's main

engines has been conducted; engine valves will be cycled and the sensors will

be calibrated. Discovery's flight control systemis being tested and the vehicle's

aerosurfaces will be positioned for launch. The UARS will be tested for launch

readiness. Ordnance will be installed August 28 and the aft closeouts will also

begin. On August 30, the astronauts' contingency space suits will be installed

and tested in the Orbiter's alrlock. The STS 48 Flight Readiness Review begins

tomorrow. [KSC SHUTTU_ STATUS REPORT. 10 a.m., Aug. 27, 1991 .]

n STS 44 PROCESSING

Atlantis' freon system has been deserviced and leak and functional tests of the

auxiliary power units have been scheduled. Work in progress includes: removal

of the main engines; functional testing of the forward reaction control system;

preparations to remove the right hand radiators for inspections; inspections of the

chin panel; leak checks of the two newly installed fuel cells; rigging and cycling

of the main landing gear doors; post-flight inspections of the vehicle and postflight inspections of the thermal protection system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT. 10 a.m., Aug. 27, 1991 .]

g APPLIED RESEARCH CONTRACT

Applied Research and Systems Division of Ensco, Inc. (Springfield, VA) has been

selected for negotiation of a NASA contract to support weather tracking activities

for the Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center. The new Applied

Meteorological Unit (AMU) support contract will be worth $1.4 million; it will begin

September 1991 and, with options, could extend through August 1996. The

contract calls for supporting and conducting Shuttle weather application studies;

supporting the Meteorological Interactive Data Display System (MIDDS) automated

network used to track weather; and for the company to analyze, develop and/or

evaluate and apply transitioning technology to operational products and systems.

Procurement Director Wee Dean said the effort will further enhance Shuttle

meteorological capabilities. Other bidders for the contract were Aeromet Inc.

(Tulsa, OK) and Nyma Inc. (Greenbelt, MD). [KSC Release No. 104-91, Aug. 27,

19m.]

n FUGHT READINESS REVIEW BEGINS

The STS 48 Flight Readiness Review begins tomorrow at Kennedy Space Center

and concludes August 29. "We look pretty good for the 12th. There are no major

issues or concerns right now," said KSC spokeswoman lisa Malone. A faulty

valve has been replaced and will be tested August 29. A readiness test on the

UARS payload went off without a problem, said Malone. [Halvorson, FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 5A, Aug. 28, 1991.]

-..__. 161
August STS4e F =PARA'nONS

The flight readiness test of Discovery's main engines has been completed; during

the test, the main oxidizer valve and its actuator for engine 2 failed. The valve was

removed overnight; the replacement was not expected to have an adverse impact

on the launch of STS 48 on September 12. Tests were also completed of the

Orbiter's flight control system and the flight readiness of UARS; eerosurfaces were

positioned for launch. Work in progress included: replacement of the main

oxidizer valve and its actuator on main engine no.2; the Flight Readiness Review

began at 8 a.m. and the official launch date and time will be announced at the

conclusion of the review. Preparations are underway to install ordnance devices

in the Orbiter, external tank and in the tail service masts on the mobile launcher

platform; the pad will be closed and the job will be performed overnight.

Technicians are charging the batteries on the Upper Atmosphere Research

Satellite. A retest of the main oxidizer valve is scheduled for tomorrow; aft

cloeeouts will begin shortly; InstailatJon and testing of the contingency space suits

in the Orbiter's airlock will occur August 30. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 a.m., Aug. 28, 1991.]

g b'_ 44 PROCESSING

The number 2 main engine of Atlantis has been removed as have the right hand

radiators for structural inspections. Workers have begun the following tasks:

removal of the main engines; functional testing of the forward reaction control

system; inspections of the chin panel; tests of the fuel cells; rigging and cycling

of the main landing gear doors; post-flight inspection of the vehicle and its thermal

protection system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units.

SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 28, 1991 .]

n STS 48 LAUNCH ADVISORY

NASA managers have targeted September 12, 1991, for the launch of Discovery's

STS 48 mission and its primary payload, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite

(UARS). The announcement came at the conclusion of today's Flight Readiness

Review at Kennedy Space Center. "We're not working any major problems at the

pad and everything looks good. Managers are confident that September 12 is a

very achievable launch date," said KSC spokesman Bruce Buddng_mt. The

launch window on the 12th opens at 6:57 p.m. EDT and can be extended for

approximately 2 1/2 hours. If the launch is postponed the window will open

approximately 20 minutes earlier each day. A nighttime landing at KSC is

expected at the conclusion of the five-day mission. [STS-48/UARS LAUNCH

ADVISORY, 5:30 p.m., Aug. 28, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 29,

1_1.]

August 29: VALVE TEST RESULTS ANALYZED

Data from tests on a new liquid oxygen valve on Discovery's main engine no. 2

will be analyzed by engineers at Kennedy Space Center today. The valve allows

162
g

Q

g

liquid oxygen to flow through the engine; it was replaced last week after shown

to be faulty by earlier testing. Installation of two space suits - to be used in an

emergency by Mission Specialists Charles "Sam = Gemar and ,James Buchli in

Discovery's alrlock will be completed today. KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham

said that mission managers were unconcemed about a five-inch crack in an

engine compartment steel beam; a repair is planned. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 16A, Aug. 30, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 29, 1991 .]

STS 48 LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

Ordnance has been installed in Discovery, its external tank and in the tail service

masts on the mobile launcher platform. The batteries have been charged on the

Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite - main payload for STS 48. Aft compartment

closeouts are underway. Work at Launch Complex 39A will be suspended for the

Labor Day holiday weekend; afterward a number of activities are planned:

continuation of the aft closeouts; purges of the external tank; pressurization of the

hypergolic propellant storage tanks; final ordnance activities and payload

cfoseouts. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 29, 1991.|

44 PROCE,%SING

All three main engines have been removed from Atlantis; the engines are now in

the VAB engine hop for post-flight inspections, tests and any needed repairs. The

17-inch disconnect pre-valves have been inspected and a new seal has been

installed in the 4-inch hydrogen recirculation line located in the 17-inch disconnect

umbilical. Work in progress includes: functional testing of the forward reaction

control system; inspections of the chin panel; tests of the fuel cells; rigging and

cycling of the main landing gear doors; post-flight inspections of the vehicle; postflight inspections of the thermal protection system and leak and functional tests

of the auxiliary power units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 29,

1991.]

ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

Processing work continues on the newest Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV 105) in

OPF Bay 1; these activities include: replacement of a floor beam cap in the

Orbiter's aft compartment. A five-inch crack was found in this floor cap which

provides structural strength for a beam in the small compartment. Additionally, a

few of the flexible metal potable water lines were replaced in the vehicle's

middeck; the fuel cell simulators were removed. Other tasks include: installation

and rigging of the right hand external tank umbilical door; validations of the

electrical system; verification of the instrumentation system; installation of thermal

control blankets in the midbody; repair of the two orbital maneuvering system

pods at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility; tile operations around the nose

landing gear doors. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Aug. 29, 1991 .]

. 163
August30:. FE_ FOR PLAYAUNDA?

g

n

g

Entrance fees for access to Playalinda Beach may be in the offing if Canaveral

National Seashore Supedntendent Wendell Simpson has his way. Simpson

contends that without more money, the park service will be hard pressed to

protect the beaches, ancient Indian sties and beach visitors and their property.

The park service has nine rangers. He said, "Without fees, it will be hard to

maintain the level of service we currently have, which is not adequate." He is

proposing that residents of Brevard, Orange and Voluala Counties pay a $10

annual fee and that others would pay $3 per car par visit. [Fiodni, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Aug. 31, 1991 .]

STS 48 PRE-LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

The replaced actuator valve on engine no. 2 failed three of five retests; the valve

exceeded apeciflcetions margins in each case and a decision was made to

replace this unit. Work in progress includes: removal and replacement of the

main oxidizer valve on engine no. 2; battery conditioning of the Upper Atmosphere

Research Satellite; loading of computer mass memory units; closeouts of the aft

compartment. Scheduled work includes: retests of the newly installed actuator

valve on engine no. 2 and final tile inspeotions. Launch remains planned for

September 12, 1991. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 30, 1991 .]

ATLANTIS PROCESSING

Leak and functional tests of Atlantis' auxiliary power un,s have been completed

in preparation for the Orbiter's next mission, STS 44. Checkouts of flutter buffers

(acceleromaters) and the vehicle's forward reaction control system functional test

have been completed also. Post-fllght (STS 43) inspections of the vehicle and its

thermal protection system are underway as are checkouts of the chin panel. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 a.m., Aug. 30, 1991 .]

TI:IEIOq_FI8 BEAMED TO KSC

"This is like stepping back in time and seeing where we came from," commented

Nicheile Niclmls during the visit she made with fellow Star Trek cast members

George Takei and ,James Dooltan to Kennedy Space Center. The three were in

Central Florida for a convention marking the 25th anniversary of the beginning of

the Star Trek taievision sedas. Nichois, who played communications officer Lt.

Uhuru has worked for NASA in minority recruitment, and Doohan. who played

chief engineer Scott, have visited KSC often, but this was a first for George Takei

who played Sulu on the sedes. "It was frightaning to be in the control center, =

Takel seid. "With all those buttons and blinkers, and to know that if I touched

something, something would happen.' He said the opposite was true on the

bddge of the USS Enterprise. The cast members also met astronauts Curt Brown,

Seerfo_ and Dave Wolf. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Aug. 31, 1991 .]

164
[] SECOND VALVE REPLACEMENT ON DISCOVERY

Discovery's liquid oxygen valve replacement on engine no. 2 was replaced itself

when it failed a test August 27, according to KSC spokesman Milch Varnes.

"Once that valve passes its test, those workers should be able to take the rest of

the weekend of," Vames said. "We see no problem in catching up, and we're still

looking good for a September 12 launch," he said. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

4A, Aug. 31, 1991 .]

165
SEPTEMBER

Seplmmbar 1: HOUDAY FOR _ WORKERS

No work is scheduled upon any of the three resident Space Shuttles at KSC

today; all three are powered down for the Labor Day holiday. The only workers

on duty today are safety and security personnel. The first order of business for

pad workers tomorrow, however, is the replacement, again, of the liquid oxygen

valve on Discovery's no. 2 main engine. The first replacement valve failed tests

for leaks. The second replacement will be tested September 2, according to KSC

spokesman Mkh Vame_ [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 2, 1991 .]

8eptmnb_ 3: NEW OPF OPENED

"We believe the work force is going to consider it Cadillac of OPFs," said Wallm

MBld_, Kennedy Space Center's Director of Engineering Development today as

the space center's new $170 million OPF was officially opened. Lockheed's Ken

Galler described the new facility as being identical in size to KSC's other two

processing facilities, but the new high bay utilizes modemized systems, more

efficient work platforms and a bdghter work environment. Center Director Forrest

S. McCadnay said, "What we have here today is an example of ingenuity, and

Iooldng to see how you can really recycle things, if you will, to the ultimate. This

is the most modem processing facility we have, and one that should serve this

nation well in the years ahead." Discovery, on its retum from the STS 48 mission,

will be the first Orbiter to use the new facility. The new OPF was formerly named

the Orbiter Maintenance and Refurbishment Facility and is located just north of the

Vehicle Assembly Building in the Launch Complex 39 area. The basic structure,

completed in 1987, has been used primarily for offiine Orbiter inspection,

modification and repair work. In 1988, upgrade to full OPF flight processing status

was targeted for early September 1991. "We had a good team that worked

together smoothly and made it hap#en," said Design Engineedng's Jim Bean, Bay

3 Project Manager. Bean said, 'About $114 million in portable ground support

equipment (GSE) already on hand is shared between all three OPF bays, leaving

us about $16 billion worth of GSE we had to purchase outright. The rest came

when Shuttle activities were curtailed unexpectedly at Vandenberg Air Force Base

in Caiifomia. We ended up with $40 million worth of GSE equipment that would

have cost considerably more if purchased today." Other Shuffle-unique equipment

was also shipped from Califomia to Kennedy Space Center. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 4, 1991, NASA/KSC News Release No. 105-91, Aug. 30,

1991.]

I1 STS 48 PRELAUNCH STATUS

Replacement of the second main oxidizer valve on the no. 2 main engine of

Discovery has been completed; the flight readiness test of the no. 2 main engine

was successful. The two contingency space suits have been installed and tested.

Work in progress includes: the helium signature leak test of the no. 2 main

engine; launch countdown preparations; cioseouts of the aft compartment;

166
g

preparations of the payload for flight; stowing equipment in the crew cabin;

cleaning and inspecting the radiators and final thermal protection system

Inspections. Scheduled work includes: purges of the external tank; pressurization

of the hypergollc propellant storage tanks; purging of the power reactant storage

and distribution system tanks. The STS 48 crew is expected to arrive at Kennedy

Space Center at 7:30 p.m. on September 9. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 a.m., Sept. 3, 1991 .]

SI"S 44:ATLANT18 PREPARATIONS

Functional tests of Atlantis' forward reaction control system have been completed.

Preparations have begun to: replace a thruster on the left orbital maneuvering

system pod; replace of the auxiliary power unit water valve; rigging of the main

landing gear doors; inspect payload bay door nut plates; functional testing of the

payload bay doors; inspect the main propulsion system lines; service the

ammonia boiler. Scheduled work includes tests of the power reactant storage and

distribution system and installation of the three main engines. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 3, 1991 .]

September 4:

g

DI_DOVERY_ ORDNANCE LOADED

Launch Complex 39A will be dosed today to all but essential personnel for the

installation of explosive devices aboard Discovery; the vehicle's onboard fuel

tanks will also be pressurized. Operations began at 4 a.m., according to KSC

spokesman Bruce Buddnghmn. The helium signature leak test of the three main

engines has been completed. Leak checks of the main engine seals have also

been completed. Work in progress includes purges of the external tank as a

conditionar prior to loading of propellants during the countdown. The power

reactant storage and distribution system tanks will be purged September 6. The

three.day launch countdown begins at 5 p.m. September 9. The crew arrives at

Kennedy Space Center about 9:30 on the 9th. The five-member crew includes

Commander John CreW, Pilot Kenneth I_ and Mission Specialists Mark

Brown, Charles "Sam" Gemar and James BuchlL The launch window for the

September 12 launch extends from 6:57 p.m. until 9:54 p.m. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 5, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 4,

1 1.]

OPF BAY 2: ATLANTIS PROCESSING

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2, the Space Shuttle Atlantis had a thruster

replaced on the left orbital maneuvering system pod and the Orbiter's payload bay

doors were opened. Functional tests of the vehicle's power reactant storage and

distribution system have begun; other tasks have begun as well: replacement of

the auxiliary power unit water valve; rigging the main landing gear doors;

Inspections of the main propulsion system lines; repair of a crack in the chin panel

at the vendor; electrical checks of the main propulsion system. Atlantis' three

main engines will be installed next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10

a.m., Sept. 4, 1991.]

_- 167
[I OPF BAY 1: ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

The Space Shuttle Endeavour remains in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay I where

the pressure test of its no. 1 freon coolant loop has been completed; the

controller for auxiliary power unit no. 2 has also been installed. A functional test

of the Orbiter's radiators has been scheduled for this week. Work in progress on

Endeavour includes: preparations to install the dght hand extemai tank door;

replacement of an intercostal beam cap in the aft compartment; installation of the

new general purpose computers; replacement of potable water lines in the

middeck; rigging the radiators, preparing the freon coolant loop for servicing; test

and repair of the two orbital maneuvering system pods at the Hypergolic

Maintenance Fadlity. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 4, 1991 .]

v

September 5: DISCOVERY STATUS

The final instailation and connection of ordnance devices have been completed

on the Space Shuttle Discovery; purges of the Orbiter's extemai tank have also

been completed. Work in progress on Discovery includes: pressurization of the

hypergolic propellant system storage tanks for flight; tests of ordnance firing

circuits; launch countdown preparations; closeouts of the avionics bays in the aft

compartment; preparing the payload for flight; stowing equipment in the crew

cabin. Work scheduled Includes the purging of the power reactant storage and

distribution system tanks. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 5,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 2A, Sept. 6, 1991 .]

September 6: LEAK IMPACT

"Our operations people are optimistic. They've seen this situation before and have

been able to fix it. But they're not going to uncross their fingers yet," said

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngham about a leak found in

Discovery's in-orbit steering system. 'We |leed it to keep the system safe. We've

flown with that type of configuration before." The valve is in a helium line which

dears propellants in the steedng thrusters. Buckingham conceded the possibility

that in a worst-caee scenario the liftoff might be delayed for several weeks while

Discovery is rolled back to the VAB for repairs. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A,

Sept.7, 1991.]

n DI6COVE_=_:PFIE_U_HOPERATIGNS

Ordnance devices have been installed on Discovery and tested in preparation for

its September 12 STS 48 launch. The hypergolic propellant system storage tanks

have been pressurized for flight and the solid rocket booster forward skirts have

been dosed out. Among those tasks still in progress are: purges of the power

reactant storage and distribution system tanks; checks of a helium regulator on

the right reaction control system; flushing and sampling of the crew's potable

water supply and closeouts of the aft compartment. Technicians working on

Discovery at Launch Complex 39A are circulating helium through the Cryogenic

Umb Array Etaion Spectrometer (CLAES) on the Upper Atmosphere Research

168 +_"_
Satellite. This process, which began last night, will cool the instrument down for

launch. Helium circulation will continue through September 8; closeouts of the aft

compartment are also scheduled for the 8th. The countdown is scheduled to

begin at 5 p.m. EDT, September 9 and the flight crew arrives the same evening

at 9:30. Launch remains scheduled for 6:57 p.m. EDT on September 12. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 6, 1991.]

g ATLAN118 PROCE881N_

Atlantis' Processing work in behalf of STS 44 continues with the installation of the

vehicie!s radiators, main landing gear brakes, wheel and tire assemblies.

Technicians are replacing the water valves for the auxilian/power units, servicing

the ammonia boiler and are undertaking functional tests of the power reactant

storage and distribution system. They are also installing thermal blankets in the

Orbiter and will be installing the three main engines next week. [KSC SHUTTLE

S'r.ATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 6, 1991.]

g ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

Work continues in the processing of OV 105 (Endeavour). Tasks include:

preparations to install the dght hand external tank door; replacement of an

intercostal beam cap in the aft compartment; installation of the new general

purpose computers; replacement of potable water lines in the Orbiter middeck;

rigging the radiators; drying the fTeon coolant loop in preparation for servicing;

test and repair of the two orbital maneuvering system pods at the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility. A functional test of the Orbiter's radiators is scheduled for

this week. [KS.C SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 6, 1991 .]

September 7: LAUNCH PLANS PROCEED DESPITE LEAK

*Right now we think it'll be OK for flight, but they still want to gather some more

data," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone concerning the

impact of a leak discovered in the orbital steering system. Plans to launch the

Shuttle continue while technicians study the leak. "The leak has not gotten any

worse, and the engineers think they understand how it's behaving, so they can

manage it," Malone said. A landing at Kennedy Space Center is planned for

September 18 at 1:55 a.m. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 8, 1991, Date,

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 8, 1991, "NASA Prepares for Launch, Looks for

Bugs," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 8, 1991 .]

,September 9:. DISCOVERY COUNTDOWN TO START

Countdown for the STS 48 mission begins today at 5 p.m. Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "Everything's going smoothly." Engineers will

recheck a helium line which is part of Discovery's onboard steering system; if a

leak reappears, the problem is not expected to affect the launch because an

alternate line can be used, said Malone. The five-member crew of Commander

John Creighton, Pilot Ken Reigtrder and Mission Specialists James BuchU, Chades

_--_ 169
"Sam"Gemarand Mark Brownis expected to arrive tonight at 9:30 p.m. The

payload bay doors will be shut tomorrow rooming. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A,Sept.9,1991.] Vg DISCOVERY PASSES LEAK TEST

The countdown to the launch of Discovery's _ 48 mission will continue

uninterrupted; the Orbiter passed a crucial steedng system leak test today. Tests

over the weekend showed that the leak was so small as to present no significant

problem, according to NASA Test Director _ Lalnbach. "Once the leak rate

was quantified, everyone was happy,' said Leinbach, noting that Columbia had

flown in 1990 with a similar leak. When Discovery's crew arrived at Kennedy

Space Center at 9:30 p.m., Commander John Cmighlon said, "It's been a long

training period, and we feel ready to go. Now it's time to go do it for real." If the

launch goes on time st 6:57 p.m. September 12, the landing at KSC is expected

to occur at 1:55 a.m. on September 18. [Halvorson and Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Sept. 10, 1991 .]

•_pWmber 10: LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS

The overall probability of having acceptable weather conditions at T minus zero

is 70 percent. For the duration of the window - 6:57 p.m. until 9:54 p.m. EDT- the

chance of having acceptable weather is 80 percent. Loading of liquid oxygen and

liquid hydrogen reactants into the Orbiter's onboard fuel cell storage tanks begins

this aftemoon and will complete this evening. The rotating service structure will

be moved to the launch position at 5 p.m. September 1I. Loading propellants

into the external tank begins at 10:37 a.m. September 12. "Our status looks pretty

good and we're looking forward to a good launch," said Roslof SchuBng, the

Kennedy Space Center manager in charge of preparing the Upper Atmosphere

Research Satellite for launch. Discovery's payload bay doors were closed for

flight at 4:26 a.m. today. Tests and calibrations of leak detectors in the hazardous

gas detection system in the mobile launcher platform were completed. Routine

pre-countdown inspections of the Orbiter performed by safety and engineering

personnel. The right hand reaction control system was pressurized for flight. The

known helium leak in this system has been determined to be acceptable for flight;

the leak is being managed with the reaction control system helium isolation

valves. Today, STS 48 Commander John Cralghlon and RIOt Mike Baker, who

is not a member of the S'I'S 48 crew, are practicing approaches to the Shuttle

Landing Facility in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. Forecasters predict a 70 to 80

percent chance the weather will be acceptable for launch with the possibility of

thunderstorms the only concern, rKSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept.

10, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 11, 1991 .]

rl STS 44 PROCESSING; ATLANTIS

Work in progress on Atlantis for its STS 44 mission Includes: connection of the

Shuttle's no. 1 and 2 main engines; fill and bleed of the brakes; installation of the

brakes; tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system; repair of a

170
crack in the chin panelat the vendor; installation of thermal blankets in the

Orbiter. Scheduled work includes: installation of main engine no. 3 later this

week and replacement of a leaking check valve in the main propulsion system.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 1O, 1991 .]

g PUBUC INVITED TO LAUNCH

Visitors at Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA on September 12 will be able

to stay for the launch at 6:57 p.m. and for $6.00 will be transported to the NASA

Causeway Shuttle Viewing Site on the Banana River. The catch is, those persons

wishing to stay for the launch must be at Spaceport USA by noon when KSC

security will close the main gates to the space center. "At that time, anyone on

the property at Spaceport USA will be allowed to stay," according to Spaceport

spokesman Tom Blair. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 11, 1991 .]

,September 12: DISCOVERY ROARS OFF PAD

"It was definitely the loudest one I've ever heard. And it was bright; it hurt my

eyes," said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buckingham about the

launch at 7:11 p.m. today of STS 48. Discovery reached an orbital height of 336

miles above the earth about nine minutes after launch. The launch was delayed

for 14 minutes to check a vital radio link between Discovery and Johnson Space

Center's Mission Control. Launch Director Robert B. Sieck commenting on the

Iiftoff said, 'We enjoyed a smooth launch count, but then we had the proverbial

glitch in a ground-system circuit." The mission, NASA's 43 Shuttle flight, is

commanded by John Cr_ and piloted by space rookie Ken Reightler. The

Mission Specialists aboard include: James Buchli, Charles "Sam" Gemar and

Mark Brown. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 13, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL, pp. A-1 +, Sept. 13, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 13, 1991.]

g REPAIRS MAY DELAY ATLANT1S LAUNCH

Repairs to a hsat-absorbing panel on the Space Shuttle Atlantis might delay its

STS 44 mission until after Thanksgiving. Launch Director Robert B. Sieck said

today that it would be difficult for Atlantis to be ready in time for its projected

November 19 liftoff. "Our goal is to launch before Thanksgiving, but we'll see," he

said. "We haven't given up on launching before December." The panel in

question was shipped to its manufacturer and is expected to be returned to KSC

this weekend. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 13, 1991, KSC SHU'I-r'LE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 13, 1991 .]

September 13: AMF SUED BY BUILDER

Industrial Steel Inc. (Mims, FL) which helped construct the Astronauts Memorial

at Spaceport USA is suing two contractors, a bonding agency and the Astronaut

Memorial Foundation. The company is seeking money it claims it is owed. David

Walsh, speaking in behalf of the AMF said, '_Ne shouldn't even be a part of this

171
n

g

g

n

suit. it's between the general contractor [VSL Corporation (CA)] and

subcontractors, in a domino fashion." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3B, Sept. 14,

1991.]

ATLANTIS PROCESSING: OPF BAY 2

The third Shuttle main engine has been installed on Atlantis; the waste

containment system, main wheels and tire assembly have also been installed. The

mating of the left aft center solid rocket booster segment is also complete. Work

In progress includes: orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system

functional tests; auxiliary power unit water valve Installation; Shuttle main engine

electrical metes. Further work has been scheduled for Atlantis' STS 44

processing: the chin panel is due to arrive at KSC tomorrow with fit checks of the

panel this weekend; service freon coolant loop; engine heat shield installation; left

forward center solid rocket booster segment mates. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 13, 1991.]

ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: SIS 49

Endeavours extemal tank leak checks have been completed in Orbiter Processing

Facility High Bay 1. Technicians are currently running Shuttle main engine checks

and main propulsion system checks. They are installing thermal protection

system blankets and performing power reactant and storage distribution tank

checks. The extemal tank is scheduled to be pressudzed. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 13, 1991 .]

TITUS_LLE TO UGHT LANDING

The mayor of Titusvflle, FL, has asked the residents of his city to leave its porch

fights on September 18 as an aid to the night landing of the Space Shuttle

Discovery. The first-aver night landing is to occur at Kennedy Space Center at

2:09 a.m. The porch light idea came from Bobble Carlson, wife of Norm Carlson,

NASA Deputy Director of Launch operations. The mayor of T'rtusville is Tom

Marlani who is employed st KSC in Payload Operations. ["Titusville Shines,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 14, 1991 .]

PAD DAMAGE NORMAL BOOSTERS

"We didnl find anything that doeen_t usually come with a launch," said KSC

spokesman George Drier conceming damage to Launch Complex 39A following

Discovery's Iiftoff September 12. Damage included burned wiring, singed metal

and a few broken light bulbs; this was conaldered minor. Discovery's two solid

rocket boosters were recovered at sea by the ships Uberty Star and Freedom Star

and are expected to be towed back to Port Canaveral for an 8:45 a.m. arrival

tomorrow. Preliminary inspections of the boosters at sea revealed no problems,

according to Diller. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 14, 1991, KSC

SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 13, 1991 .]

v  ̧
,_ber 14: LC 34 CLEANED BY V(iUNTEERS

A group of volunteers numbering more than 400 cleared debris from a mile-long

stretch of beach at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station while NASA Administrator

Truly and former Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford helped rededicate the

Apollo 1 launch site at Launch Complex 34. LC 34 is the pad where AS 204

astronauts Ed Whb, Roger Chalfea and Virgil "Gus" Gdssom died in a fire during

a test there. On hand for the cleanup besides Truly and Stafford were U. S.

Representative Jim Bacchus, Spaceport Florida Executive Director Ed O'Connor

and Kennedy Space Center Director Fonrsst S. Mc_. The group planted

three small oak trees near the site of the January 27, 1967, fire. Bacchus said, "1

think it's been a moving experience for all of us who turned out today and a

reminder of the fact that we need to rebuild the launch infrastructure to better

compete with Japanese and European space agencies. The trees will serve as

a living memorial [to White, Chaffee and Gdssom]. [Rowe, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, Sept. 15, 1991 .]

n RUNWAY PAVING RNISHED

V

Goodson Paving Inc. (Sharpes, FL) finished its runway paving job at Kennedy

Space Center in 13 days, instead of the 72 days which had been allotted for the

company to pave extra runway space on the Shuttle Landing Facility. _ Fortier,

the company's vice president, said, "The contract administrator asked 'could we

push?' and we pushed.' T. K. G_n, Shuttle Landing Facility Operations Manager,

said, "With the type of aircraft operations that we've had, it seemed feasible to

work on both ends of the runway at the same time. Everybody was very willing

to do everything it took to get it done." Bmwater Shaw, NASA's Deputy Director

for Shuttle Operations, said, that the lengthened overruns "are just there for

insurance. Now we have better insurance." [Banke, (FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E,

Sept. 15, 1991 .]

[! ITALIAN SPACECRAFT TECHNICIANS

This week a team of some 24 Italian engineers will arrive at Kennedy Space

Center to help assemble a spacecraft which is a September 1992 Atlantis payload.

The engineers are employees of the italian satellite contractor Alenia; their satellite

will be part of the Tethered Satellite System. The engineers will participate in the

electronic integration of the satellite into a support assembly which will remain in

the cargo bay during the seven-day mission. KSC spokesman George DiRer said,

"The whole thing has been very challenging electrically because there is so much

wiring associated with the system.' [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, Sept. 15, 1991 .]

Seplember 16: DISCOVERY TO LAND AT KSC

The Space Shuttle Discovery is expected to conclude its STS 48 mission by

coming from the north over Jacksonville, FL, shortly before 2 a.m. September 18;

it will pass over St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and Titusville and land at KSC

about 2:06 a.m. A second landing opportunity at the SLF is at 3:38 a.m. KSC

---- 173
spokesman BRIne Buddngham said, "Brevardlans wonR see anything, but they will

hear the sonic booms, ffthey're watching NASA Select television, they'll see the

Orbiter coming in on infrared camera. It'll look like a negative image with hot

spots from re-entw. The hot spots will show up in white." Buckingham also noted

that "there's a slight chance of light, patchy ground fog, but that shouldn't present

a problem." Shuttle Program Director Robert L Cdppen added, "We normally

prefer to go when we can land in the daylight. But we have demonstrated several

times that we can land very well at night."

Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility was constructed in 1975. it is

300 feet wide and 15,000 feet long with 1,000 foot overruns at each end. (See

story above.) The strip runs northwest to southeast. It is located about 3 miles

northwest of the Vehicle Assembly Building. Until Atlantis landed at KSC last

month, the pdme landing site had been Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Discovery's

landing on the 18th will be the ninth at KSC in the 10-year history of the Space

Shuttle Program. Previous landings at the space center are noted in the following

chart:

SHUTTLE LANDINGS AT KSC

!ii_i!i!i_ii!iiii_!i_!!ii!!i_i!_!_ii_i!iii!i!iiiiiiii!!i_iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiii!iiii_iii!i!iii!i!iiiii!i!ii!!ii!ii!ii!ii_!_iiiii_i_i!i_i_i_i!i!i_i_iii_iiiiiiiiiiiii_i_i_i_iiiiiiiiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!iiii:i:!_!_:!_i:i:_i:!_!:i:!:!:_:i:i:i:!:!:_:i:i:i:i:i_i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:i:_i:i:i:i:_:i:i:_:i:_:_:i:_:_:_:i:_:_:i:_:_.`_:_:_:i:_:i:_:!:i:i:i:i:_

:!_ii_iii!i_iii_ii_i_i_ii_iii_iii_i_i_ii_ii_i_i_i_!_i_i!_i_ii_iiii_ii_i!i!!i!i!_!_i_J_!!_!_!iii!i!!!_!iii_:_!_!!i!!i!_!_i_i_i_i!i!_i_!_!_i_i

STS 41-B Challenger

STS 41-G Challenger

STS 51-A Discovery

STS 51-C Discovery

STS 51-D Discovery

S'I'S 38 Atlantis

STS 39 Discovery

STS 43 Atlantis

February 11, 1984

October 13, 1984

November 16, 1991

January 27, 1985

April 19, 1985

November 20, 1990

May 6, 1991

August 11, 1991

There are a number of general weather restrictions which apply for a landing at

Kennedy Space Center to take place:

*Surface winds must be less than 20 knots in any direction, and less than 12

knots for crosewinds;

*The ceiling must be greater than 10,000 feet. For scattered clouds below 10,000

feet, cloud cover must be observed to be less than 20 percent at the deorbit burn

go/no go decision time;

*Visibility must be seven miles or greater;

*There can be no precipitation at the surface or aloft in the proximity of the

Orbiter;

174
*Thunderstorms,rain or the potentialfor lightning cannot be within 30 nautical

miles of the landing site;

*Vertical cloud clearance at the 30 nautical mile range, must be greater than 2

nautical miles.

[Hak,orson,FLORIDATODAY,p. 1A,Sept.17, 1991,Buckingham,NASA/KSC

RELEASENO.113-91,Sept.16,1991,Date,THEORLANDOSENTINEL,Sept.18,

l el.]

Septmnber 17: I4_IDiNG WEATHER FORECAST

Kennedy Space Center spokesman George Diller provided a forecast of the

expected weather for Discovery's landing tomorrow morning at 2:06 a.m. The

temperature is expected to be 77 degrees; wind vadable at 3 knots. Scattered

clouds are expected at 2,500 feet with visibility for seven miles. There is a chance

of patchy ground fog. [NOAA Space Fli.qht Meteorolo.qy Group, JSC, 3 p.m.,

September 17, 1991 .]

September 18: DISCOVERY LANDS AT EDWARDS

Cloudy skies and a threat of rain necessitated a searchlight-illuminated landing at

Edwards Air Force Base, CA, for the Space Shuttle Discovery at the conclusion

of its STS 48 mission early this moming; the landing was at 3:38 a.m. It was the

fifth night landing in Califomia. After the attempt to land at Kennedy Space Center

was scrapped, Discovery made an extra orbIt and crossed the Pacific Ocean and

over land near Newport, OR. Six hours after the landing, the STS 48 crew flew to

Houston, where a group of 50 people greeted them on arrival. Rookie Pilot Ken

Reightler enthused about the mission saying, 'That was a most excellent

adventure." Mission Specialist James Buchii added, 9Ne really had a ball."

Shuttle Program Director Robert L Crippen said, "The weather [in Florida] was just

dynamic enough that we were not comfortable with it, and consequently we

landed some place that we were comfortable with. All in all, it was a super flight.

I'm proud of the way the team executed it." The Orbiter underwent preliminary

inspections at Edwards at NASA Test Director Eric Redding said, "it looked very

good." The Shuttle's tires, brakes and heat protection tiles held up well. Redding

said that technicians in California will now concentrate on getting the Orbiter ready

for its cross-country ferry ride to Florida. The next Space Shuttle mission will be

STS 44 with Atlantis and is expected to come in late November. [Banks, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 19, 1991, "Shuttle Lands," USATODAY, p. 3A, Sept. 19, 1991,

9Neather Diverts Shuttle to Landing in California," THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. 12A,

Sept. 19, 1991 .]

