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, prelaunch propellant load is complete. Columbia is currently powered down to allow workers to replace an electrical circuit breaker that supports main engine No. 2. The breaker failed during tests yesterday. Ordnance canister modifications in Columbia's aft compartment have resumed following successful hypergol loading efforts. Early next week, orbiter aft compartment close-outs and ordnance installation activities begin.

The STS-90 Flight Readiness Review concluded yesterday afternoon and NASA managers affirmed April 16 as Columbia's official launch date.

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: Installation of Discovery's main engines began last night with engine No. 1. Main engines No. 2 and No. 3 will be installed today. Body flap rub panel work will resume next week. In the orbiter's midbody, functional testing of the orbiter docking system's upper hatch is complete and payload premate testing continues. The assembly power controller units that support the AMS payload arrived in the OPF this week and are being installed today. Preparations continue for tunnel adapter installation early next week.

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

• Shuttle main engine heatshield installation (April 9)
• Crew Equipment Interface Test (April 10)

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 residual propellants from Endeavour's right-hand orbiter maneuvering system cross-feed lines is complete and removal of the right-hand OMS pod is slated for next week. Torque checks of the right wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Main propulsion system gaseous helium leak checks are slated for next week.

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

• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (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/