NOTE: Discovery's aft compartment close-outs concluded on Saturday with installation of the aft access doors. External tank purge activities were also completed on Saturday. The launch countdown for STS-85 begins today at 3 p.m. Loading of cryogenic fuels into the power reactant storage distribution system will begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow. Testing of Discovery's pyrotechnic initiator controllers occurs at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Servicing of the CRISTA-SPAS payload continues through tonight and final payload bay door closure is slated for 5 a.m. tomorrow.
STS-85 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
NOTE: Potable water servicing is complete and sample results are forthcoming. Leak checks on fuel cell No. 2, last Friday night, revealed a higher than normal leak rate and engineering evaluation is in work. Aft compartment close-outs continue and will be completed tonight with the installation of the aft access doors. Aft structural leak checks are scheduled for tomorrow.
Atlantis is scheduled for weight and center of gravity tests on Thursday and placement on the orbiter transfer vehicle Friday. Pending resolution of the fuel cell leak, the orbiter will roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building next Monday for external tank mating activities.
STS-86 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
NOTE: Radiator inspections and wiring work in avionics bay 4 are complete. Work to deservice Columbia's freon coolant loop No. 2 continues. Shuttle main engine removal is slated for Aug. 6 and preparations are in work today.
STS-87 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
NOTE: Ammonia and communication testing are in work today. Workers tried to install the docking mechanism base used for Mir docking activities over the weekend and noticed a misalignment of the bolt holes. Technicians will replace the nut plate to resolve the problem.
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