September 19:. DISCOVERY: STATUS REPORT

Discovery appears to be in good shape following the STS 48 flight. The Orbiter

rolled out a distance of 8,790 feet from its touchdown point on concrete Runway

22 at Edwards Air Force Base. The total mission elapsed time for STS 48 was 5

_ 175
days, 8 hours and 27 minutes. KSC's landing and recovery teams are in

California preparing Discovery for the retum trip to Florida. The cross-country

ferry flight is scheduled to begin early September 24. Pending favorable weather

conditions, a one-day ferry flight is possible. The Orbiter has been towed to the

Mate Demate Device and ground cooling has been established to the vehicle.

Poet-flight work on the two boosters is continuing at Hangar AF at the Cape

Canaveral Air Force Station. Hydrolasing activities have been completed to

remove the extedor foam and cork. The safe and arm devices have been

removed. Today, technicians are removing the nozzle on the right booster and

removing the extemal tank attach ring on the left booster. The left nozzle has

already been removed. Stiffener dngs are being removed from the left booster.

Disassembly of the boosters is scheduled to begin this weekend. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 19, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Sept. 19,

1991.]

g ATLANTIS IN OPF BAY 2

Work in progress on Atlantis for its STS 44 mission in November includes:

functional tests of the radiators, preparations to service the freon coolant loop

system, removal of window no. 5 (pilot's window) because of a ding, tests of the

extemal tank door latches, functional testing of the orbital maneuvering system

(OMS) and reaction control system, thermal proteclfon system operations around

the external tank doors and nose landing gear doors, functional testing of the

waste containment system and work to ready the chin panel for installation.

Scheduled work Includes: functional testing of the extemal tank doors and

servicing of the Orbiter's cooling system with freon by the end of the week. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 19, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR STATUS

The newest Space Shuttle, Endeavour (OV 105) continues to undergo processing

for its first mission STS 49 in OPF Bay 1. That work includes: preparations to

Install the remote manipulator system, installation of the fuel cells, leak and

functional tests of the ammonia system, repair of the intercostal beam in the aft

compartment, installation of thermal control blankets in the midbody, inspections

of struts in the midbody and main propulsion system work. Scheduled work

includes: a flush of the orbital maneuvering system croasfeed system, inspections

of the radiators, servicing the Orbiter's cooling system with frecn this week and

inetallation of the robot arm (RMS). [KSC S.HUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 19,

 991.]

g CALIFORNIA BOUND

Technicians gathered today at Edwards Air Force Base to prepare Discovery for

its ferry-flight back to Kennedy Space Center. The team included nearly 200

workers from KSC. Chris Falmy, NASA manager in charge of preparing Discovery

for both launch and landing, said that initial inspections showed Discovery to be

in excellent shape. More detailed inspection results will be released tomorrow, he

176
said. Hardwareproblemswhich requiredpost-flightattentionincludeda false

alarm from a smoke detector, two faulty readings from instrumentation and a leaky

water valve. Fairey said, "They will require a little bit of troubleshooting but all of

those are really something we can handle without any problems." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 20, 1991.]

September 20:

rl

i1

Dk,,_?_rERY: PREPARING TO FERRY

Discovery, still at Edwards Air Force Base after its September 18 landing in

Caiifomia, has been transferred to ground power and the fuel cells are in the cooldown process. Residual propellants will be offioaded tomorrow. The external

tank ferry flight doors are being rigged. Bearings in the main engine high

pressure pumps have been dried. Post-flight inspections are continuing. Shuttle

engineers report that Discovery's tiles sustained average damage during its STS

48 mission.

Post-flight work continues on the two solid rocket boosters now at Hangar AF at

the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Technicians are scheduled to remove the

right forward skirt today. Both nozzles have been removed; the external tank

attach ring and stiffener rings on the left booster have been removed.

Disassembly of the boosters is scheduled to begin this weekend. Mobile launcher

platform no. 3 was brought back from Launch Complex 39A to the Vehicle

Assembly Building yesterday; the platform will be prepared to stack boosters for

the next Shuttle mission, STS 44 with Atlantis in November. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20, 1991 .]

STS 44 PREPARATIONS

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bey 2 have completed tests of the

external tank door latches for the STS 44 configuration; they have also finished

the functional testing of the radiators, removed window no. 5 and completed

functional tests of the waste containment system of Atlantis. Work in progress

includes: removing the brake module; preparations to service the freon coolant

loop system; functional tests of the orbital maneuvering system (OM8) and

reaction control system; thermal protection system operations around the external

tank doors and nose landing gear doors and the installation of Instrumentation

and wiring on the chin panel. Scheduled work Includes a functional test of the

external tank doors and servicing of the coolant system by the end of the week.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING/SI"S 49

Main propulsion system helium tank leak checks and installation of the left

extemal tank door have been completed for the STS 49 mission of Endeavour.

Technicians in OPF Bay 1 are rigging the left hand extemai tank door, preparing

to install the remote manipulator system, installing the fuel cells, conducting leak

and functional tests of the ammonia system, installing thermal control blankets in

the Orbiter's midbody, inspecting midbody struts and continuing main propulsion

_ 177
systemwork. Workersare scheduledto flushthe orbital maneuvering system

crossfeed system this weekend and will be inspecting the vehicle's radiators,

servicing its cooling system with freon and installing the robot arm. rKSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Sept. 20, 1991 .]

0 LOCKHEED LAYS OFF 3O0

Lockheed Space Operations, prime contractor for Space Shuttle processing today

Informed 300 of its Kennedy Space Center workers that they will be laid off in two

weeks. Two reasons were cited for the layoffs: expected NASA budget cutbacks

and the completed renovation of the third Orbiter Processing Facility which was

formerly the Orbiter Refurbishment and Maintenance Facility. Lockheed

subcontractors Thiokol Corp., Grumman Corp. and Johnson Controls Inc. were

expected to experience another 100 layoffs. The employee reductions were

expected to save KSC approximately $20 million a year. [Liden and Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. Sept. 21, 1991.]

Septmr, ber 21: SPACE FUGHT DEVELOPMENT

The Office of Space Right Development has been created by NASA to oversee the

development of large propulsion systems, an advanced main engine and

advanced space transportation systems. Administrator Richard H. Truly said the

new office will allow the current Office of Space Flight "to devote undivided

attention to the safety and efficiency of space flight operation;" the office will retain

responsibility for the Space Shuttle Program, space station and Spacelab

operations and utilization, expendable launch vehicle operations end upper

stages. A new associate administrator will be appointed to head the newly

created office. The decision to create the new office was shared with former

Chairmen Norman Augustine and the individuals who sewed on the Advisory

Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program, gathered at Kennedy Space

Center. ["NASA Creates New Office," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Sept. 22, 1991 .]

0 MORGAN WINS SNOOPY AWARD

USBI Co. Project Planner WiBam Oscar Morgan Jr. was presented NASA's

Manned Flight Awareness "Silver Snoopy" award recently by astronaut G. David

Low. "Your technical expertise," said Low at the presentation, "and attention to

detail had proven invaluable in ensuring astronaut safety and mission success.

Those of us who are astronauts thank you for the continued and outstanding

support you have given us through your work." ["USBI Co. Planner Wins Silver

Snoopy," FLORIDA TODAY, SepL 22, 1991 .]

0 NOV, 19:. NO GO FOR ATLANTIS

"We know we won't be able to make Nov. 19 [for the launch of Atlantis' STS 44

mission]. We're probably going to be a few days past that, but we think it will

only be a couple of days," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa

Malone. The launch date hangs on the completion date for workers in an OPF

178 .,.,._
g

hangar who are reinstalling a heat protection panel which had cracked. The

panel, which was sent to California for repairs, is made of reinforced carbon and

is located on the Orbiter's belly between the nose cap and the nose landing gear.

The panel's installation proved difficult for workers previously; it took several days

longer than planned. The work procedures have been refined since then, but

officials say the job is still a difficult one and may again take longer than planned,

according to Malone. NASA managers would like to launch STS 44 before

Thanksgiving; if that cannot occur, the launch would be scheduled about

December 5. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 22, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY FERRY FUGHT UPDATE

In California, Kennedy Space Center workers are slightly ahead of schedule in

readying Discovery for its return flight to Florida, officials said. They reported the

possibility of a takeoff late on September 23 with an ovemight stay in Texas. That

would return Discovery aboard its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on the afternoon of

September 24. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Sept. 22, 1991.]

Seplember 22:

n

DISCOVERY AT DRYDEN

Turnaround operations are continuing to prepare Discovery for the return trip to

Fiodda. The cross-country ferry flight is scheduled to begin early tomorrow

moming. Panding favorable weather conditions, a one-day ferry flight is possible.

However, officials are concerned about a low pressure system in the southwest

and a cold front in the southeast. Weather forecasters are assessing the

possibility of thunderstorms, rain and turbulence in the Orbiter's flight path. The

tail cone has been installed over the three main engines and the Orbiter is mated

to its 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft. Whenever Discovery arrives in Flodda it will be

towed to the space center's new $170 million Orbiter Processing Facility Hangar

No. 3; it will become the first Orbiter to be processed for flight in the new facility.

Columbia spent a day in the facility for fit checks before it was flown to California

for major modifications; officials are confident the new facility will not present any

new problems. Chris Fairey, Discovery Processing Manager, said, "At this point

no one thinks we should have any large problems. It's just a gorgeous facility.

We're kind of excited about it." According to current planning schedules,

Discovery should spend about 79 days in the new facility being readied for its

International Mlcrogravity Mission. it should be moved to the VAB on December

15, rolled out to the launch pad on December 20 and launched January 22.

Meanwhile, in Florida, the STS 48 solid rocket boosters have been disassembled

at Hangar AF at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Technicians are scheduled

to install end rings on the segments and prepare them for shipment back to

Thiokol in Utah for refurbishment. The nose cones and aft skirts will be

refurbished locally by USBI. [KSC SHU'n'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 23,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 23, 1991.]

ATt.ANTlS PREPARATIONS: STS 44

Functional tests of Atlantis' external tank doors have been completed; in addition,

_-_ 179
functionaltestsof thewastecontainmentsystemarecomplete as is the check out

of the orbital maneuvering system. Work in progress for the STS 44 mission

Includes: preparations to service the freon coolant loop system; preparations to

install the chin panel; inatallation of window no. 5 (the pilot's window); leak checks

of helium tanks in the Orbiter's midbody and checks of reinforced carbon gap filler

panels on the wings. Leak and functional tests have been scheduled for the water

spray boilers. [[KSC SHUTTI_ STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m.,Sept. 23, 1991 .]

n ENDEAVOUR P_ING

The left hand extemal tank door has been installed and the orbital maneuvering

system oxidizer crossfeed system of Endeavour has been flushed. The fuel

crossfeed system is also scheduled to be flushed. A number of other processing

operations are underway on Endeavour; among these are: the installation of the

Ku-band drive assembly; preparations for leak and functionel tests of the auxiliary

power units; rigging of the external tank doors; preparations to install the remote

manipulator system; installation of the fuel cells; installation of thermal control

blankets in the Orbiter's midbody; and main propulsion system work. [KSC

SHU'I-n.E STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 23, 1991 .]

g 44: SOUD ROCKEF

Atlantis has had its left forward assembly/nose cone mated to the booster.

Preparations are underway to mate the extemal tank to the boosters. Mating of

the extemal tank to the solid rocket boosters is scheduled for September 26,

1991. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 23, 1991 .]

Seplember 24: DISOOVERY AT DRYDEN

Discovery began its croee-countw ferry flight today with a departure from Edwards

Air Force Base, CA, at about 12:30 p.m. EDT. Weather, however, forced a landing

at Tinker Air Force Base (Oklahoma City, OK). Discovery is expected to return to

KSC tomorrow about 12 noon. Once here, the Shuttle will be towed to the Mate

Demate Device and removed from the 747 Shuttle Carder AircrafL The Orbiter will

be towed to OPF Bay 3 for post-flight inspections. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 24, 1991, "Discovery to Head Home," FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Sept. 24, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Sept. 25, 1991, 'Weather

May Get in Way for Shuttle's Trip Home," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-IO,

Sept. 25, 1991 .]

g STS 44: AT1.ANT_ STATUS

The Space Shuttle Atlantis, currently being readied for its STS 44 mission, has had

its freon coolant loop no. 2 serviced. In addition, technicians have removed a

leaking oxidizer thruster on the left orbital maneuvering system pod. Work in

progress includes: installation of heat shields around the three main engines;

installation of the chin panel; installation of window no. 5 (the pilot's window); leak

checks of helium tanks in the midbody; checks of reinforced carbon-carbon gap

V

180
filler panelson the wings. Scheduledwork includes: the replacement of an

oxidizer thruster on the left orbital maneuvering system pod; leak and functional

tests of the water spray boilers. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept.

24, 1991.]

rl STS 48:. ENDEAVOUR STATUS

Technicians in OPF Bay 2 have installed the commander and pilot seats in the

Space Shuttle Endeavour, in preparation for its maiden flight, STS 49. Work

currently underway includes: installation of the Ku-band drive assembly;

preparations for leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; rigging of

the external tank doors; preparations to install the remote manipulator system;

installation of the fuel cells; installation of thermal control blankets in the midbody;

main propulsion system; a flush of the orbital maneuvering system fuel crossfeed

system. The robot arm is scheduled for installation on September 26. K[_

SHU'R'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Sept. 24, 1991 .]

September 25: DISCOVERY'S FERFW FUGHT

The Space Shuttle Discovery (OV 103) departed Tinker Air Force Base (Oklahoma

City, OK) at 1 p.m. EDT enroute to Columbus Air Force Base (Columbus, MS)

where the vehicle will remain overnight because of adverse weather in the flight

path to Flodda. Weather will be assessed once at Columbus to determine

weather conditions tomorrow and at departure times. The Orbiter departed

Edwards Air Force Base (CA) at about 12:39 p.m. EDT yesterday and landed at

Biggs Army Air Reid (El Paso, TX) for a brief refueling stop for the 747 Shuttle

Carder Aircraft. The 747 and Shuttle departed Biggs at 4:41 p.m. EDT yesterday

and remained overnight at Tinker Air Force Base (Oklahoma City, OK). Discovery,

atop the SCA, arrived at Columbus Air Force Base (Columbus, MS) at 2:32 p.m.,

EDT. After arrival at Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, Discovery will be demated

from the Shuttle Carder Aircraft and towed to OPF Bay 3. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, September 26, 1991, KSC SHLTI-I'LE STATUS REPORT, 3:30

p.m., Sept. 25, 1991, "Weather Might Stop Discovery," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A,

Sept. 26, 1991 .]

g A]I.ANT1S IN OPF BAY 2

During structural inspections, cracks were observed on the inside of several RCC

T-seal panels on left and right wings of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during

preparations for its upcoming STS 44 mission. 'This is something new for us. We

have not seen this problem before," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman

Usa Malone. The T-seals prevent the direct flow of the hot gas on the wing

leading edge cavity during reentry. There are 22 seals per wing and plans are in

work to remove all of them for inspection. Officials are gathering Information to

indicate the kinds of loads the T-seals are under during ground operations as well

as during launch, ascent, mission operations and reentry. Measurements are

being made of the gap between T-seals and the reinforced carbon-carbon panels.

Pre-launch and post-fiight measurements will be compared. Installation

_-- 181
proceduresalso ere being reviewed. Oncethe data is collected,officialswill

determinethe next course of action. Possible schedule impacts - if any - have not

been determined.

'We're going to open up all of the panels on Atlantis, collect a bunch of data and

try to make some decisions," said Shuttle Processing Manager Conrad Nagei.

"We've got our work cut out for us." He added, "We're going to be a whole lot

smarter on Monday or Tuesday," referring to the inspections and tests which will

be conducted September 30 and October 1. Other processing work in progress

Includes: installation of heat shields around the three main engines; installation

of the chin penal; installdon of window no. 5; leak checks of helium tanks in the

midbody; removing the reinforced cerbon-carbon gap T-seal panels on the wings.

OPF Bay 2 workers ere scheduled to replace an oxidizer thruster on the left orbital

maneuvering system pod. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 3:30 p.m., Sept. 25,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Sept. 26, 1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: SI"S 49

Fuel cells no. 1 and 3 have been installed in the Space Shuttle Endeavour in OPF

Bay 1. Work in progress for the STS 49 mission includes: preparations for leak

and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; rigging of the left hand external

tank door; preperations to Install the remote manipulator system; installation of the

fuel cell no. 2; leak checks of the main propulsion system pneumatic system; a

flush of the orbital maneuvering system fuel crossfesd system. Workers will install

the robot arm on September 26. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 3:30 p.m.,

Sept. 25, 1991 .]

26." ATLANTIS PROCESSING WORK

The removal and replacement of Inertial Measurement Unit #3 and the retesting

of oxidizer thruster on left OMS pod has been completed in the processing of

Atlantis in OPF Bay 2. Work in progress includes: removal and inspection of

right and left wing T-Seal panels; realignment of #5 window; midbody closeouts;

foaming of main propulsion system lines; retest of Inertial Measurement Unit #3;

testing of orbiter hydraulics; mating of external tank to solid rocket boosters in the

Vehicle Assembly Building. The Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEn') is

scheduled for October 5-6. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, September 26,

1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR: FUEl Ch-LI_dP2 INSTAl I k-n

Fuel cell number 2 has been installed upon Space Shuttle Endeavour; in addition,

contamination checks of OMS Crossfeed Unes have been completed. Work in

progress includes: thermal protection system tiles; rigging of the left hand

external tank door; main propulsion system pressure testing. The checkout of fuel

cell #2 and installation of the remote manipulator system have been scheduled.

[KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT, September 26, 1991 .]

182
NASA__AG_M_

House and Senate conferees met today and agreed on a 1992 NASA budget of

$14.32 billion; that is $1.5 billion less than requested, but is 10 percent more than

last year's budget. The Space Shuttle budget will take a $200 million hit.

Kennedy Space Center has already moved to cut its budget by $20 million in

anticipation of cuts in its request; Shuttle Processing Contractor Lockheed Space

Operations Co. has already laid off 300 workers and another 100 layoffs are

expected shortly from Lockheed subcontractors. In addition to the Shuttle budget,

the National Space Plane's budget is being reduced from $47 million to $5 million;

the National Launch System's funding will slip from $175 million to less than $35

million; and the Earth Observing System's resources shrink from $286 million to

$271 million. NASA spokesman Don Savage said, "We're still studying the

numbers." Congress is expected to vote on the compromise shortly and

President Bush is expected to sign the bill within weeks. [Eisler, FLORIDATODAY,

p. 1A, Sept. 27, 1991 .]

11 DISCOVERY RETURNS TO KSC

The Space Shuttle arrtved at Kennedy Space Center arrived at the Shuttle Landing

Facility at 1:16 p.m. Clouds and rain forecast for this area moved on through

faster than expected. Chds Falrey, NASA's Processing Manager for Discovery,

said, "It feels great to have Discovery back." He said extra post-flight inspections

will be conducted on the Orbiter's heat protection system. [Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 27, 1991.]

September 27: ATLANTIS' T-SEALS REMOVED

All T-seals on the left wing of Atlantis have been removed, inspected and

measured. Technicians are removing and inspecting the remaining T-seals on the

right wing. About half of the seals on the right wing have already been removed.

So far, a total of eight T-seals our of the 44, have cracks. The cracked seals will

be shipped back to the vendor. Those seals without cracks are being reinstalled

on the vehicle and spares are being installed where the cracked seals were

located. Data collection and analysis is continuing to determine the cause of the

cracks. Possible schedule impacts - if any - have not been determined. Window

no. 5's installation has been completed; a leaking oxidizer thruster on the left

orbital maneuvering system pod has been replaced on the Orbiter. Hydraulic

system activities are scheduled for next week. Work in progress includes:

installation of the chin panel; removing the reinforced carbon-carbon gap T-seal

panels on the right wing and inspecting for cracks; tests of payload equipment on

the aft flight deck; troubleshooting of the S-band antenna; leak and functional

tests of the water spray boilers. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m.,

Sept. 27, 1991.]

O DISCOVERY: POST-FERRY FUGHT OPERATIONS

After Discovery and its SCA landed at Kennedy Space Center yesterday at 1:16

---- 183
p.m.,the Orbiterwasdematedovemight. Workin progress includes: removing

the flight nose landing gear tires; installing the "roll-around" tires; towing the

vehicle to bay 3 about noon today. Scheduled work includes post-flight

inspections and removal of the tall cone early next week. rKSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 27, 1991.]

n $1_ 48:. ENDEAVOUR IN OPF BAY 1

Fuel cell no. 2 was Installed in Endeavour. Work in progress includas: flushing

of the freon cooling system; cycling of the left hand external tank door; tests of

the ammonia system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units;

preparations to Install the remote manipulator system; connections of the three

fuel cells; leak checks of the main propulsion system pneumatic system; a flush

of the orbital maneuvering system fuel crossfeed system. The robot arm is

scheduled to be installed upon Endeavour on September 30. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 27, 1991 .]

n THANKS, TITUSVILLE!

"It was very heartwarming to know those folks [in TituavUle, FL] were going to stay

up so late and keep all those lights buming in the window," said Discovery Pilot

Kennelh Relghller. "We really appreciated that." The citizens of Titusville had

been asked by Mayor Tom Madard to light up the sky, "not only to welcome the

crew beck to Earth, but also to help guide Commander John Crelghlon toward the

Kennedy Space Center runway." Crelghton said, "We were all psyched up and

ready to come into Kennedy, and we were kind of disappointed when it didnR

happen. We came close but didn't quite make it." STS 48 concluded its mission

at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, because of unacceptable weather conditions at

KSC. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Sept. 28, 1991 .]

September 29: HEAT PANELS SENT TO TEXAS

By today, all 44 heat panels on Atlantis have been removed and inspected; of

these, only eight were found to be cracked, according to Kennedy Space Center

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. The cracked panels will be sent to their manufacturer

in Texas and will be replaced with spares. A failure of the panels would have led

to a catastrophe for the crew and the Orbiter. Investigators say they do not

believe the cracks were caused by the mission itself, but may have been the result

of a flaw in ground procedures. Columbia's panels have shown no cracks;

Discovery and Endeavour have not yet been inspected. KSC workers have tried

to fit spare panels on Atlantis' wings, but none were installed this weekend,

Malone said. Fitting the custom-made panels is a lengthy, tedious process.

When workers understand how long this process will take, NASA managers will

be able to project a launch date for the STS 44 mission. KSC workers will

continue to process Atlantis for a November 19 launch. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Sept. 30, 1991, [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 30, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12A, Oct. 1, 1991.]
September80:. DISCOVERY: OPF BAY 3

Discovery arrived at OPF Bay 3 September 27; in the OPF it was jacked up and

leveled and access to the crew compartment was established. Work in progress

on the Orbiter includes: preparations to power up the vehicle; positioning of the

body flap; removal of the tall cone; opened payload bay doors. Scheduled work

Includes: functional test of the payload bay doom; frequency response test of the

aerosurfaces; post-flight Inspections; removal of one of the auxilla_j power units

later this week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 30, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR: OPF BAY 1

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will have its robot arm installed this week. Work in

progress includes: leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units;

preparations to install the remote manipulator system; electrical connections of the

fuel cells; a flush of the orbital maneuvering system fuel crossfeed system. Kr_

SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Sept. 30, 1991 .]

_-_ 185
October1:

g

g

OCTOBER

g

ATLANTIS PROCESSING: OPF BAY

The Space Shuttle Atlantis' eight T-seals with cracks have been shipped to the

vendor in Dallas, TX, for analysis and thermal barriers have been installed around

the Orbiter's chin panel. Work in progress on the vehicle includes: a brake antiskid test; functional tests of the inertial measurement units; serf-test of the Ku-band

antenna; reinstalling the reinforced carbon T-seals on the Orbiter's wings;

Installation of carder panels around the RCC leading edges; troubleshooting of the

S-band antenna; servicing of the water spray boilers. The Crew Equipment

Interface Test takes place this weekend with the STS-44 flight crew on hand.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Oct. 1, 1991.

DISC_ IN OPF BAY 3

Discovery's body flap has been repositionedin preparation for removal of the tail

cone which had covered its main engines during its recently completed ferry flight

from Califomia. Current work includes: removal of the tail cone; preparations to

open the payload bay doors; removal of the wing leading edge tile carrier panels

in preparation for inspection of several T-seals; post-flight inspections. Scheduled

work includes: functional tests of the payload bay doors; frequency response test

of the aerosurfacas; removal of one of the auxiliary power units later this week;

inspections of several T-seals later this week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 a.m., Oct. 1, 1991.]

ENDEAVOUR IN OPF BAY 1

Endeavour has had its water dump nozzle installed in Orbiter Processing Facility

Bay 1. Other scheduled installations include: fuel cell no. 2; the robot arm.

Processing work underway Includes: elevon cove seal leak checks; leak and

functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; leak and functional

tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to install the remote manipulator

system; electrical connections of the fuel cells and blowdowns .of the main

propulsion system helium system. [KSC SHUTr'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m.,

Oct. 1, 1991.]

CRACKS FOUND IN COLUMBIA PANELS

Inspections of the Space Shuttle Columbia have revealed cracks in three of 44 of

its heat-protection panels; Columbia is presently being modified and refurbished

in California where it was manufactured originally. The cracks on Columbia's

panels are reported to be small. The cracks on eight of Atlantis' panels range in

size from microscopic to four inches long and are in nearly identical places toward

the outer tips of the vehicle's wings; there are four cracked panels on each wing.

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngham said today, "It doesn't

seem to be a random problem. There appears to be some symmetry." Though

the cause of the cracks is still under investigation, some engineers believe that the

V
cracks may have resulted from improper installation. Buckingham said that

rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building, currently slated for October 17, may be

delayed a few days to allow technicians time to replace the cracked panels.

[Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 2, 1991 .]

Octobar 2: BUDGET MAY DELAY lgg2 LAUNCH

Officials at NASA said today that Congress's order to cut $330 million from its

budget might result in the delay of at least one Shuttle launch between now and

next September. 'We have people looking at the various options. When you have

a budget cut, you either don't do things as often, defer work or don't start new

projects as soon," said NASA spokesman Ed Campion. Kennedy Space Center

has already made cuts which have resulted in 400 workers being laid off at a

savings of an estimated $20 million. Director Forrest S. McCartney said the

budget for the center is still under review but sees no prospect of further layoffs.

"We've already taken action to live with a smaller budget," McCartney said. "It's

really too early to tell, but so far it doesn't look like we'll have any further

significant impact." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 3, 1991, "NASA Wins,

Loses in 1992 Budget Battle,' FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Oct. 6, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 6, 1991 .]

n STS 44 MAY BE DELAYED

Atlantis' cracked T-seals are being replaced by technicians in Orbiter Processing

Facility Bay 2, but officials continue discussing a possible delay for the STS 44

mission currently targeted for November lg. Usa Malone, NASA spokeswoman,

said, "We don't have a crystal ball; it's too early to tell whether this will affect the

schedule." The replacement of T-seals is expected to be completed October 4,

Malone said. She also said that a total of nine cracked T-seals had been found

on Columbia which is undergoing extensive modification in California. Discovery's

T-seals will be inspected next week. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 3,

1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 3, 1991 .]

n CREW EQUIPMENT INTERFACE TEST: STS 44

This weekend the STS 44 crew of Atlantis will be at Kennedy Space Center to take

part in a Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEll'). Technicians have just completed

Installing thermal barriers around the Orbiter's chin panel. Work in progress

includes: replacement of cracked T-seals; a brake anti-skid test; functional tests

of the inertial measurement units; hot lube oil flush of the auxiliary power unit

system no. 2; installation of carder panels around the RCC leading edges.

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 2, 1991 .]

n DISCOVERY_ TAIL CONE REMOVED

The tail cone which protected Discovery's main engines during its ferry flight from

California has been removed in OPF Bay 3. Currently, technicians are inspecting

payload bay door hinges and preparing to open the doors, conducting a flight

187
readinesstest of the aerosurfaces,removingthe wing leading edge tile carrier

panels in preparation for inspecUng Discovery's T-seals; waterproofing the payload

bay doors and are continuing post-flight inspections. In the next few days, OPF

Bay 3 workers will conduct functional tests of the payload bay doors, remove one

of the auxiliary power units and begin inspecting T-seals. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 a.m., Oct. 2, 1991.]

n ENDEAVOUR: LF,.AK CHECKS

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is undergoing,

among other things, a varisty of tests and checks inciuding: elevon cove seal

leak checks; leak and functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion

system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to

Install the remote manipulator system; checks of the main propulsion system

pneumatic system. The robot arm will be installed next week while the right orbital

maneuvering system pod will be Installed this weekend. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS

REPORT. 10 a.m., Oct. 2, 1991 .]

Oclober 3: NASAMN G ENT SYSTEMSOFRC 

NASA Administrator Flichard H. Truly announced today the intended creation of

the Office of Management Systems and Facilities. This Office will represent the

consolidation of the Offices of Management and Headquarters Operations. Benila

A. Cooper has been selected to be the Associate Administrator for this new

organization. She is currently the Assistant Administrator for the Office of

Headquarters Operations. Prior to assuming her current position at Headquarters,

Cooper was the Director of Management Operations at Goddard Space Flight

Center from 1880-88. Dr. C. Howard Robbim Jr., currently the Associate

Administrator for the Office of Management, will be on a special assignment for

the Office of Management, will be on a special assignment to assist the Deputy

Administrator in ensudng smooth organizational transition activities at NASA

Headquarters, and then will be returning to a senior technical position. Dr. Robins

worked at the Langley Research Center and the Johnson Space Center prior to

transferring to Headquarters in 1976 where he managed programs, in the Office

of Aeronautics and Space Technology and Space Science and Applications.

This new Office of Management Systems and Facilities will provide synergy

between operational responsibilities and Agency policy development in the areas

of Irfformation Systems, Facilities and Maintenance, Logistics, Aircraft

Management, and Security. The Office also will be responsible for Industrial

Relations, the Board of Contract Appeals, and the Inventions and Contributions

Board. The NASA Headquarters Equal Opportunity function will be consolidated

within the existing Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. In announcing this

intended consolidation, Admiral Truly said, "Benita Cooper is a natural choice to

lead this new organization, which will nicely complement our Office of Human

Resources and Education. Both she and Howard Robins have played a major

role in making this consolidation a success. This will greatly facilitate our efforts

to enhance total quality management in NASA's institutional management.
g

n

!1

"With today's announcements of new appointments and office consolidation at

NASA Headquarters, I will have in place an extremely strong team that will

enhance NASA's overall program and personnel management. This restructuring

culminates other changes earlier in the year. It is consistent wIth the

recommendations from extemal advisory groups and with my intention to better

align our capabilities to successfully oversee the implementation of today's

program's and plan for the missions of tomorrow." [NASA/KSC News Release No.

91-160_ Oct, 3, 1991, NASNKSC News Release No. 91-162, Oct. 3, 1991, "NASA

Veteran to Head New Major Projects Office," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Oct. 7,

1991.]

STS44/ATLANTIS

Technicians have completed the brake anti-skid test on the Space Shuttle Atlantis

(0V-104); they have also conducted a hot lube oil flush of auxiliary power unit no.

2 and functional tests of the inertial measurement units. Processing managers

have set a goal of having all T-seals and reinforced carbon panels installed on

both wings of the Orbiter by the end this week. Other work in progress in OPF

Bay 2 cycles of the nose landing gear doors; potable water servicing;

inspections of the payload bay door hinges; reinstalling the T-seals on the wings

of Atlantis and the installation of carder panels around the RCC (Reinforced

carbon carbon) leading edges. [KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct.

3, 1991.]

STS 42/DISCOVERY STATUS

The Space Shuttle Discovery (0V-103) is currently being worked on in Orbital

Processing Facility Bay 3; activities include: inspections of payload bay door

hinges; flight readiness test of the aerosurfaces; praparattons to open the payload

bay doors; removal of the wing leading edge tile carder panels; waterproofing the

payload bay doors; inspections of the RCC T-Seals. Functional tests of the

payload bay doors are scheduled as is the removal of one of the auxiliary power

units later this week. NASA spokeswoman Usa Malone said today that a crack

had been found on one of Discovery's wings; it was spotted in one of five seals

inspected. The remainder of the seals will be Inspected next week. A team of

engineers is studying the problem at Johnson Space Center and suspect that the

cracks may have been caused dudng installation. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 3, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, OCt. 4, 1991,

"Cracked Seals Found on Another Shuttle,".THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A15, Oct.

4, 1991.]

ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

In OPF Bay 1, workers are processing the Space Shuttle Endeavour for its maiden

voyage next year - STS 49. The work in progress includes: elevon cove seal leak

checks; leak and functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system;

leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to install the

remote manipulator system and checks of the main propulsion system pneumatic

_-_ 189
system. Scheduled work includes: installation of the robot arm next week;

installation of the right orbital maneuvering system pod this weekend and

installation of fuel ceil no. 2. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 3,

1991 .]

_4:

I1

rl

STS44PROCESSJN ;

The Crew Equipment Interface Test is scheduled for this weekend and the

members of the STS 44 crew will attend; technicians have also set a goal of

having all T-seals and reinforced carbon carbon panels installed on both wings

by this weekend. Work in progress includes: servicing of the environmental

control life support system with gaseous nitrogen; checks of the cabin pressure;

cycles of the nose landing gear doom; potable water servicing. The reinstallation

of T-seals and carder panels around the RCC leading edges is about 50 percent

complete, rKSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 4, 1991.]

g

DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3

A frequency response test of Discovery's flight control system has been

completed in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. Processing activity for Discovery's

STS 42 (IML) mission continues in a number of areas: preparations to offioad

residual propellant from the auxiliary power units and the orbital maneuvering

system; Inspections of payload bay door hinges; flight readiness test of the

aerosurfaces; preparations to open the payload bay doom; removal of the wing

leading edge tile carder panels; waterproofing the payload bay doom; inspections

of the RCC T-seals. Out of ten T-seals removed only one, on the left wing, was

cracked. Only one more T-seal is scheduled for inspection. Technicians have

scheduled functional tests of the payload bay doors and removal of one of the

auxillanj power units later this week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Oct. 4, 1991.]

STS 49: ENDEAVOUR'S INTELSAT R__EI_3OST

Technicians continue processing Endeavour for its STS 49 mission next year - the

Inteisat Reboost; current activities Include: preparations to install the right orbital

maneuvering system pod; filling and bleeding the hydraulic system; elevon cove

seal leak checks; leak and functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion

system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to

install the remote manipulator system; checks of the main propulsion system

pneumatic system. Scheduled work includes: installation of the robot arm next

week; installation of the right maneuvering system pod on October 11; installation

of fuel cell no. 2. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 4, 1991 .]

