Conference 7.286::space

Article: 9435
From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Newsgroups: sci.space.news
Subject: April 3 Set As Launch Date For STS-83
Date: 21 Mar 1997 18:46 UT
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sender: [email protected]
 
Debbie Rahn/Jennifer McCarter 
Headquarters, Washington, DC                    March 21, 1997
(Phone: 202/358-1778)
 
Ed Campion/Rob Navias
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(Phone: 281/483-5111)
 
Lisa Malone/Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, FL
(Phone: 407/867-2468)
 
RELEASE: 97-49
 
NASA MANAGERS SET APRIL 3 AS LAUNCH DATE FOR
THE MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE LABORATORY MISSION
 
    Following completion of the Flight Readiness Review 
yesterday, NASA managers set April 3 as the official launch 
date for NASA's Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) mission. 
 
    The focus of the upcoming mission, designated STS-83, will 
concentrate on NASA's efforts to further understand the subtle 
and complex phenomena associated with the influence of gravity 
in many aspects of daily life. 
 
    The STS-83 flight agenda resembles future work set to take 
place aboard the International Space Station. STS-83 will be 
the 22nd flight of Space Shuttle Columbia and the 83rd mission 
flown since the start of the Space Shuttle program in April 1981.
 
    The crew of mission STS-83 includes: Commander Jim Halsell; 
Pilot Susan Still; Mission Specialists Janice Voss, Michael 
Gernhardt and Donald Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger 
Crouch and Greg Linteris.  Thomas, who suffered a broken ankle 
following a routine training exercise on Jan. 29, has 
officially been cleared to fly as planned. 
 
    "We are very pleased that Don has been cleared for flight 
and are confident in his ability to carry out his mission 
responsibilities," said David C. Leestma, director of Flight 
Crew Operations. 
 
    Cady Coleman, who was training with the STS-83 crew as a 
backup mission specialist, will return to her previous duties 
supporting crew habitability activities for the Astronaut Office. 
 
    The launch window for STS-83 on April 3 opens at 2:01 p.m. EST
and extends for 2 hours, 30 minutes.  Columbia's mission duration is
planned for 15 days, 16 hours.  The STS-83 mission will conclude with
Columbia's landing at Kennedy Space Center, FL, on April 19 at 
about 7:30 a.m. EDT. 
 
                           - end -
 
Status reports and other NASA publications are available on the 
World Wide Web at URL:
 
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm
 
Information about the countdown and mission can be accessed 
electronically via the Internet at: URL:
 
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/    and  at     
http://shuttle.nasa.gov/
 

    Article: 56445
    From: "Buckingham-1, Bruce" <[email protected]>
    Subject: 3-27-97 status
    Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 14:13:42 -0500
    Sender: [email protected]
    Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
    
    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
    THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1997  (2:11 P.M. EST)
    KSC Public Affairs Contact: Bruce Buckingham (fax 407-867-2692)
    E-mail: [email protected]
    MISSION: STS-83 -- Microgravity Science Laboratory - 1
    
    VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
    LOCATION: Pad 39A
    LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 3 at 2:01 p.m. EST
    LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
    TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 19 at about 7:37 a.m. EDT
    MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 36 minutes
    CREW: Halsell, Still, Voss, Thomas, Gernhardt, Linteris, Crouch
    ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees
    
    NOTE: Aft engine compartment close-outs and launch countdown
    preparations continue on schedule. The aft compartment doors are
    scheduled to be installed this weekend. The countdown will begin at the
    T-43 hour mark at 2 p.m. Monday, March 31.
    
    STS-83 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only):
    * Complete aft engine compartment close-outs (March 29)
    * Begin launch countdown (2 p.m. March 31)
    * Crew arrival (2:30 p.m. March 31)
    * Begin external tanking operations (5:11 a.m. April 3)
    
    

    I heard that the launch has been delayed a day due to thermal
    insulation needing to installed.
    
    

                         FLORIDA TODAY Space Online
                           STS-83 Mission Journal

     From crew arrival to wheels stop, this no-frills, text-only page
     will be updated twice a day by Mark DeCotis and Jim Banke
     throughout the STS-83 Columbia mission. Bookmark this page as
     your first stop to see what's going on aboard Columbia.

