MISSION: STS-90 -- NEUROLAB

STS-90 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: Pad 39B
• 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: Launch pad validations continue and Columbia's main engine Flight Readiness Test is complete. Orbiter hydraulic connections began last night and will conclude later today. Preparations for Friday's helium signature leak test are under way. Purging of the gaseous nitrogen (GN2) lines on the mobile launch platform continues and cleaning of a GN2 panel is in work. Minor hydrocarbon buildup from previous launch activities requires cleaning of the GN2 equipment.

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

• 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: Tests on Discovery's right-hand external tank umbilical door and airlock power redundancy tests are complete. Verification of the orbiter docking system (ODS) and androgynous peripheral docking system is complete. Potable water servicing and modifications of the orbiter's external tank (ET) separation camera continue.

Tunnel adapter hatch "D" installation continues in Discovery's midbody and the tunnel adapter will be installed next Tuesday. Payload premate testing begins tomorrow and continues through Saturday. Preparations are in work for main engine installation late next week. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, preparations continue for orbiter/ET mate tomorrow.

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

• Payload premate test (March 26)
• Tunnel adapter installation (March 31)
• Shuttle main engine installation begins (April 2)
• 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: Tonight technicians will begin efforts to drain Endeavour's orbiter reaction control system cross-feed lines and complete hypergolic deservicing. Engineers are evaluating a leaky thruster on the forward reaction control system (FRCS) and may opt to replace the thruster after FRCS removal. 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.

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

• Remove right-hand orbital maneuvering system pod (April 2)
• Forward reaction control system removal (April 8)
• Remote manipulator system installed (April 9)

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/