May 24
In order to help NASA offset personnel costs, House legislators completed work on a $4.4 billion supplemental appropriations bill that authorized an extra $33 million for the agency. ("House Passes Extra $33 Million to Help NASA," Huntsville Times, May 25, 1990)
May 25
MSFC officials briefed Dr. William Lenoir from NASA Headquarters on the Transfer Orbit Stage, the inertial Upper Stage, the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle, the Space Station, and other MSFC activities. (See MSFC History Office Microfiche #2127, "Notable MSFC Events During 1990," May 29, 1990)
May 25
MSFC Director Jack Lee announced the appointment, effective July 1, of Thomas J. Irby, Jr., as Deputy Director of the Department of Defense/NASA Advanced Launch System Joint Project Office, Heavy Lift Vehicle Definition Office. (MSFC Management Announcement, May 25, 1990)
May 29
During the launch attempt for the STS-35 mission, a hydrogen leak was detected by onboard hazardous gas detection systems. The leakage was in excess of limits established to maintain safe operating conditions. It was detected both in the aft compartment and external to the liquid hydrogen external tank/orbiter umblimical assembly. (NASA Fact Sheet, Hydrogen Leak Investigation, July 2, 1990)
May 30
The interstage adapter of the Atlas/Centaur-69 launch vehicle for the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) sustained minor damage during a routine tanking test being conducted by General Dynamics at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. (NASA CRRES incident Advisory, May 30, 1990)
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