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

STS-87 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2
• 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 7:19 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 33 minutes
• CREW: Kregel, Lindsey, Scott, Chawla, Doi, Kadenyuk
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 150 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: The payload premate test is complete. Fuel cell voltage tests are under way and going well. Work on Columbia's elevons and aft compartment close-outs continue. This week, interface verification tests begin on STS-87's secondary payloads.

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

• Final payload bay door closure (Oct. 15)
• Orbiter roll over to VAB (Oct. 24)
• Orbiter roll out to Pad 39B (Oct. 29)
• Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (Nov. 3 and 4)

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, Wolf (down), Sharipov
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Following the successful installation of Endeavour's right-hand orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod yesterday, interface verification tests conclude today with thruster inspection. Functional tests of the orbiter's forward reaction control system wrap up today as well. Wire installation is in work for Endeavour's upcoming fuel cell monitoring modifications.

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

• Shuttle main engine installation begins (Oct. 14)
• Payload premate test (Oct. 20)

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

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building
• 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: TBD
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Discovery is in storage in VAB high bay 2 with the environmental control system purge equipment connected. The orbiter will remain in temporary storage until Oct. 27.

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

NOTE: Draining of the orbiter's residual cryogenics is complete. Orbiter maneuvering system purge operations are under way. The payload bay doors will be opened today to support SPACEHAB and tunnel removal slated for Saturday. Heat shield removal is scheduled for this weekend and main engine removal follows on Monday. Preparations for Atlantis' ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif., for the scheduled orbiter maintenance down period (OMDP) are ongoing.

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