MISSION: STS-83 -- Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (image)

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102 (image)
• LOCATION: orbit
• LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 4 at 2:20:32 p.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 8 at about 2:33 p.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 3 days, 23 hours, 12 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Still, Voss, Thomas, Gernhardt, Linteris, Crouch (image)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: Shuttle managers decided Sunday to cut short the STS-83 mission because of a problem with fuel cell No. 2. Since launch, the fuel cell displayed evidence of internal voltage degradation. Though 2 of the 3 fuel cells on Columbia are in working order, flight rules require that all three be functioning well to continue a mission. KSC is the primary landing site for Tuesday, April 8.

The solid rocket boosters were returned to Hangar AF on Sunday evening and preliminary inspections show no evidence of nozzle erosion.

Landing Opportunities at KSC Runway 33:
        (Rev. 63)
Deorbit Burn     1:31 p.m. EDT
Landing          2:33 p.m. EDT
        (Rev. 64)
Deorbit burn      3:06 p.m. EDT
Landing           4:09 p.m. EDT

Landing Opportunities at EAFB Runway 22:
        (Rev. 64)
Deorbit Burn      2:58 p.m. EDT
Landing           4:00 p.m. EDT
        (Rev. 65)
Deorbit Burn      4:37 p.m. EDT
Landing           5:36 p.m. EDT

MISSION: STS-84 -- 6th MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB DM (image)

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 15 at about 4:07 a.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 24 at about 7:52 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 3 hours, 45 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Collins, Foale, Noriega, Lu, Clervoy, Kondakova
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Installation of thruster seals into Atlantis' forward reaction control system (FRCS) and internal verification tests are complete. Leak checks on the orbiter docking system seals are complete.

Midbody close-outs are in work and leak checks on the crew module hatch are complete. Managers are considering removal and replacement of fuel cell No. 3, in light of the fuel cell problems on Columbia.

STS-84 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Roll over to the VAB (April 14)

MISSION: STS-85 -- CRISTA-SPAS-2

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2
• TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 17 at 10:06 a.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 1 hour, 54 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 28 at about 6:54 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 20 hours, 48 minutes
• CREW: Brown, Rominger, Davis, Curbeam, Robinson, Tryggvason
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/57 degrees

NOTE: Inspections and X-rays of Discovery's thruster seals are complete. The FRCS is scheduled for delivery to OPF bay 2 on Thursday. Testing of fuel cell No. 2 is complete.

STS-85 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Reinstall FRCS (about April 10)
• Install main engines (April 18)

NOTE ON ENDEAVOUR: The orbiter Endeavour is in OPF Bay 1 and system inspections continue. The payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed tonight. Preparations to move Endeavour to the VAB temporarily, to make room for Columbia, are in work. Endeavour is scheduled to move at about noon tomorrow.

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