Mission Name: STS-83 (83) Columbia (22) Pad 39-A (60) 83rd Shuttle Mission 22nd Flight OV-102 Spacelab(14) NOTE: Click Here for Countdown Homepage Crew: James D. Halsell (3), Mission Commander Susan L. Still (1), Pilot Janice E. Voss (3), Payload Commander Donald A. Thomas (3), Mission Specialist Michael L. Gernhardt (2), Mission Specialist Roger Crouch (1), Payload Specialist Greg Linteris (1), Payload Specialist Milestones: OPF-1 -- 12/07/96 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 12/07/1996) VAB -- 03/05/97 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/05/1997) PAD -- 03/11/97 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/11/1997) TCDT -- 03/13/97 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/13/1997) Payload: MSL-1,SAREX (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Feb 1997) (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Mar 1997) (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Apr 1997) Mission Objectives: The primary payload on STS-83 is the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1). MSL-1 is a collection of microgravity experiments housed inside a European Spacelab Long Module (LM). It builds on the cooperative and scientific foundation of the International Microgravity Laboratory missions (IML-1 on STS-42 and IML-2 on STS-65), the United States Microgravity Laboratory missions (USML-1 on STS-50 and USML-2 on STS-73), the Japanese Spacelab mission (Spacelab-J on STS-47), the Spacelab Life and Microgravity Science Mission (LMS on STS-78) and the German Spacelab missions (D-1 on STS 61-A and D-2 on STS-55). MSL-1 features 19 materials science investigations in 4 major facilities. These facilities are the Large Isothermal Furnace, the EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack, the Electromagnetic Containerless Processing Facility (TEMPUS) and the Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures (CSLM) facility and the Combustion Module-1 Facility. Additional technology experiments will also be performed in the Middeck Glovebox (MGBX) developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the High-Packed Digital Television (HI-PAC DTV) system will be used to provide multi-channel real-time analog science video. The Large Isothermal Furnace was developed by the Japanese Space Agency (NASDA) for the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission and was also flown on STS-65 IML-2 mission. It will house the Measurement of Diffusion Coefficient by Shear Cell Method Experiment, the Diffusion of Liquid Metals and Alloys Experiment, the Diffusion in Liquid Led-Tin-Telluride Experiment, the Impurity Diffusion in Ionic Melts Experiment, the Liquid Phase Sintering II Experiment (LIF), and the Diffusion Processes in Molten Semiconductors Experiment (DPIMS). The Combustion Module-1 (CM-1) facility from the NASA Lewis Research Center houses experiments on Laminar Soot Processes Experiment and the Structure of Flame Balls at Low Lewis-number Experiment (SOFTBALL). The EXPRESS rack replaces a Spacelab Double rack and special hardware will provide the same structural and resource connections the rack will have on the Space Station. It will house the Physics of Hard Spheres (PHaSE) experiment and the Astro/PGBA Experiment. The Electromagnetic Containerless Processing Facility (TEMPUS) is used for the Experiments on Nucleation in Different Flow Regimes, Thermophysical Properities of Advanced Materials in the Undercooled Liquid State Experiment, Measurements of the Surface Tension of Liquid and Undercooled Metallic Alloys by Oscillating Drop Technique Experiment, Alloy Undercooling Experiments, the Study of the Morphological Stability of Growing Dendrites by Comparative Dendrite Velocity Measuremetns on Pure Ni and Dilute Ni-C Alloy in the Earth and Space Laboratory Experiment, the Undercooled Melts of Alloys with Polytetrahedral Short-Range Order Experiment, the Thermal Expansion of Glass Forming Metallic Alloys in the Undercooled State Experiment, the AC Calorimetry and Thermophysical Properties of Bulk Glass-Forming Metallic Liquids experiment and the Measurement of Surface Tension and Viscosity of Undercooled Liquid Metals experiment. There will also be experiments on measuring microgravity. They include the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS), the Microgravity Measurement Assembly (MMA), the Quasi-Steady Acceleration Measurement System and the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE). The Middeck Glovebox (MGBX) facility will support the Bubble and Drop Nonlinear Dynamics (BDND) Experiment, the Study of the Fundamental Operation of a Capillary-driven Heat Transfer (CHT) Device in Microgravity Experiment, the Internal Flows in a Free Drop (IFFD) experiment and the Fiber Supported Droplet Combustion experiment (FSDC-2). Launch: Launch April 4, 1997 2:20:32.074 pm EST. Launch window was 2 hours 30 min. At 1:32pm EST, the countdown clock came out of the hold at the T-20 minute mark and the OMS/RCS crossfeed valves and MPS Helium system were configured for flight. The GPC computers were dumped and their contents verified to be in flight configuration. At 1:41pm EST, the countdown clock entered the hold at the T-9 minute mark. The hold at T-9 minutes will be extended to give the white room crew additional time to clear the pad due to the need to replace a seal on the crew hatch and perform the cabin leak test. At 1:53pm EST the white room crew cleared the pad. At 2:05pm EST, the close out crew made it back to the launch control center area and the launch team was polled to determine if all stations were ready to come out of the T-9 minute hold. All stations except position SPE gave a clear to launch. The only concern was an excess concentration of O2 in the shuttle midbody. The gaseous purge was modified and the concentrations decreased. At 2:11pm the launch team was polled again and there were no constraints to launch. The count picked back up at T-9 minute mark at 2:12pm. The sound supression water system was armed at 2:20pm at the T-1 minute mark with a T-0 at 2:21pm EST. SRB seperation at 2:23pm 43 miles east of KSC. SSME Cutoff at 2:30pm EST with Columbia traveling at 15,500mph and 720 miles east of KSC. External Tank separation occured at 2:30pm EST. At the T-3 hour mark, the launch final inspection team was at the pad doing a final walkdown. The inspection team is at the launch pad for about 2 hours and looks for any ice buildup on the external tank and any debris that could impact the orbiter at liftoff. The white room crew began their initial preparations with an estimated hatch closure time of 12:30pm. The flight crew ate breakfast in the crew quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building and at 10:30am EST, they donned their flight suits. The countdown clock came out of the T-3 hour hold at 10:40am EST and the crew departing for Launch Pad 39-A at 10:42am. The countdown resumed at 2 a.m. Thursday at the T-19 hour mark following a 24-hour postponement of launch necessary to add additional insulation to water coolant lines in the payload bay. Launch is set for 2 p.m. EST Friday, April 4, at the opening of a 2 1/2 hour window. Air Force weather forecasters are currently indicating only a 10 percent probability of weather prohibiting launch of Columbia on April 4. The only concern is for a slight chance of rain showers generated by sea breezes. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 4/3/97) The countdown began at the T-43 hour mark at 2 pm on Monday, March 31, 1997 with a planned launch date of Thursday, April 3, 1997 at 2:01pm. (Reference KSC Press Release 54-97). However, the clock was held at the T-19 Hour mark on Tuesday April 1, 1997 and a new T-0 was set for Friday, April 4, 1997 at 2:00pm EST. The Mission Management Team briefly considered but decided against an option to move the launch time forward approximately 1 hour to 1:07pm EST. The move forward in launch time would have allowed more daylight at the Banjul TAL site and help with concerns about delamination of a backup antenna system at Banjul. On Tuesday, April 1, 1997 the decision was made to slip the launch one day, after managers determined that a water coolant line in the orbiter's payload bay was not properly insulated. Additional insulation was required to prevent this line from possibly freezing during Columbia's 16 days in space. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 4/1/97) On Tuesday, 3/25/97, the loading of hypergolic propellants into the orbiters Reaction Control System (RCS) was completed and ordnance installation conducted. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/25/1997) On Thursday, 3/20/97, following completion of the Flight Readiness Review, NASA managers set April 3, 1997, as the official launch date for NASA's Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) mission. Donald A. Thomas, who suffered a broken ankle following a routine training exercise on Jan. 29, has officially been cleared to fly as planned. (Reference KSC Press Release 49-97) On Thursday, 3/13/97, The STS-83 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) was conducted at KSC. The TCDT is held prior to each Space Shuttle flight providing the crew of each mission opportunities to participate in simulated countdown activities. Overnight, inspections were made of the low pressure fuel turbo pumps on the three Space Shuttle main engines. The pump on engine No. 1 was found to have unacceptable rotor blades and the decision was made to remove and replace this pump. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/13/1997) On 3/11/97, Rollout of Space Shuttle Columbia from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39A began at 6:32 a.m. The crawler transporter was positioned under the mobile launcher platform (MLP) with the Shuttle mounted on top and final preparations were made for the 3.4 mile move to the pad. Once at the pad, workers prepared to hot fire auxiliary power unit No. 2. The Rotating Service Structure was then placed around the vehicle Wednesday morning. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/11/1997) On 3/10/97, Columbia's roll out to Pad 39A was delayed 24-hours due to a liquid oxygen T-0 umbilical carrier plate alignment problem encountered during operations to mate Columbia with the external tank Friday/Saturday. Also, the liquid hydrogen tail service mast required minor repairs. Because of these issues, the Shuttle interface verification test was delayed from Saturday to Sunday, 3/9/1997, delaying roll out Tuesday. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/10/1997) On 3/5/97, Columbia moved to the VAB shortly after noon. Inserts necessary to secure an umbilical flow liner in the orbiter's 17-inch disconnect area were installed overnight. Power-up was not required and close-outs of the umbilical were complete. The orbiter was placed on the orbiter transporter in the early morning on 3/5/97 and the landing gear retracted. Once in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Columbia was lifted to the vertical position and hard mated to the External Tank (ET) and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) in VAB High Bay No. 1. on 3/6/97. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/05/1997) On 2/27/97, preparations continue to roll Columbia to the VAB. Final close-outs of the body-flap cove area are complete and the aft engine compartment doors will be installed on Sunday, 3/2/97. Integrated hydraulic checks of the aerosurfaces and other orbiter systems will be completed tonight. On Monday, the orbiter will be weighed and the center of gravity checks made. Early Tuesday, the vehicle will be mated to the orbiter transporter. First motion is expected to occur Tuesday afternoon. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/27/1997) On 2/26/97, 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. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/26/1997) On 2/17/97, during scheduled modifications to existing lines in OPF bay 2's hypergolic fuel system, monomethyl hydrazine (the liquid fuel used in the orbiter's reaction control system) unexpectedly spilled out onto two technicians doing the work. Other workers were also treated for possible inhalation. All treated for either exposure or possible inhalation were later released with no apparent serious injuries. OPF bay 2, OPF bay 1 and the OPF Annex were evacuated at the time of the spill. All but bay 2 was reopened about three hours after the incident. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/18/1997) On 2/14/97, The spacelab transfer tunnel has been installed and an interface verification test is scheduled for next week. Also, the right hand Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod has been installed and cross-feed connections are complete. The crew of mission STS-83 arrived for the Crew Equipment and Interface Test (CEIT) on 2/15/97. They spent the time inspecting the orbiter and the spacelab which was installed into the payload bay on Feb. 1. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/13/1997) On 1/30/97, the external tank was mated to the Solid Rocket Boosters in the VAB. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 1/30/1997) Orbit: Altitude: 184 statute miles Inclination: 28.45 Orbits: Duration: 15 days, 16 hours, 29 minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: BI-086 SRM: ET : SN-84 MLP : SSME-1: SN-2012 SSME-2: SN-2109 SSME-3: SN-2019 Landing: KSC 4/8/1997 2:33 pm EDT. Landing at KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) Runway 15. Main gear touchdown at 1:33:11 pm EDT (MET 3days 23hr 12min 39sec). Nose gear touchdown at 1:33:23 pm EDT (MET 3days 23hours 12min 51sec) and Wheel Stop at 1:34:10 pm EDT (MET 3days 23hours 13min 38sec). The first deorbit opportunity was on orbit 63 with an engine firing at 1:31 pm EDT.31 pm EDT. Landing was originally scheduled for KSC April 19 at 7:30am EDT. Mission Highlights: STS-83 Flight Day 1 Highlights: On Friday, April 4, 1997, 5:00 p.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #1 reports: The shuttle Columbia, carrying seven astronauts on board, blasted off at 1:21 p.m. Central time from the Kennedy Space Center for the start of a 16-day Spacelab microgravity research mission. Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Susan Still, Mission Specialists Janice Voss, Mike Gernhardt and Don Thomas and Payload Specialists Roger Crouch and Greg Linteris blasted off into the mid-afternoon Florida skies en route to an orbit about 170 statute miles above the Earth. The crew will spend more than two weeks studying the behavior of metals, materials and fluids in the absence of gravity and the properties of combustion. The astronauts will be split into two teams to conduct that work on a round-the-clock basis in the pressurized Spacelab science module in Columbia's cargo bay. After the astronauts opened up Columbia's cargo bay, Voss and Crouch began to activate Spacelab and experiment systems before entering the Spacelab about 2 and a half hours into the mission. The Red team, consisting of Halsell, Still, Thomas and Linteris, began a 7-hour sleep period at 5 p.m. They'll be will be awakened at midnight to pick up experiment work from Blue team members Voss, Crouch and Gernhardt, who are scheduled to begin a full 8-hour sleep period at 1:21 a.m. Saturday. On Friday, April 4, 1997, 6:00 p.m. EST, STS-83 Payload Status Report #01 reports: (MET 0/04:39) This afternoon's picture-perfect launch of Space Shuttle Columbia began a 16-day joint effort by the United States and 23 other countries to explore a variety of scientific mysteries. Just before 6 p.m. CST this evening, Payload Commander Dr. Janice Voss and Payload Specialist Dr. Roger K. Crouch floated into the Spacelab module aboard Columbia and began setting up their orbiting research laboratory. "Everything's going great" said Mission Manager Teresa Vanhooser from the Spacelab Mission Operations Control Center at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "We've planned and practiced for this mission for a long time and it's wonderful to see it coming together so well." Mission Scientist Dr. Mike Robinson of the Marshall Center said, "We're tremendously excited about the opportunities that await us. We can't wait to get down to business -- the business of fundamental scientific research in space." Over the next 12 hours, working with the science control team at Marshall, Columbia's crew will begin their research by initiating the protein crystal growth experiments, and firing up the onboard furnace that uses electromagnetic force to suspend and mix various samples of molten metals and alloys. They will also start recording how small disturbances aboard the Shuttle's laboratory affect the experiments conducted onboard. This mission, Microgravity Science Laboratory 1, is primarily dedicated to 33 experiments being conducted in the low-gravity environment of space. These investigations concentrate on unraveling mysteries in three main areas: protein crystals, combustion and the study of metals and alloys. Also, this mission will test some of the hardware, facilities and procedures that will be used on the International Space Station. The unique benefit of research in microgravity is that important scientific processes normally masked by gravity can be studied and experiments which are impossible to conduct on the ground become feasible. A major thrust of this mission's overall scientific effort is in the area of protein crystal growth. Grown in space, proteins ranging from insulin to HIV-Reverse-Transcriptase have been produced as larger, purer and new, never-before-seen crystal structures. Only by obtaining the highest possible quality of crystals can scientists achieve the ultimate goal of this research -- determining the three-dimensional structure or blueprint of the proteins. By unlocking the structural details, scientists can better understand how they fit into the overall biology of the human body. Protein crystal growth is a recurring Space Shuttle experiment because there are over 300,000 proteins in the human body and scientists know the structure of less than 1 percent of them. The three Protein Crystal Growth Experiments on this mission will attempt to grow a record number of nearly 1,500 protein crystal samples. Knowledge from these studies will help to address the social costs of illnesses and diseases -- now estimated at $900 billion annually just in the United States. These include cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, Alzheimer's and AIDS. Proteins associated with all of these illnesses either have been studied in space or continue to be part of ongoing experiments. Other experiments to be conducted aboard Columbia involve combustion science -- the study of burning. These are designed to help researchers gain an understanding of the characteristics of fuels and fires, which can lead to increased efficiency and reduced emissions in internal combustion engines. In the United States, the yearly expenditure on crude oil is estimated by the American Petroleum Institute as nearly $200 billion. A mere 1 percent increase in fuel efficiency -- for instance, improving a car's gas mileage from 25 mpg to 25.25 mpg - - would translate into an overall savings for the United States of nearly 100 million barrels of oil a year, or roughly $5.5 million per day. In another category of experiments, scientists will study the mixing of constituents in molten metals and alloys and the "undercooling" of these mixed metals. Undercooling followed by rapid freezing or solidification is the process by which snowflakes are made. A drop of liquid can be cooled to a temperature below its normal freezing point, yet still remain liquid. The freezing process, when it occurs for these undercooled liquids, is very rapid. When these metals solidify, unique materials result that cannot be made or studied in any other way. Understanding the undercooling mixing process could lead to better aircraft, car and truck engines, stronger construction materials, as well as better foundry methods. This research could also lead to better welding, casting and soldering techniques. STS-83 Flight Day 2 Highlights: On Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:30 a.