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: Columbia's prelaunch preparations continue on schedule with the launch countdown slated to begin early Monday morning. Orbiter aft compartment closeouts are proceeding very well and will conclude Saturday. Payload early stow activities are nearing completion today in the orbiter's cargo bay. Ordnance installation begins later today following final inspections of the right forward booster integrated electronic assembly.

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.)
• Crew arrival (April 13 at 3:30 p.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: Interface verification testing of the assembly power controller units that support the AMS payload is complete. Discovery's main engine and main propulsion system integrated testing continues and inspection of the ground support equipment used during leak checks 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 continue. Preparations for Friday's Crew Equipment Interface Test 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 are complete and pod removal efforts begin later today. Main propulsion system leak checks continue with helium system tests in work. 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):

• Right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod removal complete (April 9)
• 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/