$1 MILUON FOR REPAIRS

NASA estimates that repalm to cracked Orbiter wings will cost nearly $1 million,

but officials say that Atlantis' STS 44 mission will not be delayed significantly by

the cracks problem. "We think we've got an excellent shot that week [November

190
19],"said WIBamLenoir, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Flight. "My

guess is the 21st or 22nd." According to Keilh Hudldns, Chief of the Shuttle

Division at NASA Headquarters, the Shuttles could fly and land safely with the

cracked seals. "No one is looking at this as being a reason not to go fly Atlantis,"

he said. The cause of the cracks is still unknown, but Hudkins has said hot

temperatures during re-entry may be the culprit rather than Improper installation.

The cracked seals will be repaired at a cost of $50,000 each and will be replaced

by spares. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. tA, Oct. 5, 1991.]

g lgg2 LAUNCH SCHEDULE IMPACT

NASA expects to be able to keep its 1992 schedule intact, but may postpone

future flights if other economic measures don't work. The space agency will

reduce staffing levels and inspections and cut spending by 3 percent a year over

the next five years for a total savings of $1 billion. Associate Administrator for

Space Flight WBiam Lenoir said, "Frequently, we're not doing things as efficiently

as we can be. We find lots of casas...where we're inspecting the same system

three times. We've got to be very careful we don1 do anything that compromises

safety, and I'm convinced we won't." More than 400 employees have been laid

off from the Shuttle Processing Contract headed by Lockheed Space Operations

Co ('l'dusville, FL). BAMSI Inc. (Titusville, FL), an engineering firm, will lay off 95

persons by the end of next month. A plan to consolidate Shuttle support services

is under consideration at Kennedy Space Center. Lenoir said, 'It is going to be

very tight." [Elsler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 5, 1991.]

October 5: SLAYTON SUPPORTS AMF

"Space. is the centerpiece of the future and the centerpiece of things we are

interested in education. The timing is right for this foundation [Astronauts

Memodal Foundation] to do what it is on track with," said former Mercury and

Apollo-Soyuz astronaut Donald "Deke" Siayton at the AMF's fifth annual banquet

at the Cocoa Beach Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel tonight. Ed White, son of the

late Apollo astronaut of the same name, presented AMF with a check for $25,000

which he raised from the sale of astronaut trading cards marketed by his firm,

Space Ventures Inc. Ed While, Sr. is one of 15 astronauts honored with his name

on the Astronauts Memorial at Spaceport USA. ["Astronaut Gives Support to

Foundation," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Oct. 6, 1991 .]

October 6: LOCKHEED ENVISIONS _R SHU'I'I'LE

Lockheed Advanced Development Co. (informally known as the Skunk Works) has

begun work on a $1.7 million feasibility study for a smaller version of the Space

Shuttle. The smaller craft would carry a two-person crew and up to eight

passengers along with a limited cargo on missions to and from low Earth orbit.

['Skunk Works Begins Spaceship Study," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Oct. 7, 1991 .]

191
0 _'S 44 U_OING AT

Atlantis will land at Kennedy Space Center at the conclusion of its upcoming STS

44 mission. As currently scheduled the landing would occur at 3:27 p.m. on

November 29. The mission was originaily scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force

Base, CA, until Kennedy Space Center was made the pdmary landing site for

Orbiters. "The prime landing site was switched accordingly to KSC," said NASA

spokesman James Hmldaid. This will mark the third scheduled KSC landing this

year; earlier, Atlantis was landed as scheduled on August 11 and Discovery was

diverted from Kennedy Space Center to Edwards on September 18 due to cloudy

skies and rain showers. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Oct. 7, 1991 .]

v

[] ALDRICH HEADS NEW NASA OFFICE

Arnold Ndldch has been named by NASA Administrator Rk:hard H. Truly to head

the newly created Office of Space Systems Development where he will oversee the

development of such big projects as Space Station Freedom. Aldrich will pick up

some of the responsibil_es of Associate Administrator WBlam Lenoir, who heads

the Office of Space Flight. Lenoir will continue to direct Space Shuttle operations.

["NASA Veteran to Head New Major Projects Office," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Oct.

7, 1991.]

October 7: A'Tt.ANT_ PROCE.S,._ING: OPF BAY 2

0

A number of processing tasks for STS 44 (Atlantis) have been completed: the

Crew Equipment Interface Test; the auxiliary power unit no. 3 was installed and

electrically mated; the vehicle's thermal protection system was waterproofed; a

functional test was conducted of the crew module hatch and technicians installed

and tested several small pyrotechnic devices in the Orbiter. Current activities

include: a positive pressure test of the Orbiter's wings; cleaning of the midbody;

reinstalling the reinforced carbon carbon T-seais and panels on the Orbiter's

wings; installation of carder panels around the RCC leading edges; repairs of

minor dings in the radiators; servicing the Orbiter with potable water. Atlantis is

scheduled to be transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building by October 18. "The

work is going excellently, it's looking really good," said Bill Ctmtlmly, Atlantis'

manager with Lockheed Space Operations Co. Space Shuttles Discovery and

Columbia have been inspected for cracks in T-seals, but NASA managers have

not yet decided when to start inspecting Endeavour for cracked thermal protection

seals. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, IOA.M., Oct. 4, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 4A" Oct. 7, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A" Oct. 8, 1991 .]

DI_PROCESSING;OPF_Y3

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians have drained residuals from the

auxiliary power unit catch bottles on Discovery and from its orbital maneuvering

system and reaction control system tanks. They have also removed one of the

auxiliary power units. Work in progress includes: opening the payload bay

doors; preparations to perform a functional test of the payload bay doors;
removingSTS48payloadequipmentfrom the payload bay; post-flight inspections

and testing; inspections of the RCC T-seals. One T-seal was found cracked out

of the elevon seals inspected so far; all 42 T-seals will be inspected. K[_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. 10 A.M., Oct. 4, 1991 .]

[! ENDEAVOUR (OV-I05): OPF BAY I

Fuel cell no. 2 has been installed on Endeavour. Work in progress includes:

installation of wing struts; filling and bleeding of the hydraulic system; elevon cove

seal leak checks; leak and functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion

system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to

install the remote manipulator system; checks of the main propuision system

pneumatic system. The Orbiter's robot arm has been scheduled for installation.

Also scheduled is the installation of the right orbital maneuvering system pod.

The oxidizer primary and secondanj seals are leaking and need to be replaced.

This will delay the installation of the pod by one to two weeks. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 4, 1991 .]

_8." ATLANTIS IN OPF BAY 2

The Space Shuttle Atlantis has been hooked up to auxiliary power unit no. 1 and

a positive pressure test has been conducted on the Orbiter's wings. Technicians

in the OPF are: cleaning of the midbody; reinstalling the reinforced carbon

carbon T-seals and panels on the Orbiter's wings; installing carrier panels around

the RCC leading edges; repairing minor dings in the radiators; servicing the

Orbiter with potable water and closing out the aft compartment. Scheduled work

includes a functional test of the landing gear later this week and the transfer of

Atlantis to the VAB is targeted for the end of next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 8, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY'S PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPEN

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Bay 3 have opened the payload bay doors and

performed a functional test on Discovery. In progress: post-flight measurements

and inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; removing STS 48 payload equipment

from the payload bay; post-flight Inspections and testing; preparations to inspect

the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals on the leading edges of the wings. One Tseal was found cracked out of the eleven seals inspected so far. All 42 T-seals

will be inspected. [KSC SHU'R'LE STATUS. REPORT, 10 A.M., OCt. 8, 1991.]

n ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: OPF BAY 1

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is being readied

for its STS 49 mission: rigging of the left external tank door; inspections of the

gaseous oxygen main propulsion system; installation of wing struts; filling and

bleeding of the hydraulic system; elavon cove seal leak checks; leak and

functional leaks of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; leak and

functional tests of the auxiliary power units; checks of the main propulsion system

_- 193
pneumaticsystem. Scheduledwork includes: instailationof the robot arm and

installation of the left orbital maneuvering system pod this coming weekend. The

right pod is scheduled to be installed the following weekend. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS RE,PORT, 10 A.M., Oct. S, 1991.]

D HOLIDAY MIGHT DELAY STS 44

NASA's may take advantage of the ThanksgMng holiday to delay the expected

November 19 launch of STS 44; the delay would mean that landing crews at both

Kennedy Space Center and Edwards Air Force Base, CA, would not have to work

during the holiday and would save NASA the extra expense of holiday pay.

Conrad Nagei, NASA Processing Manager for Atlantis, said, "ff there's any way we

can make that [delay] happen, we'd love to do it." A firm launch date will not be

set until the Flight Readiness Review in early November. "In the meantime, we're

going to keep going toward the 19th. We're in good shape, but we're busy, real

busy," Nagel added. Another potential delay for the launch results from the

replacement of an auxiliary power unit with one taken from Discovery following its

landing in Caiifomle last month. Atlantis' odginal APU failed a test, Nagel

explained. The replacement is a hazardous operation which requires the Orbiter

Processing Unit to be cleared of nonessential personnel. Atlantis is expected to

be rolled from OPF Bay 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building on October 18 and to

Launch Complex 39A five days afterward. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Oct.

9, 1991.]

October 9:. AllANTIS: TIGHT WORK SCHEDULE

"We've got a full slate for the next two weeks," said NASA spokeswoman Lisa

Malone conceming the processing effort underway for the STS 44 mission of

Atlantis. "Our processing for Atlantis is moving right along," she said. A firm

launch date for the STS 44 mission will be set following the Flight Readiness

Review currently scheduled for November 5-6. Today, technicians in OPF Bay 2

cleaned the 60-foot-long cargo bay and worked on the following additional

processes: closeouts of the thermal protection system around the vehicle's chin

panel; replacement and retest of several check valves in the main propulsion

system; cleaning of the payload bay area; reinstalling of the reinforced carbon

carbon T-seais and panels on the wings of Atlantis; installation of carder panels

around the RCC leading edges; closing out the aft compartment. Scheduled work

Includes: functional test of the galley; functional test of the landing gear later this

week; final payload bay door closure early.next week; determining the orbiter's

weight and center of gravity; transfer of Atlantis to the VAB continues to be

targeted for October 18. _KSC SHUTrLE ,_'i'ATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 9, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Oct. 10, 1991 .]

O DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3

In Orbiter Processing Bay 3 technicians working on the Space Shuttle Discovery

(OV 103) opened the vehicle's payload bay doors and performed a functional test

earlier this week. Work in progress includes: post-flight measurements and

194
inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; removing STS 48 payload equipment from

the payload bay; preparations to inspect the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals on

the leading edges of the wings; removal of carrier panels from around the main

engines; reconftguration of the aft flight deck; post-fUght inspections and testing.

[KSC SHU'I-I'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 9, 1991 .]

[1 ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) PROCESSING

Work in progress in OPF bay 1 on the Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV 105)

includes: rigging of the left external tank door; inspections of the gaseous oxygen

main propulsion system; installation of wing struts; filling and bleeding of the

hydraulic system; elevon cove seal leak checks; leak and functional tests of the

liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary

power units; checks of the main propulsion system pneumatic system. Scheduled

work includes: installation of the robot arm and of the left orbital maneuvering

system pod this weekend and of the right pod next weekend. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 9, 1991 ,]

g NASA LEADERSHIP MEETING

NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly mat today with senior NASA Headquarters

and field center executives in Washington, D.C., to receive and discuss Deputy

Administrator James R. Thompson's interim viewpoints on roles and

rasponsibiUtiss of NASA centers and Headquarters offices. Truly had assigned

this comprehensive review to Thompson earlier this year as a result of key .

recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space

Program. At the conclusion of today's meeting, Truly asked Thompson to discuss

each proposal in greater detail with the appropriate managers and to report back

to him in early November with final recommendations and a proposed

implementation plan.'When J. R.'s review is completed, it will represent the first

comprehensive look at NASA roles and responsibilities in over 10 years," Truly

said. "The dialogue in today's meeting was excellent, and all of us are committed

to a continually improving organization to achieve the nation's aeronautics

research and civil space goals." Thompson's interim recommendations centered

on reemphasizing NASA centers of excellence; a sharpened focus in science,

engineering and technology; revising some responsibilities at Headquarters

offices; streamlining both Space Shuttle and Space Station lines of authority; and

improving overall NASA program management. NASA's recently announced

changes in Headquarters management and organization are consistent with

Thompson's views, and reflect the resolve of NASA's senior management to

strengthen the agency's overall efficiency and effectiveness today and in the

future. [NASA/KSC NEWS REt,F_ASE.NO: 91-169, October 9, 1991 .]

October 10: RCC T-SEALS/PANELS INSTALLED

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2, workers have completed the installation on

Atlantis of all RCC T-seals and panels on the vehicle's left wing. Technicians are

also at work on the following tasks: closeouts of the thermal protection system

195
around the chin panel; clossouts of the payload bay area; reinstalling the

reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) T-seals and panels on the Orbiter's right wing;

installation of carder panels around the RCC leading edges; measurements of the

T-seals and panels; closing out the aft compartment. Scheduled tasks include:

functional testing of the Orbiter's galley; functional testing of the landing gear

October 11; final payload bay door closure early next week; determining of the

• orbiter's weight and center of gravity; transfer of AUantls to the VAB October 18.

[KSC SHU1TLE_ STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 10, 1991 .]

n D :O ERV: UARSEClUU Ui 'r

Technicians working on the Space Shuttle Discovery in OPF Bay 3 have removed

the UARS support equipment from the Orbiter's payload bay; carder panels have

also been removed from around the vehicle's three main engines. Work in

progress includes: checks of the Ku-band antenna drive assembly; poet-flight

measurements and inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; inspections of the

RCC T-seals on the leading edge of Discovery's wings; recorfllguration of the aft

flight deck; post-flight inspections and testing. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Oct. 10, 1991.]

g WORK IN PROGRESS: ENDEAVOUR (OV 105)

In OPF Bay 1, workers have a number of tasks in progress in the processing of

Endeavour for its STS 49 mission scheduled for next year. Work in progress

includes: rigging of the left extemai tank door; inspections of the gas.so,us oxygen

main propulsion system; installation of wing struts; filling and bleeding of the

hydraulic system; elevon cove seal leak checks; leak and functional tests of the

liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary

power units; checks of the main propulsion system pneumatic system, rKSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 10, 1991.]

_11: ATLM/TIS' GALLEY TESTED

Technicians in OPF Bay 2 completed a functional test of the Space Shuttle

Atlantis' galley and checked out auxiliary power unit no. 1. Work in progress

includes: a functional test of the main landing gear; closeouts of the thermal

protection system around the chin panel; clossouts of the payload bay area;

reinstalling the reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) T-seals and panels on the

Orbiter's right wing; installation of carder penets around the RCC leading panels;

measurements of the T-seals and panels; closing out the aft compartment.

Scheduled work includes: final payload bay door closure early next week;

determining the Orbiter's weight and center of gravity and the transfer of Atlantis

to the Vehicle Assembly Building is targeted for October 18. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 11, 1991 .]

g DISCOVERY IN OPF BAY 3

A number of processing tasks are in progress upon Discovery in OPF Bay 3;

V

196 ..4
theseinclude: preparationsto performleak checksof the orbital maneuvering

system; checks of the Ku-band antenna drive assembly; post-flight measurements

and Inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; reconfiguration of the aft flight deck

and post-flight inspections and testing. Scheduled work includes: drying of the

Shuttle main engines; validation of the electrical system; leak and functional test

of the main propulsion system helium system and removal of the robot arm. K[_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORI", 10 A.M., Oct. 11, 1991 .]

g WORK CONTINUES ON ENDEAVOUR (OV 105]

Processing activities on the Space Shuffle Endeavour continue in OPF Bay 1;

tasks include: installation of the inertial measurement units; checks of the

communications system; inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; fitting lines for

the gaseous oxygen main propulsion system; elevon cove seal leak checks; leak

and functional tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; inspections

of the main propulsion system pneumatic system. Scheduled work includes:

installation of the robot arm and installation of both the left and right orbital

maneuvering system pods over the next two weeks. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 11, 1991.

Oclobe¢ 12: GREENE TO HEAD EXPLORATION OFFICE

Jay Greene has been named to be Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA's

newly created Office of Exploration; he was previously Deputy Manager of the

Space Shuttle Program at Johnson Space Center (Houston, "I'X). The Office of

Exploration, headed by Mkftasi Gdffln, will develop future U.S. space missions

including a permanently occupied base on the moon and a manned mission to

Mars. ["NASA Names New Exploration Official," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Oct. 13,

1991.]

[1 CRANE ACCIDENT INJURE8 THREE

Three Lockheed Space Operations Co. employees were injured in OPF Bay 3

today when a small crane fell onto a work platform near Discovery's three main

engines. Each was treated for head and back injudss at Parrlsh Medical Center

('l'itusville, FL) and were released. Lockhsed's spokesman J. B. K]ump said it was

company policy not to reveal the names of the workers injured in the accident.

Kennedy Space Center spokesman Dick Young said that the Orbiter sustained no

damage. The accident is under investigation. Speaking of the technician's

Injuries, K]ump said, "1think we were fortunate. It happened right near flight

hardware. We don_t take this lightly." [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, OCt. 13,

1991, "Crane Accident Injures 3 Working on Discovery," THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, p. A-14, Oct. 14, 1991, K]ump, "LSOC Workers' Quick Action 'Saves

the Day' In OPF Incident," Star Gazer, p. 3, Nov. 7, 1991 .]

October 14: ATLANTIS MOVE ANTICIPATED

Technicians over the weekend finished installing heat-protective panels and seals

'"-" 197
on the wings of Space ShuttleAtlantis in Orbiter ProcessingFacility Bay 2.

Inspectionsshowedthat 8 of 42 T-seais on Atlantis had cracks; each was

replaced with a spare; cracks were also found on Discovery and Columbia.

Current plans continue to call for a move to the Vehicle Assembly Building on

October 18. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 4A, Oct. 15, 1991 .]

D EUTEL,SAT LAUNCH OELAYED

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the launch of Euteisat, a European

communications satellite, has been delayed until early November. Eutelsat Project

Manager Jean ,kmquu Dtmtee_ said that the delay was caused by the need to

replace a faulty electronics box. The launch of this mission had ortginaily be set

for August after the spdng failure of an Atlas launch. Dumasnil said the nose cone

and its enclosed payload would be moved to Launch Complex 36 on October 28.

[Haivorson, FI_ORII_A TODAY, p. 4A, Oct. 15, 1991.]

October 15: All.ANTIS: APU CHECKS COMPLETED

Technicians working in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 have completed auxiliary

power unit leak checks on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in preparation for its STS 44

mission; they also completed payload bay dos(mute and main landing gear

functional checks. Processing workers are currently working on: flipper door

dos(mute; nose landing gear final functional test; aft engine compartment

cloeeouts; last RCC panel installation today; wing tile step and gap work.

Processing work yet to be completed includes: final structural leak checks; final

cloaning of the payload bay; functional tasting of payload bay doors and closing

them for rollout; Orbiter weight and center of gravity determination; rollover to the

Vehicle Assembly Building on October 18. Managers expressed a degree of

optimism that the target launch date of November 19 might yet be met. Kennedy

Space Center spokesman Bruce Buddngham said, '_/e're only one day off from

our odginai rollover date. That would make it fairly comfortable for us to meet the

[November] 19th." [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 15, 1991,

Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 16, 1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR IMU'$ INSTALLED

The Space Shuttle Endeavour has had its inertial measurement units installed.

Tachniclans In OPF High Bay 1 are working on several tasks: main propulsion

system checks for contamination; instailatlon of thermal protection system

blankets; hydraulic cycling of aerospace surfaces; nose wheel checks and

functional tests. [KSC SHUTTI_ STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 15, 1991 .]

D DISCOVERY: T-SEAL INSPECTIONS

The inspection of all of Discovery's T-Seals has been completed; only one was

found to be cracked and will be replaced with a spare already on site at Kennedy

Space Center. Discovery's water dump nozzle has also been removed. Work in

progress includes: heat shield Installations; Spacelab module brazing and remote
manipulatorsystemoperations.Reinstallationof the Orbiter'sT-sealshasbeen

scheduled. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 15, 1991 .]

n CRANE ACCIDENT: HUMAN ERROR

Kennedy Space Center spokesman BnJce Buckingham today said it appeared that

human error and equipment problems caused a crane accident on October 12

[see story above]. Buckingham noted that the hoist, which runs along a structural

beam, apparently left its track because locks on the beam to prevent the hoist

from slipping were either an Improper size or missing. Two workers were injured

by falling equipment and a third was injured as he successfully prevented the

hoist and crane from falling off a processing platform; if it had fallen off the

platform the Orbiter Discovery would have been damaged. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 16, 1991 .]

October 16: All,ANTIS: WING PANELS INSTAIJ.ED

Technicians in OPF Bay 2 have completed the final installation of the last carrier

wing panels on Atlantis in preparation for its STS 44 mission next month. Other

completed work includes: payload bay closeouts and cleaning; APU leak checks;

tire flight pressurization; aft structural leakage test. Work in progress includes:

payload bay door functional test and final closing; landing gear final functional

test; aft engine compartment closecuts; wing tile step and gap work; forward

compartment closeouts. Scheduled tasks include: Orbiter weight and center of

gravity determinations and the roUover to the Vehicle Assembly Building October

18. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A. M., Oct. 16, 1991, "Atlantis Ready to

Go to VAB," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, OCt. 17, 1991 .]

D STS 49 PROCESSING

Endeavour's inertial measurement units have been installed during Shuttle

processing in OPF High Bay 1. Technicians have also completed hydraulic fill and

bleed operations on the Orbiter. Work in progress includes: main propulsion

system checks for contamination; installation of thermal protection system

blankets; hydraulic cycling, checks and calibrations of aerosurfacas; nose wheel

checks and functional tests and wing strut inspections. Scheduled work includes:

right hand OMS pod delivery to OPF October 19 and left hand pod delivery Oct.

22. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 16, 1991 .]

0 DISCOVERY: WATER DUMP N0771 _

Discovery's water dump nozzle has been removed during processing in OPF High

Bay 3; all T-seals have been inspected and helium tank vents have been

completed. Work in progress includes: heat shield removal; Spacelab module

brazing; remote manipulator system operations; reinstallation of T-seals; tile work

around nose landing gear. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., OCt. 16,

1991, "Atlantis Ready to Go to VAB," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, OCt. 17, 1991 .]

v 199
October 17: STS 44: LANDING GEAR TEST COMPt_F-TED

Shuttle processing technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 conducted the

final landing gear functional test today. They also removed the payload bay door

etrongbacks; they completed the functional test, cycling and final closing of the

payload bay doors; completed the installation of and checks of all wing carder

panels; completed carder panel and tile work around the payload bay door hinges

and conducted an aft structural leakage tesL Technicians are continuing the

following tasks: aft engine compartment closeouts; tile step and gap work;

Orbiter weight and canter of gravity determinations; retraction of work platforms

in the VAB for Orbiter delivery October 18. Scheduled work includes: positioning

the Orbiter transporter in the OPF tonight; roilover to VAB; transporting the

payload to Launch Complex 39A next week; rolling out Atlantis to LC 39A at 12:01

a.m. October 24. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 17, 1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

Hydraulic cycling, checks and calibrations of Endeavour's aerosurfaces have

been completed in OPF High Bay 1 this week; other completed operations

include: nose wheel checks and functional tests; helium system checkouts;

inertial measurement units installed; hydraulic fill and bleed operations. Work in

progress: main propulsion system checks for contamination; installation of

thermal protection system blankets; auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests;

wing strut inspections; gaseous nitrogen system leak checks. The right hand

OMS pod is scheduled for delivery to the OPF on October 19; the left hand pod

will be delivered October 22, following final leak checks. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 17, 1991 .]

0 STS42/O SCOVEm'

All T-seals on wing leading edges on Discovery have been inspected; technicians

have also completed ventilating the helium tank and down processing of

Discovery's previous mission, STS 48. Work in progress: heat shield removal on

engines 1 and 2; removal of the remote manipulator arm; reinetalletion of T-seals;

tile work around nose landing gear; installation of dump valve nozzle; reaction

control system regulator flow. Technicians will shortly close the Orbiter's payload

bay doors for bulb seal measurements. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., OCt. 17, 1991.]

Q ENDEAVOURS FIRST LAUNCH THREATENED

The first mission of the newest Space Shuttle, Endeavour, is currently scheduled

for April 9, 1992, but hundreds of problems with the Orbiter may cause the launch

to be delayed as much as two months. Nearly 1,500 problems have been

reported so far, ranging from crossed electrical wires which would make parts

move the wrong way to contaminated fuel lines which have had to be flushed

several times. Some of the Orbiter's heat protection tiles do not ftt properly,

either. •None of these problems is thought to be a sedous flight safety issue, but

00
all of them must be solved before launch, NASA officials said. NASA spokesman

Ed Campion said, 'It's.true we are several weeks down of where we'd like to be

at this point. However, there is every reason to believe we will be able to make

up that time." A number of the problems arose from decisions made to "borrow"

flight hardware to use on Discovery and Columbia, so that tasks that manufacturer

Rockwell International were originally supposed to complete have now been

shifted to Kennedy Space Center workers. Additionally, some problems usually

found and corrected by the manufacturer before delivery were not discovered until

after delivery to K$C. Endeavour will be rolled to Launch Complex 39B about

February 20 and readied for a crucial test-firing of its main engines on March 5.

[Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 18, 1991 .]

October 18: A11ANTIS MOVES TO VAB TODAY

"It appears everything is right on schedule," said Kennedy Space Center

spokesman Bruce Buckingham about the Space Shuttle Atiantis's scheduled move

to the Vehicle Assembly Building today. The Shuttle has been bored to the

transporter and the weight and center of gravity of the vehicle has been

determined. The move to the VAB should occur between noon and 1 p.m.,

according to Buckingham. The Orbiter will be mated to its external tank and

launch platform this weekend and rolled out to Launch Complex 39A on October

24 and have its payload loaded on October 31. A Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test is scheduled for October 31-November 1. The payload is a

5,000-pound Department of Defense satellite. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A,

Oct. 18, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 18, 1991.]

n OPF BAY 3" DISCOVERY PROCESSING

The robot arm has been removed and the dump nozzle has been installed in the

Space Shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. Ongoing tasks

Include: removal of heat shields from around the main engines; validation of the

orbiter electrical system; reinstallation of the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals and

panels on the leading edges of both wings; closing of the payload bay doors.

Work remaining to be completed: removal of the Shuttle main engines next week;

leak and functional testing of the main propulsion system helium system;

Inspections of the payload bay bulb seal. rKSC SH_ STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Oct. 18, 1991.]

N ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING/OPF BAY 1

Nose wheel steering tests on Endeavour have been completed in OPF Bay 1.

OMS pods remain on the schedule for installation in the Orbiter. Other work in

progress: preparations to install the power reactant storage and distribution

system tank set No. 3; inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; leak and functional

tests of the liquid hydrogen main propulsion system; inspections of the main

propulsion system pneumatic system. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Oct. 18, 1991 .]

201
I1 NASA PROUD OF ENDEAVOUR

Despite an increasing number of problems with its newest Space Shuttle, NASA

is remaining confident about capability of Endeavour to take its place in the fourvehicle fleet. "We're looking forward to tidying up what needs to be done and go

fly. I think Endeavour will still prove to be the gem of the fleet," said Kennedy

Space Center Director Fon'est S. Mc_. Engineers expect the total number

of problems with the new Orbiter to range between two and three thousand;

Discovery had 2,788 problems and there were 2,876 with Columbia and 1,573 with

Atlantis, "Make no mistake, we want our people to write up anything and

everything they see on all of these vehicles. They all must be critically inspected,"

said McCartney. He added, "ff you had left the vehicle longer on the West Coast,

they would have done a lot of the work there that we are doing now." The

Lockheed manager in charge of Endeavour, Eric Clardon, said, "When you

consider the millions of man-hours that went into that vehicle, what we're finding

may not be significant at all." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 19, 1991 .]

October 19:. NASA MAYCL_EAP_

"1really think there is a good chance, better than 50-50, that we will put one pad

down," said KSC Dlrsotor Forreet S. McCarlney today. The budget of Kennedy

Space Center must be cut $30 million a year for each of the next five years.

Closing a pad is perceived by KSC offlclais as one way to avoid additional layoffs.

'Not laying off people is dependent on keeping the overtime down," McCartney

said. At NASA headquarters, however, the attitude is different, according to

McCartney. He said, "They want us to continue to work the overtime without overstressing the work force to try to make up as much time as possible." Currently,

the overtime rate at the space center is near 6 percent - down 4 percent from the

previous year. "The program has got to decide whether this is worth the money

or not. They_,e got to understand we cannot have all this flexibility we've had

before and still cut the budget, it just can't be done." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Oct. 20, 1991.]

g CRIPPEN INDUCTED IN SPACE HALL OF FAME

Shuttle Program Director Robert L C_ has been inducted into the

Intemationai Space Hall of Fame at the Space Center (Alemogordo, NM).

Cdppen, also known as "Crip," piloted the STS 1 Shuttle mission and flew three

other Orbiter missions. Also inducted with Crippen were GalBoo Galilei, Alexei

Isayev, Rodolfo Ned Vela and Robert Rushworth. ["Robert L. Crippen Inducted

into Intemationai Space Hall of Fame," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Oct. 20, 1991.

[See: November 1.]

Oclober 20:. A_ PRI_pARED FOR TEST

The mechanical and electrical connections made today between Atlantis and its

external tank and solid rocket boosters will be tested tomorrow in the Vehicle

Assembly Building. Rollout to Launch Complex 39A is set for October 24 at 12:01

202
a.m., according to KSC spokesman George Diller. The Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test for STS 44 begins October 31 and the Launch Readiness

Review begins November 7. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAy, p. 5A, Oct. 21, 1991.]

October 21: GROUNDWATER CLEANUP PLAN

NASA has been working with state and federal environmental agencies to identify

areas of contaminated groundwater and to develop treatment plans, according to

NASA's environmental analyst John Flyan. He said that NASA will explain its

groundwater program and respond to questions at an informal public workshop

to be held October 24 at 6 p.m. at the North Brevard Public Ubrary (Titusville, FL).

[Fiodni, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Oct. 22, 1991 .]

n STS 44: ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT

Atlantis completed its transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:05 p.m.,

October 18. It was mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters by 1:07

p.m., October 19 and its payload was transferred to Launch Complex 39A early

this morning. A Shuttle Interface Test is currently in progress to verify critical

connections between the vehicle elements and the launch platform. Atlantis is

scheduled to be rolled out to LC 39A at 8 p.m., Oct. 23 and a Terminal

Countdown Demonstration Test is scheduled for October 31. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 21, 1991 .]

[1 STS 42: DISCOVERY PROCESSING

Inspections of Discovery's payload bay bulb seal and validation of the vehicle's

electrical system have been completed. Work in progress includes: preparations

to remove the shuttle main engines; reinstallation of the reinforced carbon carbon

T-seals and panels on the leading edges of both wings; open the payload bay

doors; functional test of the radiators; thermal protection system operations; leak

and functional tests of the main propulsion system; testing of the communications

system. Technicians are scheduled to remove the Shuttle main engines on

October 22 and to conduct a leak and functional test of the main propulsion

system helium system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., OCt. 21,

1 1.]

[1 ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING REPORT

.

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 are engaged in a variety of

activities in processing Endeavour: leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power

units; preparations to install the power reactant storage and distribution system

tank sat No. 3; rigging of the left external tank door; checks of the main

propulsion system; inspections of the main propulsion system pneumatic system;

installing strain gauges on the wings. Technicians are planning to install the right

orbItal maneuvering system pod this week and the left pod next week. K_

8HU'WLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 21, 1991.]
October22: ATLANTIS; SHU'n'LE INTERFACE TEST

A Shuffle Interface Test is now underway in the VAB to verify critical connections

between the elements of Atlantis and the launch platform. In addition, checks of

the solid rocket booster thruster vector control system and leak tests of the T-zero

umbilicals on the liquid oxygen tall service mast are in progress. The STS 44

cargo - a Defense Support Program satellite - has been transferred into the

payload changeout room; that took place October 21. Rollout to Launch Complex

39A is scheduled for 8 p.m. October 23 with a Terminal Countdown Demonstration

Test set for October 31 through November 1. [KSC SHUTTI_ STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Oct. 22, 1991 .]

rl DISCOV_qY IN OPF BAY 3." STS 42

The drying of Discovery's engines has been completed in preparation for its STS

42 mlesion. Work in progress in OPF Bay 3 Includes: removal of the three Shuttle

main engines; reinstalletion of the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals and panels

on the leeding edges of both wings; inspections of the radiators; thermal

protection system operations; leak and functional tests of the main propulsion

system; testing of the communication system. Technicians are preparing for the

inetall_on of the three Shuttle main engines beginning October 24 and for leak

and functional tests of the main propulsion system helium system. Kr_

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 22, 1991 .]

October 23: EYTO STEPDOWN

Kennedy Space Center Director Focreet S. _ is expected to retire soon,

perhaps a year. "l_e been here five years and watched 18 Shuttles lift off so far,"

he said of his time at the space center. "You can't do this forever. I plan on

staying here and launching another eight birds.' Former astronaut and the current

Space Shuttle Program Director Robert L Cdppon is expected to be a likely

successor. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 23, 1991, SEE: October 31 and

November 1.]

n ATLAN'RS ROLLS TO 39A

The Space Shuttle Atlantis, now being readied for its November 19, STS 44

mission, was rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39A

tonight starting at 7:48 p.m. The 3.5-mile .trip was expected to take about six

hours. "We've got another four weeks ahead of us, inciuding a countdown test

next week and the installation of the payload in the cargo bay," said KSC

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. "We continue to be in good shape for the November

19 target date." The Defense Support Program setellite will be loaded into Atlantis'

cargo bay on October 31; the six-man crew will begin on-site training on that date

as well. The Shuttle Interface Test was completed this morning at 1:00 a.m.

Currently technicians are installing Atlantis' lUS flight Redundant Inertial

Measurement Unit (RIMU) for the Defense Support Program (DSP). Scheduled

work includes: establishment of electrical and mechanical connections once

V

04
Atlantis is at LC 39A; hot firing of an auxiliary power unit is scheduled for October

24; moving the rotating service structure into position around the vehicle to

establish access and weather protection; TCDT (October 31) and FRR (November

7). [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p, 4A, Oct. 23, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 1A, Oct. 24, 1991, KSC SHUTi'I,E STATUS RI_PORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 23, 1991.]

n DISCOVERY PROCESSING STATUS

Discovery's Engine #2 was transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building's main

engine maintenance facility; engine #1 has also been removed and will be

delivered for maintenance on October 28. Discovery's heat dissipation radiators

on its payload bay doors have been inspected and an X-ray and leak check of the

Orbiter's water dump nozzle has also been completed. Work in progress on

Discovery includes: powered-on testing; removal of SSME #3; mating of right

forward center booster segment in the VAB; reinstailation of the T-seals; routine

tile work. Scheduled work includes: the installation of main engines for

Discovery's STS 42 mission and a leak and functional test of the main propulsion

system_ [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 23, 1991 .]

n ENDEAVOUR/OV 105: PROCESSING

Endeavour has had its PRSD Tank Set #3 hydrogen tank installed; leak and

functional checks have been completed on the Orbiter's auxiliary power units.

