MISSION: STS-95 -- SPACEHAB-SM, SPARTAN & HOST

STS-95 images

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39B
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Nov. 7 at 12:04 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 8 days, 22 hours and 4 minutes
• CREW: Brown, Lindsey, Parazynski, Robinson, Duque, Makai, Glenn
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 310 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: Preparations to roll back Shuttle Discovery from Launch Pad 39B are complete and workers are ready to begin the transfer back to the Vehicle Assembly Building. At 6:30 a.m. today, Shuttle managers made a precautionary decision to roll back Discovery with first motion planned for 7:30 a.m., but a local weather system caused a delay. First motion has been rescheduled for 10 p.m. tonight with VAB arrival at about 5 a.m. Friday. Forecasters will continue to monitor the local weather system that poses a threat of lightning and will brief Shuttle managers before the transfer begins.

Managers continue to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Georges and KSC remains in a Hurricane Condition III expecting 50 knot winds within 48 hours. Forecasters indicate less than a 20 percent chance of Georges tracking directly toward KSC and predict the storm will be off the coast of Tampa, FL, by Saturday. However, with rain bands, wind gusts, and the possibility of tornadoes associated with the eastern edge of the storm, KSC managers are taking all appropriate precautions. Managers will address KSC's Hurricane Condition as new weather information is available throughout the day.

MISSION: STS-88 -- FIRST FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
UNITY CONNECTING MODULE

STS-88 images

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: OPF bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Dec. 3 at 4:45 a.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 14 at 11:14 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 - 10 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days, 18 hours and 29 minutes
• CREW: Cabana, Sturckow, Currie, Ross, Newman, Krikalev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: KSC remains in a Hurricane Condition III today and workers will continue preparations to secure Endeavour in the OPF. Preparations for payload bay door closure will be performed if necessary.

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: Jan. 21, 1999 at 11:26 a.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Jan. 26, 1999 at 10:33 a.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 47 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: KSC remains in Hurricane Condition III and workers continue with preparations to secure Columbia in the OPF today.

OV-104 Atlantis - Return from OMDP in Palmdale, CA

NOTE: Shuttle Atlantis remained overnight in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Ferry flight managers are monitoring the progress of Hurricane Georges and plan to remain in Kentucky until an appropriate departure time can be determined. Shuttle managers at KSC will not be ready to receive Atlantis any earlier than Saturday due to operational constraints associated with hurricane preparedness. Depending on weather conditions on the flight path and at KSC, Atlantis' arrival at KSC could be delayed until early next week.

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/