MISSION: STS-83 -- Microgravity Science Laboratory-1

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102 (image)
• LOCATION: Pad 39A
• TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 3 at 2:01 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 19 at about 7:37 a.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 36 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Still, Voss, Thomas, Gernhardt, Linteris, Crouch
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: The Space Shuttle Columbia arrived at the pad yesterday afternoon and was hard-down at about 12:39 p.m. Hard-down had to be re-executed when it was discovered that a firex line under the mobile launcher platform (MLP) was misaligned. The MLP was raised again and final hard-down came at 2:47 p.m. Overnight, auxiliary power unit No. 2 was successfully hot fired followed by rotation of the Rotating Service Structure around the vehicle this morning.

Preparations are now underway for the STS-83 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test set to take place at KSC on Thursday and Friday. Six of the seven crew members arrived at KSC at 5 p.m. yesterday. (image) The remaining member, Don Thomas, will arrive today.

STS-83 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

* Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) (March 13-14)

* Remove and replace SRB nozzle plugs (March 15)

* Flight Readiness Review (March 20)

* Ordnance installation (March 26)

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: Space Shuttle main engine securing and ammonia system servicing continues in work today. The Orbiter Docking System is being configured for its functional check tomorrow.

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

* Orbiter Docking System functional check (March 13-14)

* Crew equipment and interface test (March 22)

* Mate external tank to solid rocket boosters (March 24)

* Close payload bay doors for roll to VAB (March 31)

* Roll over to the VAB (April 9)

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, Ashby, Davis, Curbeam, Robinson, Tryggvason
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/57 degrees

NOTE: Check-outs of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system continue. Preparations for Space Shuttle main engine removal also are underway. A test of the orbiter's navigational system is scheduled for today and tomorrow.

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

* Tactical Air Command and Navigation System (TACAN) test (March 13)

* Fuel cell voltage tests (March 14)

* Remove Space Shuttle main engines (March 28)

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