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: Over the weekend, workers completed efforts to replace a failed electrical circuit breaker that supports Columbia's main engine No. 2. Late last Friday, managers decided to replace an integrated electronic assembly (IEA) in the aft of the left-hand solid rocket booster. The replaced IEA had transistors from the same manufacturing lot as those that had recently failed tests at KSC's SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility. The IEA replacement work was completed over the weekend and retests are slated for today. Technicians will complete efforts to reassemble the gaseous nitrogen panel on the mobile launch platform today and panel hydrocarbon sampling is in work. Orbiter aft compartment closeouts are in work and will conclude Saturday.

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

• Payload early stow (April 7)
• Ordance installation (April 8)
• Flight crew equipment stowed (April 9)
• Orbiter aft compartment closeouts complete (April 11)
• 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 is complete and main propulsion system assembly leak checks are in work. The assembly power controller units that support the AMS payload have been installed in the orbiter's midbody, and SPACEHAB fluid line installation is complete. Payload premate testing will conclude early this week. The tunnel adapter installation begins today and the SPACEHAB tunnel will be installed Saturday. Body flap rub panel work resumes this week.

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

• Crew Equipment Interface Test (April 10)
• Shuttle main engine heatshield installation (April 11)
• SPACEHAB tunnel installation (April 11)
• Payload bay doors closed (April 16)

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: Preparations for the removal of Endeavour's right-hand OMS pod are in work today and removal is slated for Wednesday. Main propulsion system helium leak and functional tests begin Thursday, and liquid oxygen testing begins next week. Torque checks of the right wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue.

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

• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (April 8)
• Remote manipulator system installation complete (April 13)

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/