Following a flight readiness review today, Space Shuttle managers have set Sept. 14 as the launch date for Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-79. The flight is the fourth in a series of joint docking missions between the Shuttle and Russia's space station Mir and will feature the delivery of astronaut John Blaha to Mir and the return of astronaut Shannon Lucid to Earth.
Officials are keeping a close eye on tropical storm activity in the Atlantic. Plans could be implemented to return the Shuttle Atlantis back to the Vehicle Assembly Building if any storms turn toward the Kennedy Space Center. Officials may have to re-evaluate the Sept. 14 launch date if the storms force a rollback of Atlantis.
During the meeting, solid rocket motor managers presented data on the abnormal sooting discovered in the J-leg tip on the STS-78 solid rocket motor field joints following Columbia's launch in June. An analysis showed that the most probable cause for the sooting was a new adhesive used in the field joints for the first time on STS-78. Managers decided to take a conservative approach and replace the STS-79 motors with a new set using the old adhesive material. NASA managers said a thorough review of Atlantis' new solid rocket motors verified their readiness for launch.
"We have heard presentations from all program elements supporting the STS-79 launch, mission and landing. The NASA contractor team is ready for the upcoming flight," said George Abbey, Director, Johnson Space Center, who chaired the review meeting. "This flight marks a significant crew exchange between the Space Shuttle and the Mir station as we bring Shannon Lucid back after a record stay in orbit for an American. The U.S. is gathering data during these flights that are invaluable in our plans for the International Space Station. Flights with the Russians and the Mir station are allowing us to learn more about long duration space flight even before we construct the station."
The Sept. 14 launch of Atlantis is planned for 5:39 a.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A. The available launch "window" is ten minutes long.
The STS-79 mission is scheduled to last nine days, five hours and nine minutes. With an on-time launch, docking with Mir will occur about 42 hours after launch. A nominal mission duration would result in Atlantis returning to Earth on Sept. 23 with a landing at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at approximately 10:48 a.m. EDT.
The STS-79 mission will be the 17th flight for Atlantis and the 79th in the Space Shuttle program history.