Space Shuttle Status Report (8:30 p.m. EST)

MISSION: STS-103 – 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103

LOCATION: On orbit

OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 19 at 7:50 p.m. EST

TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 27 at about 5:24 p.m. EST

MISSION DURATION: about 7 days, 21 hours and 34 minutes; with 3 EVAs

CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy

ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Space Shuttle Discovery and a seven-member flight crew
lifted off from KSC’s Launch Pad 39B on time at 7:50:00:069 p.m. today. The
launch team worked no significant issues during the launch countdown and
weather conditions were excellent at launch time. Discovery has embarked on
its 27th space flight.

Discovery and crew will rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope on
Tuesday afternoon for a berthing of the spacecraft in the orbiter’s payload
bay Tuesday night. Three space walks are planned during this mission to
accomplish planned Hubble servicing efforts. Discovery returns to earth
Monday, Dec. 27 at about 5:24 p.m. EST.

The solid rocket booster recovery ships, Liberty Star and Freedom Star,
deployed from KSC on Wednesday, Dec. 15. They are expected to arrive at
Hangar AF with boosters in tow tomorrow at about 4:30 p.m. EST.

-end-