     Look here for frequent updates during the day of launch and
     landing, and then check out
     "Space Today" (Graphics | Text Only) for current stories,
     releases, images and multimedia files.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, April 2, 1997

Update for 11:30 a.m. EST

NASA continues to troubleshoot a problem with shuttle Columbia's cooling
lines and has not firmly decided on when the launch window will open for
Friday's launch attempt.

NASA is considering opening the launch window an hour earlier - 1:07 p.m.
EST (1807 GMT) - to compensate for an antenna that is not working properly
at a shuttle emergency landing site in western Africa. The antenna is
needed only for a night landing. By launching an hour earlier, NASA can
send Columbia on its way regardless of whether the antenna works. However,
by moving the opening of the window up, NASA loses an hour in the launch
window and possibly a daylight landing opportunity at Edward's Air Force
Base in California at the end of the mission, should that be necessary.

Weather for Friday is expected to be ideal with only a 10 percent chance of
violating launch weather criteria. Weather for Saturday is expected to
degrade somewhat to a 30 percent chance of violating criteria. For Sunday,
the forecast is for only a 30 percent chance of favorable weather.

NASA also has taken advantage of the slip in the launch schedule to replace
a balky "heads up" display in the orbiter's crew cabin. Shuttle Management
and Operations Director Bob Sieck said managers will gather tomorrow to
review the work performed on the critical cooling system and NASA is
hopeful that the countdown can be resumed tomorrow night.

Update for 8 a.m. EST

At launch pad 39A workers have finished draining the liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen from shuttle Columbia's electricity-generating fuel cell
system and are preparing to open Columbia's cargo bay.

Once the 60-foot doors are opened later today, workers will install an
insulating blanket over the cooling lines that engineers feared might
freeze and burst during the shuttle's 16-day mission.

NASA managers hope to have the payload bay doors closed again for flight
late this afternoon and then the normal countdown activities will resume,
leading to a launch Friday at 1:07 p.m. EST.

NASA Public Affairs plans a briefing to news media at 10:30 a.m. EST this
morning. This page will be updated following that briefing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, April 1, 1997

Update for 9:20 p.m. EST

NASA has delayed launch of shuttle Columbia's 16-day science mission to
Friday. Engineers have determined that thermal insulation needs to be added
to a coolant loop to prevent water in the line from freezing in orbit, NASA
spokesman Bruce Buckingham said Tuesday. The installation will delay the
science mission to 1:07 p.m. EST (1807 GMT) Friday. NASA hopes to firm that
time up today.

Update for Noon EST

Countdown clocks continue to tick backwards at the Kennedy Space Center
today, aiming for a 2:01 p.m. EST Thursday liftoff of shuttle Columbia from
pad 39A.

There are two minor technical problems, according to KSC spokesman Bruce
Buckingham.

The first is with commander Jim Halsell's heads-up display. This is a
cockpit device that projects critical flight information in such a way that
Halsell can see the data while still looking through the forward windows.

Buckingham said the device wasn't working right during final tests and will
be replaced with a spare later today while other work continues at the
launch pad.

The second problem is with the launch pad's hazardous gas detection system.
The main system is showing signs of being out of calibration, but the
backup system is working fine, Buckingham said.

Launch rules say only one of the two systems is required, so the countdown
won't stop. Nevertheless, workers will try to repair the main system in
time for the final hours of the launch.

At this hour workers are loading liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into
storage tanks aboard Columbia. During the mission the chemicals will be
combined inside fuel cells to generate electricity for the spaceplane's
systems and experiments.

The loading effort began about 10 a.m. EST and will continue through the
afternoon. Among the major milestones still ahead:

   * 8 p.m. EST Wednesday the Rotating Service Structure will be moved away
     from Columbia at the launch pad.

   * 5:11 a.m. EST Thursday the launch team will begin filling shuttle
     Columbia's external tank with its half-million gallons of liquid
     hydrogen and liquid oxygen, which will be used to power Columbia's
     three main engines.

   * 10:41 a.m. EST Thursday the seven-member flight crew will depart their
     quarters for the launch pad.

   * 2:01 to 4:31 p.m. EST Thursday the launch window is open.

