Space Shuttle Status Report 18 Apr 2000

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 24, 2000 at about 4:15 p.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 4, 2000 at about 12:42 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 20 hours and 27 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams, Voss, Helms, Usachev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: At Launch Pad 39A, processing continues toward a Monday afternoon launch. Workers have mated the orbiter midbody umbilical unit and leak checks are complete. Atlantis’ aft compartment close-outs are ongoing and ordnance installation is complete. Later today, technicians will replace the gaseous nitrogen quick disconnects on auxiliary power units (APU) No. 1 and No. 2. All three APUs will be brought up to flight pressure tomorrow as part of standard prelaunch testing.

Evaluation of the frequency response test data indicates that the replaced power drive unit installed in Shuttle Atlantis’ vertical tail is ready for flight. Shuttle engineers expect to complete their analysis of the initial PDU failure later this week and launch controllers at KSC are preparing to pickup the launch countdown on Friday evening.

Upcoming Milestones:
Shuttle ordnance installation complete – April 19
Hypergolic pressurization test – April 19-20
Flight crew arrival at KSC – April 21 at 3 p.m.
SPACEHAB late stow complete – April 21
Launch countdown begins – April 21 at 7 p.m.
Orbiter aft compartment close-outs complete – April 22