Space Shuttle Processing Status 8 March 2001

MISSION: STS-102 – 8th ISS Flight (5A.1) – Leonardo MPLM

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103

LOCATION: On orbit

OFFICIAL KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Mar. 8, 2001 at 6:42:09:059 a.m. EST

TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Mar. 20, 2001 at about 2:02 a.m.

MISSION DURATION: 11 days, 19 hours

CREW: Wetherbee, Kelly, Thomas, Richards; (up) Voss, Helms, Usachev; (down)
Shepherd, Gidzenko, Krikalev

ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

The STS-102 flight to the International Space Station began today with a
flawless launch of Space Shuttle Discovery from Launch Pad 39B at
6:42:09:059 a.m. EST. No significant technical issues were worked during
the quiet countdown and earlier weather concerns diminished as conditions
were near perfect at launch time.

At the pad, the temperature was 44 degrees F; virtually no clouds were in
the area; winds were from the west at 9 knots and relative humidity was at
68 percent. These conditions were essentially as forecast.

The solid rocket booster recovery ships left KSC at around noon Wednesday
following an unfavorable sea state forecast. Even with the delayed
departure, the ships were on station in the Atlantic Ocean for launch at
about 6:30 a.m. today. Recovery operations are under way and depending upon
weather conditions at sea, the ships may return to Port Canaveral as early
as Friday.