Work in progress includes: inertial measurement unit calibrations on the flight

deck; communications systems checks; liquid oxygen pneumatic system checks;

drag chute fit checks; carder panel installation. Scheduled work includes:

installation of PRSD Tank Set 3 oxygen tank; installation of remote manipulator

system next week; main propulsion system leak checks; arrival of right-hand OMS

pod from HMF next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, Oct. 23, 1991 .]

October 24: AT1.ANI"_ AT LC 39A

NASA Is prepaflng for the last launch of 1991 with Atlantis now at Launch

Complex 39A. First motion of the Shuttle on its route to the pad came at 7:48

p.m. last night and the vehicle was reported hard down on the pad's pedestals at

2:05 a.m. Atlantis is being prepared for its STS 44 Department of Defense

mission; launch is set for November 19. [SEE: Flight Readiness Review,

November 7.] The primary objective of the mission is to deploy the Department

of Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite from Atlantis'; the satellite, which

arrived at the pad on October 21, will be loaded into the Orbiter's payload bay on

October 31. STS 44 flight crew members are scheduled to arrive at KSC October

29 at 4:30 p.m., to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, a

full dress rehearsal of launch day activities. While at Kennedy Space Center, the

crew will be trained for an emergency escape from the launch pad and will

practice driving in the M113, the armored personnel carder which serves as an

astronaut rescue vehicle. In addition, Commander Fred Gregory and Pilot Tom

Hendcks will practice approaches to the Shuttle Landing Facility in the Shuttle

2O5
D

Training Aircraft The mock countdown is set to begin at 8 a.m., October 31 and

will culminate in a simulated launch after 11 a.m. EST on November 1.

Following its STS 43 mission in August, about a dozen modifications or

enhancements were made to Atlantis during its two month stay in the Orbiter

Processing Facility. For instance, this flight will be the first test of an improved

inertial measurement unit (IMU) called HAINS (High Accuracy InertJai Navigation

System). The new unit features improved performance end accuracy and was

installed in the No. 3 position. The Orbiter's three redundant IMUs are part of the

guidance and navigation system. Eventually all IMUs in the Shuttle fleet will be

replaced with the HAINS model as part of the continuous improvement program.

While in the OPF, small cracks were found in eight of the reinforced carbon

carbon T-eeais on the wings' leading edges. Those seals were replaced with

spares. An analysis has indicated that the cracks are caused from the thermal

cycling the leading edges were exposed to during reentw. All of Atlantis' systems

were fully tested while in the OPF, including both orbital maneuvering system

pods and the forward reaction control system. Space Shuttle main engine

locations for this flight are as follows: engine 2015 in the No. 1 position, engine

2030 in the No. 2 position, and engine 2029 in the No. 3 position. These engines

were installed In September.

The Crew Equipment Interface Test with the STS 44 flight crew was conducted on

October 5 in the OPF. This teat provided an opportunity for the crew to become

famlllar with the configuration of the Orbiter and anything that is unique to the STS

44 mission. Booster stacking operations on mobile launcher platform I began

August 26 and were completed September 20. The extemal tank was mated to

the boosters on September 16 and Atlantis was b'ansferred to the Vehicle

Assembly Bulldlng on October 18 where it was mated to the extemai tank and

solid rocket boosters. A standard 43-hour launch countdown, with built-in holds,

is scheduled to begin three days prior to launch. During the countdown, the

Orbiter's onboard fuel end oxidizer storage tanks will be loaded and aJi Orbiter

systems will be prepared for flight. About 9 hours before launch the external tank

will be filled with its flight load of a haft a million gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen propellants. About two and one-haft hours before liftoff the flight crew

will begin taking their assigned seats in the crew cabin. Landing of the STS 44

mission is scheduled to occur at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility

on the afternoon of November 29. [NASA/KSC Release No. 121-91, October 24,

1991.]

ROCKWELL CONTRACT EXTENSION

Rockwell Intemationai Corp.'s Space Systems Division has been awarded a threeyear extension of its Space Shuttle logistics operations contract worth $453.3

million. The contract runs from October 1, 1991, until September 30, 1994, and

calls for the provision of spare parts for Orbiter flight, ground-support equipment,

launch and landing ground-support equipment and maintenance-support

equipment. Rockwell's Kennedy Space Center workforce numbers 1,375.

06
g

!1

n

"Rockwell Wins NASA Contract Extension," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12C, Oct. 24,

1991 .]

PEGASUS LAUNCH PLANS

Next year, an air-launched Pegasus rocket will lift a satellite designed to monitor

the Brazilian rain forests. It will be the first such launch from the Space Coast

and, according to Orbital Sciences Corp. spokeswoman Laura Ayree, "The Cape

has the best geographic location to get into the orbIt the customer wants.' Two

previous Pegasus flights have taken place from Edwards Air Force Base (CA).

Ayres said that Orbital Sciences Corp. plans to contract with NASA for launch

support. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, OCt. 22, 1991.]

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION NOT SERIOUS THREAT

At a workshop in Titusville, FL, NASA's Environmental Analyst John Ryan and

others described the program initiated in 1988 to clean up about 11 acres of

contaminated groundwater at Wilson Corners. He said that the groundwater

contaminated on NASA property in the 1960s did not pose a serious health risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency monitors the cleanup program. Treated

clean water is sprayed on the ground to help replenish the water supply and

retard saltwater intrusion, according to Ryan. NASA hopes to expand the project

to raise the number of pumps involved from five to ten. [Fiorini, Radonna,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2B, Oct. 26, 1991.]

A_: CARGO TO BE LOADED

A Defense Support Program satellite will be loaded into the payload bay of the

Space Shuttle Atlantis in preparation for its STS 44 mission, scheduled for

November 19. Lisa Malone, KSC spokeswoman, said, "The rollout was

uneventful." The roUout came about four hours ahead of schedule because

technicians were able to attach the vehicle to its external tank and solid rocket

boosters and test the connections more quickly than anticipated. The Shuttle was

reported hard down on the pad's pedestals at 2:05 this morning., At the pad

technicians also tested one of the OrbIter's APUs; the seven-minute test was

required because the unit had been borrowed from Discoven/. After the test, the

Rotating Service Structure was moved into place around the Orbiter; the RSS

protects the vehicle from bad weather and allows technicians to continue

preparing the Space Shuttle for launch. Scheduled work includes: opening of the

payload bay doors tomorrow; helium signature leak test of the main propulsion

system and main engines on Sunday (October 27); loading of hypergolic

propellants into the Orbiter next week; Terminal Countdown Demonstration Teat

(October 31); installation of Defense Support Satellite into the payload bay

October 31. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 25, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPOFrr, 11 A.M., 0ct.24, 1991 .]

"-_ 207
[] IML-1/STS 42: DISCOVERY PROCESSING

All three Shuttle engines have been removed from Discovery in OPF Bay 3.

Technicians in OPF Bay 3 are installing the wheels and tires on the main landing

gear; reinstallation of the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals and panels on the

leading edges of both wings; functional tests of the Orbiter's radiators; thermal

protection system operations; leak and functional tests of the main propulsion

system; testing of the communications system. Leak and functional tests of the

main propulsion system helium system. [K$C SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11

A.M., Oct. 24, 1991 .]

g OMS POD pRI_ARATIONS: ENDEAVOUR

Technicians in OPF Bay 1 are preparing to install the right orbital maneuvering

system pod in the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Other processing activities in

progress include: calibration of the three inertial measurement units; installation

of the Ku-band antenna; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units;

preparations to install the power reactant storage and distribution system tank set

No. 3; preparations for an end-to-end test of the flight control system; tests of the

main propulsion system; installation of strain gauges on the wings. Overnight,

workers will be installing the right OMS pod and will install the left-hand pod this

weekend. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 11 A.M., Oct. 24, 1991.]

g SPACE],.AB MODULE PROCESSING

Years of planning and several months of pre_launch processing and testing of

flight hardware are nearing the final stages for Kennedy Space Center engineers

and scientists working on the first Intemationai Miorogravity Laboratory (IML-1)

Spacelab module. Scheduled to be flown aboard the Orbiter Discovery in January

1992, IML-1 is the pdmary payload for the seven-day-long STS 42 Space Shuttle

mission. IML-1 is now housed inside the cleanroom-like environment of the

Operations and Checkout Building's highbay, but next month will be moved to bay

3 of the Orbiter Processing Facility where it will be Installed inside the Shuttle

Discovery's payload bay. Stowage of some experiments and further testing will

continue on IML-1 once it's inside Discovery, but the majority of pre-launch work

will be completed by the time it leaves the Operations and Checkout Building.

"l_e been associated with the IML-1 mission since 1989, and it's really nice to see

the payload shaping up so well," remarked Glenn Snyder, KSC's STS 42 payload

processing manager. "We've handled IML-1. in a careful, methodical fashion, and

the product really exemplMas that. I think it's the cleanest and most trouble-free

Spacelab we've ever processed." IML-1 is the first In a series of IML missions

scheduled to be launched aboard the Shuttle during the next decade. All of these

missions are dedicated to the study of life and materials sciences in microgravity.

The missions will specifically concentrate on the Intricate effects of weightlessness

on living organisms and how materials react when mixed in space.

The IML program is a continuation of NASA's peaceful and successful multinational space efforts. The venture is a combined partnership of NASA, the 14-

nation European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the

08
French National Center for Space Studies (CNES), the German Space Agency and

the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DARA/DLR), and the National

Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). A seven-member astronaut flight

crew is scheduled to fly aboard Discovery on the IML-1 Space Shuttle mission.

The crew of the fourteenth flight of the Orbiter Discovery will consist of

Commander Flon Grabs, Pilot Steve Oswald, Mission Specialists Norman Thagard,

David l-lilmem and Bill Reeddy and Payload Specialists Robeda Bonclar and Ulf

Madrid. Bondar is a Canadian astronaut representing the Canadian Space

Agency. Merbold represents the European Space Agency. [Varnes, NASA/KSC

RELEASE NO. 120-91, Oct. 24, 1991 .]

October 25: ATLANTIS: PROPULSION TEST

The Space Shuttle Atlantis is hard down at the pad and awaiting a critical test of

its main propulsion system. KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone said, "Things are

going along pretty smoothly." At LC 39A, technicians are continuing fueling

operations for STS 44. The pad will be closed to all but essential operations. A

helium signature leak test begins tomorrow and concludes October 27; it involves

pumping gaseous helium through the system to help detect leaks. The test is

conducted before every mission. A successful hot fldng of auxiliary power unit

No. 1 was conducted last night. The service structure around Atlantis was rotated

at 11:07 p.m. last night. At LC 39A, technicians today will continue preparations

for fueling operations, a hazardous undertaking which requires clearing the pad

area of all but essential personnel. A TCDT begins October 31 and concludes

November 1. The Department of Defense Support Satellite will be loaded aboard

Atlantis October 31. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 26, 1991, KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 25, 1991, "Shuttle Atlantis Arrives On

Pad for Nov. 19 Launch," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Oct. 25, 1991.]

n DISCOVERY'S STS 42 PROCESSING

Engine No. 1 has been installed aboard Discovery and a functional test of the

Orbiter's radiators has been completed in preparation for the vehicle's STS 42

mission. Work in progress includes: installation of the two remaining main

engines; installation of the wheels and tires on the main gear; reinstallatlon of the

reinforced carbon carbon T-seals and panels on the leading edges of both wings;

thermal protection system operations; leak and functional tests of the main

propulsion system and its helium system. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Oct. 25, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR: KU-BAND ANTENNA INSTALLED

Endeavour's Ku-band antenna has been installed while the vehicle is being

processed in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1. Other current processing

operations include: connections of the right orbital maneuvering system pod; leak

and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; preparations to install the power

reactant storage and distribution system tank sat No. 3; preparations for an endto-end test of the flight control system; tests of the main propulsion system.

_ 209
Scheduledwork includes: installationof theleftorbitalmaneuvedngsystempod

this weekend; tests of the flight controls planned for next week and installation of

Endeavour's star tracker. [KS(_ SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 25,

1991 .]

n BUY 80VIET STATION?

Two congressmen have Inquired of NASA Administrator Rlchard H. Truly why the

agency is not planning to buy the Soviet Mlr Space Station. He replied, "The

administration is intensely concerned about the health and capabilities of the U.S.

aerospace industry," he said in a letter to the congressmen. "Depending on the

specific case, procuring a Soviet system or technology in place of a procurement

from U.S. industry may or may not be in the overall national interest."

[=Lawmakers: Why Not Buy Soviet Station?" FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Oct. 26,

test.]

g 3-DAY CONFERENCE TO FEATURE MCCARTNEY

A three-day space conference set for Cocoa Beach, FL, entitled: "Logistics

Outward Bound - The Earth, Moon and Mars," will offer discussions of the

following topics: space transportation, financing, the space station, ground

support operations, commercial space ventures, computer applications and future

programs. Kennedy Space Center Forrest S. McCalney is expected to address

the opening session November 4 at 8 a.m. at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn.

Panelists include: Richard Koh_ NASA's Space Station Freedom Director;

Michelle Gdllin, Associate Administrator for the Space Exploration Initiative, NASA;

Jack Lee, Marshall Space Flight Center Director (Huntsville, AL); Maj. Gen. Cad

O'Bem/, Director of Command and Control Systems and Logistics at U.S. Space

Command; Kumar Kdshen, Johnson Space Center Chief Technologist, Michael

McCullay, former Shuttle astronaut and Lockheed Launch Site Deputy Director;

Marcia Smith, Space Policy Expert with Congressional Research Service. '_'hreeDay Conference to Attract Top Officials," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, OCt. 27, 1991 .]

October 28: BUSH SIGNS SPACE STATION BILL

President George Bush today signed a bill which allows NASA to proceed with the

building of the Space Station Freedom; about $2 billion was provided in an $81

billion appropriation bill. Construction will start in the current fiscal year. ["Bush

Signs Bill Providing Money for Space Station," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 29,

lee1.]

g SIGNATURE LEAKTEST COMPLETE: ATLANT_

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A have completed cleaning up Atlantis' payload

bey and launch pad validations; the Orbiter's helium signature leak test of the

main engines and main propulsion system was also completed. In progress:

Preparations for loading hypergolic propellants into the Orbiter's onboard storage

tanks. In addition, hydrazine will be loaded into the Orbiter's auxiliary power units

210 v
and the boosters' hydraulic power units. The pad will be closed at 8 p.m. tonight

through October 31 when this operation is scheduled to conclude. Closure of the

payload bay doors for the hypergolic propellant loading activities are also

underway. The STS 44 crew arrives at Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, October

30, at the Shuttle Landing Facility to participate in the Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test. On October 31, the Defense Support Program satellite will

be loaded into Atlantis' cargo bay. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test

begins October 31 and will be concluded the following day with a simulated

launch. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., OCt. 28, 1991 .]

D DISCOVERY: T-SEALS INSTALLATION

In OPF Bay 3, technicians are installing Discovery's T-seals on the leading edges

of the Orbiter's wings. They are also installing the vehicle's water dump nozzle.

Preparations are underway for a fuel cell single cell voltage test, the installation

of the landing gear wheels and tires and servicing of the Orbiter's water spray

boiler No. 3. Discovery's three main engines have been installed. [KSC SHU'I-rLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 28, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR: OMS POD INSTALLED

The right orbital maneuvering system pod has been installed in the Space Shuttle

Endeavour which is currently undergoing processing in OPF Bay 1 for its STS 49

mission. The right hand external tank door has also been attached to the Orbiter.

Work in progress: electrical connections between the left orbital maneuvering

system pod and the Orbiter; installation of the star trackers; installation of the

power reactant storage and distribution system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 28, 1991 .]

n GOODSON PAVING WINS NEW CONTRACT

Goodson Paving Inc. (Sharpes, FL) has won a contract from NASA's Kennedy

Space Center to pave several new roadways and parking lots. The fixed price

contract is valued at $123,675 and covers all labor, equipment anct materials for

the three-stage project. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin next week and is

expected to be completed within 120 calendar days. Construction will occur in

three different phases. Task one consists of paving several new roadways and

parking lots in the vicinity of the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility and the

Crawler Maintenance Facility in the LC 39 area. A road lane extension will be

added to existing lanes near Launch Complex 39A during the second phase of

work. The final phase of paving will occur near the KSC Industrial Area with the

construction of a 60-space parking lot to be used by employees working in the

Contract Management Office and other contract facilities in the immediate area.

[NA$/VK$C News Release No. 123-91, Oct. 28, 1991 .]

October 29: ATLAN11S CREW ARRIVES AT KSC TODAY

"We've got a big week coming up. I's been so quiet out here for so long, and

211
g

g

g

now it's finally picking up," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa

Malone. The six-member crew of Atlantis' STS 44 mission is expected to arrive

today at Kennedy Space Center at about 3:45 p.m. The crew which consists of

Commander Frederick D. Gregon/, Pilot Terence "Tom" Hendcks, Payload

Speclallst Thomas Herman and Mission Specialists Marlo Runco, F. Story

Musgrave' and James Vou, will stay at KSC until November I. At Launch

Complex 39A, Atlantis' payload bay doors have been dosed for the hypergolic

propellant loading operations which are underway now. In addition, hydrazine will

be loaded into the Orbiter's auxiliary power units and the boosters' hydraulic

power units. The pad will be dosed to all non-essential personnel through

October 30 when the operation is expected to be concluded. [Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 28, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Oct. 29,

1991, KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 29, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY: VOLTAGE TEST COMI_ErED

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians have completed Discovery's fuel

cell single cell voltage test and have installed the main landing gear wheels and

tires. They also repositioned the aerosurfaces for thermal protection system

operations. Technicians are working a variety of tasks: installation of T-seals on

the leading edges of the wings; installation of the water dump nozzle; servicing

of the water spray boilers; preparations for a hot oil flush of the auxiliary power

units; preparations to install the Spacelab tunnel adapter; inspections of thermal

control blankets in the payload bay. In the VAB next week, the extemal tank will

be mated to the solid rocket boosters. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Oct. 29, 1991 .]

STAR TRACKERS INSTAl t k"n: ENDF_VOUR

Workers in OPF Bay 1 have installed the star trackers in the Space Shuttle

Endeavour. Work in prog,ess: electrical connections between the left orbital

maneuvering system pod and the Orbiter; installation of a power reactant storage

and distribution system oxygen tank; rigging of the right hand extemal tank

umbilical door; preparation for a complete end-to-and test of the hydraulics

system; elevon cove seal installation; preparations for a leak and functional test

of the auxiliary power units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 29,

1991 .]

KSC IMPACT ON FLORIDA ECONOMY

Space-related employment and contracts at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

generated a $1.416 billion boost to Florida's economy during the 1991 Fiscal Year

which ended September 30. This represents an increase of about $100 million

over the previous year. Of KSC's expenditures, $1,033 billion went to contractors

operating on-site at the space center. An additional $224 million went off-site

businesses in Brevard County. Other purchases and contracts awarded to Florida

businesses outside of Brevard County totaled about $44 million. Space center

purchases and contracts to businesses out of state totaled about $50 million.

212
However,at least 75 percent of the on-site and Brevard County expenditures were

estimated to have stayed in the local area in the form of payrolls and purchases.

Civil service selades and personnel benefits through the end of FY91 amounted

to $142 million, an increase of about $11 million, over the previous year. About

$117 million was for regular salary, lump-sum payments, overtime and awards

programs. (The $25 million civil service benefits package and $50 million in out

of state business awards increase KSC's total spending during the year to $1.493

billion.) Permanent federal employees at KSC edged over the 2,700 mark during

the same pedod. While 3,450 indMduals were employed through construction

and tenant jobs at KSC, the majority of workers at KSC are employed by the onsite contractors and number almost 12,900. Overall, approximately 19,050

workers were employed at KSC through the close of the Rscal Year on Sept. 30.

Major contractors at KSC include Lockheed Space Operations, Co., the Shuttle

Processing Contractor; EG&G Florida, Inc., the Base Operations Contractor;

McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems, Inc., the Payload Ground Operations

Contractor; and Rockwell Intemational Corp., which provides Shuttle Orbiter

logistics support. [NASA/KSC Release No. 126-91, OCt. 29, 1991 .]

0 COMPUTRAC CONTRACT: KSC

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center has contracted CompuTrac (T'rtusville, FL),

to supply computer hardware and integration services. The contract is valued at

$91,209 and covers all materials, labor and equipment. CompuTrac will furnish

386/33 type computers and integrate 53 existing systems with government

furnished equipment. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., OCt. 29, 1991 .]

0 BARED AND COMPANY CONTRACT

The Bared and Co. (Tampa, FL) has received a contract _om NASA's John F.

Kennedy Space Center to replace heating ventilating and air conditioning

equipment. The fixed pdce contract is valued at $1,593,000 amidcovers all labor,

equipment and materials necessary to replace heating and air systems in three

buildings located at the Hypergol Maintenance Facility in KSC's Industrial Area.

Work is tentatively scheduled to begin in early November and is expected to be

completed in about a year. [NASA/KSC Release No. 124-91, Oct. 29, 1991 .]

October 30: STS 44 PAD PREPARATIONS

Nitrogen tetroxide has been loaded into the storage tanks of the Space Shuttle

Atlantis at Launch Complex 39A. The STS 44 crew arrived at Kennedy Space

Center yesterday at 3:45 p.m. to take part in the Terminal Countdown

Demonstration Test which will culminate at 11 a.m. October 31. The six-member

crew includes: Commander Frederick D. "Fred" _, Pilot Terence T. "Tom"

Henricks Payload Specialist Thomas _ and Mission Specialists F. Story

Muegrmm, Mario Runco Jr. and James S. Vose. Commander Gregory and Pilot

Hendcks will practice landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft tonight; the Defense

Support Program satellite will be loaded into Atlantis' cargo bay.

Monomethylhydrazine is being loaded into the Orbiter's onboard storage tanks.

_-_ 213
Hydrazinewill beloadedintothe Orbiter'sauxiliarypowerunitsandthe boosters'

hydraulic power units. The pad will be closed to all non-essential personnel until

this aftemoon at the conclusion of the fueling operation. There will be"a hot firing

of the right hand hydraulic power units later today and the entire

crew is scheduled for emergency egress training and M113 driver training, fKSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 30, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

2A, Oct. 29, 1991 .]

[] STS 42 P_NG: DISCOVERY

The Space Shuttle Discovery is undergoing a number of processing tasks:

checks of the hydraulic and flight control systems; servicing of the Orbiter with

potable water; installation of T-seals on the leading edge of the wings; servicing

of the water spray boilers; preparations for a hot oil flush of the auxiliary power

units; preparations to install the Spacelab tunnel adapter; Inspections of thermal

control blankets in the payload bey. Next week, Discovery's extemal tank will be

mated with its solid rocket boosters. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Oct. 30, 1991 .]

!1 STS 49 ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

In Orbiter Processing Bay 1, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is having its power

reactant storage and distribution system tank Installed. Other tasks currently

underway include: rigging of the right hand external tank umbilical door;

preparation for a complete end-to-and test of the hydraulics system; elevon cove

seal installation; preparations for a leak and functional teat of the auxiliary power

units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Oct. 30, 1991 .]

11 _T LAUNCH DELAYED

A potential problem with its rocket's guidance system has again delayed the

launch of Eutelsat, a European communications satellite from Cape Canaveral.

The launch was delayed at least seven days. General Dynamics spokesman Jim

Codd said, "Right now we're looking at either the 13th or 14th of November.

We're taking one more look at a little flaky data were gotten from the [rocket's]

navigation unit," which was manufactured by Honeywell, Inc. Company

investigators suspect that the problem was caused by a glitch in ground support

equipment; if that should prove true the navigation unit will not have to be

replaced. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, OCt. 31, 1991.]

Octobe¢ 31- NEW KSC DIRECTOR: CRIPPEN

NASA Administrator _ H. Truly has named Robert L Oippen to become the

new Director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, effective January 1, 1992.

Crippen will replace Format S. McCadrmy, Lt. General, USAF, Retired, who will

continue as Kennedy Director during a transition pedod until January 1, 1991. In

announcing these moves, Truly said, "With 3 years of safe Shuttle flights behind

us, Kennedy Space Center and the Shuttle program are moving into an era of new

214 "-"
fl

challenges which will involve not only our continued commitment to safety, but

also significant efforts to increase efficiencies and reduce operating costs. Bob

Crlppen has been a key leader over the years, and he will take the helm at

Kennedy during the exciting years of continued Shuttle flights, leading to Space

Station Freedom launch operations in the mid-1990's. Not only does Bob bring

the personal expedence of four space flights to the table, but his proven record

of leadership in critical management assignments at both the Johnson and

Kennedy centers, as well as his current job as Shuttle Program Director at NASA

Headquarters, make him uniquely qualified at this critical time."

Truly also said, "The last several years, during which General McCartney has led

Kennedy, have been genuinely remarkable ones for this vital launch center and

for Forrest as well. In 1986, following the Challenger accident, I personally asked

General McCartney, who at the time was nearing the conclusion of a long and

distinguished career in the U. S. Air Force, to bring his experience to lead the safe

return to flight at Kennedy. Since that first return flight in September 1988, the

Kennedy team has launched 18 safe and successful flights in 3 years, with

another on the pad at Launch Complex 39 for launch in just a few weeks. This

is a remarkable record, achieved during the most challenging time in NASA's

history, and the strength of Forrast's leadership in preparing the launch teams for

the Shuttle's return to flight paved the way." [NASA/KSC NEWS RELEASE NO. 91 -

October 31, 1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Oct. 26, 1991, Banke,

"KSC Chief: I Wanted to Stay Longer," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, "KSC Director

Expected to Be Replaced," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A16, Oct. 27, 1991, Nov.

2, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A3, OCt. 30, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINEL. p. A1 +, Nov. 1, 1991, Holton, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

p. A4, Nov. 1, 1991 .]

TCDT BEGINS AT LC 39A

At Launch Complex 39A, monomethylhdrazine has been loaded onto Atlantis'

onboard storage tanks. Hydrazine was loaded into the Orbiter's auxiliary power

units and the boosters' hydraulic power units. There was a successful hot firing

of the right hand solid rocket booster (SRB) hydraulic power units.. The STS 44

six-man crew has completed its M113 driver training. STS 44 managers are

concerned that after the hot firing, hydraulic fluid was circulated in the hydraulic

power unit to get any air out of the system prior to launch. The hydraulic power

units are located in the aft skirt and generate power for the SRB hydraulic system.

During the hot firing, a ground support pressure relief line was not hooked up to

vent pressure and, consequently, it built up in the system causing a reservoir to

rupture releasing some hydraulic fluid. Work is underway to replace the unit

which is about two feet tall and a foot in diameter. Hydraulic fluid in the area is

being cleaned up. The hydraulic pump, about the size of a lunch box and eight

inches in diameter, also will be replaced. Spares for both parts are on site. An

inspection is underway to determine whether any other components need to be

replaced. Another hot fidng is scheduled to retest the new components, but is not

expected to impact the launch schedule. At the launch pad, technicians are

installing the Defense Support Program satellite into the payload bay and have

.v 215
g

g

D

begun the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. They are also expected to

inspect the right hand solid rocket booster aft skirt. The flight crew will be briefed

on the status of the vehicle and the payload and they will also receive training in

the emergency egress procedures at LC 39A later today. The TCDT concludes

November I at about 11 a.m.; a Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for

November 7. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 A.M., Oct. 31, 1991 .]

DISCOVERY PROCESSING/OpF BAY3

A number of tasks are underway in the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to ready

the Space Shuttle Discovery for its STS 42 mission: brake anti-skid test;

connections of fluid interfaces between the main propulsion system and main

engines; checks of the hydraulic and flight control systems; servicing the Orbiter

with potable water; installation of T-seals on the leading edges of the wings;

servicing of the water spray boilers; a hot oil flush of the auxiliary power units;

preparations to install the Spacelab tunnel adapter; inspections of the thermal

control blankets in the payload bay. Next week, Discovery's extemal tank will be

mated to its solid rocket boosters in the VAB. [KSC SHUITLE STATUS REPORT,

11 A.M., Oct. 31, 1991.]

ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING/OPF BAY 1

Endeavour's payload bay doors have been dosed for an end-to-end test in Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 1. The hydraulic system is undergoing an end-to-end test

and the elevon cove seal is being Installed. Scheduled work includes: further

end-to-and testing through the weekend; checks of the orbital maneuvering

system pods next week and leak and functional testing of the auxiliary power

units. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 P.M., Oct. 31, 1991 .]

PAD ACCIDENT: NO DELAY

An accident at Launch Complex 39A "may eat two of the three days of slack time

we have,' said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Milch Vames. About 8 p.m.

October 30, a hydraulic fluid storage tank in one of Atlantis' two. solid rocket

boosters ruptured, spilling about 2 1/2 gallons of hydraulic fluid. A new tank and

hydraulic fluid pump will be installed this weekend at a cost of about $125,000.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 1, 1991 .]

216 "_
NOVEMBER

November 1: CRIPPEN'REPLACES MCCAFrrNEY AT KSC

Robert L Cdppen has been named the _ Kennedy Space Center Director to

succeed outgoing director Fomast S. McC.,mlnW, effective January 1, 1992. No

replacement for Crippen as Shuffle Program Director has been announced by

NASA; reportedly, NASA officials are considering combining the responsibilities

of his job as program director with his new duties as head of KSC. This is seen

as a first step in a major effort to consolidate Shuttle Program operations at the

space center. Cdppen is 54 years old and has been with NASA for 22 years; he

piloted the first Shuttle mission, STS 1 and flew three other times aboard Space

Shuttles before becoming Director of Space Shuttle Operations. [Banke and

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 1, 1991; see entries for October 31,

1991, "McCartney Ends Years of Space Service," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 1,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 2, 1991, "Cdppen Started Career As An

Astronaut in 1969," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 1, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO

SENTINEL, Nov. 3, 1991, "McCartney Due Salute For His Service at KSC,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Nov. 4, 1991, "McCartney Due Salute for His Service at

KSC," FLORIDA TODAY, Nov. 4, 1991.]

n PRACTlCE COUNTDOWN COMPLETED

"We had a real good [Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test]," said Kennedy

Space Center spokeswoman lisa Malone at the completion of the TCDT. "This

is one of the major tests we do at the launch pad to get the Orbiter ready for

launch." The six-member STS 44 crew of Commander Frederick D. Grego_, Pilot

Terence "Tom" Hecddcs, Payload Specialist Thomas Heflnen and Mission

Specialists F. 8to W Musgrave, Mark) Runco and James Voes participated in the

closing hours of the test; they wore bright orange spacesuits and, except for

Musgrave who is totally bald, all wore skull caps as a Halloween joke. At Launch

Complex 39A, technicians completed the replacement of a tank and hydraulic fluid

pump [see stodes of late October] in Atlantis' right solid rocket booster. The unit

will be tested tomorrow. Technicians also completed electrical, connections

between the vehicle and its Department of Defense cargo which was loaded

October 31. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 6A, Nov. 2, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 1, 1991 .]

n STS 42 PREPARATIONS: DISCOVERY

In the Orbiter Proceaslng Facility Bay 3, technicians have completed the Space

Shuttle Discovery's brake anti-skid test, a hot oil flush of the auxiliary power units;

checks of the hydraulic and flight control systems; check out of the nose wheel

steedng system. Tasks currently underway include: connections of fluid

interfaces between the main propulsion system and main engines; servicing of the

Orbiter with potable water; installation of T-seals on the leading edges of the

wings; servicing of the water spray boilers; preparations to install the Spacelab

tunnel adapter; inspections of thermal control blankets in the payload bay. Next

217
week,the externaltank will be matedto the solid rocket boosters inside the

Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 1,

1991.]

O STS 48:. ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING

The newest Space Shuttle, Endeavour, is presently in OPF Bay 1 undergoing early

preparations for the Orbiter's initial mission, STS 49. Work in progress includes:

and-to-and testing of the hydraulic system; el(won cove seal installation;

connections of the orbital maneuvering system pods to the Orbiter. Scheduled

work Includes: more and-to-and testing of the configuration of the Orbiter and its

software; checks of the orbital maneuvering pods next week; leak and functional

testing of the auxiliary power units next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Nov. 1, 1991.]

NovBnber 3: FRR THIS WEEK AT I¢SC

NASA managers will hold its STS 44 Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space

Center this week; a firm launch date will be set following the FRR. Lisa Malone,

KSC spokeswoman, said "We'll be going over launch mission and landing details."

ff STS 44 launches on November 19, the landing at KSC should occur at 2 p.m.

on November 29. At Launch Complex 39A this week, technicians will continue

testing electrical connections between Atlantis and its cargo, a Defense Support

Program satellite; two $10 million spacesuits will be packed in the Orbiter's

aldock; ordnance devices will be installed. Managers are also meeting this week

to decide when the newest Space Shuttle, Endeavour, will be ready to fly. "Uke

any crew that gets ready for a flight, we don_t get particularly attached to any

launch date," said Dan BrandsnM_n, Chief of NASA's Astronaut Corps. "And for

a first flight of a vehicle, you're probably less attached." Endeavour is tentatively

scheduled to launch on its STS 49 mission on April 9, 1992, but may be delayed

from one to nine weeks. "Probably the answer is somewhere in the middle there,"

Brandenstaln observed, "but generally everybody says it's too early to really pin

down a good solid example of what the delay will be." The STS 49 mission will

Include the rescue of an Intelset satellite. "We're still fine-tuning some of that, but

the general concepts of everything we're planning to do are pretty well in place,"

continued Brandanstaln. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY. p. 1A, Nov. 3, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Nov. 3, 1991 .]

g A_ PA,._SES PUM P TEST

The Space Shuttle Atlantis passed a critical test today; the test involved running

the hydraulic power unit of the Orbiter's right solid rocket booster to ensure that

it is working properly. "The test gives us confidence that the equipment we've

installed is going to work properly," said KSC spokeswoman Lisa Malone. The

same test had been run earlier prior to a launch pad accident which necessitated

a change-out of systems. Cost of the replaced components was placed at

$125,000. [Haivorson, Fi, ORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Nov. 4, 1991 .]