The weather forecast for Thursday is favorable. Air Force meteorologists
with the 45th Space Wing say there is an 80 percent chance of acceptable
conditions at launch. The only concern: a slight chance of showers.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to upper-70s (Fahrenheit), with
winds blowing from the ESE at 10 to 15 knots. Humidity is forecast to be
around 50 percent.

Considering the cool temperatures, low humidity and afternoon sun angles,
pictures and video of this launch could be especially spectacular. And
nearly every photographer planning to attend the launch is hoping for a
good view and prize-winning shot of Comet Hale-Bopp over the launch pad on
Wednesday night.

For the record, the countdown began Monday at 2 p.m. EST, shortly after the
astronauts arrived here from Houston in their T-38 training jets. Mission
Specialist Mike Gernhardt joined the crew a little later in the day as he
was recovering from a stomach bug. NASA officials say he is fine and will
be able to launch on Thursday.
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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
    THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1997 (12:08 PM EST)
    LAUNCH-1 DAY
    
    NOTE: The countdown resumed at 2 a.m. today at the T-19 hour mark
    following the 24-hour postponement of launch due to the requirement to
    add additional insulation to water coolant lines in the payload bay.
    (image) Launch is set for 2 p.m. EST Friday, April 4, at the opening of
    a 2 1/2 hour window. 
    
    Yesterday, the payload bay doors were opened and platforms installed
    for workers to reach the forward bulkhead in the payload bay where the
    water lines are located. Installation of the insulation was completed
    by late morning and the doors closed for flight by mid-afternoon. The
    12-hour operation to load the cryogenics into Columbia's storage tanks
    began at 4 p.m. yesterday and was completed by 4 a.m. today. 

                         FLORIDA TODAY Space Online
                           STS-83 Mission Journal

     From crew arrival to wheels stop, this no-frills, text-only page
     will be updated by Mark DeCotis and Jim Banke throughout the
     STS-83 Columbia mission. Bookmark this page as your first stop to
     see what's going on aboard Columbia.

     Look here for frequent updates during the day of launch and
     landing, and then check out
     "Space Today" (Graphics | Text Only) for current stories,
     releases, images and multimedia files.

Friday, April 4, 1997

Update for 4 p.m.

Notes from the STS-83 post-launch press conference:

Loren Shriver: Director of launch integration, manager of mission
management team; Jim Harrington: launch director.

Shriver: Misbehaving of a 70-cent o-ring in seal of probe led to delay in
launch. Lost seal on probe that goes into crew hatch. Had to vent cabin
down to vent the seal. Vented pressure into cargo bay. Needed to get
readings down to normal. Took 20 minutes.

Shriver: Payload bay doors are open (3:57 p.m. EST), OMS burn done, all
APUs have cooled.

Question: Re-adjusting launch manifest?

Shriver: STS-84, scheduled in May, looks good. STS-85 looks good for July.
STS-86 for Sept. 18 (Endeavour will fly to Mir.) STS-87 looks OK (October).
Rest of year under discussion (because of delay in space station.)

Q: Explain probe.

Harrington: It was a seal on probe. It fell off or was messed up. Only way
to do test was to pressurize it a little higher, pull probe off to replace
seal. Pressure in cabin drops. Half-hour to do cabin leak check and vent
gaseous oxygen out of payload bay once it was vented there from the cabin.

Q: Most recent Mir problems. Worried about Linenger's safety?

Shriver: Not sure I know about all problems on Mir. They are having oxygen
generator poblems. We are working to help them with spare unit. Might be a
couple of other things they are working with. Don't think anyone on Phase 1
team has any excessive concerns about their safety.

Q: Rough ride up hill? Wind shear?

Shriver: Affect of wind that produced that was overshadowed by bumpiness of
first stage.

Q: Will crew take any images of comet Hale-Bopp from orbit?

Shriver: Out of my league on that one. PAO will run down an answer.

Update for 3:15 p.m. EST

Space shuttle Columbia has performed an orbital manuvering system burn to
circularize its orbit at 163 by 160 nautical miles and the crew has begun
its on-orbit activities.

The next major milestone will be activation of the payloads in the
Microgravity Science Laboratory about 4:30 p.m. EST.

