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FloridaToday, Saturday, December 18, 1999 Update for 12:35 p.m. EST

NASA has decided to scrub a launch attempt today for shuttle Discovery. The next attempt will be Sunday at 7:50 p.m. EST. Weather is 60 percent go. A launch Sunday means a landing on Dec. 27. NASA will give up the fourth spacewalk at the Hubble Space Telescope. The next Mission Management Team meeting is set for 10 a.m. Sunday at which the decision on tanking will be made. We will update this page again on Sunday morning. Look to our Space Today page on Space Online for stories and other news of the day. - Jim Banke

Update for 12:20 p.m. EST Still waiting on whether NASA will make a launch attempt today. Word is expected anytime now. Tanking must begin by about 1 p.m. EST if Discovery can make the opening of its launch window tonight, NASA spokseman Ed Campion said.

FloridaToday, Saturday, December 18, 1999 Update for 10:15 a.m. EST

Update for 11:20 a.m. EST

NASA managers have decided they will make a launch attempt Sunday between 7:50 p.m. and 8:32 p.m. EST if needed. A meeting will convene at noon today to decide if there is even a slim chance the weather would allow a launch tonight. - Jim Banke

Rumors are circulating at Kennedy Space Center that NASA managers may make launch attempts today and Sunday, if needed. The management meeting at which the exact scenario will be decided is happening right now. We have been told to expect word just after 11 a.m.

For what it's worth, as I write this in my Space Online office in Melbourne, it is raining, windy, overcast, dark and there is a nasty looking alligator in the pond outside my window. - JIm Banke

Update for 9:15 a.m. EST

Good morning from a brighter, but still cloudy and wet, Space Coast. NASA's Mission Management Team will convene at the Kennedy Space Center at 10 a.m. to decide whether they will make a launch attempt with shuttle Discovery tonight, or wait another day and try a final time on Sunday. One way or the other, Discovery must be off the ground this weekend or the mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope will be put off until early in January. As soon as we hear something we'll update this page. -Jim Banke.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

11 p.m. Friday, December 17, 1999
STS-103 HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING MISSION

Space Shuttle mission managers scrubbed the launch of Discovery on mission STS-103 tonight at about 8:52 p.m. due to numerous violations of weather launch commit criteria at KSC. A 24-hour scrub turnaround sequence is currently in work at the pad. Managers will attempt to launch Discovery tomorrow, Dec. 18, at 8:21 p.m. Eastern Time. The 42-minute window extends to 9:03 p.m.

Currently at the pad, operations to detank the external tank of its unused liquid propellants will continue into the early morning. Following this operation, Discovery will then be placed in a posture to be refilled with the cryogenics beginning around 11:30 a.m.

The seven-member crew of Discovery have returned to their crew quarters for the night and will begin their sleep period about 2:30 a.m. They will awake tomorrow at about 10:30 a.m. and once again go through their launch day routine. Walkout of the Operations and Checkout Building is scheduled for 4:47 p.m.

Tomorrow's weather outlook is somewhat similar to tonight's. Forecasters are predicting a 70 percent chance of weather criteria violation with the primary concerns being for low clouds and possible rain showers in the vicinity of the pad and the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Kennedy Space Center Space Shuttle Status Report

December 17, 1999(3:30 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3^rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 17 at 8:47 p.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 26 at about 6:25 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 8 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Space Shuttle managers today announced a 24-hour delay in the launch of Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-103. The next launch opportunity is at 8:47 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. Shuttle engineers have requested the additional time to confirm the quality control processes for Arrowhead Products of Los Alamitos, California. Arrowhead is a vendor that provides welded propellant lines to the Shuttle Program, including main propulsion system (MPS) lines in the orbiter’s aft engine compartment.

On Tuesday, the vendor’s quality control personnel notified NASA of a welding flaw on a pressure line being fabricated for use on a future external tank. While Shuttle engineers have already exonerated Shuttle Discovery’s external tank of any welding flaws, the on going evaluation will confirm the quality of the procedures used to manufacture Shuttle MPS lines. Though managers are confident in the structural integrity of Discovery’s MPS lines, this evaluation is being conducted as a precaution.

Launch managers at KSC are not working any significant issues and stand ready to support tomorrow’s launch opportunity. The countdown clock will hold at the T-11 hour mark and a decision to begin tanking operations will be made at about noon tomorrow. Weather officials indicate a 60 percent chance that weather will prohibit tomorrow’s launch. The primary concern is thick cloud layers and the possibility of coastal showers.

