STS-82 Day 10 Highlights

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On Thursday, February 20, 1997, 6:30 a.m. CST, STS-82 MCC Status Report # 19 reports:

With Discovery's flight control systems checked out and ready to support the Shuttle's return to Earth, the seven astronauts stowed their cabin and prepared for tomorrow's planned landing at the Kennedy Space Center. Landing is scheduled for 12:50 a.m. Central time with a backup opportunity an hour and a half later at 2:32 a.m. The weather forecast reflects a slight chance of rain over the water at the time of landing at the Florida spaceport.

Before wrapping up what is expected to be their final day in orbit, the astronauts held a press conference to discuss the flight, which saw a record-tying five spacewalks conducted to service the Hubble Space Telescope for the second time.

Commander Ken Bowersox and Pilot Scott Horowitz tested the orbiter's aerodynamic surfaces that will be used once Discovery reenters the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. The traditional hot-fire test of Discovery's steering jets was not required since 31 of the 38 jets were fired during the time the Hubble Space Telescope was housed in the Shuttle's cargo bay. The remaining jets will either be fired during normal operations tonight or will be tested during deorbit preparations.

The crew is scheduled to go to bed at 8:25 this morning and wake up at 4:25 this afternoon. If all goes as planned, Discovery's payload bay doors will be closed at about 9 p.m. with a final go-no decision for the first KSC landing opportunity expected at about 11:15 p.m. There are two landing opportunities at both KSC and the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Discovery is currently orbiting at an altitude of 365 statute miles following an orbital adjustment maneuver to set the Shuttle up for its landing opportunities late tonight. All of Discovery'' systems are in excellent condition.

On Thursday, February 20, 1997, 6:00 p.m. CST, STS-82 MCC Status Report # 20 reports:

With a successful mission behind them, the STS-82 crew is getting set to return home to the Kennedy Space Center.in the early morning hours Friday. Landing is planned for 12:50 a.m. CST with backup opportunities on succeeding orbits.

The crew began its final day in space by sending morning greetings to the Mission Control team in the form of the song."Sloop John B." by the Beach Boys. The control team in return told the crew it was time to "get your motor running" with the song "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf.

Once the crew has completed its post-sleep activities, astronauts will begin preparations for tonight's deorbit and landing opportunities. The first deorbit opportunity is on orbit 148 with an engine firing at 11:38 p.m. CST followed by landing at 12:50 a.m. Landing on the second opportunity would occur at 2:32 a.m. There are landing opportunities at the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, California, at 2:23 and 4:04 a.m. Central time.

According to forecasters, the weather conditions in Florida look promising, but there is a slight chance off-shore showers.

If all goes as planned, Discovery's payload bay doors will be closed at about 9 p.m. with a final go-no go decision for the first KSC landing opportunity expected at about 11:15 p.m..

Discovery is currently orbiting at an altitude of 365 statute miles with all systems in excellent condition.

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