The power reactant and storage distribution tanks will also continue to be vented. The elevon carrier plates and the orbiter's forward ferry fitting have been installed and installation of the tail cone fittings is scheduled to begin later today. Residual cryogenics will be offloaded from the orbiter beginning this evening. The thruster will be sent to the KSC malfunction laboratory for analysis. Calif. Plans are to depart Edwards at first light, make a two hour stop over for re- fueling at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and continue on to KSC the same day.
Preparations continue for thruster drying and flight cap removal.
Following this, the oxidizer manifold purge will commence later tonight. The thruster is scheduled to be removed tomorrow. Today, installation of the ferry flight fittings is in work, the Shuttle's main engine covers will be removed and airlock closeouts will be performed. Operations to drain the hypergolic propellants from the orbiter began last night and will continue through tomorrow. Also, cryogenic offload of the PRSD tanks has been completed.