CREW FOR MISSION STS-103

Commander (CDR): Curt Brown
Pilot (PLT): Scott Kelly
Mission Specialist (MS1): Steve Smith
Mission Specialist (MS2): Jean-Francois Clervoy
Mission Specialist (MS3): John Grunsfeld
Mission Specialist (MS4): Michael Foale
Mission Specialist (MS5): Claude Nicollier

SUMMARY OF STS-103 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES

Friday, December 17

11 a.m. Crew wake up

12:30 p.m. * 3:52 p.m. 4:22 p.m. Breakfast Lunch/Photo opportunity CDR, PLT, MS2 weather briefing

4:22 p.m. * 4:32 p.m. * 5:02 p.m. * 5:32 p.m. * 6:47 p.m. * 8:47

p.m. MS1, MS3, MS4, MS5 don launch and entry suits CDR, PLT, MS2 don
launch and entry suits Depart for Launch Pad 39B Arrive at white room and
begin ingress Close crew hatch Launch.

HST Project Update, December 17, 1999, 12:00 p.m.

Mission Managers for the STS-103 mission have decided to proceed with cryogen tank loading in preparation for a launch tonight at 8:47 pm.

FloridaToday, December 17, 1999
Update for 10 a.m. (EST)

Weather conditions are getting worst for a launch attempt today at Kennedy Space Center. Air Force weather officials now say there is an 80 percent chance of bad weather tonight. The Mission Management Team meeting will convene at 11 a.m. today to decide whether they should proceed.

Based upon past experience the NASA managers usually go for it, hoping for a break. There were times when the forecast was 90 percent no go and NASA went for it and was able to safely launch. So you never know when it comes to weather around here. Bands of rain showers have been moving over Florida's Space Coast throughout the morning.

Here's the timing for some of today's major activities:

11:00 a.m. - Crew wakes up to begin their day.
5:02 p.m. - Astronauts depart for launch pad 39B
6:47 p.m. - Discovery's main hatch is closed for flight
8:47 p.m. - Launch

FloridaToday, December 17, 1999

Discovery takes strike one: will try again tonight
Two more attempts are possible before NASA must delay until January
By Robyn Suriano

CAPE CANAVERAL - With its back against the new year, NASA finally may try launching shuttle Discovery tonight on a mission to fix the Hubble Space Telescope.

Agency officials will make the decision this morning after canceling an attempt Thursday so they could double-check paperwork and make sure there are no problems with welds in the ship's main fuel lines.

NASA only has tonight and Saturday to get Discovery off the ground or be forced to delay the flight to January. That's because they want the ship home before New Year's Eve to avoid potential Y2K problems.

The ship probably will be cleared to fly tonight during a window that runs from 8:47 p.m. - 9:29 p.m. However, the weather forecast isn't the best - there is just a 40 percent of favorable conditions.

"I think we could have launched (Thursday) and it would have been just fine," said Ron Dittemore, NASA's shuttle program manager. "But we don't do that without knowing for sure so we're going to take the time out" to study the fuel lines.

Once in orbit, Discovery's crew is to fix the broken pointing system on Hubble, which cannot do any science work until the astronauts make the repairs.

The fix-it job is to be carried out during four spacewalks while Hubble sits in the ship's bay. Though eager to get their prized observatory back at work, Hubble officials say shuttle safety comes first.

"We don't want anyone to feel pressure" to fly, said David Leckrone, Hubble's senior project scientist from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "Hubble will still be there waiting for us in January. We certainly don't want to put anyone at risk."

The latest problem started Tuesday, when NASA discovered improper welding on a fuel line for a shuttle external fuel tank that is being built for a future mission.

The welding was done with the wrong materials, so officials studied X-rays of Discovery's fuel tank to make sure it didn't share the problem. It didn't.

But the same company that did the faulty welding - Arrowhead Products of Los Alamitos, Calif. - also did the welding on the fuel lines that supply Discovery's main engines.

That work was carried out when Discovery was built almost 20 years ago.

Since then, Discovery has made 26 flights into space without any fuel line problems. Nevertheless, officials thought it best to make sure the company did not make a mistake when the lines were first assembled.

The concern is that faulty welding could worsen in time and eventually cause trouble during a launch. As a result, officials decided to be cautious and review paperwork documenting how the job was done, Dittemore said.

Engineers will not crawl inside the shuttle to study the actual piping.

"We don't believe there is a problem with these particular lines, but we have not had the time to go back and review the data to ensure that everything was proper during that manufacturing period," he said.

Had they finished the job by Thursday morning, NASA could have cleared the ship for launch. But they ran out of time.

"If this had happened two or three days ago, you wouldn't have even heard about it. Unfortunately, we just didn't have the time to get the work done," Dittemore said.

