Space Shuttle Status Report 5 October 2000
NOTE: Visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/schedule/schedule.htm on the
KSC Home Page for the latest schedule of future Shuttle missions.
Launch – Delay
MISSION: STS-92 – 5th ISS Flight (3A) – Z-1 Truss, PMA-3
LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Oct. 6, 2000 at about 9:16 p.m. EDT
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 17, 2000
LAUNCH WINDOW: No more than 5 minutes
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
CREW: Duffy, Melroy, Wakata, Chiao, Wisoff, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 177 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Completed Shuttle Processing: During the standard pretanking meeting,
Shuttle managers today decided to delay the launch of Shuttle Discovery by
at least 24 hours. Engineers are currently evaluating a concern with the
Shuttle’s right aft orbiter/external tank attach bolt.
Following routine film analysis of external tank separation during the
STS-106 launch, engineers noted a 2 * – inch protrusion of the aft attach
bolt following tank separation. At separation, a frangible nut inside the
orbiter releases the 14-inch bolt which is supposed to fully retract into
the external tank’s bolt housing. On STS-106, that bolt did not fully
retract.
Engineers are evaluating the cause of this occurrence and what impact a bolt
protrusion would have on the STS-92 flight if any. Following the engineering
evaluation, Shuttle managers will gather tomorrow morning to address the
issue and discuss launch options.
Engineers are also evaluating an issue with a valve inside Discovery’s main
propulsion system that controls the flow rate of propellant and mitigates
vibrations in the aft compartment. During a routine test today, the valve
operated sluggishly. Engineers will evaluate whether this condition is
acceptable for flight and report back to Shuttle management. When
additional information is available, another status report will be issued.
Weather forecasters indicate a 20 percent chance of weather violation for a
Friday launch attempt. The official forecast calls for clouds to be
scattered from 3,000 feet to 7, 000 feet and at 25,000 to 30,000 feet;
visibility at 7 miles; launch pad winds from the south east at 8 gusting to
10 knots; temperature at 77 degrees F; and relative humidity at 85 percent.
The primary concern is the chance of showers. The 24-hour delay forecast
indicates a 60 percent chance of weather violation.
