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: Columbia's Shuttle Interface Test was successfully concluded Friday. At about 7:30 a.m. today the Shuttle began its 4.2 mile trip to launch Pad 39B atop the crawler transporter. It is expected to be hard down on the pad surface at about 1:30 p.m. today. The Rotating Service Structure will be moved to the park position around the Shuttle at about 4:30 p.m. today.

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

• Launch pad validations complete (March 24)
• Shuttle main engine Flight Readiness Test (March 25)
• Helium signature leak test (March 27)
• Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (March 30-31)
• Flight Readiness Review (April 2)

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: Over the weekend, workers completed auxiliary power unit connections and orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) cross-feed connections. OMS leak checks are under way. Replacement of power control assembly (PCA) No. 3 on Discovery's orbiter docking system is complete and functional tests are planned throughout this week. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, solid rocket booster stacking operations are complete and close-outs are in work. Preparations are under way to mate the new super lightweight external tank to the boosters on Thursday. Workers will perform a final weighing of the tank just prior to mating activities.

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

• Tunnel adapter installation (March 31)
• Shuttle main engine installation complete (March 31)
• Crew Equipment Interface Test (April 4)

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: Replacement of a liquid hydrogen 4-inch disconnect is complete. Technicians will disconnect Endeavour's OMS cross-feed lines today and begin hypergolic deservicing tonight. Torque checks of the orbiter's left wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. The manipulator positioning mechanism that supports the robot arm is being installed in the orbiter's midbody. Right-hand OMS pod removal is slated to begin Wednesday and checks of the forward reaction control system thrusters are in work.

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/