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 STS-83 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) is underway today at KSC. The TCDT is held prior to each Space Shuttle flight providing the crew of each mission opportunities to participate in simulated countdown activities at KSC. The TCDT includes a mock launch countdown culminating in a simulated main engine cutoff (Friday). The crew also spends time undergoing emergency egress training exercises at the pad and has an opportunity to view and inspect their mission payloads in the orbiter's payload bay.

Overnight, inspections were made of the low pressure fuel turbo pumps on the three Space Shuttle main engines. The pump on engine No. 1 was found to have unacceptable rotor blades and the decision was made to remove and replace this pump. The work will begin today and is not expected to impact the overall schedule for launch. The engine heat shields are being removed at this time and the actual removal and replacement of the pump will take place tomorrow. A preliminary leak check will be conducted tomorrow night prior to previously scheduled pad operations on Saturday.

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

* Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) (today and tomorrow)

* Remove and replace the low pressure fuel turbo pump on SSME No. 1 (Friday)

* Remove and replace SRB nozzle plugs (Saturday/Sunday)

* 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: Orbiter Docking System functional checks are being conducted today. Also, the payload bay liners are being installed and pyrotechnic initiator checks are being made. The low pressure fuel turbo pumps on Atlantis' main engines will be checked tonight.

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

* Orbiter Docking System functional check (today and tomorrow)

* Remove and replace SRB nozzle plugs in the VAB (March 19-20)

* 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: Tests of the orbiter's Tactical Air Command and Navigation System (TACAN) is complete. Check-outs of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system continue. Preparations for Space Shuttle main engine removal also are underway. Pressure decay checks on the power reactant and storage distribution system are ongoing today.

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

* Fuel cell voltage tests (March 14)

* Forward reaction control system functional checks (March 21)

* Remove Space Shuttle main engines (March 28)

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