MISSION: STS-89 -- 8th MIR DOCKING & SPACEHAB DM

STS-89 images

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Jan. 22, 1998 with a preferred time of 9:48 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 10 minute window (opens at 9:43 p.m. EST)
• MIR DOCKING DATE/TIME: Jan. 24 at about 3:12 p.m.
• MIR UNDOCKING DATE/TIME: Jan. 29 at about 11:52 a.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Jan. 31, 1998 at 5:36 p.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 8 days, 19 hours, 48 minutes
• CREW: Wilcutt, Edwards, Dunbar, Anderson, Reilly, Sharipov, Thomas (up), Wolf (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Loading of hypergolic propellants into Endeavour’s orbiter maneuvering system pods continues through tomorrow. The Rotating Service Structure (RSS) will be retracted tomorrow at 11 a.m., pending weather, to support hot-fire tests of auxiliary power units No. 1, 2 and 3 on Thursday. Tomorrow night, technicians will gain access to the orbiter’s left payload bay door to begin thermal blanket installation. Concluding on Sunday, this work will complete repair efforts on the previously dinged door.

The STS-89 crew is scheduled to fly from Houston, TX, into KSC today at about 7 p.m. to participate in launch familiarization activities. Managers will closely monitor local weather conditions to determine an appropriate landing time and location. The crew will take part in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test on Friday and Saturday.

NASA managers are conducting the STS-89 Flight Readiness Review at KSC today and are expected to announce an official launch date at the meeting’s conclusion this afternoon.

STS-89 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Auxiliary power units hot-fired (Jan. 8)
• Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (Jan. 9-10)
• Payload bay doors closed for flight (Jan. 14)

MISSION: STS-90 -- NEUROLAB

• 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 18, l998 at 12:09 p.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 21 hours, 50 minutes
• CREW: Searfoss, Atlman, Linnehan, Williams, Hire, Buckey, Pawelczyk
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 150 nautical miles/39 degrees

NOTE: Functional tests of Columbia’s orbiter maneuvering system continue today. Yesterday, technicians replaced fuel cell No.1 and replacement of fuel cell No. 3 is in work today. Remote manipulator system removal is slated for Friday. Window polishing efforts are under way and inspections of the forward reaction control system also begin Friday.

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

• FRCS post-flight inspections (Jan. 9)
• Fuel cell voltage tests (Jan. 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 8:33 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 7 at about 12:17 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Removal of Discovery’s forward reaction control system was completed yesterday. Technicians are working to install instrumentation that supports the new Super Lightweight External Tank scheduled to fly on this launch for the first time. Friday, technicians will replace fuel cell No. 2. Body flap corrosion repair and fuel cell monitoring modifications continue.

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/