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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1996  (4:54 PM EST)
LAUNCH DAY

KSC Public Affairs Contact: Bruce Buckingham (fax 407-867-2692)
E-mail: Bruce.Buckingham-1@kmail.ksc.nasa.gov


MISSION: STS-80 -- WAKE SHIELD FACILITY-3 (image) and ORFEUS-SPAS-2 (image)

VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: in orbit
LAUNCH DATE/TIME: November 19 at 2:55.47 p.m. EST
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: December 5 at 7:40 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 44 minutes
CREW: Cockrell, Rominger, Jernigan, Jones, Musgrave
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 219 statute miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: The Space Shuttle Columbia was launched today from KSC's Pad
39B at 2:55.47 p.m. -- about 2 minutes, 47 seconds beyond the
targeted liftoff time. During tanking operations of Columbia's
external tank, engineers noticed  rising concentrations of hydrogen
in the aft engine compartment. The decision was made to complete
tanking operations and to monitor the situation through the day. As
the liquid hydrogen tank was undergoing final flight pressurization
in the final minute of the count, hydrogen concentrations in the aft
began to rise again and a hold was called at the T-31 second mark.
Engineers monitoring the situation realized the trend was within
limits and the decision was made to proceed with the launch.

	One other minor issue worked during the count involved a
small hydrogen leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate on an
umbilical that connects the external tank to the pad. The leak
remained within prescribed limits and countdown procedures were not
affected.

	At this time, the crew of Columbia are preparing to deploy
the ORFEUS-SPAS free-flying platform. Deployment is scheduled for
about 10 p.m. EST today.

	The solid rocket booster retrieval ships will begin booster
recovery operations today and complete them tomorrow.

	The crew of mission STS-80 are: Commander Ken Cockrell; Pilot
Kent Rominger; and Mission Specialists Tamara Jernigan, Thomas Jones
and Story Musgrave.
--end--
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