- VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
- LOCATION: Launch Pad 39B
- TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 22, 1999 at 12:28 a.m. EDT
- TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 26, 1999 at 11:24 p.m. EDT
- LAUNCH WINDOW: 46 minutes
- MISSION DURATION: 4 days, 23 hours
- CREW: Collins, Ashby, Hawley, Coleman, Tognini
- ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 153 nautical miles/28.45 degrees
- External tank loading operations begin again (July 21 at about 3:16 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1999 (12:29 PM EDT)
LAUNCH-1 DAY
STS-93 -- Chandra X-ray Observatory
NOTE: The KSC launch team continues the smooth implementation of Shuttle Columbia's 48-hour launch scrub turnaround in preparation for Thursday's 12:28 a.m. launch attempt. The countdown clock began counting again today at 8:38 a.m. at the T-11 hour mark. Replacement of the external hydrogen burn-off ignitors at Launch Pad 39B concluded early this morning. In Firing Room No. 1, standard preflight monitoring of the Shuttle confirms that all systems are in good health and that Columbia's main propulsion system and hazardous gas detection system are ready to support launch just after midnight tonight.
The Chandra payload is currently in an unpowered, flight-ready configuration, and the inertial upper stage (IUS) remains powered up. Engineers completed IUS inertial measurement unit calibration and alignment today. Refurbishment of the eight middeck experiments concluded yesterday, and the secondary payloads have been reinstalled onboard Columbia.
Weather officials have improved the launch forecast to 100 percent favorable. The forecast calls for few clouds at 2,500 feet and 25,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds from the Southwest at 6 knots peaking to 8 knots and temperature at 80 degrees F.
STS-93 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
| SUMMARY OF BUILT-IN HOLDS FOR STS-93 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| T-TIME | LENGTH OF HOLD | HOLD BEGINS | HOLD ENDS |
| T-6 hours | 2 hours | 1:28 p.m. Wed. | 3:38 p.m. Wed. |
| T-3 hours | 2 hours | 6:38 p.m. Wed. | 8:38 p.m. Wed. |
| T-20 minutes | 10 minutes | 11:18 p.m. Wed. | 11:28 p.m. Wed. |
| T-9 minutes | 40 minutes | 11:39 p.m. Wed. | 12:19 a.m. Thurs. |
| CREW FOR MISSION STS-93 | |
|---|---|
| POSITION | NAME |
| Commander (CDR) | Eileen Collins |
| Pilot (PLT) | Jeff Ashby |
| Mission Specialist (MS1) | Catherine Coleman |
| Mission Specialist (MS2) | Steven Hawley |
| Mission Specialist (MS3) | Michel Tognini |
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Author: Joel Wells / NASA Public Affairs
Curator: Kay Grinter (kay.grinter-1@ksc.nasa.gov) / Information Dynamics, Inc.