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #2 reports: The red team members of STS-83, Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Susan Still along with Mission Specialist Don Thomas and Payload Specialist Greg Linteris have been busy continuing the payload activation process begun by their blue team counterparts as the research efforts of the first Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission get into full swing. The STS-83 crew will spend more than two weeks studying the properties of combustion and the behavior of metals, materials and fluids in the absence of gravity. The astronauts are split into red and blue teams, each working a 12-hour shift, to allow around-the-clock operations in the pressurized Spacelab science module in Columbia's cargo bay. After being awakened just before midnight, Halsell and Still set up the bicycle ergometer in the Shuttle's middeck area. Each of the STS-83 crewmembers will use the bicycle for exercise during the flight. Thomas activated the Large Isothermal Furnace (LIF) experiment and the Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the International Space Station (EXPRESS) rack while Linteris continued the activation of Protein Crystal Growth experiments. Remaining activities in the red team's day will include the setup and checkout of the Wireless Data Acquisition System (WDAS) experiment. This is a proof of concept payload that uses wireless RF signals to relay data from temperature sensors in the payload bay and spacelab module. Analysis of future Space Station operation requirements indicate that there may be a requirement for real time monitoring of temperature readings in various parts of the station and a system such as the WDAS could meet that need. Columbia's blue team of astronauts is scheduled to be awakened at 9:21 a.m. CST this morning to begin Flight Day 2 activities. Columbia continues to circle the Earth in a 187 x 184 s.m. orbit, completing one full revolution of the Earth every 90 minutes. Voss and Crouch will conduct an interview with two television stations in the Rockford Illinois area at 5:46 p.m. this afternoon. Voss is a native of Rockford. On Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:00 a.m. EST, STS-83 Payload Status Report #02 reports: (MET 0/16:39) Overnight, the crew of the Microgravity Science Laboratory mission continued to power on facilities in the Spacelab and began some of the more than 30 experiments to be conducted during the 16-day mission. Yesterday evening, Mission Specialist Dr. Janice Voss activated the High-Packed Digital Television to give scientists on Earth the ability to view multiple channels of live video from the Spacelab. This technology allows scientists on the ground to monitor their experiments, change parameters and improve the quality and quantity of scientific information gathered during the mission. Payload Specialist Dr. Roger Crouch activated one protein crystal growth experiment late yesterday. Voss later activated a second experiment. The goal of these studies -- the Protein Crystallization Apparatus for Microgravity and the Hand-Held Diffusion Test Cell -- is to grow high-quality protein crystals which may be used to help determine the three-dimensional structure and function of proteins in the human body. Findings from this and other protein crystal growth studies may lead to the development of new, more effective drugs to fight diseases such as cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, AIDS and Alzheimer's. All four acceleration measurement systems are now operating, following activation of the Quasi-Steady and Space Acceleration Measurement Systems by Voss last night. These systems work together to detect and record the slight, unavoidable disturbances in the near-zero gravity environment of the Spacelab. Science teams rely on this information -- downlinked in near-real-time -- to determine the effect of the disturbances on experiments. Before retiring for the day, Crouch configured the TEMPUS facility for operations. This electromagnetic containerless processing furnace will be used to study the undercooling and rapid solidification of metals and alloys. Undercooling occurs when a solid is melted into a liquid then cooled below its normal freezing point without solidifying. "When the metal or alloy is solidified, it occurs very rapidly, forming new types of materials we cannot manufacture or study in any other way" said Jan Rogers, TEMPUS project scientist. A better understanding of this process may lead to improved welding, casting and soldering techniques, and in turn, better products manufactured using these processes. Voss and Crouch handed off to Mission Specialist Dr. Donald Thomas and Payload Specialist Dr. Gregory Linteris around midnight. One of the first orders of business for the oncoming crew was activating another protein growth experiment -- the Vapor Diffusion Apparatus. Flown on earlier missions, this device has helped scientists define procedures and mixtures for efficient growth of protein crystals in space. During this mission, researchers will continue to study protein crystal mixtures to further enhance crystal growth. Early this morning Thomas activated the Large Isothermal Furnace. This facility will be used to study the diffusion of liquid metals -- the process by which liquid metals mix without stirring -- similar to how a drop of food coloring disperses in a glass of water. This process cannot be adequately studied on Earth because of fluid movement caused by gravity. Thomas powered on the EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) rack, an experiment support facility designed to simplify and speed the process of housing, transporting, installing and operating experiments planned for the International Space Station. Following activation of the facility, Thomas initiated the Physics of Hard Spheres Experiment to examine the changes which occur as substances go from the liquid to the solid state and vice versa -- processes fundamental to materials processing. This research will provide a better understanding of these transitional phases and may result in improved techniques for processing materials on Earth. Ahead, Linteris will set up the Combustion Module to begin a study of the properties of soot; and Thomas will begin a study in the Large Isothermal Furnace to measure the fundamental variables which regulate the diffusion of impurities in molten salts. Crouch and Voss will assume science operations aboard the Shuttle around mid-day. Crouch will power up the Middeck Glovebox facility for an experiment to study the manipulation of fluid drops in low- gravity. Voss will configure the Droplet Combustion Apparatus for a study of burning fuel droplets. STS-83 Flight Day 3 Highlights: On Sunday, April 6, 1997, 6:00 a.m. CST, STS-83 Payload Status Report #03 reports: (MET 1/16:39) After nearly two full days in space, the crew of the Microgravity Science Laboratory mission has successfully activated all Spacelab facilities and, along with science teams on the ground, is getting down to the primary business of the mission -- to conduct fundamental scientific research in space. Startup difficulties with one of the combustion experiments aboard Space Shuttle Columbia were successfully resolved Saturday afternoon and all research facilities are now fully operational. Working with Alternate Payload Specialist Dr. Paul Ronney at the Spacelab Mission Operations Control Center in Huntsville, Ala., Payload Commander Dr. Janice Voss changed a cable configuration. This procedure resolved a communications glitch between a laptop computer and the Combustion Module. The module is a facility used to perform experiments and to test combustion hardware and experiment methods on Spacelab. Payload Specialist Dr. Gregory Linteris then activated the Laminar Soot Processes experiment in the facility. This study, headed by Dr. Gerard Faeth of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is collecting information on flame shape, the type and amount of soot produced under various conditions and the temperature of soot components. Carbon monoxide emissions associated with soot are the primary source of fatalities in unwanted fires. Information gathered from the study may lead to a better understanding of how to contain unwanted fires and limit the number of fatalities from carbon monoxide emissions. Twenty-three