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: Retests of the replaced integrated electronic assembly in the aft of the left-hand booster are complete and good. In Columbia's aft compartment, the external tank attach point ordnance canister modifications are complete. Orbiter midbody umbilical unit mate and leak checks are also complete.

Efforts to clean and reassemble the gaseous nitrogen system on the mobile launch platform are complete. Orbiter aft compartment closeouts continue through Saturday. Preparations to pickup the launch countdown on Monday are under way. Payload early stow activities are in work.

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

• 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: Electrical connections of the assembly power controller units that support the AMS payload are complete and interface verification testing is in work. Orbiter docking system voltage checks and lighting functional tests are complete. Discovery's main engine and main propulsion system integrated testing is in work. Payload premate testing concludes this week. Preparations for tunnel adapter installation are in work and the SPACEHAB tunnel will be installed Saturday. Body flap closeouts are under way.

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 13)
• 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 continue and removal begins tomorrow. Transfer of the OMS pod to the Hypergol Maintenance Facility is slated for Friday. Main propulsion system leak checks continue with hydrogen system tests in work. Helium system testing begins Thursday and liquid oxygen system testing will follow 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/