The post-launch press conference is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Update for 2:45 p.m. EST

Space shuttle Columbia staged a spectacular show for throngs of spring
breakers along Florida's Space Coast this afternoon, thundering into orbit
to begin a 16-day space science mission.

Columbia and its crew of seven soared off launch pad 39A and streaked
toward space at a 28.45 degree inclination, aiming for a 163 by 160
nautical mile orbit.

Liftoff took place at 2:20:32 p.m. EST, (1920:32 GMT) 20 minutes late.
Problems with crew cabin pressurization and closing the crew hatch and
higher than normal gaseous oxygen readings in the orbiter's mid-body forced
the delay.

This is the 22nd mission for Columbia, NASA's oldest orbiter, and the 83rd
in the shuttle program that began with launch of Columbia on April 12,
1981. The launch also was the first in Roy Bridges' tenure as director of
Kennedy Space Center.

Columbia is scheduled to return to Kennedy Space Center about 8 a.m. EDT
(noon GMT) on April 20.

Columbia's crew of seven will conduct a host of space science experiments
in the school-bus sized Microgravity Science Laboratory in the payload bay.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update for 2:15 p.m. EST

NASA has set 2:20 p.m. EST (1920 GMT) as the new launch time for shuttle
Columbia and the countdown clock is at T-9 minutes and counting. Launch was
delayed by 20 minutes because of a problem with closing out the white room
on launch pad 39A and by a problem with oxygen levels in the orbiter's
mid-body.

The closeout crew was delayed in leaving the white room because of a
problem with pressurization of the crew cabin and closing the hatch. It
left the white room at 1:52 p.m. EST.

A concern also developed about levels of gaseous oxygen in the orbiter's
mid-body.

Launch Director Jim Harrington gave the go for launch at 2:11 p.m. EST.

Update for 1:51 p.m. EST

The countdown clock for today's scheduled 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) launch of
shuttle Columbia is at T-minus 9 minutes and holding.

An issue with pressurization of the crew cabin has been solved but the
closeout crew was delayed leaving the white room because of that problem.
The countdown will resume once the white room is broken down and cleared
and the closeout crew is away from the pad.

No other technical issues are being worked.

Update for 1:20 p.m. EST

The countdown clock for today's scheduled 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) launch of
space shuttle Columbia from Kennedy Space Center is at T-20 minutes and
holding.

This built-in 10-minute hold will be followed by a built-in 10-minute hold
at T-9 minutes.

The closeout crew is wrestling with a problem with pressurization of the
crew module. Apparently a problem has developed with a nose seal on a
probe. Troubleshooting is under way.

Update for 1 p.m. EST

We are now an hour from launch of space shuttle Columbia.

The "go" for the crew hatch closing was given to the closeout crew at 12:35
p.m. EST and the hatch was closed at 12:45 p.m. The doors on the massive
Vehicle Assembly Building were closed shortly after 12:30 p.m. EST and the
solid rocket booster recovery ships were directed to their final positions
about 135 nautical miles northeast of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.

Communications checks were completed between the crew and the launch team
and the closeout crew is now finishing its tasks in the white room.

The shuttle weather officer has just finished briefing Launch Director Jim
Harrington, reporting that the local weather and the weather downrange are
both "go."

Overseas at the Trans Atlantic abort landing site at Banjul, Gambia,
weather is green. NASA, however, is awaiting word on the weather at the
Abort Once Around site at Edwards Air Force Base in California since
weather at the AOA site at White Sands, N.M., is not acceptable.

Update for 12:30 p.m. EST

Communications checks are under way between shuttle Columbia's seven-person
crew and members of the launch team at Kennedy Space Center and Johnson
Space Center.

Range safety checks were completed as were checks of the solid rocket
boosters that are bolted to Columbia.

Boarding of the orbiter was completed shortly before 12:15 p.m.

The crew hatch was scheduled to be closed at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Two built-in holds remain in the countdown, 10 minutes each at T-minus 20
minutes and T-9 minutes. The countdown clock will hit T-9 minutes and
counting down to launch at 1:51 p.m. EST. The crucial hand-over to the
shuttle's onboard computers takes place at T-31 seconds. Main engine start
occurs at T-6 seconds. Ignition of the twin solid rocket boosters and
launch are scheduled for 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT).

