KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1997 (2:48 PM EDT)

      KSC Public Affairs Contact: Joel Wells (fax 407-867-2692)
      E-mail: J.Wells-1@ksc.nasa.gov
      MISSION: STS-84 -- 6th MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB DM (image)
      • VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
      • LOCATION: Pad 39A (image)
      • TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 15 at about 4:08 a.m.
      • LAUNCH WINDOW: 7 minutes
      • TARGET DOCKING WITH MIR: May 16 at about 10:38 p.m.
      • TARGET UNDOCKING WITH MIR: May 21 at about 9:04 p.m.
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 24 at 7:49 a.m.
      • MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 3 hours, 41 minutes
      • CREW: Precourt, Collins, Foale, Noriega, Lu, Clervoy, Kondakova (image)
      • ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

      NOTE: Ordinance installation and connection is complete. Close-out activities continue in Atlantis’ aft compartment. The battery and cable that provide power to an accelerometer on the right SRB have been replaced and closed-out. Hypergolic propellant pressurization is in work. Testing of the orbiter’s global positioning and inertial navigation systems will occur today and tomorrow. The payload interface verification test is complete.

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

      • Orbiter aft compartment close-outs complete (May 9)
      • Payload bay doors closed for flight (May 9)
      • Launch countdown begins (May 11)
      • STS-84 crew arrival (May 11)
      MISSION: STS-94 -- Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (image)
      • VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102 (image)
      • LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
      • TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 1 at 2:37 p.m.
      • LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 17 at 7:23 a.m.
      • MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 46 minutes
      • CREW: Halsell, Still, Voss, Thomas, Gernhardt, Linteris, Crouch (image)
      • ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

      NOTE: Installation of auxiliary power unit No. 3 is in work and preparations are under way for installation of auxiliary power unit No. 2. The forward reaction control system will be transported to the OPF tonight for installation into the orbiter this weekend. Main engine installation is scheduled to begin Friday morning. Spacelab experiment testing is in work today through Friday and will pickup again next week. Structural inspections of the tunnel adapter revealed a need for additional protective paint - that work is in progress. In the VAB, preparations are underway for next week’s planned external tank/solid rocket booster mating activities.

      STS-94 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

      • Spacelab/orbiter interface verification test (today and tomorrow)
      • Space Shuttle main engine installation (May 9 and 10)
      • Forward reaction control system installation (May 10)
      MISSION: STS-85 -- CRISTA-SPAS-2
      • VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
      • LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2
      • TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: August 7 at 10:39 a.m.
      • LAUNCH WINDOW: 1 hour, 41 minutes
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 18 at 7:27 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: The cycling of Discovery’s external tank doors is complete and inspections reveal bent bolts in the linkage of the power drive unit on the right hand door. Engineers are analyzing the data and are expected to decide on appropriate repair measures this week. Work on the orbiter’s body flap is complete and main engine installation begins early next week. Payload premate activities continue.

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

      • Space Shuttle main engine installation (May 12 and 13)
      • Payload installation (May 14)
      MISSION: STS-88 -- ISS-01-2A

      ENDEAVOUR (OV-105) NOTE: Endeavour is located in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Freon coolant loop radiator hookups are complete. Removal of the right hand orbiter maneuvering system simulator is in work.

      --end--

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