KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1998 (12:17 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. (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: Columbia's main engine heat shield attach point work continues. Preparations continue for a pressure test of the orbiter's flash evaporator system on Friday. Aft compartment closeouts are ongoing, and main engine installation is now slated for next Thursday.

      Replacement of the tubing insulation in Columbia's midbody is complete, and closeouts of midbody bay 7 are in work. Transfer of the Neurolab payload from the Operations and Checkout Building to the OPF begins at about 4 a.m. tomorrow. Neurolab will arrive in the payload canister at about 6 a.m. and will be installed into the orbiter after 10 a.m., weather permitting.

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

      • Payload installed into orbiter (Feb. 12)
      • Shuttle main engine installation complete (Feb. 19)
      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: Body flap corrosion repair and super lightweight tank instrumentation modifications continue, and engine heat shield attach point assessments are in work. The Mir docking mechanism is being connected to Discovery's external airlock, and the airlock will be installed into the orbiter on Friday.

      The super lightweight external tank has been transferred to the checkout cell in Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2. Mission STS-91 booster stacking operations have begun on the mobile launch platform in VAB high bay 1.

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

      • External airlock installation complete (Feb. 13)
      • Forward reaction control system installation complete (Feb. 16)
      • Right-hand orbiter maneuvering system pod installation complete (Feb. 20)
      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: Main propulsion system and Shuttle main engine post-flight inspections continue. Draining of the orbiter maneuvering system cross-feed lines continues, with oxidizer line draining complete and fuel line draining in work today. Tunnel adapter removal is now scheduled for Monday.

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

      • Tunnel adapter removal (Feb. 16)
      • Main engine heat shield removal (Feb. 26)
      • Main engine removal complete (Mar. 3)

      --end--

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