Message-ID: <Ia-0wFS00VcJA4Q05Q@andrew.cmu.edu>
Reply-To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU
From: space-request+@Andrew.CMU.EDU
To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 90 02:05:08 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #262

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 11 : Issue 262

Today's Topics:
	     NASA Headline News for 04/12/90 (Forwarded)
	       Payload Status for 04/12/90 (Forwarded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 13 Apr 90 01:08:49 GMT
From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov  (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: NASA Headline News for 04/12/90 (Forwarded)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, April 12, 1990              Audio Service: 202/755-1788
-----------------------------------------------------------------

This is NASA Headline News For Thursday, April 12.....

Kennedy Space Center ground crews last night removed the 
auxiliary power unit controller for return to the manufacturer.  
However, test results have cleared the computer of any problem.  
It appears a pulse control valve opening in an auxiliary power 
unit did not fully close--allowing extra hydrazine to flow into 
the turbine causing an overspeed condition.  During the 
countdown, the preset launch criteria sensed the condition.  The 
computerized system performed automatically as it should and held 
the count.

The STS-31 launch date will be determined once it is clear 
exactly what work is required.  Estimates continue to be 
approximately ten to fourteen days.  Announcement of a target 
date will be discussed later today.

As engineers have identified the circuitry in the 15-pound 
controller is not the problem, the mission management teams 
scheduled removal of the APU for necessary work to be completed 
by this weekend.  A hot-firing test is planned for next week.  
Consideration will be given to recharge the Hubble Space 
Telescope batteries while remaining in the payload bay.  

The payload bay doors are closed but will be opened later this 
afternoon to install detectors to monitor any possible 
contaminants during turnaround activities.  And, for protection 
against the weather as well as access to the payload bay, the 
rotating service structure remains alongside the Discovery.  

Propellants have been drained from the external tanks as well as 
cryogenics from the fuel cells.  And, the five-member crew has 
returned to Johnson Space Center to conduct practice runs in the 
shuttle simulator.

                       *        *        *

The Human Performance Research Lab at the Ames Research Center is 
expected to be up and running by January 1992.  It will be the 
first research facility designed to study the human role in 
advanced aviation and prolonged space travel.  During yesterday's 
groundbreaking ceremonies, Center Director Dale Compton said it 
will help scientists answer questions and meet space goals like a 
lunar outpost, a Mars expedition or the National Aero-Space 
Plane.  

                           ***********


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA 
Select TV.  All times are Eastern.


Thursday, April 12......

          11:30 A.M.         NASA Update will be transmitted.


All events and times are subject to change without notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12 Noon,
EDT.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A service of the Internal Communications Branch, NASA HQ.

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

Date: 13 Apr 90 01:19:14 GMT
From: trident.arc.nasa.gov!yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov  (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Payload Status for 04/12/90 (Forwarded)


    Daily Status/KSC Payload Management and Operations 04-12-90.
    
    
    - STS-31R HST (at pad-B) -
    
    No activities were performed on Wednesday.  Today the
    payload bay doors will be reopened and preps for restarting
    HST battery charging will be active.
    
    
    - STS-35 ASTRO-1 (at OPF) -
    
    Payload preps for orbiter rollover to the VAB were completed
    Wednesday and the payload bay doors were closed third shift
    today.  Also today, the LAIR demonstration test will be
    performed at Pad-A and BBXRT GSE will be installed and
    checked out in the MLP.
    
    
    - STS-40 SLS-1 (at O&C) -
    
    Rack and floor installation into the module, fire
    suppression system troubleshooting and preps for experiment
    train interface test were active Wednesday and will continue
    today.
    
    
    - STS-42 IML-1 (at O&C) -
    
    On Wednesday module pyrell foam replacement along with racks
    3, 7, and 11 staging operations were performed.  Pyrell foam
    replacement will continue today along with racks 3, 4, 7,
    and 9 staging.
    
    
    - STS-45 (Atlas-1)-
    
    Pallet to pallet mating will continue today.  Forward and
    aft hardpoint installation will also be performed today.
    
    
    - STS-55 SL-D2 (at O&C) -
    
    Rack 12 staging activities will continue today.
    
    
    - HST M&R (at O&C) -
    
    ORUC power network verification will continue today.

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

End of SPACE Digest V11 #262
*******************