KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1998 (4:30 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. (under review)
      • 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: Functional tests on Columbia’s airlock hatch "D" are complete. Inspections of micrometeorite hits on an orbiter radiator and checks on the orbiter’s environmental control and life support system are complete. Aft compartment closeouts and payload premate testing continue. Technicians proceeded with main engine heat shield rework efforts today and no work is planned on Columbia over the weekend.

      Next week, the Neurolab payload is scheduled to arrive at the OPF on Wednesday for installation into the orbiter’s cargo bay and Shuttle main engines will be installed on Thursday.

      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

      STS-91 images

      • 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: Tests on Discovery’s power reactant storage and distribution system are complete. Installation of the orbiter’s three auxiliary power units continues 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, arrived at KSC’s turn basin at about 11 a.m. today. Workers transported the 154-foot-long improved tank to the Vehicle Assembly Building this afternoon, where it will undergo processing for flight. The new tank weighs about 7,500 pounds less than the original ET.

      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)
      • External airlock installation complete (Feb. 13)
      • Forward reaction control system installation complete (Feb. 16)
      MISSION: STS-88 (01-2A) ISS FIRST FLIGHT

      STS-88 images

      • 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: Payload disconnects are complete and removal is slated for Monday. Shuttle main engine post-flight inspections are under way and Ku antenna assembly checks are in work as well. Removal of Endeavour’s tunnel adapter is scheduled for later 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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