MISSION: STS-90 -- NEUROLAB

STS-90 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: OPF bay 3
• 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: Leak checks on Columbia's crew module and Ku-band testing are complete. Main engine heat shields are being installed and aft compartment close-outs are in work. Payload bay door inspections are under way and the doors are scheduled to be closed for flight this afternoon. Spacelab internal close-outs are in progress as well.

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

• Roll orbiter to Vehicle Assembly Building and mate with external tank (March 16)
• Rollout to Pad 39B (March 23)
• Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (March 30-31)

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 2:35 p.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 18 hours, 30 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Discovery's right-hand orbiter maneuvering system pod was installed yesterday and electrical mates are complete. Preparations to install the orbiter's body flap continue and installation of auxiliary power unit No. 1 concludes today. The airlock is scheduled to be installed in the orbiter this afternoon. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, stacking operations for the STS-91 solid rocket boosters continue and will conclude next week.

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

• Tunnel adapter installation (March 16)
• Shuttle main engine installation completion (March 19-20)
• Crew Equipment Interface Test (March 28)

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 next week's removal of Endeavour's main engines continue and heat shield removal is in work today. Technicians are troubleshooting a helium isolation valve on the orbiter's reaction control system and work is also under way to replace a line that supplies gaseous nitrogen to the Spacelab.

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

• Remove Space Shuttle main engines (March 10)
• Drag chute installation and check-out (March 12)
• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (March 20)

NOTE on ATLANTIS (OV-104): Atlantis remains at Palmdale, CA, undergoing scheduled maintenance and orbiter modifications. The vehicle is due to be ferried back to KSC in August.

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/