Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/STSKITS/STS_36.TXT

Text File | 1993-04-11 | 16KB | 379 lines

"6_2_2_23_3.TXT" (3879 bytes) was created on 01-31-90

STS-36 COUNTDOWN DEMONSTRATION TEST SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 3

RELEASE:

     A full dress rehearsal for the STS-36 launch countdown is
planned this week at Kennedy Space Center.  The terminal
countdown demonstration test (TCDT), involving the STS-36 flight
crew, KSC launch team, and the Mission Control Center (MCC) team,
Houston, will culminate with a simulated "T-zero" at 11 a.m.,
Sat., Feb. 3.

     The five-member flight crew will arrive at KSC's Shuttle
Landing Facility on Thurs. to participate in the practice
countdown.  The STS-36 crew is comprised of Commander John
Creighton, Pilot John Casper, and Mission Specialists David
Hilmers, Richard Mullane and Pierre Thuot.

     While at KSC, the flight crew will receive routine
instructions for emergency egress procedures at Launch Pad 39-A
including a practice drive in the M113 tracked vehicle.  At the
pad, they will become familiar with the location of breathing
apparatus, other emergency equipment and the slidewire basket
system.

     One of the routine activities for the crew while at KSC for
the TCDT are briefings by Shuttle and payload engineers.  The
briefings, scheduled the day before the test, are designed to
bring the flight crew up to speed on the status of the vehicle,
payload, processing operations and any significant issues.

     Objectives of the test include establishing timelines and
validating sequences involved in the flight crew suit-up and
entry into the orbiter's cockpit.  The test also offers an
occasion for the flight crew, the KSC launch team, the MCC to
work together in a launch day configuration.  Inter-agency
interfaces required to support the terminal countdown will be
evaluated.

     The simulated countdown is set to begin at the T-24 hour
mark on Friday at 8 a.m.  Atlantis will be powered up for the
test and its onboard systems will be activated.  Events in the
countdown will be condensed or simulated to represent activities
that occur during the actual launch countdown and/or to configure
the orbiter for the test.

     The countdown will proceed to the T-3 hour mark and hold for
2 hours, 40 minutes.  During the hold, the flight crew will be
awakened and have breakfast.  Also, the orbiter closeout crew
will be assembled and begin preparing Atlantis' cabin for the
flight crew's entry.

     After a weather briefing, the flight crew will get into
their flight suits and depart for the launch pad.  The closeout
crew will assist the astronauts in getting into the cockpit.
Each crew member will establish communications with the orbiter
test conductor in Firing Room 3.

     Two 10-minute built-in holds are planned at the T-20 minute
and T-9 minute marks.  For the purposes of the test, the
countdown will be halted at about the T-5 second mark at 11 a.m.

     After a short debriefing, the flight crew will exit the
cockpit quickly to practice an emergency escape while wearing the
space suits.  This training will take place on the 195-foot level
of the Fixed Service Structure where the orbiter crew access
hatch and the slidewire baskets are located.

     Later that day, the flight crew will return to Houston for
final mission preparations.  They will return to KSC a few days
prior to launch.

     Launch of Atlantis on its sixth flight, designated mission
STS-36, is targeted for Feb. 22.  The official launch date will
be set at the flight readiness review to be held at KSC on Feb 9-
10.  STS-36 is a dedicated Department of Defense classified
mission.

        - end -

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Crew arrival at KSC tomorrow will be carried by
NASA Select television beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m.,
EST.  Other crew photo opportunities on Friday and Sat. be will
carried locally by KSC.  NASA Select TV may be accessed via
Satcom F2R, Transponder 13, located at 72-degrees west longitude.


"6_2_2_23_4.TXT" (561 bytes) was created on 02-10-90

2/10/90: STS-36 LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT
Release No.  90-XX


LAUNCH DATE SET FOR STS-36


At the conclusion of today's Flight Readiness  Reivew  at  NASA's
Kennedy Space Center,  Fla.,  Space Shuttle managers set a target
date of February 22 for the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-36.
The four-hour launch period for  this  classified  Department  of
Defense  mission  is  scheduled to extend from 12 a.m.  to 4 a.m.
EST.

At the present time,  no significant problems stand in the way of
launch on February 22.

"6_2_2_23_5.TXT" (488 bytes) was created on 02-21-90

LAUNCH ADVISORY:  STS-36 Postponement

2/21/90

Navy Capt. John O. Creighton, Commander, STS-36, developed an up-
per respiratory tract infection during the past 24 hours.  In ad-
dition,  the launch weather is not  predicted  to  be  favorable.
Therefore,  the  STS-36 launch has been postponed for at least 24
hours.

The Commander's health and weather will be evaluated on  Thursday
to determine if the launch will be attempted on Friday morning.


"6_2_2_23_6.TXT" (828 bytes) was created on 02-23-90

STS-36 LAUNCH STATUS 2/23/90



                   STS-36 Launch Status Report
              10:15 a.m. EST Friday, Feb. 23, 1990


Weather conditions continue  to  be  unacceptable  for  cryogenic
tanking  this  afternoon  which  would be required for a Saturday
morning launch attempt.   The RSS will remain around the  vehicle
to protect it from forecasted severe weather,  including rain and
high winds.

The weather front is expected to pass through the KSC  area  this
evening,  with conditions improving on Saturday.   A decision has
been made, therefore, to delay an additional 24 hours, aiming for
a Sunday morning launch between midnight and 4:00 a.m.

Flight surgeons have cleared crew Commander  J.O.  Creighton  for
flight.   He and pilot,  Col. John Casper, are flying the Shuttle
Training Aircraft this morning.


"6_2_2_23_7.TXT" (2388 bytes) was created on 02-24-90

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 2-24-90

          Saturday February 24, 1990 (as of 10:00 a.m.)

           KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

-----------------------------------------------------------------

        STS-36  --  Atlantis (OV 104)  -  Launch Pad 39-A


     The countdown for launch of STS-36 is proceeding on
schedule. Launch is scheduled to take place Sunday morning,
February 25, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 4:00 a.m.
EST.

     The Rotating Service Structure was moved into the park
position at 6:36 a.m. today. This morning the launch team is
making preparations to load the external tank with the half
million gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants.
Loading activities will begin later this afternoon and continue
through early evening.

     The five-member astronaut crew will be participating in
routine pre-launch activities today, including status briefings
on the activities at the pad and current weather forecasts. Also,
the crew will have time to review flight data files and earth
observation charts prior to going to sleep early this afternoon.

     Later this evening, the crew will be awakened and begin
final preparations for launch. They will have breakfast, receive
a briefing on the weather, don their launch and entry suits in
the Operations and Checkout Building, and ride to launch pad 39-
A. At the pad, the crew will be assisted with their flight crew
equipment in the white room on the 195 foot level of the fixed
service structure and get situated in their respective seats for
ascent.

     Commander John Creighton and the rest of the STS-36 crew are
reported to be healthy and feeling fine.

     Weather forecasts indicate a 30 percent chance of violating
launch commit criteria during the launch period Sunday morning.
The cold front which passed through the KSC area yesterday will
continue to move to the east. In the wake of the front, clear
skies and cooler temperatures are evident.

     The forecast for tomorrow predicts cloudless skies with
winds from the north at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The
temperature should be between 42-47 degrees F. and the dewpoint
33 degrees F. The relative humidity will be at 55 percent, with
visibility greater than 7 miles.


"6_2_2_23_8.TXT" (1704 bytes) was created on 02-26-90

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 2-26-90

           Monday February 26, 1990 (as of 10:00 a.m.)

           KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

-----------------------------------------------------------------

        STS-36  --  Atlantis (OV 104)  -  Launch Pad 39-A

     The launch of Atlantis on mission STS-36 was scrubbed this
morning at 2:32 a.m. The launch team has been instructed to
prepare for a 48 hour recycle to Wednesday morning between the
hours of 12:00 midnight and 4:00 a.m. A minimum of 48 hours is
necessary to replenish the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
ground storage tanks and to give the launch team a well deserved
break.

     Today's launch attempt was postponed due to unacceptable
weather constraints at KSC. A 2,000-foot-thick cloud deck moved
into the area at the 5,000 foot level, violating the visibility
rules for a return to launch site abort.

     On the pad, the vehicle was de-tanked without incident. No
technical issues are being worked.

     Following the scrub, Commander John Creighton said "we are
disappointed we didn't launch today, but are convinced that the
launch team and the mission management team made the correct
decision based on the information available. We are looking
forward to our next opportunity."

     Commander Creighton, Pilot John Casper and Mission
Specialist David Hilmers will fly back to Johnson Space Center
tonight for simulation training and will return to KSC Tuesday
morning.

     Weather forecasts indicate an 80 percent chance of violating
launch commit criteria during the launch period Wednesday
morning. Low cloud ceilings and cross winds remain the primary
concern.


"6_2_2_23_9.TXT" (1993 bytes) was created on 02-27-90

KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 2-27-90

   KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 27, 1990 - 10 AM

          STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A

     The STS-36 launch countdown is now underway leading up to  a
third tanking and launch attempt.  Pending favorable weather con-
ditions, launch is set for no earlier than Wednesday, Feb. 28 be-
tween 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. EST.

