KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1997

      KSC Public Affairs Contact: George Diller (fax 407-867-2692)

      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 (image)
      • ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees
      IN WORK TODAY:
      * Helium Signature Test
      * Main engine heat shield closeouts
      * Re-installation of booster nozzle plugs
      * Connection of orbiter mid-body umbilical unit
      * Potable water sampling

      WORK SCHEDULED:
      * Loading of orbiter storable hypergolic propellants (Sat. - Sun.)
      * Load orbiter mass memory units (Monday)
      * Begin aft main engine compartment closeouts (Monday)

      WORK COMPLETED:
      * Changeout of low pressure fuel turbopump

      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: The Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System (MSBLS) is being tested today. The orbiter docking system is being leak checked. Crew access hatch functional tests are being performed. Main engine heat shield installation is underway. The Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT), a mission specific familiarization and inspection of orbiter and payload systems by the astronauts, is scheduled for Saturday.

      In the Vehicle Assembly Building, closeouts of the solid rocket booster stack continue.


      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: Configuration of the payload bay for the CRISTA-SPAS payload is underway. The orbiter's altimeter is being tested today. Fuel cell functional tests are scheduled for tomorrow. Checkout of the orbital maneuvering system is complete.

      --end--

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