Discovery has been delayed repeatedly from its original October launch date by technical problems, including frayed electrical wiring and a main engine that had to be replaced.

If the ship flies tonight, its mission will be cut one day and become a 9-day voyage. It would be scheduled to land Dec. 26 at Kennedy Space Center.

FloridaToday, December 16, 1999
Update for 2:45 p.m. EST

Discovery's launch is delayed 24 hours so managers can review paperwork going back to the late 1970s and early 1980s and prove that the manufacturer of the shuttle's main propellant lines assembled and welded the lines properly years ago.

Shuttle program manager Ron Dittemore said he does not believe there are any hardware problems, especially given the fact Discovery has safely flown more than 25 times with the main propulsion system lines now in question.

"I think we could have launched, and everything would have been fine. But we don't do that. We're going to take the time to make sure we are safe," Dittemore said. Dittemore would not name the contractor in question, however NASA's shuttle operations manual released to the news media identifies the manufacturer of the 17-inch diameter line in question as Arrowhead Products, a division of Federal Mogul, Los Alamitos, Calif.

The weather forecast for Friday is 60 percent no go.

- Jim Banke

Kenndey Space Shuttle Status Report

Thursday, December 16, 1999, 3:30 p.m. EST.
MISSION: STS-103 - 3^rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

CREW FOR MISSION STS-103

SUMMARY OF STS-103 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES

Friday, December 17

11 a.m. Crew wake up
12:30 p.m. * 3:52 p.m. 4:22 p.m.
Breakfast Lunch/Photo opportunity, CDR, PLT, MS2 weather briefing
4:22 p.m. * 4:32 p.m. * 5:02 p.m. * 5:32 p.m. * 6:47 p.m. * 8:47 p.m.
MS1, MS3, MS4, MS5 don launch and entry suits CDR, PLT, MS2 don launch and entry suits Depart for Launch Pad 39B Arrive at white room and begin ingress Close crew hatch Launch

HST Project Update, December 16, 1999, 1:00 p.m., EST.

There is a 24 hour delay in the launch of STS-103 OV-103. The Shuttle Engineering Office recommended a 24 hour delay to complete an analysis of suspect inferior welding rods used in the manufacturing process of the MPS lines in the Orbiter Aft compartment. The External Tank had been in question however analysis has indicated the ET welds are acceptable and the ET has been cleared for flight. The concern expanded to the Orbiter with the supplier, Arrowhead, manufacturing the various components for the MPS system in the orbiter aft compartments.

A 100% alloy check of the welding rods has been in place since 1980. Prior to 1980 a lot verification was performed. The suspect hardware was manufactured in the late 1970's. There is documentation that a welder used other than specified welding rods on 4 different occasions. 2 of which are currently installed in orbiter flight units. Both on OV-104 (STS-101) and none on OV-103.

There is a disconnect in the welding rod dispensing process involving CRIT I hardware that needs to be understood before the Shuttle Engineering Office would become comfortable with a margin of safety. The margin of safety will not be assumed even with the understanding the hardware has flown many times. The analysis is not complete at this time.

A NASA/BNA/USA team is at Arrowhead to research there processes and paper documentation to further bolster a position of quality for flight. A process escape exists and the team plans to understand through research to support a 24 hour delay in the launch of STS-103. All data will be explored. The team presently has the data on the ET welds, the flight history of the orbiters and the configuration controls we have in place.

In the next 24 hours the team plans to understand:
* Arrowheads procedures/processes/controls
* Certifications of welders
* Certifications of NDE inspectors of x-rays, eddy currents and dye pene
* Issue or concerns from other companies supplied by Arrowhead
* Perform Stress Analysis/Tensile Testing for the worst case of potential suspect welding rods used
* Arrowhead's quality controls

There is not enough information present to have confidence of a single event case. The team needs 24 hours to verify an isolated escape existed in the systems and processes at Arrowhead. The SR&QA office is in agreement with the Shuttle Engineering Office. The preliminary plan is to:
* Hold the count @ T-6 hours
* Tanking Meeting 12/17 @ 1100 hours
* 12/17 launch @ 2047 EST
* 9 + 2 Day Mission with all 4 EVAs planned

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

Wednesday, December 15, 1999 (6 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 16 at 9:18 p.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 26 at about 6:56 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 41 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Preparations for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery continue on schedule today. Last night, work began to load the orbiter's fuel cell storage tanks with cryogenic reactants and loading operations concluded this morning. Discovery's main engines have undergone routine prelaunch preparations today and orbiter communication system activation occurs tonight. Flight crew equipment late stowage begins later this evening.