     Weather forecasts indicate there is a 60 percent  chance  of
being  able  to launch during the period on Wednesday.  Winds are
forecast to be from the east  northeast  direction  at  10  knots
gusting  to 16 knots.  A low cloud layer between 4,000 - 6,500 is
also forecast to be in the area during the launch period. The ex-
pected temperature is between 62-66 degrees.

     Today, the launch team will prepare for loading the external
tank with liquid oxygen and liquid  hydrogen  propellants.  Since
the 48-hour launch postponement,  the propellant storage farms at
Launch Pad 39-A have been replenished to support two  more  tank-
ings.

     Other  launch  preparations include activating the orbiter's
communications system,  stowing time critical items in  the  crew
cabin,  preparing  the  pad facility and equipment for launch and
replacing the seals around the gaseous oxygen vent arm.  There is
a  requirement  to replace the vent arm seals after several tank-
ings.

     The five-member STS-36 flight crew returned to Houston  last
night  at 9 p.m.  and are due back late this morning.   Commander
John Creighton,  Pilot John Casper and Mission  Specialist  David
Hilmers practiced ascents in the shuttle simulator at the Johnson
Space Center overnight.

     Later this evening,  the flight crew will be awakened,  have
breakfast,  don their flight suits and depart the Operations  and
Checkout Building for Pad 39-A.  They will be assisted in the Pad
white room with last minute gear  before  taking  their  assigned
seats in Atlantis' crew cabin.


"6_2_2_23_10.TXT" (569 bytes) was created on 02-28-90

GO FOR ORBIT OPS STATEMENT FROM MISSION CONTROL
        3:41 A.M. CST 2/28/90
The STS-36 mission lifted off from the Kennedy Center this morning at
1:50 a.m. CST.

At one hour, fifty minutes into the flight of Atlantis, the crew
of Atlantis has been given the go for orbit operations. The
orbiter and the crew are performing well. The STS-36 landing date
and period announcement will be made as soon as practical after
the launch-plus-24-hour mark when NASA newscenters are open for
business.  This concludes commmentary for today on Atlantis and
the STS-36 mission.


"6_2_2_23_11.TXT" (339 bytes) was created on 03-01-90

STS-36 LANDING DAY STATEMENT FROM MISSION CONTROL
        6 A.M. CST 3/1/90


This is Mission Control Houston.  The expected landing day for
Shuttle mission STS-36 is March 4.  The landing is scheduled for
Edwards Air Force Base, California.  Meanwhile, the STS-36 crew
is doing well and Orbiter Atlantis continues to perform
satisfactorily.


"6_2_2_23_12.TXT" (2442 bytes) was created on 03-05-90

ATLANTIS STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH FACILITY, CALIF.


     Atlantis landed at 10:08 a.m. PST on lakebed runway 23
ending the STS-36 Department of Defense mission. The total
distance the orbiter rolled out was 7,900 feet. Atlantis was
towed to the Mate Demate Device by about 3 p.m. yesterday.
Overall, the orbiter is reported to be in excellant condition.

     About 62 dings in the tiles were counted by the debris team
yesterday. Tile engineers report that only one tile may have to
be replaced. The brakes and tires performed nominally. Drops of
hydraulic fluid have been observed in the right main landing gear
wheel well, the liquid hydrogen 17-inch disconnect cavity and
possibly around two of the main engines. Officials won't know the
source of the fluid until access is gained into the orbiter's aft
engine compartment.

     Work at Dryden to prepare the shuttle Atlantis for the ferry
trip back to Florida is being hampered by high winds. Winds are
forecast between 25-35 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Weather
conditions are expected to improve later tonight and through the
rest of the week. Work crews may be scaled back overnight because
of the winds.

     Today, workers will perform a detailed post-flight
inspection of the thermal protection system, sample the potable
water in the crew module, install plugs and caps on the liquid
hydrogen T-zero connections and safe pyrotechnic devices on the
orbiter.

     Later tonight, when the winds decrease, Atlantis will be
jacked and leveled in the Mate Demate Device. Access to the aft
compartment will be gained as soon as possible and ground power
supplies will be hooked up to the orbiter.

     Other work necessary to configure the orbiter for the ferry
flight includes: offloading residual liquid hydrogen and liquid
oxygen reactants from the orbiter's onboard storage tanks,
installation of the tail cone over the three main engines and
bolting the orbiter to the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

     Officials are targeting for a one-day ferry flight back to
Kennedy Space Center, Florida pending favorable weather
conditions and the completion of planned work. A refueling stop
is necessary for the cross-country flight. That two-hour stop is
currently planned for Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The ferry flight is scheduled to begin no earlier than Saturday,
March 10.