The countdown continues to proceed smoothly.

Update for noon EST

NASA is now two hours from launching space shuttle Columbia on its 16-day
space science mission.

Crew members are boarding NASA's oldest orbiter. The solid rocket booster
recovery ships, Liberty and Freedom are approaching their final stations,
more than 125 miles east of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. They left Port
Canaveral at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Communications checks between the crew, the Launch Control Center at
Kennedy Space Center and Mission Control in Houston began at 11:29 a.m. EST
with a quick exchange between Columbia Commander Jim Halsell and Orbiter
Test Conductor Jim Toohey.

Commander Jim Halsell boarded Columbia at 11:08 a.m. EST, followed by
Mission Specialist Greg Linteris at 11:13 a.m., Pilot Susan Still at 11:18
a.m., Mission Specialist Don Thomas at 11:33 a.m. and Payload Commander
Janice Voss at 11:38 a.m.

Voss was followed by Mission Specialists Roger Crouch at 11:57 a.m. EST and
Mike Gernhardt.

The main engine data for this mission: Main Engine No. 1, No. 2012. Eight
previous flights, 7,711 seconds of total hot-fire time. Twenty-four total
starts. Main Engine No. 2, No. 2109. Seven previous flights, 4,480 seconds
of total hot-fire time. Nine total starts. Main Engine No. 3, No. 2019,
12,769 seconds of total hot-fire time. Sixteen previous flights.
Thirty-three total starts.

Main engine No. 1 has flown on STS-35, 43, 45, 53, 60, 67, 74 and 79. No. 2
has flown on STS-55, 58, 62, 64, 63, 69 and 76. No. 3 has flown on STS-9,
28, 31, 26R, 28R, 36, 38, 37, 48, 50, 54, 57, 61, 65, 70, 76.

Meanwhile, an Air Force Titan 2 rocket and its weather satellite payload
were successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at
11:47 a.m. EST.

Update for 11:15 a.m. EST

Boarding of the crew of shuttle Columbia has begun at Kennedy Space Center
launch pad 39A. Commander Jim Halsell was the first to board, crawling
through the hatch at 11:08 a.m. EST.

The crew arrived at the access arm to the white room and Columbia at 11:02
a.m. after departing crew quarters at the Operations & Checkout Building.

En route to the pad, the convoy stopped outside the Launch Control Center,
as usual, to drop off some members of the team including Ken Cockrell,
commander on Columbia's most recent flight, STS-80, who will fly the
weather observation aircraft today. Cockrell will fly a T-38 training jet
and the Shuttle Training Aircraft, a modified Gulfstream Jet, and relay his
findings to astronaut Blaine Hammond in Firing Room 1 in the LCC.

The STS-80 flight was the longest shuttle mission to date during which
astronaut Story Musgrave set two records.

Update for 10:50 a.m. EST

Smiling, waving and flashing "thumbs up", the crew of shuttle Columbia
exited the crew quarters at the Kennedy Space Center Operations & Checkout
Building and departed for launch pad 39A.

The seven crew members were very animated as they were greeted by a larger
than usual crowd of press, employees and well wishers.

Commander Jim Halsell led the crew down the ramp and into bright Florida
sunshine. The weather at KSC is nearly perfect today.

The crew is expected to arrive at the launch pad at 11:05 a.m. EST and to
begin boarding the orbiter at 11:15 a.m. EST.

Update for 10:45 a.m. EST

The flight team for today's shuttle Columbia launch has completed its
weather briefings.

The primary Trans Atlantic abort landing site, Banjul, Gambia, reports
clear weather with light winds and clouds. Its radio antennas, one of which
was misbehaving earlier in the week, are all working well.

Weather at Kennedy Space Center remains nearly perfect. The temperature at
launch time, 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) is expected to be 77 degrees with the
humidity expected to be 52 percent. Winds are expected to be 7 to 12 knots
out of the southeast.

There is some concern about showers developing offshore or near the Shuttle
Landing Facility but weather officials are still forecasting a 90 percent
chance of acceptable weather.

Update for 10:30 a.m. EST

Launch of shuttle Columbia remains on target for 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT)
today.

