KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
      THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1998 (4:49 PM EDT)

      KSC Public Affairs Contact: Joel Wells (fax: 407-867-2692)

      Launch Viewing Information

      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
      • 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: Preparations to begin the launch countdown for mission STS-91 on Saturday are proceeding on schedule. Installation and checkout of the ordnance on the solid rocket boosters are complete. Refilling of Discovery's orbiter maneuvering system oxidizer tank concluded yesterday and pressurization of the hypergolic system began this morning. Aft main engine compartment close-outs have resumed today and will conclude Saturday with aft door installation. The STS-91 flight crew arrives at KSC Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

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

      • Orbiter aft compartment close-outs complete (May 30)
      • Flight crew arrival (May 30 at 12:30 p.m.)
      • Begin launch countdown (May 30 at 9 p.m.)
      • Begin loading onboard cryogenic storage tanks (May 31 at 5 p.m.)
      • Retract Rotating Service Structure to launch position (June 2 at 12:30 a.m.)
      • Load external fuel tank with cryogenic propellants (June 2 from 9:14 a.m. to 12:14 p.m.)
      MISSION: STS-88 -- FIRST FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
      UNITY (Node-1)

      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: Installation of Endeavour's forward reaction control system is in work and interface checks are scheduled for tomorrow. Auxiliary power unit leak and functional testing continues this week. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, solid rocket booster joint close-outs continue.

      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: Replacement of Columbia's nose landing gear wheels and tires is complete. Technicians continue preparations for tomorrow's planned removal of the extended duration orbiter (EDO) pallet. Orbiter maneuvering system functional testing also continues. Main propulsion system inspections are under way and water spray boiler No. 3 core off-load continues.

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

      • EDO pallet removal complete (May 29)
      • Auxiliary power unit lubrication oil off-load (May 30)

      --end--

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