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: Technicians completed inspections of the orbiter surface beneath a scuffed thermal blanket on Columbia's left aft sidewall. Inspections revealed no structural damage. Workers are completing efforts today to put the original blanket back in place. The incident occurred Tuesday evening when the orbiter's aft sling contacted a thermal blanket following orbiter/external tank mating activities in the VAB. KSC managers expect no schedule delays due to the additional work. No thermal tiles were damaged and KSC managers expect no schedule delays due to the additional work.

The Shuttle Interface Test is in work and will conclude tomorrow. Preparations for Columbia's rollout to Pad 39B started this afternoon and the Shuttle is expected to begin first motion at 7 a.m. on Monday. Atop the giant crawler transporter, the Shuttle is slated to arrive at the pad by 1 p.m. Monday and the Rotating Service Structure will be pulled around the Shuttle at about 4 p.m.

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 continue for replacement of power control assembly (PCA) No. 3 on Discovery's orbiter docking system this weekend. The PCA is incompatible with a new Adrogynous Peripheral Docking System (APDS) that will fly for the first time on STS-91. The new APDS mechanism is intended for use on the International Space Station. Auxiliary power unit installation is complete and leak checks are in work. The payload premate test is scheduled through next week. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, stacking of the right forward assembly segment concluded yesterday completing the STS-91 solid rocket booster stack.

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. Torque checks of the wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Hypergolic deservicing and cross-feed line disconnects are under way and right-hand OMS pod removal preparations begin next week.

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/