218 _-"
I] ATLANTIS: TCDT ENDED

At Launch Complex 39A, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test on the

Space Shuttle Atlantis has been completed in anticipation of its STS 44 launch.

Other completed activitlas include: hot fire and spin test of the newly installed

hydraulic pump and reservoir on the right solid rocket booster; electrical

connections of the right solid rocket booster reservoir and pump; calibration of the

three inertial measurement units; purge tests of the main propulsion system;

connections between the payload and the Orbiter and installation of the payload,

the Defense Support Program satellite. Work in progress: tests of connections

between the Orbiter and the payload bay began this morning; preparations are

underway for the main engine flight readiness test for which sensors will be

calibrated and valves will be cycled and tested. Scheduled work includes today's

Launch Readiness Review; installation of the hypergolic propellant system for

flight; Flight Readiness Review on November 7; installation of two contingency

space suits into Atlantis' alrlock. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov.

4, 1991 .]

n DISCOVERY: El" MATING TO SRBS

The Space Shuttle Discovery is undergoing a number of tasks in Orbiter

Processing Facility Bay 3 in preparation for its STS 42 mission; these include:

installation of auxiliary power unit No. 1; checks of the main engine electrical

interfaces; servicing of the Orbiter with potable water; installation of T-seals on the

leading edges of the wings; preparations to install the Spacelab tunnel adapter;

inspections of thermal control blankets in the payload bay. In the VAB, mating is

underway of the extemal tank to the solid rocket boosters. A functional test of

Discovery's galley has been scheduled. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Nov. 4, 1991.]

[! ENDEAVOUR: END-TO-END TESTING COMPLETED

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, end-to-end testing of Endeavour's hydraulics

systems has been completed and a leak and functional test of the auxiliary power

units has been scheduled for this week. Currently, technicians are: testing the

orbital maneuvering system pods; installing the elevon cove seal; opening the

payload bay doors; installing an oxygen tank for the power reactant storage and

distribution system; working on thermal protection system operations and thermal

blanket work around the star tracker doors. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Nov. 4, 1991 .]

November 4: ATLANTIS: LRR COMPLETED

At the conclusion of today's Launch Readiness Review, NASA managers said that

they saw no reason why Atlantis should not be launched November 19. "All KSC

elements are ready to support the last flight of the year. We don_t have any major

concerns or Issues at this time in the processing operation. We are in good

shape, " said Jay Honaycutt, Director of Space Transportation System

_-_ 219
Managementand Operation at KSC. A firm launch date will not be set until the

November 7 Flight Readiness Review. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov.

5,1991, "STS-44 Launch Readiness Review Statement," NASA/KSC Release, dated

Nov. 4, 1991 .]

Nowmbar 5.- EUTELSAT LAUNCH DELA'_

"1think it is reasonably safe to say we'll launch [the Eutelset 2 spacecraft] late this

year or early next year," said Ben Wiar, Vice President and Director of General

Dynamics Corp.'s Atlas Program today. That may not work out because the

launch is being delayed for the fourth time to replace the navigation unit that

guides the Atlas Launch Vehicle. The late launching of the Eutelsat 2 spacecraft,

a communications satellite, may interfere with the broadcast in Europe of the 1992

Winter Olympics. Eutelsat 2 Program Manager J_ Dumeem_ said, "it's

clear that it's getting pretty close." Recent tests by Honeywell Inc. revealed faulty

transistors. The launch will now be delayed until late December or early 1992.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 6, 1991 .]

n ATL_ ON SCHEDULE FOR LAUNCH

"We seem to be passing all of our milestones at the launch pad without problems.

Things are looking good for maintaining our target launch date [Nov. 19],"

according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman _ Malone. Tests of the

electrical and mechanical connections between the Orbiter and the payload are

complete, said Malone. Ordnance devices have not yet been installed. A main

engine flight rsadinass test was completed this moming; the sensors were

calibrated and valves were cycled and tested. No concerns or issues were raised

at yesterday's Launch Readiness Review. The aerosurfsces of Atlantis are being

cycled; technicians are dosing out the solid rocket booster thermal curtains.

Tomorrow [November 6] technicians will conduct payload end-to-end tests, install

ordnance devices, pressurize the hypergolic propellant systerr, for flight and install

two contingency space suits in the alrlock. A Flight Readiness Review is

scheduled for November 7. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 6, 1991,

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 5, 1991 .]

g D(_COVERY PROCESSING FOR _ 4;?,

Discovery's extemal tank was mated to the twin solid rocket boosters at 11:25

p.m. last night [November 4]. Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 are

preparing to install the Spacelab tunnel adapter and for functional testing of the

orbital maneuvering system pods and forward reaction control system. Thermal

protection system operations are underway on all areas of the vehicle. Workers

are installing auxiliary power unit No. 1, checking the main engine electrical

interfaces and servicing the Orbiter with potable water. A functional test of the

vehicle's galley is scheduled. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov.

5, 1991.]
g I_T REBOOST MISSION: ENDEAVOUR

Workers in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 have opened the payload bay doors

of Endeavour. Leak and functional tests of the newest Orbiter's auxiliary power

units are scheduled for this week. Work in progress: electrical testing of the

orbital maneuvedng system pods; elavon cove seal Installation; installation of an

oxygen tank for the power reactant storage and distribution system; thermal

protection system operations; thermal blanket work around the star tracker doors;

checkout of the main propulsion system; welding lines in the gaseous oxygen

system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 5, 1991 .]

November 6:. ̧ STS 44: AE]:IOSURFACES CYCLED

Technicians at Launch Complex 39A have cycled the aerosurfecas of the Space

Shuttle Atlantis in preparetion for its STS 44 mission targeted for November 19.

Pad workers are continuing payload end-to-and testing, preparations for ordnance

operations, closing out of the solid rocket booster thermal curtains and aft

closeouts. Work scheduled: installation of ordnance devices on the vehicle at

midnight tonight, pressurization of the hypergolic propellant system for flight, flight

readiness review and installation of two contingency space suits into the alrlock

on November 8. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 6, 1991 .]

g 6T6 4,?.,/IMi,-1: DISC_

Workers in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 are installing the Spacelab tunnel

adapter In the Space Shuttle Discovery and tasting the orbital maneuvering system

pods and the forward reaction control system. They are also testing the power

reactant storage and distribution system and conducting thermal protection

system operations on all areas of the vehicle. Closeouts of auxiliary power unit

No. 1, checks of the main engine electrical interfaces and servicing of the Orbiter

with potable water are continuing as well. [KSC SHUI"R.E STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Nov. 6, 1991 .]

n ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING FOR SI'S 49

In the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1, processing personnel have installed the

oxygen tank for the power reaction storage and distribution system in the Space

Shuttle Endeavour; they also deployed the Ku-band antenna. Work in progress:

electrical testing of the orbital maneuvering system pods; elevon cove seal

installation; thermal protection system operations; checkout ofthe main propulsion

system; welding lines in the gaseous oxygen system; preparations for leak and

functional tests of the auxiliary power units. [KSC SHU'I-rLE STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Nov. 6, 1991 .]

November 7: STS 44: NOVEMBER 19 LAUNCH

At the conclusion of today's Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy Space

Center, FL, Shuttle and payload managers have targeted November 19 as the

.__ 221
official launch date for mission STS44 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

•Everythingat the pad is fine. The managers feel comfortable that we can target

the 19th for the launch and make that date," said KSC spokesman Bruce

Buddngltam. The 2 I/2-hour launch window for this ninth Department of Defense

flight opens after dark at 6:51 p.m., EST, on the 19th; it will mark the seventh

nighttime launch. A full load of military and scientific experiments will be carded

out during the upcoming 10-day mission; of pdmary importance will be the

deployment of the latest in a sedss of Defense Support Program reconnaissance

satellites. Two of Atlantis' crew members are space veterans: Commander Fred

Giregoly will be making his third Shuffle flight; Mission Specialist Skxy Muegrave

will be making his fourth. The four remaining crew members will be ventured into

space for the first time: Pllot Tom l-lendcks, Mission 8peciallsts Jim Voes and

Mado Runco, and Payload Specialist Tom Honnen. STS 44 represents the 44th

Space Shuttle mission and the tenth flight for Atlantis. A three-day countdown

begins at 12:01 a.m. on November 17. Landing is scheduled for 2:27 p.m. on the

Shuffle Landing Facility on November 29. Part one of ordnance installation has

been completed, work in progress Includes: aft compartment cioseouts; auxiliary

power unit #1 heater/thermostat tests; air vent cleaning and sampling; installation

of contingency space suits into alrlock; payload/IUS flight readiness checks;

external tank purge preparations. Hypargolic fuel system pressurization and

launch countdown preparations remain scheduled. [NASA/KSC Release, Nov. 7,

1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 8, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 8, 1991, Date, THE_ORLANDO SENTINEL, Nov. 8, 1991 .]

n GRUMMAN/THIOKOL WIN LOW TROPHY

Grumman Technical Services Division (T1tuaville, FL) and Thiokol Corp., Space

Operations (Brigham City, UT) have been named recipients of the 1991 George

M. Low Trophy - NASA's Quality and Excellence Award. NASA Administrator

Rlctmrd H. Truly announced the selection last night of the Eighth Annual

NASA/Contractors Conference and Symposium (Houston, TX). "The George M.

Low Trophy recognizes the best of the best of contractors who work on the space

program. The management and employees of Grumman and Thiokol deserve this

recognition. These firms have shown exceptional performance. Their

achievements serve as examples which others can pattem themselves after," said

Truly. Grumman Technical Services Division provides hardware and support

services to the integrated launch team at the Kennedy Space Center, FL Thiokol

Corp., provides the redesigned solid rocket motor propulsion system which

produces 80 percent of the thrust necessary for Space Shuttle liftoff. In addition,

Thiokol provides engineering services for sounding rocket design for NASA's

Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD). The Low Trophy recognizes

NASA's prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for outstanding

achievements in quality and productivity Improvement and total quality

management (TQM). Key goals of the award are to internalize quality and

productivity practices and TQM processes throughout NASA and the agency's

contractors.

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The other finalists for the 1991 award were:

*EG&G Florida, Inc. (Kennedy Space Center, FL).

*Honeywell, Inc., Space and Strategic Systems Operations (Clearwater, FL).

*Computer Sciences Corp., Applied Technology Division (Fails, Wl).

*Cray Research, Inc., Manufacturing DMsion (Chippewa Fails, Wl).

*TRW Space and Technology Group (Redondo Beach, CA).

*Unlsys Space Systems DMsion (Houston, "IX).

Award criteria, developed by NASA in conjunction with the Amedcan Society for

Quality Control (Milwaukee, Wl) were used to judge nominees on performance

achievements and improvements in customer satisfaction, quality and productivity

levels. Emphasis was placed on management commitment, goals and measures,

communication, health and safety, work force training, award recognition and

subcontractor involvement. "These firms have demonstrated admirable

performance and have earned the right to be considered among the very best in

meeting the award criteria," said George A. Rodney, NASA Associate Administrator

for Safety and Mission Quality. [NASA/KSC Release NO. 91-185, Nov. 7, 1991,

Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Nov. 10, 1991 .]

!'1 DISCOVERY: TUNNEL ADAFrER INST/CLED

Workers in OPF Bay 3 have completed the installation of the Spacelab tunnel

adapter in Discovery. Technicians are hooking up auxilian/power unit number 1

and conducting payload integrated verification tests. Scheduled work includes:

cabin and tunnel adapter leak checks, external tank disconnect door functional

tests and auxiliary power unit closeouts and retests. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 7, 1991.]

I] ENDEAVOUR'S PROCESSING PROGRESS

Technicians in OPF Bay 1 are conducting: thermal protection system operations;

preparations for auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests; orbital maneuvering

system pod electrical tests; auxiliary power unit lube oll servicing and main

propulsion system leak checks. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov.

7, 1991 .]

November 8: ENDEAVOUR WEEKS BEHIND SCHEDULE

"1don't think there's any need to change the schedule," said KSC Director Forrest

S. Mc_, concerning the processing of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in OPF

High Bay 1. "The situation remains one of lots of work, and we're a few weeks

behind. We're going to keep working it the same way we treat the other birds.

223
Idon'twantEndeavourto bedifferent."OfficialsconfirmedthatthenewestSpace

Shuttleis as muchas six weeks behind schedule. Endeavour's STS 49 mission

is unofficially targeted for April 9, 1992; the target date remained unchanged

following a three-hour bdefing for Shut'de Program Director Robert L Cdppen.

Today technicians loaded two spacasuits into Atlantis' alrlock; they would be used

if an emergency extravehicular activity (EVA) was needed. Launch of Atlantis is

set for between 6:51 p.m. and 9:21 p.m. on November 19, with a landing at

Kennedy Space Center ten days later. [Banke and Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 6A, Nov. 9, 1991 .]

g STS4 BSCOVBW

The Specelab tunnel adapter having been installed in Discovery, cabin and tunnel

adapter leak checks have been scheduled; also scheduled are external tank

disconnect door functional tests and auxiliary power unit closeouts and retests.

Work in progress includes: hooking up auxiliary power unit number one; payload

integrated verification tests; potable water servicing. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 8, 1991 .]

D ENDEAVOUR PROCESSING: _ 4,9

Lagging some six weeks behind in its processing schedule, the technicians

working on the Space Shuttle Endeavour are engaged in a number of activities:

thermal proteclfon system operations; removal of a main propulsion system helium

tank and leak checks; preparations for auxiliary power unit leak and functional

tests and APU servicing; orbital maneuvering system pod electrical tests, rKSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 8, 1991 .]

November 12: ATLANTIS: EXTERNAL TANK PURGED

Launch Complex 39A workers have completed a purge of Atlantis' extemai tank

are now purging the power reactant storage and Distribution System. A simulated

countdown test for the Inertial Upper Stage is underway as are preparations for

final ordnance operations; closing out the solid rocket boosters and aft closeouts.

Scheduled work includes: inetallation of flight doors on the aft compartment

tomorrow; final ordnance operations November 13; closure of the payload bay

doors for flight on November 16; arrival of the STS 44 flight crew at 6:30 p.m. EST

November 16. The launch countdown begins at 12:01 a.m. EST November 17

and launch on November 19 at 6:51 p.m. EST. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

11 A.M., Nov. 12, 1991.]

D DISCOVERY: ET DOORS TEsn_

Technicians in OPF Bay 3 have completed a functional test of the extemai tank

doors on Discovery. Work in progress includes: testing of the orbital

maneuvering system pods and the forward reaction control system; tasting of the

power reactant storage and distribution system; thermal protection system

operations; testing of the auxiliary power units; checks of the main engine

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electricalinterfaces;servicingthe Orbiter with potable water; installation of heat

shields around the main engine. Workers are scheduled to service Dlscovery's

ammonia boiler. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 A.M., Nov. 12, 1991.]

g ENDEAVOUR: OMS PODS TESTING

Work in progress in the processing of Endeavour includes: electrical testing of

the orbital maneuvering system pods; elevon cove seal installation; thermal

protection system operations; checkout of the main propulsion system; welding

lines in the gaseous oxygen system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary

power units; testing of the electrical interfaces in the power reactant storage and

distribution system; Ku-band systems test; environmental control system testing.

[KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, 11 A.M., Nov. 12, 1991.]

November 12: ESMC NOW 45"rH SPACE WING

The Eastern Space and Missile Center is now officially the 45th Space Wlng and

includes the following elements: 45th Operations Group, 45th Space Support

Group, 45th Logistics Group and 45th Medical Group, which will operate the

Patrick Air Force Base Hospital. "This is not just some new experiment," said Lt.

Gen. Thomas Moorman, commander of the Air Force Space Command, who

presided at the name change ceremony at Patrick AFB. "It's a proven

organizational structure we're confident will be effective as the Air Force, by

necessity, becomes leaner, more efficient and more focused on its operational

mission." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Nov. 13, 1991 .]

November 13: AFT COMPARTMENT CLOSED OUT

Another technical milestone on the way to launching Atlantis was passed today

when technicians closed the Shuttle's rear engine compartment. "We're all

looking forward to launch next week," said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman

Lisa Malone. "The team is ready to go and we don't have any problems with the

Shuttle." STS 44 Is scheduled to launch at 6:51 p.m. November 19, 1991. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Nov. 13, 1991 .]

g ATLANTIS: PRE-LAUNCH PROCESSING

Technicians readying Atlantis at LC 39A for the STS 44 mission have purged the

power reactant storage and distribution system; simulated countdown test for the

Inertial Upper Stage; closed out the solid rocket boosters; doors were installed on

the aft compartment at 10 p.m. last night. "We're in good shape," said KSC

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. "We're not tracking any problems that would prevent

us from getting airborne next Tuesday." Work in progress includes: preparations

for final ordnance operations, i.e., clearing the pad at midnight tonight through

tomorrow afternoon for this hazardous activity; payload cioseouts and evaluation

of data from yesterday's Inertial Upper Stage simulated countdown; disconnecting

ground support quick disconnects from the Orbiter's hypergolic propellant system;

lowering booster service platforms from the launch platform; launch countdown

"- 225
8

0

0

preparations; installation of the crew escape pole in the crew cabin. Scheduled

work includes: closure of the payload bay doors for flight on Saturday (November

16); the flight crew arrives at KSC 6:30 p.m. EST" November 16; the launch

countdown begins at 12:01 a.m. EST', November 17; Launch is set for 6:51 p.m.

EST, November 19.- [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 11 A..M., Nov. 13, 1991,

Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 14, 1991 .]

OPF BAY _ DII_OVERY PROGE881NG

in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians have installed the Spacelab tunnel

extension and are slated to service the Orbiter's ammonia boiler. Work in

progress on Discovery includes: preparations to install the payload laboratory;

testing of the orbital maneuvering system pods and the forward reaction control

system; testing of the power reactant storage and distribution system; thermal

protection system operations; testing of the auxiUan/power units; checks of the

main engine electrical interfaces; servicing of the Orbiter with potable water;

installation of heat shields around the main engines. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 11 A..M., Nov. 13, 1991 .]

ENDEAVOUP OMSPODS

Technicians are currently testing the orbital maneuvering system pods of

Endeavour in OPF Bay 1 in preparation for its STS 49 mission next April. Other

current activities include: elavon cove seal installation; thermal protection system

operations; checkout of the main propulsion system; leak and functional tests of

the auxiliary power units; testing of the electrical interfaces in the power reactant

storage and distribution system; Ku-band antennas; environmental control system

testing. Scheduled work Includes: installation of the robot arm this week and

installation of the three Shuttle main engines next week. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS

REPORT, 11 A..M., Nov. 13, 1991 .]

ATIJ_I PAYLOAD

A major milestone in the pre-launch processing of NASA's Atmospheric Laboratory

for Applications and Sciences (ATLAS-I) was achieved at the Kennedy Space

Center this week when the future Space Shuttle payload passed its Spacelab

systems test. The horizontal payload's passing of this thorough electrical,

mechanical and fluid systems checkout is a crucial step in preparing ATLAS-1 for

its flight aboard the Orbiter Atlantis on STS 45, now slated for launch next spring.

ATLAS-1 is now in the midst of an interface verification test that checks the

integrity and readiness of all the payload's flight experiments. ATLAS-1 is the

second Shuttle payload dedicated to NASA's Mission to Planet Earth. The first

such payload was the ozone-studying Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite

(UARS), which was successfully deployed from the Orbiter Discovery this past

September. However, unlike UARS, ATLAS-1 will remain inside Atlantis' payload

bay throughout the mission. From an altitude of 300 kilometers (160 nautical

miles) and with a 57 degree orbital inclination to the equator, ATLAS-1 will be in

26
n

an excellent vantage point to observe Earth's atmosphere, the sun and other

astronomical targets.

The experiments aboard ATLAS-1 will specifically investigate how Earth's

atmosphere and climate are affected by the sun and by the products of industrial

facilities and agricultural _es occurring around our planet. The experiments

will also study the chemical composition of the atmosphere between 15 and 600

kilometers (8 to 330 miles) above the Earth's surface and measure the energy

contained in sunlight. Studies will also be undertaken to examine the universe's

sources of ultraviolet light and to determine how the planet's electric and magnetic

fields and atmosphere influence each other. "We just wrapped up one of the most

Intensive preflight tests that we put Spacelab payloads through," remarked Mike

Kinnan, KSC's ATLAS-1 payload manager. -we had some minor problems at

times, but the test is done to catch these problems prior to flight. We've got an

aggressive and talented processing team working on ATLAS-l, and I don't see

any concerns with meeting the remaining milestones in our preJaunch processing

schedule.' A seven-member astronaut crew is scheduled to fly aboard Atlantis

on the STS 45/ATLAS-1 mission. The eleventh flight of Atlantis will consist of

Commander Chadas F. Bolden, Pilot Brian Duffy, Mission Specialists Kattayn D.

_uivan, C. Michasl Foele and David C. LNetrna and Payload Specialists Byron

K. _ and Did( D. Fdmout. ATLAS-1 is the first of ten planned ATLAS

missions, which will gather data over an 11-year solar cycle. [NASA/KSC News

Release No. 131-91, Nov. 13, 1991 .]

PROCUREMENT BRIERNG PLANNB:)

Kennedy Space Center will host the 8th Annual Procurement Briefing to Industry

beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 15, 1991, at Spaceport USA's

Galaxy Theater. Over the past several years, the annual procurement briefing has

been a strong and effective part of KSC's aggressive outreach effort. It is one of

the key components of the Space Center's commitment to continually Increase

competition and provide private industry with the maximum opportunity to do

business at KSC. During past briefings, over 450 companies have been

represented. This briefing, like those of past years, is a tool for business of all

sizes to use to identify procurement opportunities at KSC. At 9:00 a.m. that

moming prior to the briefing, KSC will host the Annual Small Business Awards

Ceremony. During the ceremony small businesses in several categories will be

recognized for their outstanding achievements at KSC during fiscal year 1991.

In addition to the briefing, the NASA-KSC Small and Small Disadvantaged

Business Council will sponsor an expo for small businesses. "Small Business

Expo '91" will be held at the U.S. Space Camp Facility ('l'rtusville, FL) on Thursday,

November 14, 1991, with events commencing at 9:00 a.m. KSC Center Director

Forrost S. McCadney will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Approximately

150 small and small disadvantaged businesses are expected to display their

products and discuss their special capabilities. The expo is free and open to the

public. Following the Small Business Expo will be a Small Business Opportunities

Forum and Reception hosted by the Brevard Small Business Assistance Council;

a reception will be held at the Cocoa Beach Hilton (November 14) at 6:00 p.m.

"-- 227
Featuredspeakerat theforumwillbe _ Sayers, former NFL football star and

current President of Crest Computer Supply (Skokie, IL). Also, a panel of Small

Business Specialists will be available late that evening to discuss procurement

strategies for doing business with government agencies and large prime

contractors. [NASA/KSC Release NO. 129-91, Nov. 13, 1991, Grainick, FLORIDA

TODAY, pp. 18C & 17C, Nov. 15, 1991 .]

Nouwnber 14.- LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A: ATI.ANT_

!1

Pad workers at Launch Complex 39A have lowered booster service platforms from

the launch platform where Atlantis awaits the start of its STS 44 mission. They

have also installed the craw escape pole; successfully retested the Inertial Upper

Stage's redundant inertial measurement unit. Final ordnance operations including

checks of the firing circuits are underway; the pad is cleared until this afternoon

for this hazardous ac_. Launch countdown preparations continue as do

payload cioseouts. Work scheduled: payload flight readiness checks tomorrow;

closure of the payload bay doors for flight on Saturday (November 16); the flight

craw ardves at KSC at 6:30 p.m. EST on the 16th; the launch countdown begins

at 12:01 a.m. EST November 17; launch is sat for 6:51 p.m. EST November 19.

Weather conditions expected for launch day: an upper level trough of low

pressure in the western Guff of Mexico will create some general instability. At the

surface, a cold front will extend from the central Guff through Western Florida.

Hlgh pressure will be located in the Atlantic. Cloud thickness and possible

ceilings below 8,000 feet are the concerns. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, I0

A.M., Nov. 14, 1991, L-5 Day Weather Outlook for STS 44, Nov. 14, 1991 .]

OISCOVERY: ORBITER PROCESSING

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians are engaged in a variety of

processing activities: preparations to install the payload laboratory; cleaning of

the payload bay; testing of the orbital maneuvering system pods and the forward

reaction control system; thermal protection system operations; testing of the

auxiliary power units; checks of the main engine systems; servicing of the Orbiter

with potable water; installation of heat shields around the main engines. Work

scheduled includes: servicing of the ammonia boiler; installation of the

Intemational Microgravity Laboratory-1 on November 17. [KSC SHU'I-rLE STATUS

REPORT. 10 A.M., Nov. 14, 1991.]

n ENDEAVOUR: ROBOT ARM II_RTAI,I_TION

The robot arm (or remote manipulator system) is being installed in the Space

Shuttle Endeavour in OPF Bay 1. Technicians are also: testing the orbital

maneuvering system pods; elevon cove seal installation; thermal protection

system operations; checkout of the main propulsion system; leak and functional

tests of the auxiliary power units; testing of the electrical interfaces in the power

reactant storage and distribution system; Ku-band systems test; environmental

control system testing. Endeavour's three main engines will be installed next

week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 14, 1991 .]

228 _.-_
I] TRULY RELEASES NASA STUDY

NASA Administrator _ H. Truly today released an internal agency report on

roles and responsibilities of NASA centers and Headquarters offices, fulfilling a

pledge "to move out aggressively across the board" on the recommendations by

the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program. Truly directed

former Deputy Administrator James FL "Ilmmpson to undertake this assessment

in late 1990. It represents the first comprehensive look at NASA roles and

responsibilities in over 10 years. "J. R. submitted his plan to me on Friday

(November 8) and I think he deserves a lot of credit for the outstanding analysis

of the agency he has performed," Truly said. "1 intend to give these

recommendations careful consideration as we continue to make NASA an even

better agency." Thompson's report focuses on three main thrusts: building on

NASA field organizations as Centers of Excellence in specific areas of science,

technology and development; a reminder to "stick to basics" in engineering

disciplines and program management and realignment of certain NASA

Headquarters office responsibilities (within the context of recent organizational

changes) to achieve more effective program execution. Truly has recently

instituted aggressive changes in NASA's management and organization as the

agency positions Itseff to most effectively execute America's space program in the

coming decades.

The Thompson plan would have a dramatic effect upon Kennedy Space Center

and Brevard County. The report calls for about 100 top Shuttle Program

managers to relocate to KSC, which would become the lead NASA field center for

the Shuttle Program, replacing Johnson Space Center in that position. "One

hundred executive positions will have a very positive economic impact. It will

stimulate the creation of an equal number of jobs in other areas, such as real

estate and retail," said Lawrence Wuensch, President of the Brevard Economic

Development Corp. "The economy needs some good news. It could use a

boost." The plan also calls for the Shuttle Project Managers at JSC and Marshall

Space Flight Center to be moved to KSC to consolidate Shuttle operations at the

launch site. The first part of the move could take as much as a year to implement

and more workers might follow the first 100. Thompson's recommendations will

be discussed December 9-10 at a NASA meeting with Truly, headquarters officials,

center directors and their deputies. [NASA/KSC News Release No. 91-190, Nov.

14, 1991.]

rl ELECTRONICS BOX PROBLEM: NO DELAY

A maifunctioning circuit in an electronics box will not delay the launch of Atlantis

on its STS 44 mission November 19. The electronics box is used to relay

information about the performance of a Shuttle rocket booster steedng system to

the Orbiter's computers and ground controllers. The circuit's faulty performance

was detected in a test November 13. The Shuttle's computers get the same

information from three other sources, so managers are not calling the problem a

threat to launch. Workers are continuing with their usual prelaunch preparations

at Launch Complex 39A; they are completing work on Atlantis' 15-story external

"-- 229
tank and its SRBs. No othertechnicalproblemsexist to date; KSC Launch

Director _ B. Slack said, "We still have a few days to go." Air Force

meteorologists are predicting a 50% chance of favorable weather for launch

November 19. They are pdmadly concemed about a chance of scattered showers

and thunderstorms in the KSC area. [Banks, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 15,

1991 .]

Nmmmber 15:. INSTAU,I 

Final ordnance operations Including checks of the firing circuits have been

completed at Launch Complex 39A in preparation for launch of STS 44 on

November 19. Technicians were also able to resolve a measurement for a

hydraulic actuator on the right booster and dosed out the booster forward skirts

and the extemai tank intertank for launch. As launch countdown preparations

continue at the pad, non-flight items such as protective covers from the reaction

control system thrusters are being removed; flight crew equipment has been

stowed in the crew cabin and platforms have been removed from the crew cabin;

the hazardous gas detection system has been verified at the pad and payload

closeouts are continuing. [KSC SHUI"R.E STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 15,

1991.]

I1 DISCOVERY: PAYLOAD BAY CLEANING

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians are cleaning Discovery's payload

bay in preparation for Installing the payload laboratory (IML-1); leak and functional

tests of the waste containment system are continuing and the ammonia boiler is

being serviced. Other work in progress: testing of the orbital maneuvering

system, pods and the forward reaction control system; thermal protection system

operations; checks of the main engine systems; installation of heat shields around

the main engines. The International Microgravity Laboratory-1 will be installed on

November 17. [KSC SHU'I'rI.E STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 15, 1991 .]

I] ENDEAVOUR: ROBOT ARM INSTALLED

Workers in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 have Installed a robot arm in

Endeavour; they have also completed leak checks of the elevon cove seals. Work

in progress: preparations to check out the robot arm; testing of the orbital

maneuvering system pods; thermal protection system operstJons; checkout of the

main propulsion system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units;

testing of the electrical interfaces in the power reactant storage and distribution

system; Ku-band systems test; environmental control system testing. Workers will

begin to install Endeavours three main engines on November 18. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS R_PORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 15, 1991 .]

n CONSOUDATION MAY COST JOBS AT K_C

"1think you'll see some people moving to KSC, and I also think it'll give us an

opportunity for some overall reductions in what it takes [at KSC]" to prepare

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30
Shuttles for launch, according to former Deputy Administrator J. R. "_.

He declined to estimate the number of jobs.thst might be lost. "It depends on

how it's done and how it's phased in." "Afterthe Challenger accident," Thompson

continued, "we put a lot of eyes on all the hardware. We tried to make everybody

a part of it. At that time we just wanted to get back flying again. I think it was

right at the time. But now, looking for the long haul, I think we can streamline the

way we operate it and be safer, more efficient and less costly." NASA is

considering Thompson's recommended plan to move some 100 engineers and

program managers to KSC from centers in Texas and Alabama. The idea was first

proposed by a presidential commission and is now suggested by Thompson.

[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 16, 1991, "Bring Shuttle Bosses Home to

Launch Site," editorial, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12A, Nov. 21, 1991 .]

g S'i'S 44 CREW ARRIVES TODAY

"The whole team is primed for launch and there are no big issues on the horizon,"

according to Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Lisa Malone; the STS 44 crew

is due to arrive today at 6:30 p.m. to begin three days of briefings and final

mission preparations. Grogow and I-lefvicks will practice landings in the Shuttle

Training Aircraft on the Shuttle Landing Facility. Workers at LC 39A are filling

propellant storage tanks, testing electrical and communications systems and

watching the weather which offers a 60% chance of liftoff on November 19.

[Banke, "Atlantis Crew Arrives Today," FLORIOA TODAY, p. 7A, Nov. 16, 1991 .]

November 16: STS 44 CREW ARRIVES

"it's good to come down here as the Cape is finishing up their work so we can

start our work," said STS 44 Pilot Tom l-lenridcs on arrival at Kennedy Space

Center with his five crew mates: Commander Fred _, Payload Specialist

Hennen and Mission Specialists James Voes, Mado Runco and Story

Musgrave. 'We should have a great time up there," added Commander Gregory.

=We have a great crew. We've been training for about a year and I think at this

point we're fully prepared to go and not only accomplish all the mission, but enjoy

ourselves at the same time." Musgrave will be making his fourth Shuttle flight. He

said, "I'm the chief cook and bottle-washer on this flight, which is one of the more

rewarding tasks." The payload doors were closed on Atlantis for the final time

before launch. Lt. Col. John Traxler, the Air Force manager in charge of preparing

the Defense Support Program satellite for launch, said, "itwas really a joy to watch

the doors dose. There was an enthusiastic payload launch team out there." AI

Sofge, NASA Shuttle Test Director, said thateverything was on schedule and that

there were no major technical problems. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Nov.

17, 1991.]

n STS 44 WILL LAND AT KSC

"I'm sure you've heard that there are hazards associated with landing in Florida

versus California, but we think we can control those by taking a close look at the

weather forecast," said Atlantis Pilot Tom Henricks after his arrival at KSC. He

--- 231
notedone benefitof landingin FloridaoverCalifomla: "Ifwe do land in Florida

it reducesthe risk associatedwith transportingthe vehicle across the country."

[Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Nov. 17, 1991 .]

17:. S'R 44:L-2 DkYS

•At this point everything looks squeaky dean, and we hope it continues that way,"

according to Eric Reddlng, a NASA Test Director. Ed Pmelec, Shuttle Weather

Officer at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, said 'ff we were to get showers in the

ares, they would probably be relatively short-lived, so even If we get some weather

in here we should be able to work around it." The STS 44 mlsaion marked the

first time that the Department of Defense had provided some mission details,

though the Defense Support Program satelllte's destination remained secret. "It's

just made for a better carnaredede between us and NASA, and among the

payload team, because we're able now to talk about it In the open," said Air Force

Test Director Lt. Col. John Trexler. The STS 44 launch countdown began on time

last nlght at 12 mldnlght EST at the T-43 hour mark. Managers have no issues

or concerns about the vehicle at this time. Launch of Atlantis remains scheduled

for the opening of a two and a half hour window at 6:51 p.m. EST. Today, the

launch team is preparing for loadlng the fuel cell storage tanks, activating the

navlgatlon aids, and preperlng the main engines for launch. At 4:00 p.m. today,

the countdown will enter the first planned built-in hold at the T-27 hour mark. The

hold will last four hours. Later tonight the launch team will load liquid oxygen and

llquld hydrogen reactants into the Orbiter's onboard fuel cell storage tanks. This

operation is scheduled from 10 p.m. tonight to 4 a.rn. tomorrow. The countdown

will enter a second four-hour planned hold at the T-19 hour mark which will extend

from 4 - 8 a.m. Monday (November 18). Monday, the Orbiter's communications

systems will be actlvu-ted and the navigation aids will be tested. The Rotating

Service Structure will be moved away from the vehicle at 5 p.m. Monday night.

Loading the extemai tank will half a million gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid

hydrogen propellants is scheduled to begin Jt 10:31 a.m. Tuesday. STS 44 crew

members arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility yesterday (November 16)

afternoon. Today, the crew will receive a bdef medical exam, perform fit checks

of equipment they will take onboard with them and review flight data files.