hours into the mission, just after noon Saturday, Voss and Payload Specialist Dr. Roger Crouch of the mission's Blue Team assumed science operations aboard the Shuttle. Late Saturday afternoon, Voss configured the Droplet Combustion Apparatus for a study of burning fuel droplets. The study is gathering information on burning rates of flames, flame structures and conditions when a flame is extinguished. A major amount of the energy produced around the world comes from burning fuels, said Dr. Vedha Nayagam, project scientist for the Droplet Combustion Experiment, from NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. By studying burning fuel droplets in space and comparing the results to theoretical models, we can learn about the chemistry of these fuels. This will help us to burn these fuels more efficiently and minimize pollutants. Crouch began his shift Saturday afternoon by powering up the Middeck Glovebox facility to begin a fluid physics study which examines non-contact and remote manipulation techniques for controlling the position and motion of liquids in low-gravity. Results of this study may find application in improving many important processes used by chemical manufacturing industries on Earth, including the petroleum technology, cosmetics and food sciences industries. Just prior to the end of the Blue Team's shift -- around 2:30 a.m. CDT Sunday -- Crouch completed the first of two runs of a study being conducted in the Large Isothermal Furnace. This investigation is a study of the diffusion of impurities in molten salts. Diffusion is the process by which liquid metals mix without stirring -- similar to how the smell of baking bread, for instance, spreads from the oven throughout the house. This process cannot be adequately studied on Earth because of fluid movement caused by gravity. The goal of the experiment is to determine the diffusion coefficient of the sample -- a fundamental quantity which describes the diffusion process. The study, headed by Dr. Tsutomu Yamamura of Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, is designed to reveal ideal conditions for electrolysis of molten salts. Electrolysis is the use of an electrical current to break down a dissolved substance into its constituent components. Results may also benefit basic science and engineering processes on Earth. Early this morning, when Red Team crew members began their 12-hour shift, Mission Specialist Don Thomas initiated the first of two studies in the Large Isothermal Furnace to test a specially designed experiment cartridge. This cartridge will be used to conduct two of the metallic alloy diffusion studies planned for later in the mission. Ahead, Thomas will continue the diffusion study in the furnace; Linteris will continue the soot study in the Combustion Module; and Thomas will continue the fluid drop study in the Glovebox. Prior to handing over to the Blue Team, Thomas will transfer the plant growth experiment in the Shuttle's Middeck to the EXPRESS rack. Voss and Crouch will assume science operations aboard the Shuttle around mid-day and continue fluid drop, droplet combustion and soot studies. While maintaining their primary focus on proceeding with normal planned science operations, the experiment teams are also assessing their options if Columbia's Fuel Cell #2 situation should impact mission duration. On Sunday, April 6, 1997, 7:00 a.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #4 reports: Science activities associated with the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) payload are proceeding as planned while the flight team in Houston continues to monitor the performance of one of the shuttle's three fuel cell power units. The issue with fuel cell number 2 is a degradation in one portion of the fuel cell. There are three fuel cells on board Columbia, each containing three stacks made up of two banks of 16 cells each. In one stack of fuel cell 2, the difference in output voltage between the two banks of cells has been increasing. Late last evening, the shuttle's electrical power configuration was adjusted to reduce the demands on fuel cell number 2. Since the power reconfiguration, the behavior of fuel cell number 2 has stabilized. Flight controllers have decided to leave the shuttle's power systems in their current condition while they monitor and evaluate trends. The Mission Management Team with hold a meeting at 8 a.m. CDT this morning to assess the status of the fuel cell and the options available for future flight operations. Shuttle managers will report on the results of the meeting in a press briefing at 10 a.m. CDT. On Sunday, April 6, 1997, 12:00 p.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #5 reports: Space shuttle managers today decided to cut short the STS-83 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 mission because of problems with one of the shuttle's three fuel cell power generation units. In a meeting that concluded at 9 a.m. CDT, NASA's Mission Management Team (MMT) decided to order the early return due to data received on fuel cell number 2, which has exhibited evidence of internal voltage degradation since launch. To ensure the safety of the crew and Columbia, mission managers decided to reduce power demand on the degraded cell and to isolate it from the other two fuel cells, which are performing normally. Meanwhile, flight controllers and engineers on the ground are continuing analysis of fuel cell data in order to decide whether to shut down the defective unit or to leave it operating at minimum output in a standby mode. Columbia is now scheduled to land at 1:35 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center. There is no concern for crew safety. The shuttle has three fuel cells, which use a reaction of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to generate electricity and produce drinking water. Although one fuel cell produces enough electricity to conduct on-orbit and landing operations, shuttle flight rules require that all three be functioning well to ensure the safety of the crew and provide sufficient backup capability for the highly dynamic reentry and landing periods. Spacecraft Communicator Chris Hadfield informed the crew of the decision at 9:21 a.m. CDT, saying: "The MMT had all players in on the meeting right through from the factory. The consensus is they just do not understand the behavior of fuel cell 2. Even though your efforts have done a good job toward stabilizing the problem, it's significantly out of family. So, we'll shorten the mission" Commander Jim Halsell replied, "That's certainly a disappointment but we know you guys put your best effort forward and you're doing the right thing. We appreciate all the work that's gone into that" The early landing, which is only the third of the shuttle program behind STS-2 in November 1981 and STS-44 in November 1991, means that scientists will not be able to perform the majority of the research planned for the MSL-1 mission. Columbia continues to circle the Earth in a 188 x 183 statute mile orbit every 90 minutes with all of its other systems operating normally. On Sunday, April 6, 1997, 6:00 p.m. CST, STS-83 Payload Status Report #04 reports: (MET 2/03:39) Microgravity Science Laboratory researchers at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., are working to take maximum advantage of the remaining hours before Space Shuttle Columbia's return to Earth Tuesday. A malfunction in the Shuttle's number two fuel cell will end the mission much earlier than the planned return on April 20. Though disappointed because of the need to cut the mission short, Mission Manager Teresa Vanhooser at the Marshall Center said that the Spacelab science control team was working with the crew members aboard Columbia to reduce experiment run times and to realign the mission's schedule to maximize the scientific return. Researchers hope to get as many science experiments completed as possible in the short time remaining. Despite this condensed time period, researchers have been able to record a first in the Combustion Module. We've hit a homerun -- it's the first truly steady non-buoyant flame that's been observed by anybody anywhere on Earth, said Combustion Scientist Dr. Gerard Faeth from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While describing results from the Laminar Soot Processes experiment, he stated that scientists have gotten their first glimpse of the concentration and structure of soot from a fire burning in microgravity. It's a real first and the pictures we saw today will probably find their way into textbooks of the future, said Faeth. Much of the energy from fire is expelled in the soot it produces. Researchers are gaining a better understanding of the role soot plays in combustion and how it is produced by different fuels. Soot has a lot of negative attributes and that's why we're concerned about it. It's a pollutant, said Faeth. It is harmful to public health. It is the major source of difficulties of unwanted fires in homes. Soot has carbon monoxide associated with it, which is toxic and in that role soot is responsible for the deaths of about 4,000 people a year in the United States, and it's responsible for fire injuries of about 25,000. Working in concert with science teams on the ground at the Marshall Center, Columbia crew members Dr. Gregory Linteris and Dr. Don Thomas continued experiments in TEMPUS, a German acronym for the electromagnetic levitation furnace facility. These investigations were pushed up in the timeline, according to William