Space Shuttle Status Report 15 May 2000

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: May 18, 2000 at about 6:38 a.m. EDT
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 29 at about 2:18 a.m. EDT
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams, Voss, Helms, Usachev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

NOTE: The countdown clock for launch of Atlantis began on time today at 9:30 a.m. EDT at the T-43 hour mark, and the crew of mission STS-101 arrived at KSC overnight.

Work at the launch pad continues on schedule today with no technical issues being worked. The aft engine compartment has been closed for flight, and preparations are proceeding on schedule to begin loading the on-board cryogenic reactants beginning at about 5:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Weather forecasters are currently predicting only a 10 percent chance of weather violating launch constraints on Thursday. The only concern is for possible ground fog. Clouds are expected to be few at 3,000 feet; visibility 7 miles; temperature 71 degrees F; humidity 93 percent; and winds from the south at 8 knots peaking to 12 knots.

PRE-LAUNCH MILESTONES:
Load Power Reactant and Storage Distribution System Cryogenics – Tuesday at 5:30 a.m.
Start Communications Systems Activation – Wednesday at 5 a.m.
Retract Rotating Service Structure – Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Begin Loading External Tank with Liquid Cryogenic Propellants – Wednesday at 9:42 p.m.
Crew Departure for Pad 39A – Thursday at 2:47 a.m.