Commander Fred Gregoly, Pilot Tom Handcks and Mission Speciaiist Story

Musgrave will fly in the Shuttle Training Aircraft later today. Weather forecasts for

the time of launch are favorable with a 50 percent chance of having acceptable

conditions at the opening of the launch window. There is a 60 percent chance of

acceptable weather for the duration of the launch window. Scattered showers, the

cloud thickness, and some limited possibility for ceilings below 8,000 feet are the

concems. [KSC SHUTI'LE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 17, 1991, Haivorson,

FLORI[;)A TODAY, p. 9E, Nov. 17, 1991, L-1 Day Weather Forecast for STS 44,

Nov. 18, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 18, 1991, KSC SHU'I'I'LE

STATUS REPORT, 11 A.M., Nov. 18, 1991, "Launching of Space Shuttle Set for

Tuesday Night," NEW YORK TIMES, p. A6, Nov. 18, 1991, Hoversten, USA TODAY,

p. 3A, Nov. 18, 1991, Lean/, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. B9, Nov. 19, 1991 .]

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32 V
November 18: ATLANTIS READY TO FLY

"The bottom line is that the satellite is in good shape and we're ready to launch,"

said Air Force Col. John Kkk:l, Mission Director for the Department of Defense.

Shuttle Program Director Robed L Cdppen said, "We promised the Air Force we'd

launch the satellite before the year was out and actually we're well ahead of the

schedule." Shuttle weather watcher Air Force Capt. Mike Adams said, "The

pdmary threat will be rain showers within 20 miles of the launch complex."

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 19, 1991, Leery, THE NEW YORK

p. B9, Nov. 19, 1991 .]

November 19: 8TS44 PO,.RTPONED

Space Shuffle Program officials have worked out a schedule to remove and

replace an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) guidance and navigation component which

could lead to a launch of the postponed STS 44 mission as early as Sunday,

November 24. "That's the day we're going to shoot for," said KSC spokesman

Bruce Buckingham. "We looked at all the work we need to do, laid it all side by

side on paper, and it all pointed to Sunday." Launch had been scheduled for this

evening during a window opening at 6:51 p.m. EST. The launch was postponed

in midmoming due to a malfunctioning Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit

(RIMU) aboard the IUS which would place a military satellite in a higher orbit after

deployment from the Orbiter Atlantis. Robed B. 81sck, Shuffle Launch Director,

said that the RIMU aboard the Inertial Upper Stage would have to be replaced with

a spare and the replacement unit would have to be tested; the process was

expected to take from five to seven days. 'Our approach is to be ready to go

when we get all the work done," Sieck said. "This will take us into next week." Lt.

Col. Emie Jaskolaid said that the IUS could operate with only three pairs of

navigational instruments, but that flight rules require that all such units be

operational at liftoff.

"Think of it as a little light switch going on, telling you something went wrong.

Well, this light went on 24 times in thee hours," said Air Force Major Bob Thunker,

Chief of Launch Vehicle Engineering for the 6555th Aerospace Test Group at

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. "It would appear there was no way we could

have known this was coming," said NASA Spaceflight Chief William I.enoir. Work

underway at Complex 3g's Pad A now includes work platform extension and

offloading of fuel cell cryogenics. Pad workers should have access to the

Orbiter's payload bay by Wednesday (November 20) morning, allowing removal

and replacement of the malfunctioning Ine_al Measurement Unit aboard the IUS.

ff removal, replacement and retest work goes as planned, and the new RIMU is

cleared for flight, the countdown could be picked up at the T-43 hour mark at

midnight on Thursday (November 21) leading to launch on November 24 at 6:31

p.m. EST. A crew statement issued through Commander Frederick Gmgo_ said:

"While we're anxious to begin our mission as soon as possible, we also recognize

the importance of making sure that our flight is both safe and successful in

completing its prime objective - the deployment of the DSP satellite. We look

forward to launching as soon as we are given the go ahead." Payload Specialist

-_-_ 233
Thomas Hennenand MissionSpecialistMado Runcowill remainat Kennedy

Space Center until the launch. CommanderFradedckGregow, Pilot Tom

I-lenddm,MissionSpecialistStolyI_ and, perhaps, James Voes will return

to Johnson Space Center to practice launches in NASA's Shuttle Mission

Simulator. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 19,

1991, Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 20, 1991, teary, THE NEW

YORK TIMES, p. A13, Nov. 20, 1991 .]

!1 ENDEAVOUR GETS SSME'S

•It's pretty significant for us...and it makes the vehicle look a lot more like a rocket

ship," said F.dc Ckmlon, Lockheed Space Operations Co. Manager in Charge of

Endeavour; he referred to the installation in the newest Orbiter's of its three main

engines. Clanton's NASA counterpart John "TIp" Talone said, "It's all starting to

come together. Were got plenty of work in front of us, but we're starling to feel

a lot more encouraged." [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 20, 1991 .]

_20:. STS 44: WAmNG, AGAIN

Workers at Launch Complex 39A have offioaded ree.ctants from the fuel cell

storage tanks and opened payload bay doors early this moming. Yesterday's

postponement because of a faulty RIMU came before tanking operations for the

launch began. Currently operations are underway to replace the defective

Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit on the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). The RIMU,

built by Hamilton Standard, is the major navigation component of the upper stage.

"We're in good shape as far as the change-out operation," said KSC

spokeswoman Usa Malone. If the new RIMU passes all its tests, countdown to

launch begins, again, at 12:01 a.m. EST Friday, November 22; the payload bay

doors will be closed for flight at 2:00 p.m. with a predicted launch at 6:31 p.m.

EST on Sunday, November 24. Some of the STS 44 flight crew members will fly

in to Kennedy Space Center this alternoon in their T-38 tra;ning aircraft.

Tomorrow, November 21, Commander Fred Gragmy, Pilot Tom Hendcks and

Mission Specialists Slonj I_ and Jim Voss ere planning a brief trip to

Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) to practice in the Shuttle simulator; they will

retum to KSC late Friday, November 22. Crew members Mado Runco and

Thomas Hennen will remain at KSC. The weather outlook for November 24

Includes a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather at the opening of the launch

window at 6:31 p.m. and a 70 percent chance of good weather for the duration

of the launch window. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 12 Noon, Nov. 20,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 21, 1991 .]

g IMI,-1 INSTALLED ON DISCOVERY

In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, technicians have installed in Discovery the

Intemational Microgravity Laboratory-1 which is the centerpiece of the STS 42

mission. Leak and functional testing of the waste containment system has also

been completed. Preparations have begun for the interface verification test

between the payload laboratory and the Orbiter. The orbital maneuvering system

34 "'=_--
pods and the forward mac'don control system are being tested; thermal protection

system (files) operations have also begun along with checks of the main engine

system. [K$C SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 12 Noon, Nov. 20, 1991 .]

g ENGINES 1 & 2 INSTALLED: ENDEAVOUR

Technicians in OPF Bay 1 have installed all three main engines in Endeavour. The

third main engine was being installed today when technicians detected a problem

with a liquid oxygen line which forced installation work to be halted temporarily.

The line was thought to have a bad weld and was checked by X-ray; no such

faulty weld was found and installation work resumed, according to KSC

spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Work in progress: checkout of the robot arm;

preparations for tests of the fuel cells; evaluation of a weld in the propellant

feedline for the No. 3 main engine; testing of the orbital maneuvering system

pods; thermal protection system operations; checkout of the main propulsion

system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; testing of the

electdcal interfaces in the power reactant storage and distribution system; Kuband systems test; environmental control system testing. Endeavour's maiden

flight - STS 49 - is tentatively scheduled for April 9, 1992; preparations, however,

are presently six weeks behind schedule. [[<SC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 12

Noon, Nov. 20, 1991, "Endeavour Gets Engine," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Nov. 21,

1991.]

_21: ATLANI'lS: RIMU Rt: i b.Sl b.O

"It looks like all of the problems are being fixed," said STS 44 crew member F.

Story Musgrave before departing for Johnson Space Center for further training

today. Atlan_ has received a new Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit; it was

Installed at 4 p.m. yesterday. A retest of the unit is in progress today at Launch

Complex 39A; the RIMU is the major navigational component of the inertial upper

stage which will boost the Defense Support Program satellite into orbit. Purges

of the power reactant storage and distribution system are also underway. The

launch countdown for STS 44 resumed at 12:01 a.m. today. The payload bay

doors of the Orbiter will be closed by noon today. Launch is now targeted for

6:31 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 24. Weather conditions are improving the

day of launch. Forecasters are predicting a 70 percent chance of acceptable

weather at the opening of the window and an 80 percent chance of good weather

for the duration of the launch period. Commander Fred Gmgonj, Pilot Tom

Herzddm and Mission Specialists Stow Musgrave, Jim Voas, Mark) Runco and

Payload Specialist Tom Hennen are planning a brief trip to Houston, TX, to

practice ascents in the Shuttle simulator. They plan to depart the Shuttle Landing

Facility in a Shuttle Training Aircraft at about 2 p.m. this afternoon and return to

KSC early on November 22. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 21,

1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 22, 1991, "Shuttle Preparations,' USA

TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 22, 1991 .]

"'-_ 235
1'1 DISCOVERY: GALLEY TI_S"I'6 DONE

Functional tests of Discovery's galley have been completed in OPF Bey 3. Work

in progress: interface verification testing between the payload laboratory and the

Orbiter; checks of the pressure in the main landing gear tires; testing of the orbital

maneuvering system pods and the forward reaction control system; thermal

protection system operations; installation of heat shields around the main engines;

retest of APU No. 1. The Specelab tunnel will be installed before Thanksgiving.

[KSC SHUTI'I._ STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 21, 1991.]

D ENDEAVOUR: SSME 3 INSTALLED

Technicians installed Endeavour's number 3 main engine today in Orbiter

Processing Facility Bey 1. Work in progress: checkout of the robot arm;

preparations for tests of the fuel cells; closaouts of the midbody of the Orbiter;

evaluation of the water coolant loop No. 1 line; thermal protection system

operations; leak and functional tests of the auxJllary power units; environmental

control system testing. Scheduled work: electrical redundancy test of the orbital

maneuvering system and reaction control system; tests of the Ku-band system.

[KSC SHUTI"LE STATU_ RI_,PORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 21, 1991 .]

November 22 WEATHER A LAUNCH DAY CONCERN

A cold front headed east from Texas is bdnging a threat of thunderstorms and

high winds to the Space Coast. Forecasters are presently predicting a 70 percent

chance for launch of STS 44 at 6:31 p.m. November 24. The countdown began

on schedule this moming. Ai Sofge, Shuttle Test Director, said that the count was

running smoothly except for a few "nickel and dime problems that you have when

you have a compUcated rocket ship." Air Force Lt. Col. Emle Jmkoisld said the

problem with the navigation unit which had to be replaced had been traced to one

of five sets of instruments in the unit's power supply. The replacement unit

showed no problems of any sort during testing. [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, Nov. 23, 1991 .]

November 23: PAYLOAD CLEARED FOR LAUNCH

Air Force officials have tentatively cleared Atlantis' prime cargo, a Defense Support

Program satellite, for launch November 24; the payload must pass a critical test

of its replacement navigation unit. Officials expressed confidence that the

replacement unit will operate properly despite the fact that workers have been

unable to recreate the malfunction and explain its cause. A final decision from the

Air Force will come about 9 a.m. tomorrow. Meanwhile, meteorologists are

watching an approaching cold front but still predict a 70 percent chance of

favorable weather tomorrow evening for the 6:31 p.m. EST launch. [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 24, 1991 .]

V

36
November 24: ATLANTIS UGHTS THE SKY

Atlantis roared off its launch pad a mere thirteen minutes late - at 6:44 p.m. EST;

it rolled over onto its back and headed for orbit in an 8 1/2 flight. The Orbiter

could still be seen seven minutes into its flight. Six hours after Iiftoff the crew

deployed the Defense Support Program satellite and settled down to spend the

next nine days making observations in support of the DOD program. "We had a

great day," said Shuttle Launch Director Robert B. Sieck after liftoft. '_/e have a

lot to be proud of, and as we look forward to Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be

thankful for." The launch was delayed thirteen minutes to allow liquid oxygen

propellant time to chill to a temperature of minus 323 degrees Fahrenheit. During

loading, a liquid oxygen leak was discovered in the mobile launcher platform;

work to fix the leak delayed the propellant's reaching the proper pre-launch

temperature. STS 44 represented the last Shuttle launch under the administration

of Formst S. McCartney. After the successful liftoff, the launch team in Firing

Room 1 gave the retired Air Force Ueut. General a standing ovation. "I've been

here for all the launches, and that was a first," said Sieck. Atlantis is scheduled

to land Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 2:20 p.m., December

4. On hand in the VIP Shuttle Viewing Area for the seventh night launch of the

Shuttle Era were former KSC Director _ Smith and actors Dennis Quaid and

Debm Winger. [Broad, THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A7, Nov. 25, 1991, Halvorson,

FLORIDA TODAY, pp. 1A-2A, Nov. 25, 1991, "Hot Celebrities, Cool Weather, Big

Crowds Give Atlantis A Sendoff," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Nov. 25, 1991, "Atiantis

Lifts Off, Deploys Satellite," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Nov. 25, 1991 .]

November 25: PICARD GREETS ATLANTIS CREW

The crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis got a wake-up call this moming from

science fiction's future as the theme song from "Star Trek: The Next Generation"

was heard in the crew cabin followed by the voice of Patrick Stewart: "Space, the

final frontier. This is the voyage of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It's 10-day mission:

to explore new methods of remote sensing and observation of the planet Earth;

to seek out new data on radiation in space, and a new understanding of the

effects of microgravity on the human body; to boldly go where 255 men and

women have gone before. This is Patrick Stewart choosing not to outrank you as

Capt. Jean-Luc Plcard, saying that we are confident of a productive and

successful mission. Make it so." At Port Canaveral, the two solid rocket boosters

which helped propel Atlantis into space were expected to arrive this afternoon.

Preliminary inspection showed some damage to the left booster, perhaps caused

when it hit the water of the Atlantic Ocean. A detailed inspection will be performed

once the boosters are on the stands at Hangar AF to determine the cause of

damage. Sea state conditions that night were 6-8 feet. Booster performance in

flight was nominal.[Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Nov. 26, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 26, 1991 .]

il DISCOVERY: "I'PS OPERATIONS

Processing operations continue in the OPF Bay 3 on the Space Shuttle Discovery.

_- 237
Activities include: installation of the Spacelab tunnel; testing of the orbital

maneuvedng system pods; cleaning of the payload bay; installation of sleep

stations In the crew module; closing out the midbody of the orbiter; thermal

protection system operations; Installation of heat shields around the main engines.

Scheduled work: leak check of the Spacelab tunnel on November 29 and aft

cloeeouts next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 26, 1991.]

g ENDEAVOUR: SYSTEM

An electrical redundancy test of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction

control system is underway upon Endeavour in the Orbiter Processing Facility Bay

1. Other work in progress includes: tests of the Ku-band antenna; functional test

of the freon coolant loop; closeouts of the orbiter's midbody; installation of struts;

tests of the fuel cells; thermal protection system operations; environmental control

system testing; testing of the main propuieion system; leak checks of the potable

water system, rKSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Nov. 26, 1991 .]

No,amber 27: ATIANgS BOOSllER8

The STS 44 solid rocket boosters, which ardved at Hangar AF yesterday, are

being Inspected today. The exact cause of damage to the forward skirt has not

yet been determined. There is a buckled area half way around the forward skirt

and a tom eection. There are some creases in the left forward motor, case. Sea

state conditions on the night of the launch were 6-8 feet. Booster performance

in flight was nominal. SRB cases have been creased in the past due to high sea

state conditions at the time the booster impacted the ocean. The damaged cases

can not be reused. Booster employees are scheduled to have a four-day holiday

weekend and will resume disassembly operations next week. It takes about 10

days to ready the segments for shipment back to _e vendors for refurbishment.

rKSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Nov. 27, 1991 .]

g SPACELAB INSTALLED: DISCOVERY

In OPF Bay 3, processing workers completed the Installation of the Spacelab

tunnel in Discovery. Work in progress: testing of the orbital maneuvering system

pods; cleaning of the payload bay; closing out the midbody of the Orbiter; thermal

protection system operations; installation of heat shields around the main engines.

Work scheduled includes: the installation of check valves in the main propulsion

system and a leak check of the Spacelab tunnel on November 29; aft closeouts

begin next week. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Nov. 27, 1991 .]

rl ENDEAVOUR: ELECTRICAL REDUNDANCY TEST

In Orbiter Processing Bay 1, a number of processing activities are underway upon

Endeavour: electrical redundancy test of the orbital maneuvering system and

reaction control system; tests of the Ku-band antenna; functional tests of the freon

coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody; installation of struts; tests of the

fuel cells; thermal protection system operations; environmental control system

238
testing;testingof the mainpropulsionsystem;leakchecksof the potable water

system. [KSC SHUTTLI_. STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Nov. 27, 1991 .]

g BOC: EG&G STARTS TENTH YEAR

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL, has awarded EG&G Florida, Inc., a

govemment services division of EG&G, Inc. (Wellesley, IV[A),a 1-year extension of

its existing contract for base operations services valued at approximately $197.1

million. The extension, effective January 1 through December 31,1992, brings the

cumulative value of the contract to $1.46 billion. This is the ninth extension to the

base operations contract awarded to EG&G in January 1988. Under the costplus-award-fee extension, EG&G will continue to provide institutional and technical

support services for utilitlas, grounds and facilities, administrative requirements,

technical operations and health and protective services at the Kennedy Space

Center. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Nov. 27, 1991 .]

November 30: KSC AWARDS

Kennedy Space Center has awarded 44 civil service and contractor employees

with Manned Space Flight Awareness Program Honoree Awards. "These

individuals were selected for their professional dedication to and outstanding

achievement in support of the manned space flight program," said Raymond

Corey, KSC Public Affairs Office. Nine cMI service employees were honored:

JosephLachar,ThomuSchehl,OecarGambo GerVudeMcCantod Thomas

Swanson, Larry Sloan, Rellm Hart, Roger Uang and John Manning. There were

thirteen Lockheed Space Operations Co. employees given Honoree Awards:

sanctaarongL Ck oy,EdwardDubenn,Madode Danny UW,

Ferguson, _ Gooden, Donna Herring, Dano LoPresti, Madlee

Maddin, Claude Rhodes, David Shedlf, Wilson Wiikms. Other contractor

employees honored were: Val Miller and James Rymkos (Bionatics Corp.); NeU

Rever (Honeywell Federal Systems Inc.); P. T. Swartley (IBM Corp.); Timothy

Knowlas (Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems); James Jones and Robert Rios

(Rockwell Intemational Corp.'s Rocketdyne Division); Nancy Burgess (Rockwell

Intemattonal Corp.'s Space Systems DMsion); Dennis Salmon (MicheUn Aircraft

Tire Corp.); Joseph Glover (Wiltech Corp.); Usa Delaney (Grumman Technical

Services Inc.); David Aungst and Michael Jacobson (Thiokol Corp.); David Allen

(Johnson Controls World Services Inc.); Denise DeVito, Dennis Gardner, Lou Ann

Janes and Michele Robertson (McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co.); Patricia

McDaniels (Bamsi Inc.); Albert Wallace and Lee Zook (United Technologies USBI)

and Joseph Jonaldn (Sunstrand Aerospace Mechanical Division). ["Space Center

Workers' Corrtnbutions Honored," FLORIDA TODAy, p. 9E, Dec. 1, 1991 .]

g SNOOPY AWARDS PRESENTED

Astronauts David Wolf and Rick Searfoss presented Sliver Snoopy Awards to the

following EG&G Florida employees recently: Paul Hiee, Jud'dh Hugoboom, William

Padon, Tony Peckich, Barbara Wilder and Ulllan BarKm. The Manned Space

Flight Awareness Program sponsors the Silver Snoopys; it is the second most

239
g

prestigious of the Program's awards. EG&G Rorida Inc. is Kennedy Space

Center's base operations contractor. ["Astronauts Present Sliver Snoopy Awards,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Dec. 1, 1991 .]

ATIANTIS HOME EARLY: IMU FAILURE

The Space Shuttle Atiantts will end its mission three days early because one of

three navigational devices - an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) - has failed. "In

this case, the rlsk of losing another IMU is low, but the gain of continued

operations over the rest of the flight is probably also low," said Gray Coen,

Mlsslon Operatlons Director. "When we're in that low-risk/low-gain probability, our

flight rules rationale says to be conservative and end the mission." Right safety

rules also mandate a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, where the lakebed

runway is longer than the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

There have been three other Shuttle missions cut short: Columbia in December

1990; Discovery in August 1985; Columbia in November 1981. [Brown, FLORIDA

TODAY. pp. 1A-2A, Dec. 1, 1991 .]

240
DECEMBER

December1: ATLANTIS LANDS AT EDWARDS AFB

g

•Welcome home, Atlantis, and congratulations on a great flight," said astronaut

Robert Cabana from JSC's Mission Control (Houston, TX). Cabana spoke to the

six-member crew of Atlantis after it touched down on the lakebed runway of

Edwards Air Force Base, CA, three days eadler and a continent away from its

primary landing site, Kennedy Space Center. Touchdown came at 5:34 p.m. EST.,

six days, 22 hours, 50 minutes and 42 seconds after launch. Landing occurred

at the conclusion of orbit 109. Preliminary Inspections in California showed that

Atlantis retumed from space in good condition with little apparent damage to the

thermal protection system. "It was an unfortunate circumstance that we had to

bring the crew home early, and I'm sure they felt a little bit bad about that," said

astronaut Sieve Nagel, acting chief of the astronaut office, in a press conference

held after the successful landing. "BUt, all in all it was a very good day for us, and

we're happy to have the crew back. They're all in excellent health and good

spirits and glad to be home, albeit a couple days early," he added. KSC recovery

teams are at Dryden Flight Research Facility in California. It is estimated that

Atlantis could depart for Florida on December 7 to begin a two-day ferry flight

back to KSC. Pending the completion of planned work and good weather, the

vehicle could arrive at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, December 8. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A.-2A, Dec. 2, 1991, KSC SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, 10

A.M., Dec. 2, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Dec. 3, 1991.]

DISCOVERY: TUNNEL LEAK CHECKS

Following the installation of the Spacelab tunnel in Discovery, technicians in OPF

Bay 3 conducted leak tests of the tunnel and installed check valves in the main

propulsion system. Work in progress: start of aft compartment cloeeouts; testing

of the orbital maneuvering system pods; cleaning of the payload bay; closing out

the midbody of the Orbiter; thermal protection system operations. A crew

equipment interface test is planned for December 4 with the STS 42 flight crew.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 2, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR: FUEL CELL TESTS

Endeavour's fuel cells have been tested in OPF Bay 1; the payload bay doors

have been closed for tile work and functional tests of the crew hatch have been

completed. An anti-skid test of the Orbiter's brakes has been scheduled. Work

in progress: flight readiness test of the three main engines; tests of the main

engine regulators; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; electrical

redundancy test of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system;

functional test of the fraon coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody;

Installation of struts; thermal protection system operations; environmental control

system testing; testing of the main propulsion system; leak checks of the potable

water system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 2, 1991 .]

..___- 241
_2: ATLANTIS: FERRY FUGHT PLANS

"Right now the plan is for us to ferry out Saturday moming [December 7]," said

Atlantis Vehicle Manager Bob Hill "If we get a few good breaks and the weather

cooperates, there's a possibility we may get out Fdday afternoon." An initial look

at the Orblter's brakes and tlles shows that there was very little damage to the

vehicle. "Whet that adds up to in my book is a very clean vehicle that's not going

to cause us any undue perturbations when we get back to the Cape to turn it

around for the next flight," Hill added. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 3,

ls91.]

ATLANnS:DRYDENFERRYOPB 'nONS

Kennedy Space Center recovery teems are preparing Atlantis for its return trip to

Rodda scheduled to begin later this week. If work continues to go well, there is

a possibility that the ferry flight could begin Friday. A nominal two-day ferry flight

is planned with a refueling and overnight stopover in Texas. Weather conditions

will dictate the flight path and duration of the cross-country piggyback flight.

Hydmlaslng operations are underway on the STS 44 solid rocket boosters at

Hangar AF to strip the cork and foam from the lower segments. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 3, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 8A, Dec. 4,

1991 ,KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 4, 1991 .]

O STS42 CREW/UF V EXPECTED

A crew equipment interface test is planned for today with the STS 42 Discovery

crew on hand for the test. Sleep stations for the crew have been installed. The

STS 42 includes: Commander Ronald J. _, Pilot SI_ S. Oswald, Mission

Specialists Norman E "1"_, Wffilam F. Reeddy, David C. I-Ulmem and Payload

Specialists Roberta L Bondar and UIf D. Merbold. The crew is expected to remain

here through Thursday (December 5). KSC spokesman Milch Varnes said, '_'he

crew is coming to inspect the intedor of the module and assure themselves that

everything is just as they wish?Work in progress: aft compartment closeout; test

and verification of connections between the laboratory tunnel and the Orbiter and

IML payload; leak checks of the main propulsion system; testing of the orbital

maneuvering system pods and forward reaction control system; closing out the

midbody of the Orbiter; thermal protection system operations. Current planning

has Dlecovery being moved from OPF Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly Building by

December 13 and to Launch Complex 39A about five days later, i.e., December

18. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 3, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA

TODAY, p. 8A, Dec. 4, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec.

4, 1901.]

I] I_NDEAVOUR: PROCESSING PROGI:ESS

Processing activities in OPF Bay 1 on the Space Shuttle Endeavour include:

Right readiness testing of the three main engines; tests of the main engine

regulators; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; electrical
redundancytestof the orbitalmaneuveringsystemandreactioncontrolsystem;

functionaltest of the freon coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody;

Installation of struts; thermal protection system operations; environmental control

system testing; testing of the main propulsion system; leak checks of the potable

water system; anti-skid test of the Orbiter's brakes. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 3, 1991, KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M.,

Dec. 4, 1991 .]

December 4-. ITALY'S MALERBA TOURS

Italy's first astronaut, Franco Maledoa, toured Kennedy Space Center today with

other Italian representatives; the group stopped to have a look at the Tethered

Satellite System (TSS-I.) that Malerba will help launch July 2, 1992. "1think it's an

extraordinary adventure for me and the Italian aerospace industry. It's a great

honor to have this responsibility," Malerba said. The italian astronaut was

accompanied by a member of the TSS-1 crew, astronaut Jeffrey I-Ioffman, who

said, 'Getting (the tether) back is the hardest part. I think we have a very good

chance of getting the satellite out and of getting some real good science out of

it. Then we're going to do our darndest to try and get it back." His concem was

about the possibility that the tether might become wrapped around the Orbiter and

lead to the loss of the satellite. In California, workers continued to prepare Atlantis

for its retum trip to Florida. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A (Photo, p. 1A), Dec.

s, 1 1.]

December 5: ATLANTIS: TAIL CONE INSTALLATION

Work continues to prepare the Orbiter Atiantis for the fern/ flight which is

scheduled to depart Edwards at sundse on Saturday [December 7] for what is

nominally a two-day flight to Flodda. The tail cone is scheduled to be installed

tonight and the Orbiter will be powered down and mated to the 747 Shuttle Carrier

Aircraft tomorrow. Robotic hydrolesing operations are complete at Hangar AF and

preparations are underway to remove the aft skirts. A cold front is approaching

California from the northwest and a low is approaching from the southwest. It is

too early at this time to determine what effect, if any, these weather systems will

have on departure and the ferry flight activities. A ferry flight review is scheduled

to be held at 11:30 A.M. December 6. [KSC SHUI-I'LE STATUS REPORT, 10:30

A.M., Dec. 5, 1991, OV-IO4/ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT, NASA Dryden Flight

Research Facility-Edwards, CA, Dec. 5,1991, OV-IO4/ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 6, 1991, "Atlantis Begins Trip Home Today," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 7,

1991 .]

n CE! TEST SUCCESSFUL

Both Discovery and its STS 42 crew have successfully passed a crew equipment

interface test in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. RoUover of Discovery to the

Vehicle Assembly Building is planned for the end of next week. Work in progress:

functional test of the landing gear; aft compartment closeout; leak checks of the

main pr_0ulsion system; testing of the forward reaction control system; thermal

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protectionsystem operations. [KSC SHLrI-I'L_ STATUS REPORT, 10:30A.M., Dec.

5, 1991.]

g ENDEAVOUR: TESTING UNDERWAY IN OPF BAY 1

Installatlon of Endeavour's forward reaction control system Is scheduled for next

week in OPF Bay 1. Meanwhile, processing sctlvitiss continue: brake anti-skid

and nose wheel steering tests; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power

units; electrical redundancy testing of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction

control system; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody; functional test of the fTeon

coolant loop; thermal protection system operations; environmental control system

testing; testing of the main propulsion system; leak checks of the potable water

system. [K$C SHUTTI_ STATUS RE,PORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 5, 1991 .]

December 6: DISCOVERY: SPA_ READY FOR PAl;)

Thoroughly checked out and firmly tucked into the Orbiter Discovery's payload

bay, the Intemational Microgravity Laboratory-1 (IML-1) Spacelab module is now

ready to be transferred to Launch Complex 39A. IML-1 is the prime payload of

STS 42, the first Space Shuttle flight of 1992. Discovery is now inside Orbiter

Processing Fscility Bay 3 and is scheduled to be moved to the Vehicle Assembly

Building (VAB) next week. Inside the VAB, Discovery will be mated with its

extemal tank and twin solid rocket boosters. The STS 42 launch vehicle is slated

to be transported to the launch pad during the third week of December. More

than two years of planning and pre-mission processing by the KSC payloads

community were asssntially completed this week when the STS 42 astronauts

inspected the Spacalab module for the last time before their planned late January

Iiftoff. Routine system checks through launch and stowage of some flight

experiments are the only requirements left for the IML-1 processing team. "It (IML1) has been a very clean and smooth-flowing payload,' remarked Glenn Snydar,

KSC's STS 42 Payload Prccassing Manager. "The contractor and NASA teams

have worked hand-in-hand on IML-1, and we're now at a point where we're just

about ready to fly."

IML-1 is the first of a series of IML missions planned to fly aboard the Space

Shuttle this decade. All of these missions are dedicated to the study of life and

materials sciences in microgravity. The missions will specifically concentrate on

the intricate effects of weightlessness on living organisms and how materials react

in space. The IML program is a continuation of NASA's successful multi-national

space efforts. The venture is a combined partnership of NASA, the European

Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the French National

Center for Space Studies (CNES), the German Space Agency (DARA), and the

National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). A seven member

astronaut flight crew is scheduled to fly aboard Discovery on the IML-1 Space

Shuttle mission. The crew of the fourteenth flight of the Orbiter Discovery will

consist of Commander Ron Grabe, Pilot Steve Oswald, Mission Specialists

Norman Thagard, David Hilmem, and Bill Ruddy and Payload Specialists Roberla

Bonder and UIf Medx:dd. Bondar is a Canadian astronaut representing the

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Canadian Space Agency; Merbold, a German citizen, will represent the European

Space Agency on the IML-1 mission. [Vames, NASA/KSC RELEASE NO. 138-91,

Dec. 6, 1991.]

g AI"LANTIS: FERRY FUGHT READY

Work on the Orbiter Atlantis continued on schedule today for an early December

7 morning departure from Edwards Air Force Base (CA). ff weather conditions

permit, Atlantis will be ferded to Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX) for

refueling. If possible, Atlantis may continue on its first leg either to Columbus Air

Force Base (Columbus, MS) or Eglin Air Force Base (FL). A two-day ferry flight

is planned with the earliest possible arrival back at KSC judged to be mid-day

Sunday. Last night, the main engine tail cone was installed on Atlantis. Hydraulic

operations to position the aerosurfaces and raise the landing gear is in work.

Mating to the 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft is scheduled for tonight with back out of

the Mate-Demate Device targeted for midnight, PST. Arrival in Florida at Kennedy

Space Center is expected to be about noon on December 8. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 6, 1991, 0V-104, ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT,

Dec. 6, 1991 .]

g DBCOVERY: LANDING GEAR TESTS

Technicians in OPF Bay 3 have completed landing gear functional tests on

Discovery; they have also completed integrated hydraulic operations and final

aerosurface cycling. Work in progress: orbital maneuvering system functional

tests and checkouts; reaction control systems electrical redundancy tests; thermal

protection system operations (only six tile cavities remain). Scheduled work:

payload bay door cycle and towing to the Vehicle Assembly Building, now set for

December 13. Launch of the STS 42 mission is scheduled tentatively for January

22, 1992. [KSC SHUI"FLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 6, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 8, 1991 .]

n ENDEAVOUR: TIPS OPERATIONS

Thermal protection system operations are underway on Endeavour in OPF Bay 1.

Other processing activities include: power reactant storage and distribution

system tests and operations; auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests; brake

anti-skid checks; main propulsion system leak checks and testing. Scheduled:

Endeavour will receive its forward reaction control system from the Hypergolic

Maintenance Facility. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 6, 1991 .]

December 7: A'I1.AS LAUNCH SET FOR TODAY

"We're proceeding right ahead on schedule," said General Dynamics spokesman

Jack Isabel conceming today's evening launch of an Atlas rocket from Launch

Complex 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. An earlier At/as rocket,

carrying a Japanese communications satellite, had to be destroyed when one of

its two upper-stage engines shut down. That failure was caused by debris in an

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engine turbopump. The launch today will be of an upgraded AtJas Centaur called

an Atlas 2; the 156-foot rocket is twenty feet taller than its predecessor and

capable of lilting a 5,900 pound satellite into geosynchronous orbit. The Atlas 2

will liftabout 1,000 pounds more than its predecessor. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY,

p. 4A, Dec. 7, 1991, Date, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Dec. 7, 1991 .]

ATLANnSP, UP.NS

The Space Shuttle Atlantis, atop its Shuttle CanJer Aircraft, landed today at the

SLF at 12:27 p.m. Before landing at KSC, the SCA pilot flew along Brevard

County's coast to give local residents and toudets a look at the retuming Shuttle.

AtlanSs will be rolled Into an OPF hangar tomorrow to undergo post-flight

Inspections. The return to KSC was four days later than planned. [Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec. 8, 1991 .]

ATLAS-2 LAUNCHED FROM _S

The first Atlas-2 rocket launched successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force

Station's Launch Complex 36A at 5:47 p.m. The launch was delayed for 11

minutes due to the presence of aircraft in the launch area. There was also a brief

delay in confirming that the $85 million Eutelsat had separated from its booster.

