MISSION: STS-90 -- NEUROLAB

STS-90 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: VAB
• 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: The orbiter Columbia is hardmated to the external tank (ET) in VAB high bay 3 and umbilical connections are in work. During removal of the orbiter sling yesterday evening, the aft sling contacted the orbiter near the left aft ET attach point and damaged the thermal protection system (TPS) in that area. Today, technicians will cut away the impacted thermal protection system tiles and inspect the surface area beneath it to ensure that no structural damage to the orbiter exists. Shuttle interface testing resumes this afternoon and managers do not expect the additional work to significantly impact the overall schedule. Columbia remains scheduled to roll out to Pad 39B on Monday morning. (See updated report)

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

• Shuttle Interface Test complete (March 20)
• 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: Preparations are under way for replacement of power control assembly No. 3 on Discovery's orbiter docking system this weekend. Modifications to the external tank separation camera continue. Rework of the main engine heat shield attach points will conclude this week. The payload premate test is in work today. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, STS-91 booster stacking operations have resumed with mating of the right forward assembly segment.

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

• Tunnel adapter installation (March 23)
• 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 main propulsion system leak and functional testing began yesterday and continues through Monday. Installation of auxiliary power unit No. 3 begins tomorrow and concludes Friday. Torque checks of the wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Hypergolic deservicing and cross-feed line disconnects are now slated to begin tomorrow and right-hand OMS pod removal is planned for next Thursday.

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

• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (March 26)
• Forward reaction control system removal (March 31)
• Remote manipulator system or robot arm installed (April 1)

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/