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

STS-87 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: Pad 39B
• 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 STS-87 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test was concluded this morning and the helium signature test is also complete. Columbia's payload bay doors are closed to support loading of hypergolic propellants into the orbiter tomorrow.

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

• Prelaunch 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: Integrated hydraulic operations continue, and interior and exterior close-outs of Endeavour's air lock will proceed through Saturday. Payload premate testing is under way and transfer-tunnel installation is slated for early next week. The orbiter's fuel cell monitoring modifications continue with performance monitor connections in work. Aft engine compartment close-outs are in progress and main propulsion system electrical close-outs began today.

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

• Midbody Crew Equipment Interface Test (Nov. 7)
• Transfer-tunnel installation (Nov. 14)
• Crew compartment CEIT (Nov. 15)

MISSION: STS-91 -- 9th MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB-SM

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: OPF bay 2
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 28 at 8:33 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 7 at about 12:17 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Technicians continue to set up work platforms to gain access to Discovery. Preparations are in work to remove the orbiter's body flap for routine corrosion repair. Fuel cell monitoring modifications continue.

STS-91 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Removal of the forward reaction control system complete (Nov. 30)

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: OPF bay 3
• TARGET OMDP FERRY DATE: Nov. 11
• TARGET RETURN TO KSC: August 1998
• NEXT MISSION: STS-92 ISS-03-3A (3rd ISS flight)

NOTE: Preparations for Atlantis' ferry flight to Palmdale, CA, continue on schedule. Tail cone installation was completed this morning and the payload bay doors are closed for flight. Mating of the orbiter to the top of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft is set for Nov. 10 and departure for Palmdale is planned for early Nov. 11.

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