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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1995 (11:58 AM 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 decision on which mission will be launched first is expected by
 early next week.
  
MISSION: STS-71 -- 1st MIR DOCKING

VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
LOCATION: Launch Pad 39-A
TARGET LAUNCH DATE: June 19 (no earlier than)
APPROX. LAUNCH TIME: 6:43 p.m. EDT
LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 30 at 2:14 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:
  Complete shuttle interface verification test
  Preparations for helium signature test and hypergolic fueling operations

WORK COMPLETED:
  Roll Shuttle vehicle to Launch Pad 39-A
  Hot fire auxiliary power units
  Access aft engine compartment
  Launch pad validations

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Main propulsion system helium signature test (May 1)
  Prelaunch propellant load (May 10) 
  Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (May 24-25)


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:
  Forward, mid-body and aft engine compartment leak checks and close-outs
  Preparations for move to Vehicle Assembly Building next week
  Preparations to move TDRS to Launch Pad 39-B’s Payload Check-out Room

WORK COMPLETED:
  Nose gear wheel and tire assembly installation
  TDRS payload readiness review

KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
  Deliver TDRS to Launch Pad 39-B (9 p.m. Monday)
  Roll orbiter to Vehicle Assembly Building (8 a.m. Wednesday)
  Roll Shuttle vehicle to Launch Pad 39-B (May 11)
  Hot fire auxiliary power unit no. 2 (May 12)
  Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (May 18-19)


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 continues to perform close-outs on the
 left and right hand orbital maneuvering system pods and close-outs of the
 flight control systems. Preparations to install the drag chute and test the
 external tank doors are underway today.


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

VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
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: Columbia is powered-up and preparations to open the payload bay doors
 are in work. Access to the aft engine compartment and purge connections are
 also underway.