Hoffmeister, assistant TEMPUS investigator at Marshall Center. The team was able to activate, observe and complete an experiment run by melting a zirconium metal sample and levitating it in the facility. This experiment, led by Vanderbilt University Professor Robert Bayuzick, is studying the relationship between internal flows in liquids and the amount of undercooling that can be tolerated before solidification occurs. To understand this experiment, Bayuzick said, imagine if you cooled a glass of distilled water. The temperature could go below freezing without the water actually becoming ice. That is undercooling. However, if the glass were tapped or disturbed, then the water would freeze very quickly. This process may have many benefits to industry. New, enhanced properties in never-before-seen materials could become possible. Thomas continued work in the middeck Glovebox as he conducted the experiment called Internal Flows in a Free Drop. Tracer particles inside the drop gave scientists the ability to map the internal flows taking place as the drop was manipulated by sound waves. Understanding the flows of fluids has far reaching applications for scientists in the areas of weather prediction and ocean flows. Acoustic positioning using this containerless technique is important to industries such as chemical manufacturing, petroleum, cosmetics and food sciences. Later Thomas also set up the Large Isothermal Furnace for the Liquid Phase Sintering experiment. This investigation tests theories on how liquefied materials form a mixture without reaching the melting point of the new alloy combination. Pilot Susan Still monitored the cooling samples from the earlier Large Isothermal Furnace experiments. These dealt with the diffusion of different types of metals. Diffusion is a process where two compounds mix -- much like how a droplet of food coloring will slowly mix into a glass of water. After Columbia's return, researchers will cut the column of lead-tin-telluride into segments to study how uniform the various components mixed during sample cooling. Before the end of his shift, Linteris continued work in the combustion module, performing the Droplet Combustion Experiment. The purpose of this experiment is to collect information on the burning rates of flames, flame structures and conditions when extinguishing a flame. With improved understanding of droplet combustion, the results of this experiment could lead to cleaner and safer ways to burn fossil fuels, and more efficient methods of generating heat and power on Earth. The experiment, Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures investigation was moved up in the schedule as well. This experiment may help researchers develop improved manufacturing processes and stronger alloys. Because the coarsening experiment was moved up, it was decided that the Astro/Plant Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus would remain stowed in the middeck compartment. Meanwhile, protein crystal growth experiments continue unattended as planned. During this shift, researchers also dealt with a temporary malfunction of the Experiment Control Systems Computer. This computer oversees all the experiments aboard Spacelab. Commander Jim Halsell Jr. ran trouble shooting steps to remedy the problem. Science experiments continued after only a short interruption. On Sunday, April 6, 1997, 6:00 p.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #07 reports: () This afternoon, Columbia's crew shut down one of three electricity-generating fuel cells that had been experiencing problems since shortly after launch and made plans for ending the STS-83 mission on Tuesday, 12 days early, following a decision by shuttle managers this morning to shorten the flight. Science activities are continuing inside the Microgravity Science Lab-1 today, however, with the two remaining fuel cells operating normally and supplying electricity for the lab experiments and for Columbia's systems. The laboratory module is not planned to be deactivated until late Monday evening as the crew readies for the Tuesday return to Earth. Fuel cell 2, as the problem cell is designated, was shut down by the crew at about 2:30 p.m. CDT today. After the fuel cell was shut down, the crew also powered down several pieces of non-critical equipment aboard Columbia to provide additional power for the experiment work. Columbia's Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Susan Still and Mission Specialist Don Thomas will answer questions from media at JSC, the Kennedy Space Center, Fl., and the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Al., in a 20-minute press conference planned for 8:31 a.m. CDT Monday. The three shuttle fuel cells generate electricity by combining liquid hydrogen and oxygen and creating, as a byproduct, water. Although only one operational fuel cell can provide sufficient electricity to safely conduct Columbia's orbital and landing operations, shuttle managers decided to end the mission early due to the loss of the failed fuel cell as a backup to the two currently operating cells. The loss of the fuel cell also reduces the amount of power available for experiments. Later this afternoon, flight controllers noted an apparent problem with one of two Pulse Code Master Modulation Units (PCMMUs) on Columbia as the crew was working with a computer that controls experiments in the Spacelab module. The two PCMMUs serve as relay stations to transmit data and telemetry from a variety of sources on board to the ground and to the Columbia's five flight control computers. The crew switched to the second PCMMU and have not experienced further problems, and flight controllers are continuing to analyze the trouble. The problem did not interrupt the ongoing science operations. Columbia is now scheduled to land at 1:35 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center. STS-83 Flight Day 4 Highlights: On Monday, April 7, 1997, 7:00 a.m. CST, STS-83 Payload Status Report #05 reports: (MET 02/16:39) Spacelab crew members and science teams at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., worked steadily through the night to complete as much science as possible in the remaining hours of the mission. Due to a malfunction in the Space Shuttle's number two fuel cell, Columbia is now scheduled for landing Tuesday afternoon. The abbreviated mission came as a disappointment to participating scientists. The atmosphere, however, was also marked by bright spots, such as the excitement of one science team which recorded a "first" in combustion research. Payload Commander Dr. Janice Voss completed several runs of the Droplet Combustion Experiment last night. "Six burns were successful and for the first time, we're burning free droplets" said Principal Investigator Dr. Forman Williams of the University of California at San Diego. The experiment is collecting information on burning rates of flames, flame structures and conditions under which flames are extinguished. "We can't get this kind of information from ground-based experiments" said Williams. "We have burned at two different atmospheres of oxygen concentration and calculated the burning times of free fuel droplets at each." Combustion of fuel droplets is an important element in heating furnaces for materials processing, heating homes and businesses, and producing energy in gas turbines and gasoline-powered engines. Findings from this investigation are providing researchers with a better understanding of the combustion process and may lead to cleaner and safer ways to burn fossil fuels as well as more efficient methods of generating heat and power on Earth. The Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures experiment continued to run in the Middeck Glovebox facility. This investigation, led by Dr. Peter Voorhees of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., is studying coarsening in metal mixtures at very high temperatures. During coarsening, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, resulting in a lack of uniform particle distribution. This weakens the material and shortens its life-span. "Because of our small size and power usage we've been able to continue experiment runs, completing four runs with good success" said John Caruso, project manager for the experiment, with NASA's Lewis Research Center. "From the engineering data we've received, we expect to get satisfactory science. We expect the samples will show uniform particle distribution." Findings from this research may lead to improved manufacturing processes and stronger, longer-lasting materials. Early Sunday evening, Payload Specialist Dr. Roger Crouch began a study of the Structure of Flame Balls at Low Lewis-number, called SOFBALL, in the Combustion Module. The study is designed to determine under what conditions a stable flame ball can exist and if heat loss is responsible in some way for the stabilization of the flame ball during burning. "The two completed runs were successful beyond my wildest dreams" said Principal Investigator Dr. Paul Ronney of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. During the first experiment, a mixture of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon-dioxide burned in the facility for the entire 500-second limit. This result is significant because "these are the weakest flames ever burned -- lowest temperature, weakest, most diluted mixtures" explained Ronney. "These mixtures will not burn in Earth's gravity." "We have known that burning weaker mixtures increases efficiency" said Ronney, "but not much is known about the burning