Dec 18 1980
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KSC reported that the Shuttle interface tests were coming to an end. This first major checkout of the integrated flight system was to close with a series of four simulations using prime and back-up crews of the first launch to validate computer programs that would serve on-board flight systems during the first STS mission in 1981; the last two simulations were scheduled for December 18.
Tile work and processing of gap fillers was continuing, with only a small amount of gap-filler work to be completed after the Shuttle moved to Pad A of Launch Complex 39. At the pad, filling of the liquid-oxygen storage tank was to be complete December 17, as would insertion and removal of dummy payloads to test the service structure. Tests of UX Liberty retrieving solid fuel rocket casings from the ocean would continue through December 19, and sister ship U71^ Freedom would begin sea trials later. (KSC Release 268-80)
The Washington Star carried a UPI report that astronauts Richard Truly and Joe H. Engle had put Columbia through its third rehearsal of the week December 18 "as slick as silk," improving chances of launch March 14. (W Star, Dec 19/80, A-5)
NASA announced that rollout of orbiter Columbia to the launch pad would occur no earlier than December 29 at KSC. The move was postponed from December 26 because of time lost in VAB processing, intensity of crew work, and a two-day holiday vacation. Gap-filler closure rate was averaging 275 per day and would not constrain the rollout data, NASA said. (NASA Release 80-195)
INTELSAT announced that its board of governors had decided to purchase three more INTELSAT 5A satellites in addition to the nine already on hand for the INTELSAT 5 series, the latter to be launched by the end of 1982. Launching of the 5A series would begin in 1984; basically similar to INTELSAT 5, they would have increased reliability and 25 % more communications capacity, handling 15,000 telephone calls compared to 12,000. (INTELSAT Release 80-30-I)
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