The crew is preparing for the traditional crew walkout from the Operations
& Checkout Building, scheduled for 10:40 a.m. EST.

Voices during launch commentary today are: Launch Director, Jim Harrington;
NASA Test Director (NTD) John Guidi; Orbiter Test Conductor (OTC) Jim
Toohey, United Space Alliance; KSC Public Affairs Commentator George
Diller; Ascent Flight Director Linda Ham at Mission Control at Johnson
Space Center in Houston; Capcom (ascent) Dom Gorie at Mission Control and
JSC Public Affairs commentator (ascent) James Hartsfield at Mission
Control.

This flight will be the 22nd for Columbia (OV-102), NASA's oldest orbiter.
The 16-day mission will be devoted to space science aboard the Microgravity
Science Lab that is making its first flight. The crew will work around the
clock in two, 12-hour shifts to conduct a variety of experiments in
preparation for construction of and future work aboard the International
Space Station. The Red Team will be comprised of Commander Jim Halsell,
Pilot Susan Still, Don Thomas and Greg Linteris. The Blue Team: Payload
Commander Janice Voss, Mike Gernhardt and Roger Crouch.

Meanwhile, the ice inspection team continues its work at launch pad 39A and
is reporting nothing unusual. It is expected to complete its work about
10:30 a.m. EST.

Update for 10 a.m. EST

The crew of shuttle Columbia is awake in the crew quarters at Kennedy Space
Center's Operations & Checkout Building. They have posed for the
traditional crew photo and are preparing for their weather briefing and to
begin climbing into their launch and entry suits.

The closeout crew at launch pad 39A reports that they are ready to receive
the seven-member flight crew. Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Susan Still,
Payload Commander Janice Voss and mission specialists Mike Gernhardt, Don
Thomas, Roger Crouch and Greg Linteris are scheduled to depart for the
launch pad at 10:40 a.m. EST. They are expected at the pad at 11:15 a.m. to
begin ingress. The crew hatch is scheduled to be closed at 12:30 p.m. EST
and launch remains on target for 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT).

Update for 7:30 a.m. EST

Engineers at the Kennedy Space Center are filling shuttle Columbia's
external tank with its supercold hydrogen and oxygen propellants at this
hour and launch remains set for 2 p.m. EST.

The tanking effort began at 6:06 a.m. EST, about an hour late, due to a
concern with the voltage coming from one of Columbia's three on-board fuel
cells. The voltage was higher than acceptable but then began dropping down
to the proper limit, allowing the tanking to begin.

The issue has not entirely disappeared, but KSC spokesman Bruce Buckingham
says for now the launch is still "go."

Meanwhile, tests continue on a navigation aid antenna in Banjul, The
Gambia, which is the overseas emergency landing site for today's launch. If
the suspect antenna cannot be repaired in time, NASA will put in place
stricter weather and hardware rules - but officials are still optimistic
that won't be a show stopper.

The only other item to report is that severe thunderstorms are pounding the
Houston area this morning and the Mission Control team at the Johnson Space
Center are standing by to turn on generators should the space center lose
power.
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    Glad to see that Columbia launched - I am (as usual) holed up in a
    clean room with no TV :^(
    
    One slight non-tech question...is there a reason that FLORIDA TODAY has
    their updates in *reverse* chronological order?  It's like starting
    from the last page of a good book.  Sheeesh!
    
    						--Eric--

Apparently the fuel cell that was over-voltage on the ground was under-voltage
on orbit.  It has been shut down.  With only two fuel cells, mission rules say
they have to come back.  They will be landing tomorrow.

Burns

    > One slight non-tech question...is there a reason that FLORIDA TODAY has
    >their updates in *reverse* chronological order?  It's like starting
    >from the last page of a good book.  Sheeesh!
    
    I assume that they probably did it that way so people could read the
    latest news first, and if they wanted to dig down through the
    older news people could. I agree that it's not the way I too would
    have liked to have seen it. Albeit, their news is posted where it
    can be accessed quicker than NASA can post to the news groups or
    to their own web sites, so that's why I've grabbed Florida Today
    info sometimes to get the answer fast.
    
    Bob

    ( now this node is back - catch up time)
    
    STS-83 Report # 01 
    Friday, April 4, 1997, 5:00 p.m. CST 
     
      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.
    
      All of Columbia's systems are operating normally in the early hours
    of the flight.

    STS-83 Report # 02 
    Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:30 a.m. CST 
     
     MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-83
    MISSION STATUS REPORT # 2
    
    Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:30 a.m. CST
    
      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.

    STS-83 Report # 03 
    Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:00 p.m. CST 
     
     MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-83
     MISSION STATUS REPORT # 3
    
    Saturday, April 5, 1997, 6:00 p.m. CST
    
      Science activities continue around the clock on board Columbia as
    the Blue Team of astronauts - Mission Specialists Janice Voss and Mike
    Gernhardt and Payload Specialist Roger Crouch - assume responsibility
    for science operations in the Microgravity Science Laboratory spacelab
    as their Red Team counterparts sleep.
    
      Red Team members Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Susan Still, Mission
    Specialist Don Thomas and Payload Specialist Greg Linteris completed
    activating the Spacelab systems early today and brought most of the
    science experiments into operation. Over the next two weeks, the
    STS-83 crew will conduct a wide range of experiments studying
    combustion and the behavior of metals, materials and fluids in
    microgravity.
    
      In the first media event of the mission, Voss, Gernhardt and Crouch
    will be interviewed at 5:46 p.m. today by television stations WTVO and
    WREX of Rockford, Illinois. Voss is a native of Rockford.
    
      Flight controllers continue to assess the performance of fuel cell
    number 2 after noticing an apparent 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.
    
      Earlier today, the crew performed a manual 10-minute purge of the
    fuel cell at the request of flight controllers in Houston. Since that
    time, the rate of change in the fuel cell has slowed to about 2
    millivolts (mV) per hour from 5mV per hour, but continues to show a
    slight upward trend, albeit at a slower rate. The delta, or
    difference, between the two stacks currently is about 134 mV. A shift
    of 300 mV in a fuel cell could necessitate a shutdown of fuel cell
    number 2. All three fuel cells continue to provide power to the
    Spacelab module and its complement of experiments.
    
      Columbia continues to circle the Earth every 90minutes at an
    altitude of 187 statute miles.

    STS-83 Report # 04 
    Sunday, April 6, 1997, 7 a.m. CDT 
     
     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.
    
      Science operations continue as planned as Columbia circles the Earth
    in a 188 x 183 statute mile orbit every 90minutes.
    
      The next shuttle status report will be issued at 5 p.m today.
    
    

    STS-83 Report # 05 
    Sunday, April 6, 1997, Noon CDT 
     
     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.
    
    

    STS-83 Report # 06 
    Sunday, April 6, 1997, 6 p.m. CDT 
     
       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 Report # 07 
    Monday, April 7, 1997, 7:30 a.m. CDT 
     
     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.
    
      Columbia is currently flying at an altitude of about 180 statute
    miles, completing one orbit of the Earth every 90 minutes.
    
    

    STS-83 Report # 08 
    Monday, April 7, 1997  5:00 p.m. CDT 
     
      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.
    
    

                         FLORIDA TODAY Space Online
                           STS-83 Mission Journal
                              Landing Day Only
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     From crew arrival to wheels stop, this no-frills, text-only page
     will be updated by Mark DeCotis and Jim Banke throughout the
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     see what's going on aboard Columbia.

     Look here for frequent updates during the day of launch and
     landing, and then check out
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Tuesday, April 8, 1997

Update for 2:50 p.m. EDT

Here are landing times for shuttle Columbia which returned to Kennedy Space
Center a few minutes ago:

   * Main gear touchdown: 2:33:11 p.m. EDT
   * Nose gear touchdown: 2:33:23 p.m. EDT
   * Wheel stop: 2:34:10 p.m. EDT

Columbia traveled 1.5 million miles on 63 orbits.

Update for 2:40 p.m. EDT

Space shuttle Columbia is back home.

NASA's oldest orbiter and its crew of seven returned to Kennedy Space
Center this afternoon, touching down on runway 33 at 2:33 p.m. EDT (1933
GMT), capping a shortened space science mission.