limits of these mixtures." Findings from this experiment will also provide researchers with a better understanding of the combustion process and will help to improve theoretical models. "Combustion models give different results for these types of flames" said Ronney. "This is an acid test to show which, if any, current combustion modules should be used." The Experiment Control Systems Computer, which relays ground-commands to the experiment facilities, malfunctioned. The Spacelab crew performed a procedure to disconnect the computer from the master timing unit, allowing the computer and experiments to go to internal timing sources. In the electromagnetic containerless processing facility, called TEMPUS, two experiment runs ended early when the undercooled, levitated samples came in contact with the wall. Undercooling refers to a liquid being cooled to a temperature below its normal freezing point yet remaining in a liquid state -- like cooling a glass of distilled water on Earth. However, if the glass is tapped or disturbed, ice begins to form quickly -- just as the samples began to solidify when they hit the wall. Another study of undercooled materials was initiated in the facility. This experiment, which measures the specific heat of undercooled metallic melts, is examining how metallic glass forms in zirconium-based alloys. Before ending his shift early this morning, Crouch began another run of the Liquid Phase Sintering experiment in the Large Isothermal Furnace. This experiment is investigating how liquid metals form a mixture without reaching the melting point of the formed metallic alloy. Information gathered will provide researchers with a better understanding of liquid phase sintering in low-gravity and comparisons of findings to theoretical predictions, should improve theoretical models. The principal investigator for the study is Dr. Randall German of Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pa. Dr. Donald Thomas and Dr. Gregory Linteris assumed science operations aboard the Shuttle early this morning. Thomas completed another run of the Liquid Phase Sintering experiment in the Large Isothermal Furnace before beginning to deactivate protein crystal growth experiments. After completion of another run of the Droplet Combustion Experiment, Linteris began reconfiguring the Droplet Combustion Apparatus for return to Earth. Ahead, crew members will continue to deactivate experiment facilities in preparation for the Shuttle's journey home. On Monday, April 7, 1997, 7:30 a.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #7 reports: Microgravity research aboard the Shuttle Columbia neared an end this morning as the astronauts prepared to check out the Shuttle's flight control systems that will be used during tomorrow's landing at the Kennedy Space Center Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Susan Still will check out Columbia's aerosurfaces which are used to control the Shuttle after it reenters the Earth's atmosphere and will test fire the ship's maneuvering jets used to steer the Shuttle while it is in space. The tests will be completed before Red team crew members Halsell, Still, Mission Specialist Don Thomas and Payload Specialist Greg Linteris go to bed for what is expected to be their final sleep period on orbit. Blue team crew members Janice Voss, Mike Gernhardt and Roger Crouch will finish up science activities this afternoon and will deactivate Spacelab systems in the pressurized research module shortly after 9 p.m. tonight. With Columbia's mission having been cut short because of a voltage problem with fuel cell number 2, which was shut down and safed yesterday, the astronauts will spend part of the day stowing their crew cabin for their return to Earth tomorrow. All of Columbia's other systems are functioning in excellent condition, including the two remaining fuel cells which are carrying the load of electrical production for the orbiter and the Spacelab. Columbia and its crew are scheduled to return home tomorrow afternoon. The deorbit burn to drop Columbia out of orbit is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. Central time. Landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle landing facility would take place one hour later at 1:35 p.m. with additional opportunities available on subsequent orbits to their KSC or the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, California. On Monday, April 7, 1997, 5:00 p.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #8 reports: Columbia's seven astronauts spent what should be their last full day on orbit preparing to close down science operations and ready their vehicle for a Tuesday landing at the Kennedy Space Center. This morning, mission commander Jim Halsell and pilot Susan Still conducted a routine pre-entry check of Columbia's flight control systems and performed a hot fire test of the reaction control system jets. One jet, designated F3F, failed off during the test, but does not affect reentry plans since redundant jets perform the same function as the failed jet. Halsell and Still, together with their Red Team partners Don Thomas and Greg Linteris, participated in a crew news conference talking with media in Houston, Florida and Alabama. The crew remarked that while the short mission was a disappointment to them, they feel significant science had been accomplished in the few days of Spacelab operations. On the ground, flight controllers continue to manage electrical power loads on the spacecraft. They also performed troubleshooting procedures on an experiment control computer for the Spacelab module and on the minus-Y startracker, part of the Shuttle's navigation system. One of two startrackers, the minus-Y unit showed indications that it was not communicating properly with other components and, after troubleshooting procedures were run, was considered failed. There is no impact to the mission since the remaining minus-Z startracker continues to perform well and the startrackers are designed to work independently of one another to provide information to Columbia's Inertial Measurement Units. Columbia and its crew are scheduled to return to the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday afternoon. The deorbit burn to drop Columbia out of orbit is scheduled for 12:31 p.m. Central time. Landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle landing facility would take place one hour later at 1:33 p.m. with additional opportunities available on subsequent orbits to either KSC or the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Weather appears acceptable at both sites, although crosswinds will be near normal limits. STS-83 Flight Day 5 Highlights: On Tuesday, April 8, 1997, 7:30 a.m. CST, STS-83 MCC Status Report #9 reports: Science work aboard Columbia has been completed and the Spacelab module has been deactivated as the seven astronauts prepare for their return to Earth later today. Overnight, Blue team crewmembers, Janice Voss, Mike Gernhardt and Roger Crouch shut down equipment and experiments being carried in the pressurized Spacelab module and the laboratory was deactivated just before midnight. The Red team astronauts, Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Susan Still, Mission Specialist Don Thomas and Payload Specialist Greg Linteris were awakened at 1:21 a.m. Central time. After a quick handover with their blue team counterparts, the red team began stowing equipment that was used during the flight in preparation for the Shuttles return to Earth. Voss, Gernhardt and Crouch began an abbreviated 6 hour sleep period. Once they were awakened, the astronauts began deorbit preparations for their anticipated landing later today at the Kennedy Space Center. Columbia’s deorbit burn is planned for 12:31 p.m. Central time for a KSC landing at the 3 mile long landing strip at the Florida spaceport one hour later at 1:33 p.m., although the backup landing site at California's Edwards Air Force Base could be used on the same orbit if the weather in Florida does not cooperate. Currently, conditions at KSC are expected to be favorable for landing. Backup landing opportunities exists on both coasts on subseqent orbits, if needed. A 3 ˝ minute firing of the twin orbital maneuvering system engines will reduce Columbia’s velocity enough to allow the Shuttle to drop out of orbit and begin the journey home. About 30 minutes after the deorbit burn, Columbia will begin to encounter the first traces of Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 4 00,000 feet as it travels west of Hawaii. No significant changes are planned in the management of Shuttle systems for entry and landing. Due to the loss of fuel cell two, flight controllers plan to have some of the Shuttle’s navigation equipment po wered off for the early portion of entry as the flight rules call for. Those systems will be activated about 20 minutes before landing. The STS-83 astronauts will spend the night at the landing site and will return to the Johnson Space Center at about midday Wednesday. Mission Name: STS-84 (84) Atlantis (19) Pad 39- () (estimated) 84th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 19th Flight OV-104 (estimated) 6th Mir docking (estimated) Crew: Charles J. Precourt (3), Mission Commander Eileen M. Collins (2), Pilot C. Michael Foale (4), Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega (1), Mission Specialist Edward T. Lu, (1), Mission Specialist Jean-Francois Clervoy (2), (ESA) Mission Specialist Elena V. Kondakova (2), (RSA) Mission Specialist Download from Mir Jerry M. Linenger NOTE: C. Michael Foale will will stay aboard Mir, replacing Jerry M. Linenger who will have arrived on Mir from STS-81. Milestones: OPF-3 -- 1/22/97 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 1/22/1997) VAB -- 4/10/97 Estimated (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/28/1997) PAD -- Payload: Mir-Docking/6, SpaceHab-DM (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Mar 1997) (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Apr 1997) Mission Objectives: The 6th Mir Docking mission will carry a Spacehab double module and will have Atlantis docked with the station for five days transferring in addition to an astronaut exchange. The shuttle previously Mir missions were STS-71, STS-74, STS-76, STS-79 and STS-81. Launch: Launch May 15, 4:07am 1997 (ESTIMATED). Launch window is 7-10 minutes. On 3/28/97, New thruster seals were installed in Atlantis' aft Reaction Control System (RCS). The forward Reaction Control System is scheduled to be returned to the OPF this weekend and reinstalled on the orbiter later. Close-outs of the orbiter's midbody continued and Main Propulsion System (MPS) vacuum line leak checks were performed. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/28/1997) On 3/25/97, The forward reaction control system was removed from Atlantis to allow for additional checks of the thruster seal savers. X-rays of the FRCS will continue today. Securing of main engine No. 3 also continues. In the VAB, the external tank was mated to the solid rocket boosters 3/24/97. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/25/1997) On 3/5/97, The forward reaction control system was mechanically installed on the orbiter overnight. Electrical connections continued and the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME's) will be installed beginning 3/6/97. Engine No. 1 has already been delivered to the OPF in preparation for this work. Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod close-outs and mid-body close-outs continue in work. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/05/1997) On 2/27/97, The European Proximity Sensor (EPS) payload has been installed and the interface verification test is now in work. A functional check of the airlock hatches is also underway. Preparations continue for Space Shuttle main engine installation and forward reaction control system installation next week. Stacking of the solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building is complete and joint close-outs are underway. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/27/1997) On 2/26/97, Decay checks on the Power Reactant and Storage Distribution System (PRSDS) and close-outs of the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) continue. The European Proximity Sensor (EPS) payload has been installed and the Interface Verification Test (IVT) 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. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/26/1997) On 2/18/97, Securing of APU No. 3 and work to hook-up the fuel line was completed. A leak and functional test of the newly installed APU was then performed. Also, the main landing gear's right inboard brakes were removed and replaced. The Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod functional checks were performed on 2/18/97 and 2/19/97. Stacking of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) in the VAB resumed following repairs to the fine control mechanism (hydraset) on the crane. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/18/1997) On 2/14/97, removal of the left hand pod will not be required (removal was considered due to concerns with the engine actuator controller) and work is underway to complete the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) functional checks. Stacking of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) has been delayed several days due to problems with a fine control mechanism (hydraset) for the crane. Work is being rescheduled to least impact external tank/solid rocket booster mating operations. Workers hope to resume booster stacking operations on Monday (2/17/97). (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/14/1997) On 2/13/97, functional checks of the orbital maneuvering system were performed. Removal of the FRCS was completed last weekend. Auxiliary power Unit (APU) No. 3 has been replaced and securing of the new APU is in work today. Stacking of the solid rocket boosters for mission STS-84 was underway in the VAB. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 2/13/1997) Orbit: Altitude: 184 statute miles Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, 3 hours, 45 minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: BI-087 SRM: ET : SN-85 MLP : SSME-1: SN-2032 SSME-2: SN-2039 SSME-3: SN-2029 Landing: KSC May 24 8:12 am (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-85 (85) Discovery (23) Pad 39- () (estimated) 85th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 23rd Flight OV-103 (estimated) Crew: Curtis L. Brown, Jr (4), Mission Commander Kent V. Rominger (3), Pilot N. Jan Davis (3), Mission Specialist Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. (1), Mission Specialist Stephen K. Robinson (1), Mission Specialist Bjarni Tryggvason (1),(CSA) Payload Specialist Note: Jeffrey S. Ashby (1), Pilot was previously assigned as pilot of STS-85. Milestones: OPF-2 -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: CRISTA, IEH-2, MIM, TAS-01, MFD, MAHRSI, SEH, UVSTAR (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Mar 1997) Mission Objectives: During the flight, Davis will use Discovery's robot arm to deploy the CRISTA-SPAS payload (Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere - Shuttle Pallet Satellite) for about 9 days of free-flight. CRISTA-SPAS consists of three telescopes and four spectrometers that will measure trace gases and dynamics of the Earth's middle atmosphere. Davis also will operate the robot arm for CRISTA-SPAS retrieval. Two other instruments mounted on the Shuttle Pallet Satellite also will study the Earth's atmosphere. The Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph Instrument (MAHRSI) will measure hydroxyl and nitric oxide by sensing UV radiation emitted and scattered by the atmosphere, while the Surface atomic oxygen on optical materials. The Shuttle Pallet Satellite on which the scientific instruments are mounted is a self-contained platform that provides power, command, control and communication with Discovery during free-flight. CRISTA-SPAS previously flew on STS-66 in 1994. STS-85 will mark the fourth in a series of missions designed to study the Earth's atmosphere. The crew also will support the Manipulator Flight Development (MFD) investigation being sponsored by NASDA, the Japanese Space Agency. MFD consists of three separate experiments located on a support truss in the payload bay and is designed to demonstrate applications of the Shuttle's robot arm for possible use on the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station. Several Hitchhiker payloads, including the Technology Applications and Science Payload (TAS-01), the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (SEH), and the Ultraviolet Spectrograph Telescope for Astronomical Research (UVSTAR) will be housed in Discovery's payload bay, operating independently of crew support during the flight. The Microgravity Vibration Isolation Mount (MIM) experiment will be operated by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason. The MIM experiment is a small double-locker size device designed to isolate International Space Station payloads and experiments from disturbances created by thruster firings or crew activity. MIM will be operated for 30 hours with real-time data transmission to investigators on the ground. (Reference NASA Press Release 96-224) Launch: Launch July 17, 1997 10:06am (ESTIMATED). Launch window is 1 hour, 54 minutes. On 3/25/97, Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) No. 1 and 3 have been removed and Engine No. 2 will be removed. The forward Reaction Control System (RCS) functional checks continue today. Work to remove and replace fuel cell No. 2 will begin 3/27/97. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/25/1997) On 3/5/97, deservicing of Discovery's hypergolic system began. This hazardous operation to remove residuals from the Reaction Control System (RCS) keeps the bay closed to non-essential personnel and other work through most of the day. An orbiter navigational aid activation test is scheduled for 3/6/97 and hydraulic system inspections will begin. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 3/05/1997) Orbit: Altitude: 160nm Inclination: 57 Orbits: Duration: 11 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: BI-088 SRM: ET : SN-86 MLP : SSME-1: SN-2041 SSME-2: SN-2040 SSME-3: SN-2042 Landing: KSC July 28 at about 6:54 am (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-86 (86) Atlantis (20) Pad 39-A () (estimated) 86th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 20th Flight OV-104 (estimated) Crew: James D. Wetherbee (4), Commander Michael J. Bloomfield (1), Pilot Vladimar G. Titov (5), (RSA) Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski (2), Mission Specialist Jean-Loup J.M. Chretien, (CNES) Mission Specialist Wendy B. Lawrence (2), Mission Specialist Download: C. Michael Foale NOTE: Wendy B. Lawrence will replace C. Michael Foale onboard MIR and will join the Mir 24 crew. She will be replaced by David A. Wolf on STS-89. (Reference the Crew's Personal World Wide Web page) Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- (Reference KSC Shuttle Status Mar 1997) Payload: Mir-Docking/7, SpaceHab-DM Mission Objectives: The 7th Mir Docking mission will carry a Spacehab double module and will have Atlantis docked with the station for five days transferring in addition to an astronaut exchange. The shuttle previously Mir missions were STS-71, STS-74, STS-76, STS-79, STS-81 and STS-84. Highlights of the 9-day mission include five days of docked operations between Atlantis and Mir and the exchange of crew members Foale and Lawrence to continue a permanent American presence of the Russia complex. A spacewalk is scheduled to retrieve the four Mir Environmental Effects Payloads which were attached to the Mir's docking module by Linda Godwin and Rich Clifford during STS-76 to characterize the environment surrounding the Mir space station. Atlantis will carry the SPACEHAB double module to support the transfer of logistics and supplies for Mir and the return of experiment hardware and specimens to Earth. Launch: Launch September 18, 1997 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : SN-87 MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-87 (87) Columbia (23) Pad 39- () (estimated) 87th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 23rd Flight OV-102 (estimated) Crew: Kevin R. Kregel (3), Commander Steven W. Lindsey (1), Pilot Winston E. Scott (2), Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla (1), (NASDA) Mission Specialist Takao Doi (1), (NASDA) Mission Specialist Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: USMP-4, SPARTAN-201-04 Mission Objectives: Spartan 201-04 is a Solar Physics Spacecraft designed to perform remote sensing of the hot outer layers of the sun's atmosphere or corona. The objective of the observations are to investigate the mechanisms causing the heating of the solar corona and the acceleration of the solar wind which originates in the corona. The fourth Spartan 201 mission, SP201-04, is coordinated with the ongoing ESA/NASA SOHO mission. The previous two flights of SP201 were coordinated with the passage of the Ulysses spacecraft over the sun's south and north poles. Ulysses is an ESA deep space solar physics spacecraft launched in 1990 which performs in-situ measurements of the solar wind Launch: Launch October 9, 1997 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : SN-88 MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-88 (88) Endeavour () Pad 39- () (estimated) 88th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-105 (estimated) 1st USA Space Station Assembly Flight Crew: Robert D. Cabana (4), Mission Commander Frederick W. Sturckow (1), Pilot Nancy J. Currie (3), Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross (6), Mission Specialist James H. Newman (3), Ph.D, Mission Specialist Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight, Node 1, PMA1/2 Mission Objectives: The seven-day mission will be highlighted by the mating of the U.S.-built Node 1 station element to the Functional Energy Block (FGB) which will already be in orbit, and two spacewalks to connect power and data transmission cables between the Node and the FGB. The FGB, built by Boeing and the Russian Space Agency, is scheduled for launch on a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan in November 1997. Node 1 will be the first Space Station hardware delivered by the Space Shuttle. It has two Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMA), one attached to either end. One PMA is permanently mated to the FGB and the other used for orbiter dockings and crew access to the station. Node 1 also will contain an International Standard Payload Rack used to support on-orbit activities once activated after the fifth Shuttle/Station assembly flight. To begin the assembly sequence, the crew will conduct a series of rendezvous maneuvers similar to those conducted on other Shuttle missions to reach the orbiting FGB. On the way, Currie will use the Shuttle's robot arm to place Node 1 atop the Orbiter Docking System. Cabana will complete the rendezvous by flying Endeavour to within 35 feet of the FGB, allowing Currie to capture the FGB with the robot arm and place it on the Node's Pressurized Mating Adapter. Once the two elements are docked, Ross and Newman will conduct two scheduled spacewalks to connect power and data cables between the Node, PMAs and the FGB. The day following the spacewalks, Endeavour will undock from the two components, completing the first Space Station assembly mission. Launch: Launch December 4, 1997 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 7 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-89 (89) Discovery (24) Pad 39- () (estimated) 89th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-103 (estimated) Crew: Download: Wendy B. Lawrence (Mir 24-25 / STS-86) will return on STS-89 Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Mir-Docking/8, SpaceHab-DM Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch January 15, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-90 (90) Columbia (24) Pad 39- () (estimated) 90th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 24th Flight OV-102 (estimated) Crew: TBD, commander TBD, pilot Richard M. Linnehan DVM (2), Mission Specialist Dafydd Rhys Williams MD (1), Mission Specialist Selection Trainees (only 2 will fly, and 2 will be alternates) Dr. Jay C. Buckey (0), Payload Specialist Dr. Alexander W. Dunlap (0), Payload Specialist Dr. Chiaki Mukai (1) (NASDA), Payload Specialist Dr. James A. Pawelczyk (0), Payload Specialist Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Neurolab Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch March 5, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 28.45 Orbits: Duration: 16 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-91 (91) Discovery (25) Pad 39- () (estimated) 91th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-103 (estimated) Crew: Download: David Wolf (Mir-25/STS-89) will return Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Mir-Docking/9, AMS, SpaceHab-SM Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch May 21, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.60 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-92 (92) Endeavour () Pad 39- () (estimated) 92nd Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-105 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-2 (Z1 Truss) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch July 2, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.60 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-93 (93) Columbia (25) Pad 39- () (estimated) 93rd Shuttle Mission (estimated) 25th Flight OV-102 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: AXAF-1 Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch August 27, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 28.4 Orbits: Duration: 5 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-94 (94) Discovery (26) Pad 39- () (estimated) 94th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-103 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-3 (P6, PV Module) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch October 22, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 8 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-95 (95) Endeavour () Pad 39- () (estimated) 95th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-105 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-4 (US Lab) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch November 19, 1998 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-96 (96) Atlantis (21) Pad 39- () (estimated) 96th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 21st Flight OV-104 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-5 (MPLM,SLP) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch January 14, 1999 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 11 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-97 (97) Discovery (27) Pad 39- () (estimated) 97th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-103 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Flight SSUF-1 (MPLM,SLP) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch March 11, 1999 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 8 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-98 (98) Endeavour () Pad 39- () (estimated) 98th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-105 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-6 (Airlock, SLP) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch April 8, 1999 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 9 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-99 (99) Atlantis (22) Pad 39- () (estimated) 99th Shuttle Mission (estimated) 22nd Flight OV-104 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSAF-7 (S0 Truss) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch June 10, 1999 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 8 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: Mission Name: STS-100 (100) Discovery (28) Pad 39- () (estimated) 100th Shuttle Mission (estimated) xxth Flight OV-105 (estimated) Crew: Milestones: OPF -- VAB -- PAD -- Payload: Space Station Assembly Flight SSUF-2 (MPLM,MBS) Mission Objectives: Launch: Launch August 5, 1999 (ESTIMATED). Orbit: Altitude: Inclination: 51.6 Orbits: Duration: 7 days, hours, minutes, seconds. (Estimated) Distance: miles Hardware: SRB: SRM: ET : MLP : SSME-1: SN- SSME-2: SN- SSME-3: SN- Landing: KSC (estimated) Mission Highlights: