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: Engineers completed efforts to load test configuration software to support Columbia's upcoming prelaunch tests. Helium signature leak testing concluded last week. Over the weekend, workers continued efforts to flush the gaseous nitrogen system lines and expect to complete their efforts today. Loading of prelaunch propellants into Columbia's on-board storage tanks begins Wednesday.

The STS-90 flight crew arrived at KSC yesterday and are involved with mission familiarization activities today. On Tuesday they will participate in the Terminal Coundown Demonstration Test with a full dress, simulated main engine shutoff at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Having reviewed available payload data, NASA managers are confident that the two bolts on a getaway special canister (GASCAN) in Columbia's payload bay are properly secured and ready for flight. Opening the orbiter's payload bay doors to access the GASCAN will not be necessary.

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: Installation of pyrotechnic devices that support Discovery's remote manipulator system, landing gear, Ku Band antenna and Firex system is complete. Body flap rub panel modifications continue. through next week. Auxiliary power unit lubrication servicing and orbiter docking system electrical and mechanical system checks are in work. Payload premate testing is slated for today and main engine installation begins later this week.

In the Vehicle Assembly Building, ET/SRB mate was postponed last Thursday while workers conducted inspections of the STS-91 solid rocket booster stack. An extensive search for a magnet location marker missing from the right forward center segment is under way. The magnet is used by VAB workers as a visual reference during segment mating operations only and removed after stacking is complete. Managers have viewed video that shows the black, 3/4" wide x 2" long magnet properly affixed before the right forward center segment was mated to the right aft center segment. However, no video is available of that portion of the booster after mating activities were complete.

NASA managers are evaluating the unlikely possibility that during stacking operations the small magnet fell into the center joint that connects the forward segment with the aft segment. Extensive inspections conducted during mating activities give no indication that the magnet fell into the center segment. Pending successful completion of this evaluation, ET/SRB mate is scheduled to resume Wednesday and managers would then expect no impact to the STS-91 launch date.

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

• Tunnel adapter installation (March 31)
• ET/SRB mate (April 1)
• 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: Torque checks of Endeavour's left wing-to-fuselage attach bolts are complete. Draining of the right hand orbiter maneuvering system fuel cross-feed lines begins today in preparation for right hand orbiter maneuvering system pod removal next week. Technicians will complete forward reaction control system (FRCS) removal on Wednesday and then begin work to replace a leaky thruster. With installation of the manipulator positioning mechanism complete this week, technicians will install the robot arm next Thursday.

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/