KSC-99PP-1480 - STS-103 Commander Brown prepares to enter orbiter from White Room 


STS-103 Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., in his orange launch and entry
suit, enjoys a laugh with closeout crew members in the White Room
before entering the orbiter. From left are United Space Alliance (USA)
Mechanical Technician Rene Arriens, USA Orbiter Vehicle Closeout Chief
Travis Thompson, and NASA Quality Assurance Specialist Danny
Wyatt. The white room is an environmental chamber at the end of the
orbiter access arm on the fixed service structure. It provides entry
to the orbiter crew compartment. The mission, to service the Hubble
Space Telescope, is scheduled to lift off at 7:50 p.m. EST Dec. 19 on
mission STS-103, servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. Objectives for
the nearly eight-day mission include replacing gyroscopes and an old
computer, installing another solid state recorder, and replacing
damaged insulation in the telescope. Discovery is expected to land at
KSC Monday, Dec. 27, at about 5:24 p.m. EST.

 
                                               12/19/1999