Today, Shuttle managers and engineers have evaluated a welding issue involving external tank pressure lines. While the issue was identified on hardware intended for use on a future flight, engineers are confirming that the welding flaw was an isolated occurrence and that the pressure lines on Shuttle Discovery's external tank are not affected. With the weld analysis all but complete, managers expect to close the issue early tomorrow.

Current weather forecasts call for few clouds at 3,000 feet and scattered clouds at 25,000 feet; visibility of 7 miles; winds from the north at 12 peaking to 20 knots; temperature at 52 degrees F; relative humidity at 69 percent; and no chance of showers. Weather officials indicate a 90 percent that weather will be favorable for a launch on Thursday. Forecasters predict an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for launch attempts on Friday and Saturday.

HST Project Update, December 14, 1999

The L-2 Mission Management Team meeting went very well. There are no major issues being worked at this time. All Mission Management Team members were Go For Launch. The weather is projected as favorable for Thursday nights launch.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

Tuesday, December 14, 1999 (11 a.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 16 at 9:18 p.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 26 at about 6:56 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 41 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: The launch countdown for STS-103 began on schedule today at 1:30 a.m. Yesterday, workers completed aft compartment close-outs and Discovery's aft confidence test concluded last night. Current weather forecasts call for scattered to broken clouds at 3,000 feet and scattered clouds at 25,000 feet; visibility of 7 miles; winds from the north at 12 peaking to 20 knots; temperature at 52 degrees F; relative humidity at 69 percent; and no chance of showers. Weather officials indicate an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch attempts on Thursday or Friday. By Saturday, the forecast declines to a 70 percent chance of favorable weather.

Processing Milestones:
Cryogenics loaded in Discovery's onboard storage tanks . .(Dec. 15)
Rotating Service Structure moved to park position . . . . (Dec. 16 at 3:45 a.m.)

HST Project Update, December 13, 1999

The LH2 Recirculation Manifold repair went very well over the weekend and is now complete, great work once again from our friends at the cape. As of now, 12/13, 8:30 AM CST, the launch of STS-103 in on schedule for Thursday December 16, 8:18 PM CST. The plan is to pick up the count tonight at midnight, the weather forecast looks favorable for Thursday night.

It's been a great effort from all involved in getting the STS-103 mission/OV-103 vehicle (Discovery) ready to fly. God Speed to the STS-103 Crew.

HST Project Update, December 9, 1999

NASA made the decision today to replace the damaged LH2 Recirculation manifold on OV-103/Discovery. KSC will perform the repairs and pickup the launch count by 01:00 Tuesday December 14. Our new target launch date is December 16, the launch time is 9:18 PM EST, the launch window duration is 42 minutes. (GMT is December 17, 02:18.)

The mission duration is still 10 days, which puts the landing on December 26. At the December 13 Monday morning meeting, we will review the progress made over the weekend as well as review the remaining work/schedule for supporting the December 16 launch date.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

Wednesday, December 8, 1999 (4 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 11 at 11:42 p.m. EST (under review)
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 21 at about 8:50 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Shuttle managers have decided to delay the start of the STS-103 launch countdown by at least 24 hours while engineers evaluate a dented main propulsion system hydrogen line found during closeout inspections of Discovery's engine compartment. A final decision on whether or not the line must be replaced is expected tomorrow. If the line requires replacement, it is anticipated that the work would postpone launch by a minimum of several days. The four-inch diameter line carries liquid hydrogen fuel for the Space Shuttle main engines.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

Tuesday, December 7, 1999 (3:30 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 11 at 11:42 p.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 21 at about 8:50 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: This afternoon, Shuttle managers moved the launch of Shuttle Discovery to Dec. 11 at 11:42 p.m. The delay accommodates additional wiring work in the orbiter's aft compartment. Today, technicians are completing efforts to replace and retest a wiring harness that provides command and feedback support to the main engine No. 2 controller. One wire in the harness had a 1/8-inch nick in its Teflon insulation, and engineers decided last night to replace the entire harness. Engine No. 2 will undergo flight readiness tests, and leak checks will be repeated.

Aft compartment close-outs are expected to conclude early Thursday, and the launch countdown is set to begin at 4 a.m. Thursday. The flight crew will take advantage of the additional time to review mission plans and spend time with family members.

