KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1998 (11:16 AM EST)

      KSC Public Affairs Contact: Joel Wells (fax 407-867-2692)
      E-mail: Joel.Wells-1@ksc.nasa.gov

      Launch Viewing Information

      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: At Pad 39B, launch preparations continue on schedule. Prelaunch oxidizer loading is complete and loading of fuel into Columbia's on-board storage tanks is in work. Cleaning of the gaseous nitrogen lines on the mobile launch platform continues through tomorrow. Today, workers will run cycling tests on the circuit breaker controller that supports Columbia's main engine No. 2. 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.

      The STS-90 Flight Readiness Review is under way and NASA managers are expected to announce April 16 as Columbia's official launch date at the conclusion of the meeting.

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

      • Orbiter aft compartment close-outs 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: Workers are removing access platforms used for Discovery's body flap work to make way for Shuttle main engine installation efforts. Engine installation is slated to begin late tonight and body flap rub panel work will resume next week. Payload premate testing has resumed today following successful troubleshooting of a failed signal during yesterday's testing. Tunnel adapter installation is slated to begin early next week. In Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1, mating of the first super lightweight external tank and STS-91 solid rocket boosters is complete.

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

      • 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: Removal of Endeavour's forward reaction control system (FRCS) was completed yesterday, and the FRCS will be moved to the Hypergol Maintenance Facility today for about one month of work to replace a leaky thruster. Removal of residual fuel from the orbiter's right-hand OMS cross-feed lines continues in preparation for next week's removal of the right-hand OMS pod. Torque checks of the right wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Main propulsion system gaseous hydrogen leak checks are slated for this week.

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

      • Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (April 2)
      • Remote manipulator system installed (April 9)

      --end--

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