Columbia was launched from KSC on Friday and was to remain in orbit until
April 20. However, a malfunctioning fuel cell forced NASA to curtail the
mission.

Columbia touched down on a breezy, partly cloudy afternoon. Wheel stop was
recorded at 2:34 p.m. EDT (1934 GMT).

The trademark twin sonic booms were heard over KSC at 2:29 p.m. The louder
than usual booms scattered birds on the pond outside the Space Online
office a few moments later.

There were concerns earlier in the day about crosswinds at the landing site
and in fact, winds had exceeded limits for most of the morning. However,
the winds subsided and were well within limits at landing.

Columbia will be towed to Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1 this evening.
Space shuttle Endeavour was moved to High Bay 2 at the KSC Vehicle Assembly
Building to make room for Columbia.

The crewmembers will leave the orbiter in about 45 minutes. They will be
greeted by NASA officials and perform a quick inspection of the orbiter
before boarding the Astro Van for the trip back to crew quarters at the
Operations & Checkout Building. There they will be re-united with family
members. Some of the crew will then meet the press at the auditorium at the
KSC Press Center.

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    It appears NASA have a sense of humour - well sort off !
    
    NASA officials sent a spoof LETTERMAN like list of ten reasons why the
    shuttle had to return home early up to the crew.
    
    10. Crew forgot to do their taxes before they left. 
    
     9. 16-day mission, April Fool's! 
    
     8. Lead FAO (flight activities officer) didn't want to work flight anyway 
    
     7. Hale-Bopp Comet aliens got way too close for comfort. 
    
     6. NASA TV ratings were low. 
    
     5. 0.J. Simpson trial is over and CNN needs something to cover. 
    
     4. Crew left stove on back in Houston. 
    
     3. Gotta be home to see "Friends" on Thursday. 
    
     2. Energizer bunny wasn't on board. 
    
     1. Four words, OUT OF COLOMBIAN COFFEE. 
    

    Just to finish off ...
    
    STS-83 Report # 09 
    Tuesday, April 8, 1997 - 7:30 a.m. CDT 
     
    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 Shuttle's 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.
    
    Columbias 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  Columbias 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 Earths
    atmosphere at an altitude of 400,000  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 Shuttles navigation equipment
    powered 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.
    
    

    STS-83 Report # 10
    Tuesday, April 8, 1997 - 2 p.m. CDT
    
    Commander Jim Halsell and Pilot Susan Still guided Columbia to a
    smooth landing at the Kennedy Space Center this afternoon, bringing
    the curtailed Microgravity Sciences Laboratory-1 flight to a safe
    conclusion.
    
    Riding home on the power of two electricity-producing fuel cells,
    Columbia settled down on the 3-mile long landing strip at the
    Shuttle landing facility on runway 3-3 at 1:33 p.m. Central time to
    complete its shortened 1.5 million mile mission.
    
    Halsell, Still, Payload Commander Janice Voss, Mission Specialists
    Mike Gernhardt and Don Thomas and Payload Specialists Roger Crouch
    and Greg Linteris closed Columbias cargo bay doors in orbit
    shortly before 10 this morning in preparation for landing, while
    the Entry team of flight controllers, led by Flight Director Linda
    Ham kept close tabs on winds at both the prime landing site at the
    Kennedy Space Center and the backup landing site at Californias
    Edwards Air Force Base.
    
    Finally, with the crosswinds at KSC
    settling down, Ham gave the astronauts the green light for the
    deorbit burn to the Florida spaceport to bring this third shuttle
    mission of the year to a close.
    
    The seven crew members will spend the night at the Kennedy Space
    Center for reunions with their families before returning to
    Ellington Field in Houston tomorrow at about Noon Central time for
    debriefings with JSC officials.
    
    

    Microgravity Mission Will Fly Again in July
    
    NASA's Microgravity Science Laboratory will fly again in early July,
    completing the mission that was cut short this month. The same crew from
    STS-83 will fly the mission, which has been designated STS-94. An exact
    launch date will be set after a Flight Readiness Review on April 30.
    
    

That has to be a new record.  It's nice to see such scheduling flexibility.  Of
course it is at least partly because of the slipped Space Station mission in
November, I suspect.

Burns