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

NOTE: The Flight Readiness Review (FRR) is being conducted today at KSC for mission STS-83. The FRR is an agency-wide management review of the upcoming Space Shuttle mission conducted prior to each launch. Managers today will address outstanding concerns remaining from the previous Shuttle mission and discuss preparations on going to support the launch of Columbia. Launch is targeted for April 3. Following the meeting today, a firm launch date is expected to be announced.

Work at the pad today includes preparations for loading hypergolic propellants and X-rays of thruster seals on the right hand orbital maneuvering system pod. The helium signature test of the main propulsion system is complete and good.

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

* Load hypergolic propellants (March 23)

* 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 No. 3 has been removed from Atlantis and transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building. In the VAB, the low pressure oxidizer turbopump will be removed and replaced. Reinstallation of engine No. 3 is set for Friday evening. Also in the VAB, the SRB nozzle plugs are being removed and replaced today. The crew equipment and interface test, involving the STS-84 crew members, will be conducted Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, the crew will conduct checks of the orbiter crew module and of the Orbiter Docking System in the payload bay.

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

* 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: Preparations for Space Shuttle main engine removal continue today. The forward reaction control system functional checks are set to begin tomorrow.

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

* Forward reaction control system functional checks (March 21)

* Remove Space Shuttle main engines (March 24-25)

* Remove and replace fuel cell No. 2 (March 25)

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