MISSION: STS-91 -- 9TH AND FINAL MIR DOCKING, SPACEHAB-SM, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS)

STS-91 images

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
• KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: June 2 at about 6:10 p.m. EDT
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 7-10 minutes
• MIR DOCKING DATE/TIME: June 4 at about 12:59 p.m. EDT
• MIR UNDOCKING DATE/TIME: June 8 at about 12:01 p.m. EDT
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 12 at about 2:03 p.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: about 9 days, 19 hours, 53 minutes
• CREW: Precourt, Gorie, Lawrence, Chang-Diaz, Kavandi, Ryumin, Thomas (down)
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: KSC workers have gained access to Discovery's aft compartment and will conduct standard main engine hydraulic testing today. Following yesterday's final inspection of the super lightweight external tank, the ice/debris inspection team noted no significant thermal protection system damage resulting from the recent tanking test. Engineering evaluations of the leaky fuel cell No. 3 relief valve are expected to conclude tomorrow. Though repairs on the valve are not expected to be necessary, as a precaution KSC engineers are developing a plan to reach the overboard valve from Discovery's midbody should access be required.

Electrical connections supporting the AMS payload are complete. The payload bay doors remain open as AMS end-to-end testing begins today and continues through Saturday. Payload bay camera testing is slated for this week and installation of the external tank separation camera is in work. The payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed on Tuesday.

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

• SPACEHAB early stow (May 23)
• Close payload bay doors for flight (May 26)
• Orbiter aft compartment close-outs begin (May 26)
• Ordnance installation complete (May 29)
• Begin launch countdown (May 30 at 9 p.m.)

MISSION: STS-88 -- FIRST FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
NODE-1 (Unity)

STS-88 images

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: OPF bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: No earlier than Sept. 3 (under review)
• 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: Technicians are making auxiliary power unit drain line connections today. Rework on the main engine heat shield attach points continues. Standard inspections of the payload bay doors also continue today.

MISSION: STS-93 -- Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)

STS-93 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: OPF bay 3
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: no earlier than Dec. 3 at 2:50 p.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 8 at 1:57 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 43 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 4 days, 23 hours, 7 minutes
• CREW: Collins, Ashby, Hawley, Coleman, Tognini
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 153 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: Columbia's main engine removal is complete. Technicians have also removed fuel cell No. 2 and a replacement fuel cell is being installed today. Preparations are under way to install multiplexer demultiplexer No. 2 today. Efforts to remove the extended duration orbiter (EDO) pallet are in work through next week.

STS-93 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Aft propulsion system functional checks (May 22)
• Main propulsion system leak and functional test (May 27)
• Auxiliary power unit lubrication oil off load (May 28)
• EDO pallet removal complete (May 28)

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/