Space Shuttle Status Report 23 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 12:44 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 20 hours and 29 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams, Voss, Helms, Usachev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note:

The countdown for the launch of Space Shuttle mission STS-101 is on schedule today leading to a launch at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, April 24. The final launch time will be adjusted slightly during the T-9 minute built-in hold based on the exact location of the orbiting International Space Station.

The orbiter’s aft main engine compartment is closed out for flight. Cryogenic servicing of the fuel cell storage tanks located beneath the payload bay was finished at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night.

This afternoon the orbiter communications systems will be turned on and checked out. Space Shuttle and launch pad closeouts are continuing today and will be completed tonight after the retraction of the gantry-like rotating service structure scheduled for 8 p.m. Personnel will begin clearing the launch pad at 2 a.m. in preparation for cryogenic operations. Filling the external tank with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will begin at approximately 7 a.m. and should be complete at about 10 a.m.

Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Scott Horowitz flew the Shuttle Training Aircraft early this morning and the other astronauts are expected to fly the T-38 jet trainers today. They will also conduct a final inspection of Space Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad 39-A, receive a status briefing on the countdown and the payloads and review their flight plans.

Weather forecasters indicate a 30 percent chance of launch weather criteria violation on launch day. The forecast calls for scattered clouds at 4,000 ñ 7,000 feet and broken clouds at 25,000 ñ 31,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds out of the south-southeast at 12 gusting to 18 knots; temperature at 77 degrees F and relative humidity at 65 percent. The primary concern is a slight potential for thunderstorms or associated anvil clouds.

The 24-hour and 48-hour delay forecasts indicate a 60 percent and 20 percent chance of violation respectively.

Upcoming Milestones:
Mid-deck experiment and flight crew equipment late show – April 23 at 1 p.m.
Loading external tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid propellant begins – April 24 at 7:22 a.m.
Astronauts arrive at Launch Pad 39-A – April 24 at 1 p.m.
Orbiter access hatch closed for launch – April 24 at 2:15 p.m.

SpaceRef Editor

SpaceRef staff editor.

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