KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1998 (2:17 PM 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: OPF bay 3
      • TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 2, 1998 at 1:19 p.m.
      • LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 19, l998 at 12:07 p.m.
      • 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

      NOTE: Installation of Columbia's airlock hatch "D" is complete. The hatch provides access from the tunnel adapter to the Spacelab transfer tunnel. Today, work is under way to install new bushings on the main engine heat shields. Inspections of micrometeorite hits on an orbiter radiator and aft compartment closeouts are also in work. Columbia's main engines are slated for installation next Thursday and tunnel adapter pressure decay checks begin tomorrow afternoon.

      The payload premate test is ongoing and Neurolab's installation into the orbiter's payload bay is planned for Feb. 11.

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

      • Payload installed into orbiter (Feb. 11)
      • Shuttle main engine heat shield installation begins (Feb. 11)
      • Shuttle main engine installation complete (Feb. 12)
      MISSION: STS-91 -- 9TH MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB-SM
      • VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
      • LOCATION: OPF bay 2
      • TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 28 at 8:05 p.m.
      • LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 7 at about 3:36 p.m.
      • MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 19 hours, 31 minutes
      • CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, Thomas (down)
      • ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

      NOTE: Installation of Discovery's three auxiliary power units is under way and will continue through Monday. Work on the power drive unit for the right external tank umbilical door continues. Body flap corrosion repair and super lightweight tank instrumentation modifications are also in work. The new super lightweight external tank, to be used on STS-91, remains docked on its barge at Port Canaveral. High winds have prevented tugboat operations so far this week and today managers predict the tank will arrive at KSC's turn basin no earlier than 10 a.m. tomorrow, weather permitting.

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

      • Auxiliary power unit installation complete (Feb. 10)
      • Right-hand orbiter maneuvering system pod installation complete (Feb. 12)
      • Forward reaction control system installation complete (Feb. 16)
      MISSION: STS-88 (01-2A) ISS FIRST FLIGHT
      • VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
      • LOCATION: OPF bay 1
      • TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 9, 1998, at 12:44 p.m.
      • TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 20, 1998 at 8:02 a.m.
      • MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 19 hours, 18 minutes
      • CREW: Cabana, Sturckow, Currie, Ross, Newman
      • ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 170 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

      NOTE:Flight crew equipment destow is complete and Endeavour's postflight inspections continue on schedule. Strong back installation and payload bay door opening were completed yesterday and SPACEHAB removal is slated for Monday. Technicians continue to install access platforms in the orbiter's aft compartment and main propulsion system inspections begin next week.

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

      • SPACEHAB removal (Feb. 9)
      • Tunnel adapter removal (Feb. 12)
      • Main engine heat shield removal (Feb. 18)
      • Main engine removal complete (Feb. 20)

      --end--

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