|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
