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: Columbia's main engine heat shields are installed and aft compartment close-outs continue. The payload bay doors were closed for flight Friday afternoon and strong back removal is planned for today. Orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) leak checks pick-up this afternoon and final assessments of the orbiter's elevons are in work today.

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 3:36 p.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 18 hours, 31 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Installation of Discovery's airlock is complete and electrical connections are in work. Modifications to the external tank separation camera and the orbiter's global postioning system are under way. Auxiliary power unit installation and leak checks continue. This week, OMS pod interface verification testing and installation of the monitoring system for the docking mechanism's pyrotechnic devices are scheduled. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, stacking operations for the STS-91 solid rocket boosters continue with mating of the right forward segment planned for tonight.

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

• Tunnel adapter installation (March 16)
• Crew Equipment Interface Test (March 28)
• Shuttle main engine installation complete (March 31)

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: Endeavour's engine heat shield removal is complete and Shuttle main engine removal is in work with engine No. 2 already pulled. Technicians are currently performing torque checks on the left wing-to-fuselage attach bolts. A payload cooling line is also being removed today.

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 26)

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/