"A few anxious moments, but the first Atlas-2 with the Eutelset spacecraft was a

success," said Air Force launch commentator Jim Codd. "1 can't tell you how

important this launch is to our future commercial business," said Cttarlie Uoyd,

General Dynamics Vice President and Managing Director of the Commercial

Launch Division. [Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 8, 1991, Date, THE

ORLANDO SENTINE_I_ Dec. 8, 1991 .]

NASA EXTENDS EG&G CONTRACT

EG&G Flodda, Inc.'s Base OperationsContract _,t Kennedy Space Center was

extended for another year today by NASA. The extension is valued at about

$197.1 million, raising the value of the overall BOC to $1.46 billion, according to

NASA officials. EG&G has held the BOC at KSC since January 1983. ["NASA

Extends EG&G Pact at KSC," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 10E, Dec. 8, 1991.

SPACE STATION BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Officials at Kennedy Space Center are confident that the new Space Station

Processing Facility now under construction at KSC will be ready to receive flight

hardware on schedule. The facility's completion date is August 1994. 'We're

moving along very well on this project. As early as October of 1993, we'll have

enough of the facility finished - the high bay will be completed - where we can

start installing some of the cables and ground support equipment," said Dick

Lyon, Space Station Manager at KSC. "It's the last place on Earth where you'll be

able to touch the flight hardware and run a final test. And that's exactly what our

job is. We expect the first flight hardware in less than four years, so we are truly

excited. Kennedy Space Center is the home of excitement. That's where you're

v
just a few weeks ahead of the fire and smoke and going into orbit." [Banke,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Dec. 8, 1991 .]

g DUFFY AWARDED SILVER SNOOPY

PhBip Dully, an employee at Kennedy Space Center with McDonnell Douglas

Space Systems Co., has been awarded a Silver Snoopy by astronaut Dave Wolf.

Duffy was recognized for his work on the Spacelab Intercom system used during

Columbia's June mission. ["Coveted Award Doled Out by NASA Astronaut,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Dec. 8, 1991 .]

December 8: DISCOVERY: IML-1 CLOSED FOR FLIGHT

The Intemational Microgravity Laboratory-I, primary payload of the STS 42 mission

aboard Discovery, has been closed out for flight. Discovery has had its final

payload bay cleaning; its Ku-band antenna has been stowed for flight; the aft

enginecompartment has been closed and orbital maneuvering system tests have

been completed. Work in progress: closing the payload bay doors for flight;

functional testing of the landing gear; leak checks of the main propulsion system;

testing of the forward reaction control system; thermal protection system

operations. Rollover of Discovery from OPF Bay 3 to the Vehicle Assembly

Building is scheduled for December 13. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30

A.M., Dec. 9, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 7A, Dec. 10, 1991.]

n ATI.,ANT1S TOWED TO OPF BAY 2

The Space Shuttle Atlantis, which rstumed to Kennedy Space Center yesterday

afternoon by Shuttle Carder Aircraft, was towed to OPF Bay 2 at 6 a.m. this

morning. Atlantis and its SCA left Dryden Flight Research Facility December 7 and

spent the night at Shepard Air Force Base (Wichita Fails, TX) before completing

its ferry flight to KSC. Workers are presently jacking and leveling the Orbiter and

gaining access to various areas of the vehicle such as the crew cabin and aft

compartment. Scheduled work includes: opening the payload bay doors;

removing the tail cone and ferry flight fittings; detailed inspections of the vehicle

and removal of the wheels and tires. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30

A.M., Dec. 9, 1991.]

g ENDEAVOUR: FRCS INSTALLATION SCHEDU .LED

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will have ;_ forward reaction control system

installed tomorrow in OPF Bay 1. Current work in progress: preparations to

install the FRCS; installation of heat shields around the three main engines; leak

and functional tests of the auxiliary power units; functional tests of the freon

coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody; thermal protection system

operations; environmental control system testing; testing of the main propulsion

system; leak checks of the potable water system. [KSC SHUTTLE_ STATUS

REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 9, 1991 .]

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December10:. DISCOVERY: PAylOAD DOORS CLOSED

The payload bay doors of the Space Shuttle Discovery have been closed by

technicians processing the Orbiter for its STS 42 flight in OPF Bay 3. Work in

progress includes: cycles of the nose landing gear door to check the fit of the tile

and thermal barrlars; closing out the crew module; testing of the forward reaction

control system; thermal protection system operations. Scheduled work:

determination of the Orbiter's weight and center of gravity on December 11 and

the rollover to the VAB targeted for the morning of December 13. [KSC SHU'FFLE

STATUS RI_PORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 10, t991.]

n A'R.ANTIS: POST-FUGHT INSPECTIONS

Preparations are underway in OPF Bay 2 to open the newly retumed Atlantis'

payload bay doors and to remove the tail cone and ferry flight fittings.

Technicians are also working to gain access to vadous areas of the vehicle such

as the crew cabin and aft compartment. Detailed poet-flight inspections of the

Orbiter are scheduled along with removal of the vehicle's wheels and tires. [KSC

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 10, 1991 .]

11 E]_IDF_VOUR PROCESSING PROGRESS

Work in progress in OPF Bay 1 on the Space Shuttle Endeavour includes:

preparations to install the forward reaction control system; installation of heat

shields around the three main engines; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary

power units; functional tests of the freon coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's

midbody; thermal protection system operations; environmental control system

testing; testing of the main propulsion system; leak checks of the potable water

system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT. 10:30 A.M., Dec. 10, 1991.]

December 11: DISCOVERY: CREW HATCH CLO6EI)

Technicians in OPF Bay 2 have closed Discovery's crew module hatch as part of

the processing effort for the Orbiter's STS 42 mission; the vehicle's final power

down has been completed, too. Determination of Discovery's weight and center

of gravity continues as do thermal protection system operations. Scheduled work:

attaching the Orbiter to the Orbiter transport tonight; retracting the landing gear

tomorrow and rollover to the VAB is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 11, 1991.]

g AIIANTI_: WHEELS AND TIRES REMOVED

The wheels and tires have been removed from Atlantis in OPF Bay 2. Work in

progress: preparations to open the payload bay doors; preparations to remove

the tail cone and ferry flight fittings ; post-flight tile inspections and stacking of the

right aft booster in the Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS

REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 11,1991, "NASA May Move Discovery Early," FLORIDA

TODAY. p. 5A, Dec. 11, 1991 .]

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248
n ENDEAVOUR: FRCS INSTALLED

Endeavour's forward reaction control system has been installed. Work in

progress: connections of the forward reaction control system; installation of heat

shields around the three main engines; tests of the power reactant storage and

distribution system; leak and functional tests of the auxUlary power units;

functional tests of the freon coolant loop; closeouts of the Orbiter's midbody;

thermal protection system operations; environmental control system testing;

testing of the main propulsion system and leak checks of the potable water

system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10:30 A.M., Dec. 11, 1991.]

Decomber 12: _ DISCOVERY: MEASUREMENTS COMPLETE

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 have determined the weight and

center of gravity of Discovery and have attached the Orbiter to its transporter.

Workers are currently retracting Discovery's landing gear and preparing to transfer

the vehicle to the Vehicle Assembly Building at about 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Scheduled work includas: mating Discovery to its external tank and solid rocket

boosters; the Shuttle Interface Test (set for Dec. 16), to verify connections

between the vehicle elements and the launch platform; rollout to Launch Complex

39A is planned for December 18. [KSC SHUTR.E STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Dec. 12, 1991, Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 3A, Dec. 13, 1991 .]

n ATLANTIS: TAIL CONE REMOVED

The tail cone has been removed from the Space Shuttle Atlantis in OPF Bay 2 and

the vehicle's payload bay doors have been opened. Workers are offloading STS

44 payload hardware from the payload bay; removing ferry flight fittings;

inspecting the thermal protection system for flight damage and stacking the right

aft booster in the VAB. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 12,

1991 .]

n E.NDEAVOUR: HEAT SHIELDS INSTALLED

Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 have installed heat shields around

the Endeavour's three main engines. Endeavour is scheduled to make its maiden

voyage - STS 49 - in April of next year. Work in progress: electrical connections

of the forward reaction control system; functional tests of the star tracker door;

leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers; tests of the power reactant

storage and distribution system; leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power

units; thermal protection system operations; environmental control system testing;

main propulsion system testing; and leak checks of the potable water system.

[KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 12, 1991 .]

n CHALLENGER TAPES: NO RELEASE

U. S. District Judge Norma HoBoway Jotmson ruled today that NASA will not have

to release sound recordings of the last moments in the lives of the Challenger 7

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astronauts; the space agency had already released transcripts. The suit had been

brought by The New York Times which argued that the recording might help show

what caused the accident in which the crew was killed on January 28, 1986.

Judge Johnson said, "Even assuming...there is some voice inflection or

background noise on the tape which indicates that the estronauts knew they were

going to die, this court cannot see how that information contributes to the public's

knowledge of how NASA operates." The judge noted that NASA had released a

complete transcript and said that a release of the tape could lead to "a disruption

of [the surviving families] peace of mind every time a portion of the tape is played

within their hearing." [=Challenger Tapes To Remain Secret," FLORIDA TODAY, p.

1A, Dec. 13, 1991, "Challenger Tapes," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Dec. 13, 1991, Lewis,

THE NEW YORK TIMES, p. A20, Dec. 13, 1991 .]

BIONETlCS GETS KSC CONTRACT

Bionetics Corp. ( Hampton, VA) has won the photographic services contract at

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. TGS Technology

Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson Controls World Services, Inc., had held the contract

for the past 26 years. All existing collective bargaining agreements for the 147

TGS employees will be honored, according to union business manager Andrew

Younger. 'That doean=t necessarily mean they'll all be picked up," Younger

added. Blonetlce already employees 150 people under a life sciences contract

and a Shuttle instrumantation contract. The photographic services contract:

photographs launches and other activities at KSC and the 45th Space Wing

located at Patdck Air Force Base; operates tracking stations and maintains KSC's

photo library. [Brown, FI_ORIDA TODAY, p. 20C, Dec. 13,. 1991 .]

PROGRAM CONSOMDATION

Reorganization of the Shuttle Program should be complete by late 1993,

according to NASA Space Flight Chief WIBam I.enok. "We are in the process of

eliminating a whole layer of management in the Space Shuttle," said Lenoir. He

and his staff are working "to determine what functions in each of those [Space

Shuttle] offices should stay where they are and what functions should go to the

Cape," according to Lenoir. He said the main shift in personnel would be

evidenced in the relocation of about 50 managers from NASA's Headquarters to

Kennedy Space Center. Moves from the other centers, Lanoir indicated, would

be less "profound." [Elsler, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 13, 1991 .]

PAD REPNR DELAYS LAUNCH: CCAFS

NASA and the Air Force have decided to proceed with needed repairs of Launch

Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station even though the repairs will

delay the launch of a $110 million NASA science satellite, officials said today. Jim

Barrowman, NASA Project Manager, said that an April launch is still in the

planning stages. "It's really going to depend on the Air Force's ability to get all

the pad modifications done. I know they are going to do their damndast to get

250
that done as soon as possible," Barrowman said. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

3A, Dec. 13, 1991.]

December 13: STS 42: DISCOVERY TO VAB

Discovery's rollout to Launch Complex 39A on December 18 will be its first step

toward the first launch of 1992. Yesterday, at 4:32 p.m., Discovery was moved

from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building

where it is being mated with the extemal tank and solid rocket boosters.

Discovery is being prepared for its STS 42 Intemationai Microgravity Laboratory-1

(IML) mission currently planned for the third week of January 1992. The Orbiter's

14th flight is a seven-day mission and cardas a seven-member crew. Flight

preparations on Discovery for the STS 42 mission began September 27, following

its last mission, STS 48, which ended with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base,

CA. Discovery was the first Orbiter prepared for flight in Orbiter Processing Bay

3 which was equipped in September 1991 to support full-scale Shuttle processing,

tasting and checkout. All of the vehicle's systems were fully tested during its lOweek stay in the OPF.

Space Shuttle main engine locations for STS 42 are as follows: engine 2026 in

the No. 1 position, engine 2022 in the No. 2 position, and engine 2027 in the No.

3 position. These engines were installed October 24-25, 1991. The Crew

Equipment Interface Test with the STS 42 flight crew was conducted December

4 in the OPF; the test provides an opportunity for the crew to become familiar with

the configuration of the Orbiter and anything that is unique to the STS 42 mission.

Technidans installed the International Microgravlty Laboratory payload into

Discovery's payload bay on November 17 while the vehicle was in the Orbiter

Processing Facility; the payload bay doors were dosed for flight in the OPF

December g. Booster stacking operations on mobile launcher platform 3 began

October 1, and were completed by October 21; the external tank was mated to

the boosters on November 4. After the vehicle is secured to the pad (hard down)

next week, technicians will hook up ground power supplies, ground cooling and

conditioned air to the vehicle elements. STS 42 processing teams will be off the

Chdstrnas and New Year's Day holiday pedod. The Termina! Countdown

Demonstration Test, a full rehearsal of launch day activities with the STS 42 flight

crew in attendance, is planned to occur January 6-7. While the crew is at

Kennedy Space Center, they will be trained in emergency escape procedures at

the launch pad, and will practice driving in the armored personnel carriers. The

mock countdown is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on January 6, and will culminate

with a simulated engine cutoff shortly after _11a.m. EST on January 7.

A standard 43-hour launch countdown is scheduled to begin three days prior to

launch; during the countdown, the Orbiter's onboard fuel and oxidizer storage

tanks will be loaded and all Orbiter systems will be prepared for flight. About nine

hours before launch, the extemai tank will be filled with its flight load of 500,000

gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. About two and one-haft

hours before liftoff, the flight crew will begin taking their assigned seats in the crew

cabin. Landing is planned at Edwards Air Force Base (CA) because of the heavier

_ 251
weightof thevehicleretumingto Earthwiththe IML tucked Inside its payload bay.

KSC's landing convoy teams will be on atation in California to safe the vehicle on

the runway and prepare it for the cross-country ferry flight back to Florida. Five

days are needed at Dryden Flight Research Facility to prepare the Orbiter for the

fern/flight and bolt it to the 747 Shuttle Carder Aircraft. A two-day ferry flight is

scheduled. On its ratum to Flodda, Discovery will be taken out of flight status for

the next eight and one-half months while undergoing major modifications,

upgrades and required inspections. The shuttle processing team will perform this

work on Discovery in the Orbiter Processing Facility. Discovery's 15th space

flight, planned for the fall of 1992, is designated STS 53, a Department of Defense

flight. [NASAJKSC Relea_ No. 139-91, Dec. 13, 1991, KSC SHUTrL.E STATUS

REPORT, I0 A.M., Dec. 13, 1991 .]

g STS 46: MAIN ENGINES PosmONED

The main engines of Atlantis have been mpoaitioned along with its orbital

maneuvering system engines in preparation for its STS 45 mission next year.

Work in progress: tests of the fuel cells; daconflgudng the aft flight deck from the

STS 44 mission; offloading STS 44 payload hardware from the payload bay;

removal of ferry flight fittings; post-flight tile inspections; tensioning the hold down

posts for the aft boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHUTI'LE

STATUS REPORT. 10 A.M., Dec. 13, 1991.]

g I_NDIEAVOUR: INTERFACE VERIFICATION TESTS

Technicians in OPF Bay 1 are progressing on a number of tasks in the processing

of Endeavour for its maiden STS 49 flight: Interface verification tests of the

forward reaction control system; functional tests of the star tracker door; leak and

functional tests of the water spray boilers and auxiliary power units; tests of the

power reactant storage and distribution system; leak checks of the potable water

system; thermal protection system operations; environment_ control system

testing; testing of the main propulsion system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT,

10 A.M., Dec. 13, 1991.]

Deomnber 14: NASA: LOCKHEED "EXCEU.B_

NASA has awarded Lockheed Space Operations Co. a rating of "excellent = for its

work in processing Space Shuttles for launch during the period of April 1 through

September 30. Lockheed President Geny OPpliger said, "We have an excellent,

highly efficient procaesing system in place and it's staffed by the world's finest

space professionals. This super recognition of their performance is a great way

to end an outstanding year." [Haivorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. IOE, Dec. 15,

1991 .]

December 16: SHUTTLE INTERFACE TEST

Technicians will conduct a Shuttle Interface Test on Discovery today (12:01 a.m.)

in the Vehicle Assembly Building, according to Kennedy Space Center

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spokeswoman Lisa Malone. Prior to the test, electrical c_nnections between

Discovery and its extemal tank and solid rocket boosters must be made and a

test will be done to verify that the connections were made properly. Rollout is

now expected to come early on December 18, beginning at 8 a.m. "Basically,

we're going to get out there to the pad, secure the Shuttle and button it up for the

holidays," said Lisa Malone. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 15, 1991,

Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1A, Dec. 16, 1991 .]

NICHOLSON NAMED SHUTTLE CHIEF

Leonard Nidmbon has been named to succeed Robert L Oippen as Director of

the Space Shuttle Program. Nichoison had sewed the program as its Deputy

Director; Cdppen succeeds Forrast S. McCarlney as Kennedy Space Center

Director on January 1, 1992. NASA spokesman James Hartslkdd said Nicholson

was "the logical choice. The position he has held since 1989 has been the

second highest in the Shuttle Program." Part of Nicholson's job will involve the

consolidation of the Shuttle Program under his direction at Kennedy Space

Center. In 1992, NASA plane to transfer up to 100 top Shuttle Program Managers

to KSC from their current locations at NASA Headquarters, Johnson Space Center

and Marshall Space Flight Center. The restructured Space Shuttle organization

reflects recommendations made to NASA by former Deputy Administrator James

R. Thompson to streamline Shuttle management by dissoMng the Shuttle Program

Office at NASA Headquarters and locating the core of the Shuffle Program

Management Team at KSC.Effective January 1, 1992, the Program Director

function will reside at KSC. Functions formerly conducted at Headquarters, such

as systems engineering and analysis, program control and development of the

Shuttle manifest, will be consolidated under the program director at the field

offices. A small Space Shuttle Program staff will remain at NASA Headquarters

to support necessary external activities and to provide a continuous linkage

between Headquarters and the program in the field. Civil service personnel who

sawed in the Shuttle Program Office at NASA Headquarters are being relocated

into other divisions at Headquarters. Nlchoison, who is 53, joined NASA in 1963

as an engineer located at Johnson; he held a number of senior positions at JSC,

including technical assistant to the Apollo Program Manager, technical assistant

to the JSC Director and Payload Manager for Shuttle Operations at KSC. A 1963

graduate of West Virginia University with a M.S. in mechanical engineering,

Nicholson has received a number of NASA awards, including the Exceptional

Service Medal and two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals. Bom in Atlanta,

GA, Nichoison is married to the former Unda Fogarty of New Orleans, LA.

[Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Dec. 17, 1991, NASA/KSC News Release No.

91-208_ Dec. 16, 1991, "Shuttle Chief," USA TODAY, p. 3A, Dec. 17, 1991, "NASA

Appoints Nicholson As Head of Shuttle Program," THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, Dec.

17, 1991.]

DISCOVERY'S ROLLOUT DELAYED

The rollout of Discovery to Launch Complex 39A is being delayed one day

because of problems that arose while technicians were aligning a seal around an

v 253
umbilical that mutes electrical lines between' the Orbiter and its fuel tank. KSC

spokesman BRce Btc_ngltam said, "The seal slipped slightly, went a bit askew,

and they had to go back and readjust it." A two-day test was delayed by the

problem; the test will now be completed today. Buckingham said the delay in

rolling out Discovery to the launch pad will not affect plans to launch on January

22 though a firm date will be announced after the Flight Readiness Review which

culminates January 9, 1992. [Halvorson, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Dec. 17, 1991 .]

December 17.- DBCOVERY: SIT UNDERWAY

Technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building have dosed out connections of the

electrical monoball area on the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen 17-inch

umbilicais and the extemal tank and Discovery in preparation for its January 1992

STS 42 mission. A Shuttle Interface Test is underway to verify connections

between the vehicle elements and launch platform. Scheduled work includes:

rollout to Launch Complex 39A st 12:01 a.m., December 19; a Terminal

Countdown Demonstration Test is set for January 6-7; the STS 42 Flight

Readiness Review is planned for January 9 with launch targeted, tentatively, for

January 22. [KSC SHUTrLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 17, 1991 .]

n STS 46: ATLANTIS' APU'S DESERVICED

Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 technicians have deserviced lube oil from

Atlantis' auxiliary power units as part of the processing effort for STS 45. Work in

progress: post-flight checks of the main engines; tests of the Orbiter's fuel cells;

preparations to deservice the reaction control and orbital maneuvering systems;

Inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; stacking the right aft center segment in the

Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHU1TLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 17,

1 1.]

[] ENDEAVOUR: MAIN LANDING GEAR CYO-I_,,

Endeavour's main landing gear has been cycled in OPF Bay 1 and a functional

test of the Orbiter's freon coolant loop has been completed as well. Work in

progress: functional tests of the crew hatch; functional test of the star tracker

door; adjustments of the brake pedal transducer; leak and functional tests of the

water spray boilers and the auxiliary power units; thermal protection system

operations and leak checks of the main propulsion system and the potable water

system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT: 10 A.M., Dec. 17, 1991 .]

December 18: HFS INC. AWARDED KSC CONTRACT

HFS, Inc. (McLean, Virginia) has won a contract _om NASA's John F. Kennedy

Space Center to create a prototype of a computer system which will store and

access information for the Launch Processing System (LPS). The firm fixed price

contract is valued st $169, 412 and covers seven pieces of computer hardware

that comprise this mini-storage system. The system is being developed to replace

existing 15-inch reel tapes which must be hand-loaded with smaller cartridge-type

254
n

g

g

g

tapes. Successful application of this system could lead to a computer tape library

for the LPS. The LPS is a highly automated, computer-controlled system that

overseas the entire checkout and launch process. The system continually

monitors the Space Shuttle and its ground components and automatically alerts

the system operator of any deviations. Delivery of the prototype system is

tentatively scheduled for the end of January. [NASA/KSC News Release No: 141 -

91. Dec.18,1991.]

DISCOVERY: ROLLOUT PREPARATIONS

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Space Shuttle Discovery is being readied for

rollout - 2 a.m., December 19 - to Launch Complex 39A for its STS 42 mission.

Also in progress: the Shuttle Interface Test to (see story above) and leak checks

of the connecting interfaces (17-inch disconnect) between the extemal tank and

the Orbiter. Usa MMone, KSC spokeswoman said, "Our plan is to get to the

launch pad and have the Orbiter secured by the holidays." [KSC SHLrI-rLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 18, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 4A, Dec.

18, 1991, "Shuttle Discovery Ready for Rollout," FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 19,

1991 .]

STS 46: BOOSTER STACKING IN VAB

In preparation for Atlantis' STS 45 mission, the right aft center segment to the right

booster has been stacked in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Work in progress:

inspections of several of the reinforced carbon carbon T-seals and panels on the

leading edges of the wings; post-flight checks of the main engines; tests of the

fuel cells; preparations to daservice the reaction control and orbital maneuvering

systems; inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; preparations to stack the right

forward center segment in the Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHUTTLE

STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 18, 1991 .]

STS 49:. STAR TRACKER DOOR TESTS

Functional tests of the star tracker door for Endeavour have been completed; the

external tank umbilical doors for tile work has been cycled. Work in progress:

functional tests of the crew compartment hatches; adjustments of the brake pedal

transducer; leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers and auxiliary power

units; thermal protection system operations and leak checks of the potable water

systemand main propulsion system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Dec.18,1991.]

COLUMBIA UPDATE: PALMDALE, CA

Columbia was powered up early this moming for systems testing. The Orbiter is

undergoing major modifications while at the Rockwell manufacturing plant

(Palmdale, CA). The vehicle will remain powered up for the next two weeks for

verification testing. Structural inspections and X-rays of critical areas will follow

power up tests. Columbia is scheduled for return to Florida at the end of next

_ 255
month. Its nextflight,the first extended duration mission in the Shuttle Program,

is STS-50 with the United States Intematlonal Mlcrogravlty Laboratory payload.

STS 50 is planned for launch next summer on a 13-day flight with a crew of seven.

[KSC SHUI"rLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 18, 1991 .]

Deconlbar 18: MI_ REACHED AT

A milestone in processing the Tethered Satellite was achieved today at Kennedy

Space Center when the spacecraft was mated to the satellite support assembly

(SSA). The Tethered Satellite System (TSS), one of the two pdmanj payloads of

Mission STS 46, is an International cooperative mission between NASA and Italy.

The SSA, a cone-shaped structure in which the satellite rests, contains a deployer

boom. The SSA Is mounted on an experiment pallet together with the associated

reel assembly. The associated reel assembly was attached to the pallet earlier

this year and the tether was wound in September. The tether is a dielectric Kevlar

cord which has a diameter roughly equivalent to that of pencil lead. Three

principal experiments are contained within the satellite which will be deployed to

a distance of 12 and a haft miles from Atlantis during the one-weak STS 46

mission next summer. The recent turnover of the satellite from the Italian Space

Agency (ASI) to the Nova-KSC experiment integration team for today's mating also

integrated testing with the other TSS hardware elements can begin on schedule

next month. The next event, attaching the satellite to the deployer boom, is

scheduled immediately after the Christmas holidays. A team of approximately 25

Italians have been at KSC the last several months performing experiment testing

in the Operat_ns and Checkout Building to prepare the satellite for its mission.

Following the completion of integrated testing in March, the pallet with TSS will be

moved into a test stand to begin tests with the Cargo Integrated Test Equipment

(CITE). This test verifies the payloed's compatibility and readiness to be

integrated with the Space Shuffle. The payload is scheduled to be transferred to

the launch pad in early June for installation in Atlantis' payload bay. [NASA/KSC

News Release No. 14_,-91, Dec. 18, 1991 .]

Decembar 19: DI_X:)VERY ROLLS TO LG _eA

The Space Shuttle Discovery rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at

Kennedy Space Center this moming at 1:39 a.m. on the first leg of its STS 42

joumey. The trip to the pad took about seven hours, according to NASA

spokeswoman _ Malone; Discovery was hard down on the pad's pedestals at

8:40 a.m. A key test of electrical and mechanical connections between the

Orbiter, its solid rocket boosters and its external tank was successfully completed

yesterday; leak checks of the connecting interfaces (17-inch disconnects) between

the external tank and the Orbiter were also completed. The pad's protective

senlice structure was moved to surround the Shuttle after an APU test. Work in

progress: making connections between the launch pad and the STS 42 vehicle

elements and preparations to hot fire auxiliary power unit number 1 tonight.

Scheduled work includes: tests of the solid rocket boosters' hydraulic system

early December 20; buttoning up the vehicle and powedng down for the holiday

period; Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test set for January 6-7; Flight
Readiness Review planned for January 9. Most KSC workers will begin a twoweek holiday vacation once Discovery is hard down at the pad. [=Shuttle

Discovery Ready for Rollout,' FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A, Dec. 19, 1991, 'Rolling Out

New Year's First Orbiter," picture, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 1B, Dec. 20, 1991, KSC

SHUTFLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 19, 1991, "Shuttle On Launch Pad for

Spacelab Mission," THE WASHINGTON TIMES, Dec. 20, 1991, "Shuttle

Preparation," USA TODAY, Dec. 20, 1991 .]

!1 ATLANTIS: OMS DESF.RVICED

The orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system of Atlantis have both

been daservicod in OPF Bay 1. Technicians are also working on other tasks:

inspections of several of the reinforced carbon-carbon T-seals and panels on the

leading edges of the wings; post-flight checks of the main engines; tests of the

fuel cells; inspections of the 17-inch disconnects; stacking of the right forward

center segment in the Vehicle Assembly Building. [KSC SHUTrl.E STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 19, 1991.]

11 ENDEAVOUR: PROCESSING FOR STS 49

11

Work in progress for Endeavour's STS 49 mission includes: a brake anti-skid test;

functional tests of the crew compartment hatches; adjustments of the brake pedal

pressure; leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers and auxiliary power

units; thermal protection system operations; leak checks of the potable water

system and main propulsion system. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M.,

Dec. 19, 1991 .]

COLUMBIA: MODIFICATION UPDATE

Columbia was fully powered up yesterday for systems testing. The Orbiter was

undergoing major modifications while at the Rockwell manufacturing plant

(Palmdale, CA). The vehicle will remain powered up for the next two weeks for

verification testing. Structural inspections and X-rays of critical areas will follow

power up tests. Columbia is scheduled for return to Florida at the end of next

month. Its next flight, the first extended duration mission in the Shuttle Program,

is STS 50 with the United States International Microgravity Laboratory payload.

STS 50 is planned for launch next summer on a 13-day flight with a crew of seven.

[KSC SHUI-rLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 19, 1991 .]

December2_, STS 42: APU 1 HOT FIRED

At Launch Complex 39A, Discovery's Auxiliary Power Unit #1 has been hot fired

and the SRB flight readiness hydraulic tests have been completed. The rotating

service structure is in place around the Orbiter. Work in progress: launch pad

validations following APU hot fire; preparations for loading of hypergolic fuels next

year; space vehicle holiday secudng and power down operations. Work

scheduled: the vehicle will be powered down for the holidays dudng the second

shift tonight with power on operations resuming after the first of the year. K[_

257
SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 20, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p.

5A, Dec. 21, 1991 .]

I1 STS 45: OMS DESERVICED

The orbital maneuvering system of Atlantis has been dasarviced in OPF Bay 2;

APU deservictng operations and mean propulsion system helium leak and

functional tests have also been completed. Work in progress: fuel cell

inspoctions and tests; preparations for removal of APU 1 and 2; cloeeouts of solid

rocket booster joints in VAB and preparations for holiday power down. Atlantis

is scheduled to be powered down at the end of today's first shift. The

Internatlonea Mlcrogravity Laboratory Is in the Orbiter payload bay and it has been

dosed out for flight. The payload bay doors are not scheduled to be opened

prior to flight. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 20, 1991 .]

g ENDEAVOUR: WORKING THRU THE HOUDAYS

In OPF High Bay 1, Endeavour's water spray boiler leak and functional tests have

been completed. Potable water leak checks have been done and tests have also

been completed on the Orbiter's Ku-band power amplifier and anti-skid brakes.

Work in progress: thermal protection system operations; APU leak and functional

tests; mean propulsion system leak checks and testing. Work is scheduled to

continue on Endeavour through the holiday pedod with the exception of the

holidays themselves. Much of the work will center on closeouts of the mid-body.

:it's an opportunity to catch up on some work that needs to be done with the

power off,' according to KSC spokesman" Bruce Buddngtmm. 'Given the option

to work, there was no shortage of volunteers" to work during the holiday period,

he said. [KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 20, 1991, Brown,

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 5A, Dec. 21, 1991 .]

D COLUMBIA; PN.;_IDNJE MO01FIC&TIONS

The Space Shuttle Columbia will remain powered up through the holidays as work

on the vehicle continues. Structural inspections and tests in critical areas are part

of the remaining modifications and refurbishments scheduled for the next two

weeks. Columbia is targeted for its ferry flight retum to KSC around the end of

January. Processing will then begin for its next mission, STS 50, the first extended

duration Orbiter mission scheduled to last 13 days. IKSC SHUTrl.E STATUS

REPORT, 10 A.M., Dec. 20, 1991 .]

December 22: ADMINISTRATOR FLETCHER DES

Two-time NASA Administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher died of cancer today, his

family said. He was 72. Fletcher was first NASA Administrator from April 1971

through May 1977 and again accepted the position after the Challenger explosion,

holding the post from May 1986 through Apdl 8, 1989. In his second term as

head of NASA, he put a greater emphasis on quality control and safety in the

Shuttle Program. ["Former NASA Chief Fletcher Dies of Cancer,* FLORIDA

258 -.---
TODAY,p. 1A,Dec.22,1991,"2-'r]meNASAChiefJamesFletcherDiesof Cancer,"

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, p. A-5, Dec. 24, 1991, Brown, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 2A,

Dec. 24, 1991 .]

December 28: GIFT GANTRY REMODELED

The facilities at Spaceport USA, just west of Kennedy Space Center, have been

remodeled, according to Tom Blair, Marketing Supervisor for TW Inc. which

operates the attraction. Areas remodeled include the Gift Gantry, the Lunch Pad

Restaurant and the Flight Crew Training Building. Blair said, "We're expanding in

the belief that long-term, the visitors will be there, and we'll be ready." Attendance

is down 16.7 percent from 1990 for an estlmated 2.6 million by year's end.

Spaceport USA still ranks as the fourth most popular attraction in Florida after

Disney World, Sea World and Busch Gardens. [Reid, FLORIDA TODAY, p. 12C,

Dec. 28, 1991 .]

g SHUTTLE PUMPS PASS TEST

The lack of money in NASA's budget will force a two-year delay in certifying a

newly designed turbopump for the Space Shuttle. Boyce Mix, Acting Manager of

the Main Engine Project Office at MFSC, said, "We're disappointed. As a result,

Pratt & Whitney is going to have to lay off some people and we've scoped down

our test program to concentrate on the liquid oxygen pump." The new liquid and

hydrogen pumps are designed to be safer and cheaper to operate than the

current pumps which are Rockstdyne products. The liquid hydrogen pump's

development will be retarded by the lack of money. [Banke, FLORIDA TODAY,

Dec. 29, 1991 .]

December 29: CONTRACTOR AWARD WINNERS

NASA Manned Flight Awareness awards have b3een given to ten Kennedy Space

Center Shuttle workers from USBI and EG&G Florida: Randy Smith, Bill

McAninch, Louis Conner, and I.any Wray (all from USBI) and John Jemoske,

Frank Jadcson, Charles "Chadle" O'Connor, Mitchell Beckar, bnmant_ Bartolo and

Robert _ (all from EG&G Florida). The Manned Flight Awareness award

is "given to govemment and industry workers for dedication to ensuring astronaut

safety and Shuttle mission success." ["10 KSC Workers Honored by NASA,"

FLORIDA TODAY, p. 9E, Dec, 29, 1991 .]

n KSC AWARDS RESEARCH GRANTS

Kennedy Space Center has awarded four Small Business Innovation Research

grants totaling $1.73 million. The winners are: Biotronics Technologies, Inc.

(Waukesha, Wl), for an online microbiological analyzer to support the firm's work

on a KSC life sciences program; Hughes Associates (Wheaton, MD) for

development of an ozone-friendly fire suppressant; Stottler Henke Associates

(Belmont, CA) for a computerized technique for scheduling and Shuttle

processing; Symbiotics Inc. (Cambridge, MA) for integrating and coordinating

259
intelligentplanningand scheduling tools. Another $65 million worth of grants will

be awarded in February 1992. [=NASA Awards Research Grants," FLORIDA

TODAY, p. I OE, Dec. 29, 1991 .]

v

260 v
APPENDIX A

SHUTTLE ERA FIRSTS

February 1984 - NASA engineers conduct several studies of an Integral Launch

and Re-entry Vehicle.

