KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1998 (3:42 PM EST)

      KSC Public Affairs Contact: Joel Wells (fax 407-867-2692)
      E-mail: Joel.Wells-1@ksc.nasa.gov

      Launch Viewing Information

      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 are essentially complete less orbiter midbody umbilical mating activities, currently slated for the first week in April. Main engine ball seal leak checks were completed yesterday and helium signature leak testing occurs today. Purging of the gaseous nitrogen (GN2) lines on the mobile launch platform and cleaning of a GN2 panel continues through this weekend. Preparations for next week's prelaunch propellant load are in work.

      NASA managers may opt to open Columbia's payload bay doors on Monday to give technicians access to two bolts on a getaway special canister. If the work is needed, technicians will add a washer to each bolt to ensure that the bolts are properly secured. The doors will be closed again on Tuesday. The minor unplanned work will not impact the launch date.

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

      • Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (March 30-31)
      • Prelaunch propellant load (April 1)
      • Flight Readiness Review (April 2)
      • Orbiter aft compartment closeouts begin (April 6)
      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: Discovery's body flap shaft installation and auxiliary power unit lubrication servicing are complete. Thermal protection system work near the nose landing gear is complete and will pickup on the body flap rub panel Monday. Body flap rub panel modifications continue through next week. Auxiliary power unit electrical checkouts are in work today.

      Orbiter docking system electrical and mechanical system checks are slated for Saturday and payload premate testing begins Monday. Preparations are also in work for main engine installation late next week. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, ET/SRB mate has been delayed to no earlier than Tuesday while workers complete inspections of the STS-91 solid rocket booster stack.

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

      • Payload premate test (March 30)
      • 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: Draining of the right-hand orbiter maneuvering system fuel cross-feed lines has been rescheduled to next week. Next week, technicians will also remove the forward reaction control system (FRCS) to replace a leaky thruster. Torque checks of the orbiter's left wing-to-fuselage attach bolts continue. Installation of the manipulator positioning mechanism that supports the robot arm continues.

      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)

      --end--

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