GO TO THE PREVIOUS SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT

GO TO THE NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT

SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, December 16, 1994


Mission number: STS-63

Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery
Location: OPF Bay 2
Orbital altitude: 247 sm
Primary payload: Spacehab-3/Spartan
Inclination: 51.6 degrees
Launch date: Feb. 2  12:49 a.m.
Landing: Feb. 10
Mission duration:  8 days, 6 hrs. 13 min.
Crew Size: 6

STS-63 IN WORK:

  checkout of replacement auxiliary power unit No. 2
  orbiter mid-body electrical testing and closeouts
  checkout of orbital maneuvering system flight controls
  orbital maneuvering system pod interface verification testing
  orbital maneuvering system pod leak checks
  main engine No. 1 nozzle x-rays and borescoping
  aft compartment closeouts

STS-63 WORK SCHEDULED:

  closeouts of crew compartment
  preparations to conclude work for the 10-day holiday period
  rollover to the VAB on or about Jan. 4
  rollout to Pad 39-B on or about Jan. 11
 
  STS-63 WORK COMPLETED:

  closure of payload bay doors for flight


ENDEAVOUR (STS-67) Astro-2

	 Installation of Astro-2 into Endeavour's  payload  bay is complete as well 
as the establishment of the electrical and fluid connections.  Testing will begin 
after the holidays. 

	Water spray boiler checkout and servicing is continuing.  Preparations 
are  underway for the installation of the three main engines next week.  
Installation of auxiliary power unit No.1 is scheduled for later tonight or Monday. 


ATLANTIS (STS-71) MIR DOCKING

	Hypergolic deservicing of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction 
control systems is continuing today as well as the post flight removal of the 
auxiliary power units.

	Tonight preparations will begin to remove and replace general purpose 
computer No. 1.  Troubleshooting the Ku-band communications antenna will 
continue.  Preparations are underway to remove and replace windows No. 1 and 
No. 2.


KSC 24-Hour Weather Summary

Today's minimum temperature: 65 degrees
Yesterday's maximum temperature: 71 degrees
Lowest  relative humidity: 74 percent
Peak wind speed: N-36 mph
Precipitation as of 7 a.m.: .03 inches
Total December precipitation: .57 inches


NOTE:  Christmas holidays for the launch team begin Dec. 23 and extend until 
Jan. 3.  There will be no orbiter processing activity during that time.  No status 
reports will be issued.