Space Shuttle Status Report 9 Feb 2000

• VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
• LOCATION: Pad 39A
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Feb. 11, 2000 at 12:30 p.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Feb. 22, 2000 at 4:38 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours and 10 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days, 4 hours and 8 minutes
• CREW: Kregel, Gorie, Kavandi, Voss, Mohri, Thiele
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 126 nautical miles/57 degrees

Work in progress: The launch countdown for mission STS-99 began on time yesterday at 5:30 p.m. EST, and final preparation for Friday’s launch continues on schedule at Launch Pad 39A. A global positioning system box located inside Endeavour’s crew module will be replaced following a failed self test this morning. Replacement efforts begin this evening and will not impact the launch date. The component supports SRTM payload operations in flight.

This morning, routine tests of Endeavour’s pyrotechnic initiator controllers confirmed that the safe and arm device indicator located in the left hand solid rocket booster’s forward skirt is functioning as expected and is ready for launch. This was a confidence test for Shuttle engineers who yesterday completed inspections of a cable that supports the device. Inspections revealed only superficial scuffing to exterior tape and confirmed that the cable was intact.

Official forecasts indicate an 80 percent chance that weather will be favorable for Friday’s launch attempt. The forecast calls for clouds to be scattered at 3,000 and 25,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds southwest at 14 peaking to 20 knots; temperature at 75 degrees F; relative humidity at 45 percent; dew point at 52 degrees F; and zero chance of precipitation. The 24-hour delay forecast indicates a 60 percent chance of favorable weather on Feb. 12.

Processing Milestones (target dates only):

• Load orbiter with cryogenic reactants (Feb. 9)
• Rotating Service Structure retracted (Feb. 10 at about 6:30 p.m.)
• External tank loading (Feb. 11, 4:10 a.m. – 7:10 a.m.)