Space Shuttle Status Report 04-06-2000

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: 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 12:51 p.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days, 20 hours and 36 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams, Voss, Helms, Usachev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: NASA managers completed a thorough review of Space Shuttle and International Space Station readiness yesterday and confirmed an April 24 launch date. The STS-101 flight crew arrived at KSC yesterday at about noon and are participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities through Friday morning

While Shuttle processing efforts continue toward an April 24 launch, Shuttle engineers are evaluating an issue with the power drive unit (PDU) for Atlantis’ rudder speed brake. Following a hydraulic system test last Tuesday, system engineers yesterday identified a higher than normal pressure reading in the suspect PDU. Ongoing engineering analysis will confirm if the PDU needs to be replaced. Managers are evaluating plans to perform the work at the launch pad and currently expect no impact to the launch date.

The Shuttle’s fuel and oxidizer loading operations are complete. Over the weekend, workers will complete replacement of a leaky quick disconnect on auxiliary power unit (APU) No. 3. With plans to hot fire Atlantis’ three APUs on Monday, any work required on the rudder speed brake will follow that operation.

• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: OPF bay 1
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 21, 2000 at 8:17 p.m. EDT
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 2, 2000 at 5:11 p.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 10 days
• CREW: Duffy, Melroy, Wakata, Chiao, Wisoff, Lopez-Alegria, McArthur
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: Discovery’s payload premate test will conclude today. Preparation to install the right-hand orbiter maneuvering system pod is also in work. The pod is slated for installation this Friday.

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: OPF bay 2
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Nov. 30, 2000 at 4:30 a.m. EDT
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 9, 2000 at 1:40 a.m.
• MISSION DURATION: 9 days
• CREW: Jett, Bloomfield, Tanner, Noriega, Garneau
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: Installation of Endeavour’s wireless video system continues. Fuel cell leak checks and voltage testing are in work. Workers are preparing to drain the orbiter maneuvering system cross feed lines over the weekend.