FloridaToday, December 7, 1999

Discovery crew arrives at KSC for planned Saturday launch

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. ---- The seven astronauts scheduled to fly shuttle Discovery on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope arrive at the Kennedy Space Center on Monday, Dec. 6, 1999 in preparation for their scheduled launch on Saturday, Dec. 11. During their flight to KSC a slip in the launch was all but confirmed by shuttle managers because of the discovery of another damaged electrical wire that must be replaced. Launch is now targeted for no earlier than 11:42 p.m. EST Saturday. These images were captured from NASA TV coverage of the crew arrival.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

KSC Contact: Joel Wells
Monday, December 6, 1999 (9:45 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 11 at 12:13 a.m.
EST TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 20 at about 9:21 p.m.
EST LAUNCH WINDOW: 38 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: The seven-member STS-103 flight crew arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility tonight at about 8:20 p.m. During the days leading up to launch, the crew will participate in orbiter and mission familiarization activities. They will take opportunities to fly in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and will undergo routine preflight medical exams.

At Launch Pad 39B, workers continue efforts to close out Shuttle Discovery's aft compartment for flight. During routine engine compartment inspections today, workers found a 1/8-inch nick in the insulation of a Shuttle main engine wire. The wire provides command and feedback support for Discovery's No. 2 main engine. Following an engineering evaluation meeting this evening, Shuttle managers decided to replace the damaged wire and reported that a one-day launch slip is possible. Managers will further assess the impact to the processing schedule and expect more information by late tomorrow.

Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Status Report

Friday, December 3, 1999 (6 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

Work in progress: Shuttle managers determined today that an additional inspection of umbilical wiring is required on Shuttle Discovery. The electrical wire being inspected supports the pyrotechnic initiator controller for Discovery's left-hand solid rocket booster and is part of the Shuttle's liquid oxygen umbilical assembly. Recently, workers were tasked to inspect and repair minor insulation flaws on the wires located in the orbiter umbilical harnesses. The unplanned work concluded on Wednesday, Dec. 1. This latest inspection will determine if additional work is required to ensure the flight readiness of the single pyrotechnic wire.

NASA Press Release, December 3, 1999
Release: 99-141

Launch of Hubble Servicing Mission Set for December 11

NASA managers today set Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, as the launch date for NASA's final Space Shuttle mission this century. The 96th Space Shuttle mission will be highlighted by four space walks to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

Discovery is scheduled to lift off from Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL, at 12:13 a.m. EST, the opening of a 38-minute launch window. Discovery's planned 10- day flight, designated Shuttle mission STS-103, is scheduled to end with a night landing at Kennedy at about 9:21 p.m. EST on Dec. 20.

Also dubbed Hubble Servicing Mission 3A, the flight will feature an international crew of seven astronauts who will replace the telescope's six gyroscopes, a fine-guidance sensor, a transmitter, a spare solid-state recorder and a high-voltage/temperature kit for protecting the batteries from overheating. In addition, the crew will install an advanced computer that is 20 times faster and has six times the memory of the current Hubble Space Telescope computer.

Discovery's 27th flight will be commanded by Air Force Col. Curt Brown, who will be flying for the sixth time. Navy Lt. Commander Scott Kelly is serving as the pilot on his first Shuttle mission. The five mission specialists for STS- 103 are: Steve Smith, who is serving as Payload Commander on his third shuttle mission; Michael Foale, Ph.D., who is making his fifth flight into space and who spent 4.5 months aboard the Russian Mir Space Station; John Grunsfeld, Ph.D., who will be making his third space flight; Claude Nicollier of the European Space Agency, who will fly for the fourth time on the Shuttle; and Jean-Francois Clervoy of the European Space Agency, who will be making his third trip aboard the Shuttle.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT

Wednesday, December 1, 1999 (5:30 p.m. EST)
MISSION: STS-103 - 3rd Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: Pad 39B
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 9 at 1:10 a.m. EST
TARGET LANDING DATE/TIME: December 18 at about 10:40 p.m. EST
LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes
MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Space Shuttle managers today completed a review of Shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight on mission STS-103. They maintained a launch date of Dec. 9 for Discovery, although a further review of work remaining to close-out Discovery for flight will be held later this week. The launch date may be adjusted slightly pending the status of remaining work that is reported at that time.

At the launch pad, workers completed replacement of Discovery's mass memory unit No. 1. Close-out work on the recently repaired orbiter/external tank umbilical wiring harness continues as engineers conduct validation tests on that system. Tonight, workers are slated to begin Shuttle ordnance installation and replacement of a leaky quick disconnect on auxiliary power unit No. 2 is planned for later this week. Routine orbiter aft compartment close-outs continue along with wiring inspections.

�

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Mission Chronicles Archive

FloridaToday, Saturday, December 18, 1999 Update for 12:35 p.m. EST