MISSION: STS-87 -- U.S. MICROGRAVITY PAYLOAD-4

STS-87 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: Pad 39B
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Nov. 19 at 2:46 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 5 at about 7:20 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 34 minutes
• CREW: Kregel, Lindsey, Scott, Chawla, Doi, Kadenyuk
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 150 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: The Flight Readiness Review began at 10:30 a.m. today at KSC to confirm that all aspects of the STS-87 mission are prepared for launch later this month. At the conclusion of the meeting, a firm launch date is expected to be announced. At the pad, operations continue to proceed without problem. Today, pad launch validations and preparations for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) this week continue. The crew for mission STS-87 arrived at KSC this morning for the TCDT. T-0 and a simulated main engine start and cutoff are scheduled for Wednesday morning. Over the weekend, the USMP was installed in Columbia's payload bay. Payload interface verification tests are currently in work.

STS-87 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (Nov. 4 and 5)
• Pre-launch propellant loading (Nov. 6)
• Begin aft engine compartment close-outs (Nov. 10)

MISSION: STS-89 -- 8th MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB DM

STS-89 images

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Jan. 15, 1998 at about 1:03 a.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Jan. 24, 1998 at about 4:47 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes
• CREW: Wilcutt, Edwards, Dunbar, Anderson, Reilly, Sharipov, Thomas (up), Wolf (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Installation of Endeavour's heat shields was completed over the weekend. Today, functional checks of the crew module hatch are in work. Preparations are under way for the payload premate test set for Wednesday. Transfer tunnel installation is now scheduled for early next week. The orbiter's fuel cell monitoring modifications continue with wire harness work on going.

STS-89 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Payload premate test (Nov. 5)
• Midbody Crew Equipment Interface Test (Nov. 7)

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