MISSION: STS-93 -- Chandra X-ray Observatory (formerly AXAF)

STS-93 images

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
• LOCATION: OPF bay 3
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 8 (at least 5 week delay under review)
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 13
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 46 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 5 days
• CREW: Collins, Ashby, Hawley, Coleman, Tognini
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 153 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: KSC managers are reviewing Columbia’s STS-93 processing schedule to accommodate a delay of at least one week in the Chandra payload KSC delivery date, previously slated for Jan. 28. NASA and Chandra spacecraft managers expect circuit board problems onboard Chandra to delay the STS-93 launch at least 5 weeks. Further spacecraft tests and inspections this week in Redondo Beach, California will allow Chandra managers to more accurately determine the schedule impact. That information will help NASA Shuttle managers address possible impacts to planned, downstream Shuttle flights.

Yesterday, workers completed payload bay cleaning efforts and closed Columbia’s payload bay doors. Orbiter forward and aft compartment closeouts continue and potable water servicing is under way.

MISSION: STS-96 -- 2nd U.S. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FLIGHT
SPACEHAB DOUBLE MODULE

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: OPF bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 13, 1999 at 11:41 a.m. EST (under review)
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 24, 1999 at 7:51 a.m. EST
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days (+1)
• CREW: Rominger, Husband, Ochoa, Jernigan, Barry, Payette, Malenchenko
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Interface verification testing on Discovery’s forward reaction control system is complete. Functional tests on orbiter hatch "D" have also concluded. Replacement of windows No. 2 and No. 7 continues. Heat shield modification efforts are under way and sensor work on the main propulsion system is ongoing. Preparations are in progress to replace 6 thrusters on Discovery’s maneuvering system this week.

STS-96 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Orbiter maneuvering system thruster replacement begins (Jan. 23)
• Androgynous peripheral docking system installation begins (Feb. 1)
• Payload premate test (Feb. 15)

MISSION: STS-101 -- 3rd INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FLIGHT
SPACEHAB DOUBLE MODULE/ICC

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 2
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: August 5, 1999 at 2:15 a.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 15, 1999 at 9:09 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 10 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 10 days
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Lu, Williams
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: Atlantis remains in VAB high bay 2 awaiting Columbia’s move out of OPF bay 3. installation of Atlantis’ onboard tactical air command and navigation system (TACAN) is in progress and aft compartment leak checks are in work. Atlantis is scheduled to undergo orbiter processing for STS-101 in OPF bay 3. The date for Atlantis’ transfer from the VAB to the OPF will be determined after Shuttle managers assess the impact of Shuttle Columbia’s STS-93 delay.

MISSION: STS-99 -- SHUTTLE RADAR TOPOGRAPHY MISSION (SRTM)

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: OPF bay 2
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 16 at 8:47 a.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 27 at 12:52 p.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days
• CREW: Kregel, Gorie, Kavandi, Voss, Mohri, Thiele
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 126 nautical miles/57 degrees

NOTE: Checks on Endeavour’s forward reaction control system (FRCS) are complete. Workers are preparing to remove the FRCS this week. Heat shield and robot arm removal efforts are on going. Preparations for Shuttle main engine removal are also under way.

STS-99 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):

• Main engine heat shield removal complete (Jan. 22)
• Main engine removal complete (Jan. 26)
• Orbiter external airlock removal complete (Jan. 27)

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/