NOTE: The strong backs have been removed from the payload bay doors as preparations continue to roll Columbia to the VAB early next week. Final repairs to minor corrosion in the body-flap cove area are complete and close-outs are expected to be finished later today. Integrated hydraulic checks of the aerosurfaces and other orbiter systems will begin tonight. Aft engine compartment close-outs are also scheduled to be finished this weekend.
STS-83 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
NOTE: Decay checks on the power reactant and storage distribution system and close-outs of the orbital maneuvering system continue today. The European Proximity Sensor (EPS) payload has been installed and the interface verification test is scheduled to take place tomorrow. Stacking of the solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building also continues. Mate of the external tank to the solid rocket boosters is now scheduled for March 24.
STS-84 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
NOTE: The payload bay doors will be opened tomorrow and the payloads removed next Monday. Flight crew systems destow and flight recorder down-loads are in work today. Final post-flight analysis indicates Discovery had a total of 103 impacts to its thermal protection system tiles during mission STS-82. Of those hits, only 18 were greater than one inch diameter, less than the average from previous missions.
STS-85 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
For automatic e-mail subscriptions to this daily Shuttle status report or KSC originated press releases, send an Internet electronic mail message to domo@news.ksc.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) type the words "subscribe shuttle-status", or "subscribe ksc-press-release" (do not use quotation marks). The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription.
To remove your name from the list at any time, send an e-mail address to domo@news.ksc.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line), type (no quotes) "unsubscribe shuttle-status", or "unsubscribe ksc-press-release."
Status reports and other NASA publications are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm