Next Space Shuttle Mission on Track for Dec. 9 Launch; Media Press Kit Is Available Online

Jerry Berg
Media Relations Department
(256) 544-0034
Jerry.Berg@msfc.nasa.gov
http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news

MEDIA ADVISORY: 99-292

Space Shuttle Discovery is being prepared for launch Thursday, Dec. 9, on
the STS-103 flight, the third servicing mission to NASA’s Hubble Space
Telescope.

On Nov. 24, Shuttle technicians closed Discovery’s payload bay doors and
completed planned main engine testing. On Dec. 1, Shuttle managers will
conduct a follow-up flight readiness review to obtain a final status on
prelaunch preparations. The launch countdown is scheduled to begin Dec. 6
at 5:30 a.m. EST.

Mission Highlights:

SHUTTLE ORBITER: Discovery
LOCATION: Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Dec. 9 at 1:10 a.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 18 at approximately 10:15 p.m.
EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes
MISSION DURATION: Approximately 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Commander Curtis L. Brown, Pilot Scott J. Kelly and Mission
Specialists Steven L. Smith, Jean-Francois Clervoy, John M.
Grunsfeld, Michael Foale and Claude Nicolier.
ORBITAL ALTITUDE AND INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45
degrees