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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1995 (12:25 PM 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.
  
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

NOTE: Analysis conducted on two quality integrity seals near the base of the
 Orbiter Docking System delayed close-out operations and pushed the target
 move time to the Vehicle Assembly Building to 8 a.m. Thursday.

IN WORK TODAY:
  Final Orbiter Docking System checks
  Preparations for move to Vehicle Assembly Building

WORK COMPLETED:
  Close payload bay doors
  Final payload bay cleaning and inspections

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Roll orbiter to Vehicle Assembly Building (8 a.m. Thursday)
  Roll Shuttle vehicle to Launch Pad 39-A (April 26)
  Hot fire auxiliary power units (April 27)
  Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (May 16-17)


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:
  Install shuttle main engines
  Orbital maneuvering system check-outs 

WORK COMPLETED:
  Crew equipment interface test
  Remove and replace window no. 4

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  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/TIME: July 20 at 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

NOTE: Endeavour is powered-up as work to complete the installation of fuel
 cell no. 2 continues. Preparations also continue to perform functional
 checks on the left and right hand orbital maneuvering system pods.


MISSION: STS-73 -- U.S. MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY-2

VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building bay 2
TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 21 at 10:37 a.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 7 at 8:31 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 16 days
CREW SIZE: 7
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 167 statute miles/39 degrees

NOTE: The orbiter Columbia remains in the Vehicle Assembly Building awaiting
 Atlantis’ departure from the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Columbia
 will move into the OPF about two days later and preparations will begin for
 its next mission, STS-73.