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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1995 (12:46 PM EDT)


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:
  Spacelab final close-outs
  Preparations to close payload bay doors

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

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Final payload bay closure (late tonight)
  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 servicing and check-out
  Remove and replace window no. 4

WORK COMPLETED:
  Mate external tank to solid rocket boosters in Vehicle Assembly Building
    high bay 3
  Solid rocket booster stacking operations in VAB

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Crew equipment interface test (Saturday)
  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:
  Post-flight checks of the robotic arm
  Functional checks of the forward reaction control system 

WORK SCHEDULED:
  Orbital maneuvering system functional checks (Monday) 

NOTE: The orbiter Columbia, riding atop the modified 747 Shuttle Carrier
 Aircraft, departed Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, today at about
 9 a.m. EDT. It arrived at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility at 11:52 a.m.
 Operations to demate Columbia from the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are
 now underway and the vehicle will be towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building
 for temporary storage late tonight. Following Atlantis’ move to the VAB
 next week, Columbia will be moved into Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
 where preparations will begin for it’s next mission, STS-73, a 16-day
 flight targeted for launch in September. Columbia has spent the last six
 months undergoing structural inspections and modifications at the Rockwell
 facility in Palmdale, Calif.