Status Report

Space Shuttle Status Report 22 Jan 2001

By SpaceRef Editor
January 22, 2001
Filed under ,

MISSION: STS-98 – 7th ISS Flight (5A) – U.S. Laboratory

VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104

LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 3

TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: No earlier than Feb. 6, 2001 at 6:37 p.m. EST

TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Feb. 17, 2001 at 2:05 p.m. EST

LAUNCH WINDOW: less than 5 minutes

MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 19 hours and 28 minutes

CREW: Cockrell, Polansky, Curbeam, Jones, Ivins

ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 177 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: Over the weekend, technicians successfully
completed continuity “wiggle” tests on the systems tunnel cables located in
both STS-98 solid rocket boosters. Workers began collecting X-ray images of
the cables Sunday and concluded that effort at 2:30 a.m. today. Analysis of
the X-ray images confirmed that the cables have no physical damage.

Today in the VAB, technicians have setup equipment to reduce humidity in the
cable testing area. Engineers are repeating a portion of the electrical
cable test due to that potential interference. Once the nonstandard cable
testing is complete, the tunnel systems covers will be reinstalled and the
Shuttle Interface Test begins tomorrow. This routine Shuttle test includes
a thorough check of the cable connections between the orbiter, external tank
and boosters.

On Wednesday workers will begin preparations for rollout and will assemble
for the move to Launch Pad 39A early Thursday morning. Atlantis’ first
motion to the pad is expected to occur as early as 7 a.m. Thursday.

SpaceRef staff editor.