MISSION: STS-90 -- NEUROLAB

STS-90 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: Pad 39B
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 16, 1998 at 2:19 p.m. EDT
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• *TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 3 at 11:07 a.m. EDT
• *EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 16 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes
• CREW: Searfoss, Altman, Linnehan, Williams, Hire, Buckey, Pawelczyk
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 150 nautical miles/39 degrees
  *The mission is currently baselined to last 16 days (MET of 15/21:50). The option to add the 17th day, (MET of 16/21:48) if power margins permit, will be addressed during the flight.

NOTE: Yesterday, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test was completed successfully. Loading of prelaunch propellants into Columbia's on-board storage tanks begins today and continues through Friday. Drying of the gaseous nitrogen (GN2) lines on the mobile launch platform is in progress as GN2 system cleaning efforts conclude. Technicians will resume external tank ordnance canister modifications in Columbia's aft compartment after hypergolic loading is complete. Early next week, orbiter aft compartment close-outs and ordnance installation will begin.

STS-90 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Flight Readiness Review (April 2)
• Orbiter aft compartment closeouts begin (April 6)
• Ordance installation (April 7)
• Launch countdown begins (April 13 at 2 a.m.)

MISSION: STS-91 -- 9TH AND FINAL MIR DOCKING, SPACEHAB-SM

STS-91 images

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: OPF bay 2
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 28 at 8:05 p.m. EDT
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 7 at about 3:36 p.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 18 hours, 31 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Functional tests of Discovery's external tank umbilical doors and ammonia system servicing are complete. Technicians have also completed installation of the payload bay camera. Heat shield and body flap work continues in the orbiter's aft compartment as preparations for main engine installation are in work. Payload premate testing will conclude today and preparations for tunnel adapter installation continue. In the Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, external tank and solid rocket booster mating activities resume today following super lightweight tank weighing operations.

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

• ET/SRB mate (April 1)
• Shuttle main engine installation begins (April 2)
• Crew Equipment Interface Test (April 4)

MISSION: STS-88 -- FIRST FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
(NODE-1, PMAs 1 and 2)

STS-88 images

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: OPF bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 9, 1998, at 12:44 p.m. EDT (under review)
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 20, 1998 at 8:02 a.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 19 hours, 18 minutes
• CREW: Cabana, Sturckow, Currie, Ross, Newman
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Draining of Endeavour's right-hand orbiter maneuvering system fuel cross-feed lines is complete and removal of any residual fuel is in work. Torque checks of the right wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Removal of the orbiter's forward reaction control system (FRCS) is in work and the FRCS will be delivered to the Hypergol Maintenance Facility tomorrow to undergo thruster replacement. Main propulsion system gaseous hydrogen leak checks are slated to occur this week.

STS-88 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (April 2)
• Forward reaction control system removal (April 8)
• Remote manipulator system installed (April 9)

Information about the countdown and mission can be accessed electronically via the Internet at: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/ and at http://shuttle.nasa.gov/