Space Shuttle Status Report 25 Apr 2000

• VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
• LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 25, 2000 at about 3:52 p.m.
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: May 6, 2000 at about 11:53 a.m.
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 5 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 10 days, 20 hours and 1 minutes
• CREW: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams, Voss, Helms, Usachev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: Space Shuttle Atlantis is in excellent health, and the launch team stands ready to support a second launch attempt this afternoon. Shuttle managers today gave the go ahead to begin loading Shuttle Atlantis’ external tank with liquid propellant following the standard pretanking management meeting. Loading operations started at 6:30 a.m. and will continue for about 3 hours.

Forecasters indicate an 80 percent chance that weather will prohibit today’s launch attempt. The primary concern is crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The forecast calls for clouds scattered at 5,000 and 25,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; launch pad winds from the southwest at 22 gusting to 25 knots and temperature at 88 degrees F. Winds at the SLF are forecast out of the southwest at 18 gusting to 28 knots. The Wednesday forecast improves to a 10 percent chance of weather violation.

Upcoming Milestones:
External tank loading operations complete – April 25 at about 9:30 a.m.