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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1995 (9:30 AM EST)

NOTE: Missions STS-71 and STS-70 are both being targeted for no earlier than
 launch dates. Options are being protected for each to be the next one
 launched. A more firm decision is expected later this month.
  
MISSION: STS-71 -- 1st MIR DOCKING
VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
TARGET LAUNCH DATE: June 10 (no earlier than)
APPROX. LAUNCH TIME: 10:12 p.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 21 at 5:41 p.m. 
MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 19 hours, 31 minutes
CREW SIZE: 7 up, 8 down
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 196-245 statute miles/51.60 degrees

IN WORK TODAY:
  Aft engine compartment close-outs
  Spacelab final close-outs
  Complete crew cabin, Orbiter Docking System and Spacelab leak checks

WORK COMPLETED:
  Ku-band antenna tests
  Install main engine heatshields

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Complete aft engine compartment close-outs (Thursday)
  Final payload bay closure (Friday)
  Roll orbiter to Vehicle Assembly Building (April 19)
  Roll Shuttle vehicle to Launch Pad 39-A (April 25)
  Hot fire auxiliary power units (April 27)


MISSION: STS-70 -- TDRS-G

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2
TARGET LAUNCH DATE: June 8 (no earlier than)
APPROX. LAUNCH TIME: 10:20 a.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 16 at 8:33 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 7 days, 22 hours
CREW SIZE: 5
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 184 statute miles/28.45 degrees

IN WORK TODAY:
  Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks
  Preparations to install main engines
  Water spray boiler checks
  Remove and replace window no. 4

WORK COMPLETED:
  Solid rocket booster stacking operations in Vehicle Assembly Building
    high bay 3

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Mate external tank to solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly
    Building (Thursday)
  Install shuttle main engines (Monday)
  Close payload bay doors (April 25)
  Roll orbiter to Vehicle Assembly Building (May 3)
  Roll Shuttle vehicle to Launch Pad 39-B (May 11) 


MISSION: STS-69 -- WSF-2 & SPARTAN 201-03

VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
TARGET LAUNCH DATE: July 20
APPROX. LAUNCH TIME: 12:06 p.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 31 at 8:37 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 21 hours
CREW SIZE: 5
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 190 statute miles/28.45 degrees

IN WORK TODAY:
  Remove extended duration orbiter pallet
  Remove main engines
  Functional checks of the forward reaction control system 

WORK SCHEDULED:
  Remove fuel cell no. 2 (Thursday)
  Orbital maneuvering system functional checks (Monday) 

NOTE: The orbiter Columbia, riding atop the modified 747 Shuttle Carrier
 Aircraft, will remain at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, again tonight.
 Adverse weather in the area of the Florida panhandle eliminated any hope of
 the vehicle getting back to KSC today. Columbia will continue the ferry
 flight to KSC tomorrow, weather permitting, arriving at about noon at the
 Shuttle Landing Facility. Columbia has spent the last six months undergoing
 structural inspections and modifications at the Rockwell facility in
 Palmdale. Columbia’s next mission is STS-73, a 16-day flight targeted for
 launch in September. Upon arrival, Columbia will be stored temporarily in
 the Vehicle Assembly Building until Atlantis is rolled out of the OPF for
 external tank mating operations.