February 1970 - NASA opens Space Shuttle Office.

January 1972 - President Nixon announces intention to proceed with Shuttle.

June 1974 - Rockwell International begins building Shuttle Enterprise for use in

approach and landing tests.

September 1976 - Enterprise rolls out.

August 1977 - First of five approach, landing tests. Enterprise is dropped from a

Boeing 747 at 22,000 feet.

Apdl 1981 - Shuttle Era begins with launch of Columbia and STS 1, first of four

orbital test flights.

November 1982 - Columbia flies first mission in which two commercial satellites

are deployed.

April 1983 - First flight of Shuttle Challenger; first made-in-space product -

microscopic latex spheres, for use in scientific calibration.

June 1983 - Sally Ride becomes first U. S. woman in space. Challenger's fivemember crew was largest ever.

August 1983 - Guion Bluford Jr. becomes first U. S. Black in space; first night

launch and landing.

February 1984 - Bruce McCandle_B makes first untethered spacewalk using

Manned Maneuvering Unit.

April 1984 - Challenger crew makes first repair and redeployment of a satellite, the

Solar Maximum spacecraft.

August 1984 - First deployment and testing of huge solar array panel by Judith

Resnik, first commercial payload specialist, and Charles Walker.

October 1984 - Kalhryn Sullivan becomes first U, S. woman to walk in space; first

seven-member crew.

November 1984 - First retrieval of satellite in orbit.

--- 261
June 1985 - First deployment of four satellites.

Auflust 1985 - James "OX" van _ logs record 7-hour spacewalk to repair

Leuet (Syncom IV-3).

November 19_5 - First assembly of structure In space, a 45-foot beam tower, to

test buildlng techniques.

January 1986 - Challenger destroyed 73 seconds after Imoff when hot gases

burned through O-rlng in solid rocket booster; seven astronauts killed; fleet

grounded.

June 1986 - Presidential commission recommends nine safety measures that

NASA implements.

September 1988 -Dlscovery returns USA to space.

May 1989 - First planetary probe - Magellan - deployed from Shuttle, launches

toward Venus.

Aodl 1990 - Hubble Space Telescope deployed.

["Space Shuffle Em A Legacy of 'Firsts'," USA TODAY, p. 8A, April 12, 1991 .]
APPENDIXB

SHUTTLE LANDINGS AT KSC

!!iii_iiiiiiiiiii iii i iiiJiiiJiJ iiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !i;ii _ ..........

STS 41-B Challenger February 11, 1984

STS 51-A Discovery November 16, 1991

iii!iiiiN!i_N!i?i i!! ii!iiili!!ii_ il i!iiiiiii!!! iillii?ii!iiii!iN_ii_ii_"

STS 51-D Discovery April 19, 1985

STS 39 Discovery May 6, 1991

--- 263
GENERAL INDEX

Aerospace Sefety Advisory Panel ...................................... 39

Aft Compartment

1, 3, 66, 74, 76, 79, 80, 85, 104, 113, 115-122, 124, 125, 129-131,

138, 154, 159, 166, 172, 173, 175, 177, 178, 185, 202, 203, 205, 231,

233, 234, 250-252, 256, 257

Air Force Space Systems Division ................................... 8, 55

Ammonia Boiler

4, 104, 105, 105, 114, 116, 119, 121,139, 176, 178, 234, 235, 237,

239

Anniversaries ..................................................... 46

Applied Meteorologioal Unit ......................................... 170

Associate AdminisUator for Exploration ................................ 167

Associate Administrator for Human Resources and Education ............... 167

Assured Crew Ratum Vehicle (ACFN) .................................. 96

Astro-1 Observatory ............................................. 17, 19

Astro-2 ......................................................... 164

Astronauts

13, 20-22, 32, 34, 39-41, 46, 52, 55, 56, 61, 62, 67-71, 80, 91, 92

96, 109, 116, 124, 125, 137, 139, 140, 153, 156, 160, 163, 170, 173

180, 182, 187, 200, 248, 249, 253, 259, 271

Atlantic Technical Services ........................................... 87

Atlas Launch Vehicle .............................................. 229

Atlas-2 ......................................................... 255

Arias-5 ......................................................... 164

Atmosphedc Laboratory for Applications and Science (Atlas 1) ............... 91

Attitude Director Indicator ............................................. 2

Auroral Photography Experiment ..................................... 123

Avionics .............................................. 10, 117-120, 177

Bared and Co. (Tampa, FL) ......................................... 222

Base Operations Contract ....................................... 248, 255

Bat_,,, • o =, ,,.o=, oo,= o ,,o ,,oo = *** ,,.° ,,oo=, = o , o ,o o o = o = o o, o o o , °, o ° 1

Biggs Army Air Field (El Paso, TX) ................................... 63, 190

Bionetics Corp. ( Hampton, VA) ...................................... 259

Blotronics Technologies, Inc. (Waukesha, Wl) ........................... 268

Blue Tour ........................................................ 43

Boeing Aerospace Operations, Inc..................... ............... 111

Bmvard Economic Development Corp .................................. 238

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science ........................... 1

Bmvard Small Business Assistance Council ............................. 236

Bddgas ....................................................... 2, 11

Brttish Aerospace ................................................ 3, 17

Budget ....... 15, 34, 35, 37, 35, 62, 93, 97, 101,162, 164, 187, 192, 196, 211,268

Bulb Seal ............ 95, 98, 104, 105, 108, 113-115, 117, 119, 121,209, 210, 212

Canadian Expedments Payload ....................................... 36

Canadian Space Agency ............................. 42, 217, 218, 253, 254

Canaveral National Seashore ............................ 12, 32, 86, 133, 173

264
Canister Cleaning and Rotation Facility .............................. 82, 162

Carder Panels .............................. 125, 163, 195-199, 201-205, 209

Center Support Operations ............................... 97, 132, 153, 162

Child Care ........................................................ 1

Chin Panel ...... 170-173, 176, 180, 181,185, 186, 189, 191,192, 195, 196, 203, 205

Circuits ............................... 72, 118, 118, 120, 168, 177, 237, 239

Columbus Air Force Base (Columbus, MS) .................... ;.. 64, 190, 264

CompuTrec (Titusvflle, FL) .......................................... 222

Crawlerway ...................................................... 15

Creative Management Technology Inc. (Cocoa Beach, FL) .................. 162

Crew Equipment Interface Test

94, 113, 191,195, 196, 199, 201,215, 250-252, 260

Crew Escape Pole ............................................. 235, 237

Croeswinds .............................................. 135, 151,183

Cryogenic Umb Array Etalon Spectrometer ............................. 177

Cryogenics ................................................... 56, 242

Debds ............................................ 11, 87, 106, 182, 264

Defense Support Program (DSP) .................................. 213, 214

Delays ..................................... 30, 57, 100, 131,152, 229, 259

Delta Launch Vehicle ............................................. 3, 22

Department of Defense

14, 16-18, 20, 50, 55-57, 127, 167, 210, 214, 218, 226, 231,

241,242, 261

Door Hinges .................... 21-24, 26-28, 31-34, 36, 45, 196, 198, 199, 209

Drag Chutes .................................................... 140

Dryden Flight Research Faclflty (Edwards, CA) ............................ 17

Easter .......................................................... 41

Edwards Air Force Base (CA) ..... 36, 40, 47, 48, 58, 64, 98, 141,190, 216, 264, 260

Egfln Air Force Base (FL) .......................... . ............. 152, 254

EIIington Field (Houston, TX) ...................................... 63, 64

Emergency Egress ................. 18, 34, 65, 109, 158, 160, 161, 153, 223, 225

Employment .................................................. 35, 221

Environmental Protection Agency ..................................... 216

ETC Technical and Professional Services Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK) ............ 162

European Space Agency ........................ 27, 36, 42, 217, 218, 253, 254

Extended Duration Orbiter ........................................ 36, 267

Extemai Tank

1, 3, 16-18, 21, 27-29, 36, 40, 41, 45, 47, 56-60, 74, 76, 79, 80, 64, 65,

89-91, 98-100, 103, 104, 108, 118, 120, 122, 124-126, 130, 132, 133,

137-139, 152, 159, 171,172, 176, 177-179, 181,165, 186, 188-191,193,

202, 204, 205, 210-212, 215, 216, 220, 221,223, 225, 227-229, 231-233,

239, 241,253, 258, 260, 262-265

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) ......................................... 233

Extravehicular Mobility Unit ....................................... 72, 115

Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer ......................................... 164

Failure Analysis ................................................. 7, 79

Federation of Amedcan Scientists .................................... 140

Fiber Optic Cable .............................................. 123, 162

265
Fire ......................... 44, 53, 64, 69, 113, 182, 228, 256, 265, 266, 268

Flash Evaporator ................................................. 139

Filght Readlnees Fidng ............................................ 139

Flipper Door ................................................. 115, 207

Florida Inland Navlgation Dlstrlct ...................................... 24

Flutter Buffers (Accelerometers) ...................................... 173

Flutter Buffet Modification " 2

Forward Reection Control System

I, 2, 8, 16, 66, 72, 74, 84-86, 108, 117, 128, 132,

139, 170-173, 176, 215, 229, 230, 233, 235, 237, 239, 244, 245,

251-254, 256-258, 261

French National Center for Space Studles (CNES). .................... 218, 253

Freon Coolant Loops ........................................... 114, 122

Fuel Unee .............................................. 25, 79, 99, 2O9

Galley .................................... 32, 113, 203, 205, 228, 229, 245

Gamma Ray Obeenra'-tory .............. 4, 14, 16, 22, 27, 29, 30, 36, 40, 45, 49, 50

George M. Low Trophy .......................................... 65, 231

German Space Agency ...................................... 42, 218, 253

Global Envlronmant ........................................ 133, 134, 156

Global Poaltionlng System ................................... 109, 1I0, 137

Globe Communlcetions Inc. (Durham, NC) .............................. 162

Goddard Space Fright Center (Greenbelt, MD) .................. 72, 78, 115, 231

GOES I/J ....................................................... 164

Ground Support Equipment ........................ 9, 119, 120, 175, 223, 255

Groundbreaklng .............................................. 40, 62, 83

Groundwater Contamlnation ........................................ 216

Group Achlevement Award ........................................... 78

Grumman Technical Services Division ('r'dusvflle, FL) ................. 66, 78, 231

GTE Spacenat .................................................. 45, 47

Halloween ...................................................... 226

Hamilton Roofing, Inc. (Palm Bay, FL) .................................. 76

Harris Space Systems Corp .......................................... 35

Hemandez Engineering Inc. (Houston, TX) .............................. 161

Honoree Awards ........................................... ....... 248

Hughes Associates (Wheaton, MD) ................................... 268

HVAC System ................................................... 108

Hydraulics ........................................... 191,221,223, 228

Hydrolasing .. ........................................ 138, 165, 251,252.

Hypargollc Maintenance Facility

6, 8, 13,64, 164-156, 169, 172, 177, 178, 254

Hypargolic Propellant System ............. 116, 118, 120, 124, 177, 228-230, 234

IBSSISPAS-2 ............. . ........................................ 7

Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) ....................................... 242, 243

INMARSAT .................................................. 16, 17, 27

Instrument Switching Unlt ............................................. 5

Integrated Electronic Assembly (IF_A) .................................. 120

Intelsat Reboost Mission ..................................... 38, 164, 230

Intelsat Satellite ........................................... 114, 140, 227

266
Interface Verification Test .................................. 7, 108, 235, 243'

Intemational Microgravity Laboratory-1 ......... 7, 164, 237, 239, 243, 253, 256, 260

Invsstigations into Polymer Membrane Processing (IPMP) ......... . ........ 123

Jellyfish .................................................... 72, 88-90

Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX)

10, 41, 80, 83, 115, 126, 130, 131,206, 243

Joint Working Group (JWG) ......................................... 134

Joust/Prospector Launch Vehicle ...................................... 64

Kelly Air Force Base (San Antonio, TX) ................... 63, 64, 155, 157, 254

Ku-band Antenna

1, 2, 113, 120, 121, 159, 195, 205, 206, 217, 218, 230, 247, 256

Kurt H. Debus Award ............................................ 21, 22

Landings

20, 33, 39, 44, 52, 54, 64, 102, 103, 114, 116, 117, 125, 140, 150, 151,154,

161, 163, 183, 222, 240, 272

Laser Geodynamics Satellite ...................................... 36, 164

Launch Complex

1, 8, 14, 16-20, 22, 29, 32, 40, 41, 43-45, 48, 51, 55-61, 63, 67, 71,

72, 75, 76, 79, 82, 90, 91-95, 99, 103, 102-104, 108-110, 112-114,

118-121,125, 135-139, 152, 155, 157, 158, 160, 164-166, 168, 172,

175-177, 181,182, 186, 203, 207, 209-214, 219-222, 224-228, 230, 233,

237-239, 242-244, 251,253-256, 258-260, 262-264, 268

Launch Control Center ............................. 1, 2, 20, 71, 72, 115, 129

Launch Equipment Test Facility ....................................... 96

Launch Processing System (LPS) .................................. 82, 263

Launches

14, 37, 48, 79, 81, 87, 102, 103, 106, 109, 133, 136, 164, 169, 227, 243,

246, 259, 271

Layoffs ..... .............................. 162, 166, 157, 187, 192, 195, 211

Leak and Functional Tests

4, 6, 65, 74-77, 84, 92, 95, 98, 104, 108, 108, 156,

170-173, 165, 186, 189-195, 197, 198, 199, 202, 204-206, 209, 210, 212,

213, 217, 218, 230, 232-235, 237, 239, 244, 245, 250, 251,253, 254,

256-256, 261,263, 264, 266, 267

Leaks ................... 12, 14, 20, 31, 57, 81, 87, 106, 112, 115, 175, 202, 218

Ughtning .......................... 41, 50, 51, 92, 94, 133, 151, 155, 169, 184

Unde Division (Mims, FL) ............................................ 78

Lockheed Logistics Facility ........................................... 2

Long Duration Exposure Facility ,oo...,,=.oo.o*.,,,...,ooo,= .,,.,,,.*o 141

M.A.P. Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Homestead, FL) ..................... 108

Ml13 ................................................... 214, 223, 224

MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, FL) ................................ 153, 155

Magellan ....................................................... 271

Maintenance Depot ................................................ 35

Manned Flight Awareness Awards .................................... 268

Manned Maneuvedng Unit .......................................... 270

Mars .................................... 47, 53, 97, 99, 113, 164, 206, 219

Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) ..................... 115, 126, 135

267
MeteDemeteDevice ....................................... ' 138, 185, 189

Meting

3, 40, 56, 56, 67, 74, 99, 100, 113, 120, 138, 139, 181,189, 191,214, 228,

254, 258, 265

Max Hoeck WUdlife Drive ............................................ 12

Mercury Seven Foundation .......................................... 70

Merdtt Island National Wildlife Refuge ............................... 28, 133

Meteorological Interective Data Display System .......................... 170

Meteorology .................................................... 184

Metric Constructors Inc. (Tempe, FL) ................................... 15

Midbody Umbilical ........................................... 51, 80, 128

Mlddeck ................. 83, 88, 89, 120, 121,123, 124, 141,166, 172, 177, 178

Middle East .................................................. 9, 10, 13

Mighty Mouse Rocket ............................................. 169

Mission Peculiar Support Structure ..................................... 4

Mobile Launcher Platform

4-7, 9, 16, 95, 138, 171, 172, 179, 186, 215, 246, 260

Modular Power Supply ............................................... 5

Monomethylhydrazine ........................................ 4, 165, 222

Moon .............................................. 53, 97, 99, 206, 21 9

Mosquito Lagoon .............................................. 133, 169

Mosquitoes ....................................................... 1

Multiplexer Demultiplexer (MDM) ............................. 79, 80, 65, 120

NASA Flight Safety Award ........................................... 28

NASA Public Service Medal .......................................... 95

National Launch Development Center .................................. 28

National Launch System ......................................... 54, 192

National Memorial to Astronauts ...................................... 46

National Space Council ......................... 31, 34, 53, 54, 127, 133, 134

Netional Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) ................ 218, 253

r_|tional Space Launch Strategy ..................................... 127

Navstar Global Positioning System Satellite ...................... 109, 110, 137

Nitrogen TetroxJde ............................................. 103, 222

NOAA-1 .................. _ ...................................... 164

North Carolina A&T State University .................................... 47

North Carolina State University ....................................... 47

Nose Wheel Steedng Mechanism ....................................... 7

NOW ConstnJction, inc. (Tltusville, FL) .................................. 76

O-Ring ................................. ......................... 271

Occupational Health Facility ....................................... 76, 77

OMS Pods ................................... 6, 76, 125, 128, 21 O, 234, 235

Operational Intercommunication System .................................. 2

Operetions and Checkout Building ................... 4, 7, 38, 70, 161, 217, 265

Operations Support Building ......................................... 82

Optical Communications Through Window Experiment ..................... 123

Orbital Maneuvering System

5-8, 11, 16, 58, 60, 65, 66, 72-74, 77, 79, 64, 86, 92, 98,

105, 112-114, 117, 119, 120, 125, 132, 139, 164-166, 169, 172, 176-178,

268
181,185-187,189-194,197,199,201-204,206, 212, 215, 217-221,225,

227-230, 232-235, 237, 239, 243-245, 247, 250254, 256, 261,266, 267

Orbiter Lifting Frame ............................................ 60, 140

Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit ........................................ 51

Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility ............................ 1

Orbiter Processing Facility ............................ 7, 100, 101,103, 106

Ordnance "

13, 71, 72, 74-76, 79-81, 85, 116, 118-120, 124, 166, 168-172, 176, 177,

227, 229-231,233, 234, 237, 239

Oregon State University ............................................. 96

Parachutists ....................................................... 44

Parrish Medical Center (Titusville, FL) ............................ 34, 169, 206

Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility ................................. 5, 71

Payloads ......... 7, 21, 29, 73, 74, 82, 102, 116, 123, 130, 131, 164, 236, 253, 265

Pegasus Rocket .................................................. 216

Persian Gulf ........................................... 5, 6, 9, 19, 20, 43

Playalinda Beach .............................. 12, 32, 48, 86, 133, 153, 173

Porch Lights .................................................... 181

Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System. 5, 60, 65, 74, 76, 113, 116-121, 125,

128, 154, 176-179, 210, 212, 217, 218, 220, 221,223, 228, 230,

233-235, 237, 239, 244, 254, 258, 261

Power Up .................................... 118, 139, 152, 194, 264, 266

Processing Control Center ........................................... 82

Procurement Briefing .............................................. 236

Propellants

55, 56, 58, 60, 65, 72, 77, 80, 89, 105, 106, 110, 112, 114, 115, 117, 119,

120, 124-126, 129, 133, 154, 159, 163, 165, 176, 177, 179, 186, 215,

216, 219, 241,260

Provisions Stowage Assembly ......................................... 7

Radiators

125, 159, 165, 166, 138, 170, 171,176-178, 185-187, 201,202, 212-214,

217, 218

Rail Launcher ..................................................... 54

Rats .................................................... 72,88,90,92

Reaction Control System

1, 2, 8, 16, 65, 56, 72, 74, 77, 79, 84-86, 108, 112, 114, 117,

119, 120, 128, 132, 139, 165, 170-173, 176, 1T/, 179, 181,165, 186,

201,209, 215, 229, 230, 233, 235, 237, 239, 244, 245, 247, 250254,

256-258, 261,266

Rear Engine Compartment ............. 33, 50, 52, 61, 78, 119, 122, 124, 126, 234

Recovery Ships .................................................... 58

Red Tour ........................................................ 43

Redundant Inertial Measurement Unit (RIMU) ......................... 213, 242

Refueling .......................................... 48, 60, 190, 251,254

Reinforced Carbon Carbon .... 198, 199, 201-205, 210, 212, 213, 215, 217, 218, 264

Roads ......................................................... 162

Robot Hydrolaser ................................................. 138

Rocket Triggered Lightning Program .................................. 169

_- 269
RockwellInternationaiCorp ............................... 25, 215, ooo, 248

Rollback ................................................. 21, 23, 25, 26

Rollout

6, 8, 17-19, 22, 28, 30, 40, 41, 43, 44, 58-60, 67, 99, 103, 104,

132, 137-139, 152, 155, 207, 211,213, 216, 258, 260, 262-264, 266

Rollover ................... 7, 17, 113, 119-121, 125, 196, 207-209, 252, 255, 257

Roofing .......................................................... 76

Rotating Service Structure

51, 60, 91,125, 130, 131,133, 179, 214, 216, 241,266

Runways ..................................................... 89, 115

S-Band Antenna ......................................... 65, 98, 192, 195

Safety 11, 21,22, 28, 34, 39, 41, 50, 67, 74, 80, 83, 34, 55, 88, 89, 93, 104, 110-112,

114, 132, 137, 140, 150, 153, 167, 158, 160-162, 169, 175, 179, 187,

200, 209, 224, 232, 249, 267, 268, 271

Santa Cruz Construction (Merritt Island, FL) ............................... 2

Setellite Processing Facility ....................................... 16, 29

Satellites ......................... 17, 27, 53, 57, 109, 11O, 123, 231,270, 271

Saturn V Rocket ................................................ 33, 39

Sauer, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) .......................................... 2

Schedules ..................................... 39, 71,130, 164, 155, 188

Scholarships ..................................................... 70

Sensor ............................... 53-56, 58, 79, 81, 83, 64, 88, 120, 169

SHARE-II ....................................................... 123

Shuttle Interface Test ........ 16, 58, 60, 138, 139, 152, 212, 213, 258, 251,263, 264

Shuttle Landing Facility

15, 20, 24, 32, 43, 45, 50, 52, 53, 65-67, 79, 92, 113, 114,

124, 125, 135, 135, 138-141,151,153, 154, 179, 182, 183, 192, 214,

215, 220, 231,240, 241,244, 246, 249

Shuttle Processing Contract ............................... 78, 111,168, 200

Shuttle Training Aircraft ................... 51,124, 181,179, 222, 240, 241,244

Sliver Snoopy Award ............................................... 20

Skunk Works .................................................... 200

Sleep Stations ........................................... 3, 73, 247, 251

Small Business Expo ........................................ ....... 236

Small Business Innovation Research .................................. 268

Sodium Hydroxide ................................................ 103

Solar and Heliosphedc Observatory .................................... 70

Solar Maximum Spacecraft .......................................... 270

Solid Rocket Boosters ....... 16-18, 27, 28, 35, 35, 38, 40, 41, 48,

56-59, 65, 74, 76, 78, 79,85, 86, 94, 95, 98-100, 103, 104, 113, 120,

132, 136-139, 165, 168, 181,186, 188, 189, 191,211,212, 215, 216,

221,223, 225, 227-229, 233, 234, 246, 247, 251,253, 258, 260, 262,

265

Solid Surface Combustion Expedment (SSCE) ........................... 123

Soviet Union .................................................. 48, 133

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) ........................ 123

Space Congress .......................................... 31, 32, 53, 57

Space Exploration Initiative ................................... 97, 167, 219

V

270 _._
Space Station

15, 31, 33-35, 37-40, 53, 55, 62, 93, 96, 97, 99, 101,123, 130, 133,

152, 159, 164, 187, 201,204, 219, 224, 255

Spacehab-8/U.S. Microgravity Payload-8 ............................... 164

Spacelab

8, 10, 16, 17, 30, 34, 36-38, 42, 51, 53, 65, 67, 71, 72, 83, 87-91,103, 105,

108, 141,152, 160, 164, 187, 207, 208, 217, 221,223, 225, 226,

228-230, 232, 233, 235, 236, 245, 247, 250, 253, 256, 266

Spaceport Florida ..................................... 27-29, 31, 62, 182

Spaceport USA

6, 13, 31, 33, 38, 42, 43, 55, 56, 61, 63, 68, 102, 118, 135, 137, 180,

200,236,268

Spacesuits ......................................... 41, 74, 226, 227, 233

Star Tracker ............................... 219, 228, 230, 256, 261,263, 264

Star Trek: The Next Generation .................... •.................. 246

Starbird Rocket .................................................... 64

Stennis Space Center (Bay St. Louis, MS) ........................... 127, 129

Step and Gap Work ............................................ 207-209

Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) .......................... _ 167

STS 1 ...................................... 45, 46, 46, 140, 211,226, 270

SIS 33 ......................................................... 70

STS 37 ........................ 1, 4, 7, 8, 30, 32-,34, 37, 40, 41, 45-49, 61, 101

SIS38

2, 4-6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 22-24, 26, 29, 36, 37, 40, 41,

50-53, 55, 57, 64, 73, 74, 77, 81,163, 272

STS 40 ........ 7, 30, 35-37, 53, 56-61, 64, 65, 71, 72, 74, 76, 77, 79,

80, 83-87, 89-93, 108, 160

STS 42. .... 8, 30, 37, 71,127, 152, 153, 164, 198, 199, 209, 212-214, 217,

218, 223, 225, 226, 228, 229, 230, 233, 243, 250-264, 256, 257, 260, 263-266

SIS43

SIS 44

5, 30, 37, 58-60, 65, 67, 72, 74, 76, 84-86, 92-95, 97, 99-105, 108, 110-116,

121-127, 129-133, 135, 136, 138, 157, 163, 173, 183, 215, 272

30, 37, 57, 59, 157, 164-166, 170-173, 176, 178-181,184-190, 193, 196, 198,

199, 201,203, 207-209, 212-216, 218, 220-222, 224, 226-228, 230, 231,

233, 234, 237-247, 251,258, 261

STS 45 ............................... 37, 164, 235, 236, 261,263, 264, 267

STS46 ................................................ 4,37, 164,265

STS 47 .... •................................................ 8, 37, 164

SIS 46 ..... 30, 37, 71, 73, 77, 64, 85, 92, 95, 98, 104, 105, 108, 112, 11 3, 115, 11 7,

119-121,124, 127, 132, 137-139, 152, 155, 157-161,163, 165, 168-173,

175-1 80, 182, 164, 186, 165, 193, 202, 204, 209, 260

SIS 49 .. 37, 75, 104, 108, 114, 119, 121,122, 132, 140, 152, 156, 157, 163-165, 165,

181,165, 165, 190, 191,193, 198, 199, 202, 205, 208, 220, 223, 227,

230, 233, 235, 244, 258, 261,264, 266

STS 50 ........................................... 37, 141,164, 265-267

STS 52 ...................................................... 37, 164

Students ............................................... 47, 46, 95, 101

_-_ 271
Symbiotic=Inc.(Cambridge,MA) ..................................... 268

Syncom IV-3 .................................................... 271

T-38 Training Aircraft ........................................... 109, 243

T-Seals

190, 192, 195-199, 201-205, 207-210, 212-215, 217, 218, 220, 221,223, 225,

226, 228, 264, 266

Tacan ........................................ 65, 95, 105, 121,124, 159

Tail Cone ........... 60, 68, 73, 75, 105, 132, 138, 188, 193-196, 252, 254, 256-258

Tank Pressure Control Experiment (TPCE) .............................. 123

Task Team Leader Concept ......................................... 101

Technicians Memorial .............................................. 61

Tel IV Central Telemetry Station ...................................... 162

Temperature Transducers ...................................... 79-81, 65

Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.. 17, 20, 33, 34, 36, 58, 60, 64, 65, 108, 11O,

140, 155, 158, 160, 163,. 21 O, 212-214, 218, 220, 222, 225, 228, 260,

263,265

Tests .... 2, 4-7, 10, 14, 16-19, 22, 24, 26, 26, 32, 35, 38-40, 42, 56, 57, 63-65, 71, 72,

74-77, 79, 34, 85-87, 91-96, 98, 104, 105, 108, 113, 116-120, 124, 126,

129, 139, 140, 153, 159, 163, 164, 165, 165, 168, 170-173, 175-179,

181,165, 186, 188-199, 202, 204-21 O, 21 2, 213, 217, 218, 219, 226,

228-237, 239, 243-245, 247, 250, 251,253, 254, 256-258, 261,263, 264,

265-267, 270

Tether Satellite System/European Retrievable Carder-1 ..................... 164

Thermal Protection System .. 65, 74-77, 34, 86, 92, 94, 98, 98, 99, 104, 105, 108, 111,

113, 114, 116, 117, 119-122, 125, 126, 132, 141,163, 165, 165, 168,

170-1 73, 176, 181, 185, 165, 191,201,203, 204, 205, 207-209, 212,

213, 217, 218, 221,228-230, 232-235, 237, 239, 244, 245, 247, 250-254,

256-258, 261,263, 264, 266, 267

Thiokol Castor 4 Motor ............................................. 64

Thor ........................................................... 22

Throm, Ronaid ................................................... 153

Thrusters ........................ 6, 9, 1O, 12-14, 17-19, 75, 11O, 122, 177, 239

Tinker Air Field (Tulsa, OK) ......................................... 152

Titan 3 ................................................... ... 113, 140

T'danium-Oxide .................................................... 77

Titanium-Silicate ................................................... 77

Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer ................................... 159

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite .... 30, 105, 108, 109, 113, 116, 118, 120, 121,123,

124, 129, 131,136

Traffic ............................................... 12, 33, 34, 63, 58

Transport Workers Union ......................................... 25, 44

Triton Marine Construction (Houston, "IX) ............................. 2, 11

TRW Space and Technology Group (Redondo Beach, CA) ............... 66, 232

Turbopumps ...................................................... 8

U.S. Microgravity Laboratory-1 ....................................... 164

U.S. Microgrevtty Payload .......................................... 164

U.S.-Japan Geotail ................................................ 164

Uniays Space Systems Division (Houston, TX) ......................... 66, 232

272 _,,_
United Plant Guard Workers of America ................................. 25

University of Central Rodda (UCF) ................. . ................... 96

Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) ... 71, 98, 137, 155, 166, 168, 171,235

Vandanberg Air Force Base ........................... 39, 106, 127, 161, 175

Vehicle Assembly Building .. 1, 2, 4-10, 12, 15-25, 27-29, 33, 36, 39-41, 56, 57, 59, 60,

66, 71, 82, 93, 99-101,104, 113, 115, 117, 119-121,125, 128, 129,

137-140, 175, 183, 186, 191,198, 201,203, 205, 207, 208, 210-215,

227, 251-254, 256-258, 260, 261,263-266

Vertical Processing Facility .................................. 5, 7, 14, 71, 72

Voice of Shuttle Launch Control. ; .................................... 136

Waste Dump ..................................................... 24

Waste Management System .................................. 7, 14, 59, 159

Water Spray Boiler ............................ 5, 6, 84, 95, 98, 116, 220, 257

Weather

2, 19, 28, 32, 41, 43-51, 55, 60, 62-64, 78, 85, 86, 88, 90, 92-94, 99, 102,

109, 110, 115, 116, 124-126, 130-133, 135, 136, 141,151,152, 155,

164, 170, 179, 183-185, 188-190, 193, 214, 216, 237, 239-246, 250-252,

254

Wing Struts .............................................. 202, 204, 205

_- 273
COMPANY INDEX

Applied Research and Systems Division of Ensco, Inc ...................... 170

Atlantic Technical Services (ATS) ...................................... 87

Bared and Co .................................................... 222

Base Operations Contract ....................................... 248, 255

Bob Rogers & Company, Inc.......................................... 33

Boeing Aerospace Operations, Inc.................................... 111

British Aerospace ................................................ 3, 17

CEA, Inc.......................................................... 1

CEXEC Inc. ..................................................... 162

Computer Sciences Corp ......................................... 66, 232

CompuTrac ..................................................... o,.)o

Creative Management Technology Inc.................................. 162

Digital Equipment Corp ............................................. 130

El)on Research Systems ........................................... 162

EG&G FLORIDA, Inc .............................. 66, 78, 222, 232, 248, 255

Glatting Lopez Kercher Anglin, Inc..................................... 33

Globe Communications Inc.......................................... 162

GTE Spacenet ................................................. 48, 47

Hamilton Roofing, In¢............................................... 76

Harris Space Systems Corp .......................................... 35

Honeywell, Inc ............................................. 66, 223, 232

Hughes Aircraft Co ................................................. 25

Ivey's Construction, Inc.............................................. 83

Levitan Design Associates ........................................... 33

Lockheed Advanced Development Co .................................. 200

Lockheed Space Operations Co... g, 11, 28, 59, 70, 77, 103, 104, 111, 160, 162, 166,

168, 192, 201,206, 243, 248, 261

M.A.P. Mechanical Corrb'actors, Inc .................................... 106

Marconi Space Systems ............................................. 3

Metric Constructors ............................................. 15, 40

NOW Construction, Inc.............................................. 76

Orbital Sciences Corp ........................... 67, 75, 91, 94, 100, 110, 216

Pan Am World Services .............................................. 4

Rockwell Intematlonal Corp ................................ 25, 215, _'._, 248

Santa Cruz Construction ............................................. 2

Sauer, Inc ......................................................... 2

Shuttle Processing Contract ............................... 78, 111,168, 200

Spaceport Flodde ........................ "............. 27-29, 31, 62, 182

Speegle Construction Corp .......................................... 162

Thiokol Corp .................................... 20, 66, 166, 187, 231,248

TLC, Inc......................................................... 33

Triton Marine Construction ......................................... 2, 11

TRW Space and Technology Group ................................. 66, 232

TW Recreational Services, Inc........................................ 33

Unisys ....................................................... 66, 232

United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney .................................. 52

v

274 _--_'_
USBI Co ...................................................... 1,187

W & J Construction Corp ........................................... 161

Waisman Dewar Grout Carter, Inc...................................... 33

275
V
1, Report No. I

KI-]R-15 I

4. Title and Subtitle

Report Documentation Page

2. Government Accuion No.

C_LGGY OF KSC AND KSC RELATED EVENTS FOR 1991

9o

12.

PMommg OrgmnkmtioeName and

SPACE

Sl_ Agency Name and Addmm

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE AEMINISTRATION

SPACE CENTER

3. Recipient'$ Cam_ No.

5. Rmon Date

MARCH 1992

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AL_JAL. 1991

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This chronology is published to fulfill the requirement of

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17.

_ (S,_emd byAumo,(,|) Chronology,

Atlantis, Discovery, Endeavour,

Contracts, Astronauts, McCartney,

External Tank, Launch Ccmplexed, Aft

Ccmpart:mer¢, Larcl_gs, Launches

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Block 19. Security Classification (of this report).

Self-explanatory.

Block 20. Security Classification (of this page).

Self-explanatory.

Block 21. No. of Pages. Count front matter pages beginning with iii, text pages including internal blank pages, and

the RDP, but not the title page or the beck of the title page.

Block 22. Price Code. If block 18 shows "UnclassifiedUnlimited," provide the NTIS price code (see "NTIS Price

Schedules" in a current issue of STAR) and at the bottom of the form add either "For sale by the National

Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA

221B1-2171" or "For sale by the Superintendent of

Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,

Washington, DC 20402-0001," whichever is appropriate.

"-.m=d