05.15.97

Thursday, May 15, 1997, 5 a.m. CDTSTATUS REPORT: STS-84-01

STS-84 MISSION CONTROL CENTER STATUS REPORT # 1



The Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off precisely on schedule at 3:08 
a.m. CDT today after a smooth and uneventful countdown. The ascent 
phase was completely nominal, as were the early phases of on-orbit 
operations. Forty-five minutes after launch, the vehicle’s 
Orbital Maneuvering System engines were fired to circularize 
Atlantis’ orbit at 185 statute miles. Payload bay door opening 
followed shortly thereafter.



At the time of launch, the Russian space station, Mir, was 
approximately 11,500 miles west of Australia. It was approximately 
one hour after launch that the Russian control center was able to 
advise the Mir crew of the successful launch of Atlantis. Jerry 
Linenger, the U.S. astronaut member of the Mir crew, responded to the 
news with the exclamation, "That’s great!"



After configuring Atlantis for on-orbit operations, the crew will 
begin an eight-hour sleep period shortly after 8 a.m. CDT. Atlantis 
will continue its pursuit of Mir throughout today and tomorrow, 
culminating with rendezvous and docking with Mir at 9:34 p.m. CDT 
Friday.

	
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