STS-95 (92)

Discovery (25)

Pad 39-B (42)

92nd Shuttle Mission

25th Flight OV-103

45th KSC Landing

1st Flight SSME-BlockII

NOTE: Click Here for Countdown Homepage

Crew:

Curtis L. Brown (5), Commander

Steven W. Lindsey (2), Pilot

Scott E. Parazynski (3), Mission Specialist

Stephen K. Robinson (2), Mission Specialist

Pedro Duque (1), (ESA) Mission Specialist

Chiaki Mukai (2), (NASDA) Payload Specialist

John H. Glenn (2), Payload Specialist

Milestones:

OPF2 -- 06/15/98 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/12/1998)

VAB -- 09/14/98 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 9/14/1998)

PAD -- 09/21/98 (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 9/22/1998)

Payload:

SPACEHAB-SM, Spartan-201, HOST, IEH-03, GAS(G-779,G-467), LifeSciences, CRYOTSU

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status Jun 1998)

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status Jul 1998)

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status Aug 1998)

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status Sep 1998)

(Reference KSC Shuttle Status Oct 1998)

Mission Objectives:

Click here for Additional Info on STS-95

The primary objectives include conducting a variety of science experiments in the pressurized SPACEHAB module, the deployment and retrieval of the Spartan free-flyer payload, and operations with the HST Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) and the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payloads being carried in the payload bay.

The SPACEHAB module being flown on STS-95 is provided by SPACEHAB Inc. a private company which provide single or double module Spacehabs to support NASA's space flight efforts. The SPACEHAB system provides additional pressurized workspace for experiments, cargo and crew activities. SPACEHAB modules have supported various Shuttle science missions along with several of the joint Shuttle-Mir missions.

For STS-95 a single-module SPACEHAB will fly in the forward portion of Discovery's payload bay with the crew gaining access to the module through the airlock tunnel system. A variety of experiments sponsored by NASA, the Japanese Space Agency (NASDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) will focus on life sciences, microgravity sciences and advanced technology during the flight.

The Spartan 201 free-flyer that will be deployed and retrieved using the Shuttle's mechanical arm and is designed to investigate physical conditions and processes of the hot outer layers of the Sun's atmosphere, or solar corona. While deployed from the Shuttle, Spartan will gather measurements of the solar corona and solar wind. Information collected during this mission will lead to a much better understanding of the solar winds that directly influence orbiting satellites and weather conditions on Earth which in turn impact television and phone communications. This is a reflight of the Spartan payload flown on Mission STS-87 in November 1997 which developed problems shortly after being deployed from the Shuttle.

The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) platform is carrying experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. There are four experiments on the HOST platform. The NICMOS Cooling System will allow zero-g verification of a Reverse Turbo Brayton Cycle Cooler which should allow longer life operation than the current dewar system. (2) The HST 486 Computer will allow the identification of any radiation susceptible parts in the DF-224 replacement and demonstrate hardware and software responses to Single Event Upsets (SEU's). (3) Solid State Recorder will compare on-orbit operation of the flight spare solid state recorder with the current HST unit. (4) Fiber Optic Line Test will use the same 4 kbps data stream that is sent to the orbiter's Payload Data Interrogator (PDI) and will be routed to a laptop computer for post-flight comparison.

The International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payload involves a half dozen different experiments mounted on a support structure being carried in Discovery's payload bay. The six experiments that make up the IEH payload are (1) Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (SEH) payload that will obtain EUV and FUV fluxes that are required when studying the Earth's upper atmosphere; (2) Ultraviolet Spectrograph Telescope for Astronomical Research (UVSTAR) payload designed to measure EUV fluxes which can be used to form images of extended plasma sources (ex. Jupiter, hot stars, etc.); (3) STAR-LITE payload which will make observations of extended and diffused astrophysical targets; (4) CONCAP-IV payload designed to grow thin films via physical vapor transport; (5) Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) payload which is managed by the Department of Defense Space Test Program and involves a small deployable satellite that will store and transmit digital communications to PANSAT ground stations; and (6) a Get-Away Special (GAS) payload which is still TBD.

Since the aging process and a space flight experience share a number of similar physiological responses, a series of experiments sponsored by NASA and the National Institute on Aging will be conducted during the STS-95 mission. The investigations will gather information which may provide a model system to help scientists interested in understanding aging. Some of these similarities include bone and muscle loss, balance disorders and sleep disturbances.

Launch:

October 29, 1998 2:20:19 p.m. EST Launch Window 2 hours 30 minutes

On Thursday, 10/29/98, the countdown continues on schedule. The crew was woken up at 8:30am EST and served breakfast. After breakfast, the crew received a 15 minute weather briefing, suited up and departed the Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Pad LC-39B at 10:45am EST. After arriving at the pad, the crew proceeded to the 195ft level where one by one, they ingressed into the orbiter. The hatch was closed at 12:30pm EST, just as President Clinton's Air Force One plane touched down at the landing strip on Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS). The countdown proceded to the T-9 minute mark but was kept an additional 8.5 min at thee T-9 minute hold while the launch team discussed the status of a master alarm heard during cabin leak checks after hatch closure. At 2:00pm EST, the launch team was polled and Discovery was given a "go" to proceed past the T-minus 9 minute mark. At 2:03pm the Orbiter Access Arm was retracted but the Range Safety Officer (SR0) requested a hold at the T-minus 5 minute mark due to an aircraft in the no fly zone. At 2:14pm EST, SRO gave the all clear signal and the countdown proceeded. At 2:14pm EST, a go was given for auto sequence start and launch occured at 14:20:19 pm EST.

On Wednesday, 10/28/98, Preparations for Thursday's 2 p.m. launch of Shuttle Discovery continue on schedule and launch managers are not working any major technical issues at this time. This morning workers completed efforts to install the SPACEHAB experiments in the orbiter payload bay and the airlock has been closed for flight.Discovery's communication systems will be activated today and flight crew equipment late stow activities begin at about 3:30 p.m. The Rotating Service Structure will retract away from the Shuttle at 8 p.m. today and the launch countdown will resume counting at T-11 hours at 11:40 p.m. External tank loading operations begin at about 5:40 a.m. tomorrow. Air Force weather forecasters continue to indicate a zero percent chance that weather could prohibit launch on Thursday. The forecast calls for few clouds at 4,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots from the northeast; temperature at 79 degrees F; relative humidity at 64 percent. Hurricane Mitch is still drifting westward away from Florida's coast and will not impact Thursday's launch attempt. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/28/1998)

On Tuesday, 10/27/98, The launch countdown for STS-95 proceeds on schedule for Thursday's 2 p.m. liftoff of Shuttle Discovery. Mission managers are not working any significant technical concerns at this time and launch preparations continue at Launch Pad 39B. At 4 a.m. workers began loading the orbiter's power reactant storage and distribution system with cryogenic reactants and that operation concluded at about noon. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/27/1998)

On Monday, 10/26/98, the launch countdown for mission STS-95 began on time today at 8 a.m. Launch managers are not working any significant technical issues at this time and preparations for Thursday's 2 p.m. launch continue on schedule. Final vehicle close-outs are in work and Discovery's backup flight systems will be loaded into the orbiter's general purpose computer today. Tonight the orbiter's navigational systems will be activated. Loading of the power reactant storage and distribution system (PRSD) with cryogenic reactants begins tomorrow morning. Air Force weather forecasters are indicating a 40 percent chance that weather could prohibit launch on Thursday. The forecast calls for scattered to broken clouds at 4000 feet and scattered clouds at 20000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots from the northeast; temperature at 79 degrees F; relative humidity at 62 percent. The primary concerns are low level winds, a slight chance of showers and a low cloud ceiling.

Currently, the 24-hour and 48-hour scrub turnaround forecast indicates a 40 percent chance of weather violation. Managers continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Mitch in the Caribbean, currently moving in a west-northwesterly direction away from Florida's east coast. Mitch is not expected to affect Thursday The STS-95 flight crew arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 3:30pm. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/26/1998)

On Sunday, 10/25/98, preparations to begin the STS-95 launch countdown continued on schedule. Yesterday, workers began stowing the flight crew's equipment onboard Discovery. Forecasters are monitoring the progress of Hurricane Mitch in the Caribbean, but preliminary weather forecasts indicate generally favorable conditions for Thursday's launch of Shuttle Discovery. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/25/1998)

On Saturday, 10/24/98, Final preparations to begin the STS-95 launch countdown are on schedule. At the launch pad yesterday, workers successfully completed torque verifications in the external airlock. Payload bay closeouts are complete and the payload bay doors are closed for flight. Flight crew equipment stowage is in work today. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/24/1998)

On Tuesday, 10/13/98, HOST end-to-end testing was in work and on Monday workers completed the HOST payload Interface Verification Test (IVT). Discovery's midbody umbilical connections were made 10/12/98 and leak checks are complete. Technicians have also removed a faulty mass memory unit (MMU) and replacement of MMU No. 2 is slated for Thursday. During Tuesday evening, workers installed the astronaut contingency space suits into the orbiter. Payload closeout activities are scheduled through the remainder of the week. Shuttle managers have gathered at KSC today for the STS-95 Flight Readiness Review and announced Oct. 29 as the official launch date for Shuttle Discovery. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/13/1998)

On Friday, 10/9/98, the KSC test team and the STS-95 flight crew successfully completed the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at about 11 a.m. The launch day dress rehearsal culminated with a simulated Shuttle main engine cutoff at T-3 seconds on the countdown clock. TCDT allows the launch team and crew to practice launch day activities and to validate emergency egress procedures. Afterwards, the crew returned to their homes in Houston, TX and will complete their mission training at Johnson Space Center. Preparations to replace Discovery's mass memory unit No. 2 were under way. At pad 39B, the Rotating Service Structure will be retracted for Saturday's KSC Open House and extended in place around the Shuttle immediately following the event. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/09/1998)

On Monday, 10/5/98, loading of hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's onboard storage tanks began with oxidizer loading. Fuel loading occurs 10/6/98. Preparations for Friday's Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test are in work. The STS-95 flight crew arrives Tuesday to begin familiarization activities at KSC prior to the actual dress rehearsal on Friday. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/05/1998)

On Friday, 10/2/98, Discovery's helium signature leak test was successfully completed and the Spartan payload interface verification test (IVT) was also performed. Over the weekend, the SPACEHAB IVT was completed and the orbiter's payload bay doors were closed. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/05/1998)

Over the weekend, workers performed weight and center of gravity tests on Space Shuttle Discovery before lowering it onto the orbiter transfer vehicle. At about 10 a.m. Monday, September 14, 1998 Discovery rolled out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 2. The orbiter arrived in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) a short while later and was lifted from the orbiter transfer vehicle at about 4:30 p.m. Discovery will be soft mated to the external fuel tank (ET) at about 6 a.m. tomorrow. Hard mate connections will follow Tuesday and interface verification tests (IVT) will be conducted prior to next Monday's rollout to Launch Pad 39B. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 9/14/1998)

On Thursday, September 10, 1998, technicians completed checks of Discovery's Ku-band antenna system and final stowage. Pressurization of the landing gear tires for flight is also complete. Checkout of the robot arm concluded earlier this week and orbiter midbody close-outs continue on schedule. Preparations were under way for Friday night's payload bay door closure. Workers conducted aft compartment structural leak checks and completed forward compartment close-outs. Saturday, Discovery's weight and center of gravity determination tests are scheduled and Sunday the vehicle will be placed on the orbiter transfer vehicle for Monday's rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 9/10/1998)

On Monday, August 31, 1998, Installation of the integrated vehicle health monitoring (IVHM) system brackets are complete and IVHM sensor installation is nearing completion. Today, technicians are conducting orbiter integrated hydraulic testing and preparing for tunnel adapter installation slated to occur later today. Closeouts of the orbiter's midbody compartment continue in preparation for Wednesday's Crew Equipment Interface Test. Testing of the Ku-band antenna continues. In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, external tank and solid rocket booster mating closeouts are ongoing. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/31/1998)

During the week of 8/17/98 - 8/21/98, Discovery's main engines were installed. On Saturday, KSC technicians began precautionary efforts to secure Discovery, Endeavour and Columbia in their respective OPF bays due to the threat of Hurricane Bonnie. Discovery's payload bay doors were closed and the orbiter was powered down. Managers will continue to monitor the hurricane's status and hope to resume processing later today. Once the decision to proceed is made, workers will power up the orbiter and launch processing system, open the payload doors and deploy the Ku band antenna. Also, main engine securing and pump torque checks are scheduled. Payload premate testing will follow payload bay door opening. Work delays due to hurricane preparedness efforts are not expected to impact any major Shuttle processing milestones. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/24/1998)

By Monday, 8/17/98, Discovery's ammonia servicing work was complete. Preparations are under way for Shuttle main engine installation this week. Installation and testing of the integrated vehicle health monitoring system continue and water spray boiler servicing is in progress. Standard torque checks of the wind to fuselage attach bolts are slated for today. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/17/1998)

On Friday 7/31/98, workers completed Discovery's fuel cell voltage tests, and the orbiter's forward reaction control system (FRCS) was installed. FRCS interface verification testing was under way on Monday 8/3/98. The recently replaced fuel cell water relief valve is being brazed to the panel today. Installation of the integrated vehicle health monitoring (IVHM) system continues, and main landing gear wheel and tire installation is in work. Auxiliary power unit and main propulsion system leak and functional tests are scheduled for this week. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 8/3/1998)

On Monday 7/27/98, Thruster replacement work on Discovery's right-hand orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod and subsequent leak checks and X-rays were completed. Functional checks of Discovery's newly installed crew seats were also completed. Over the weekend, technicians removed the leaky fuel cell No. 3 water relief valve and today, installation of a replacement valve is scheduled. Discovery's forward reaction control system was delivered to the OPF for installation into the orbiter later this week. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 7/27/1998)

On Monday, 7/6/98, Functional testing of Discovery's main propulsion system were in work. Last week, the power converter units that supported the STS-91 payloads were removed from Discovery's cargo bay. Preparations are under way to remove the Shuttle main engines later this week. Today, main engine heat shield removal is continuing. Postflight waste management system servicing is in progress. Installation of the integrated vehicle health monitoring system (IVHM) begins this week. The IVHM upgrade, already installed onColumbia, provides real-time Shuttle system monitoring capability to ground and flight controllers. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 7/06/1998)

On Monday, 6/22/98, validation of Discovery's electrical power systems and payload removal efforts in OPF Bay 2 were complete. Preparations to drain the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) reactant storage tanks are in work and OMS thruster replacement efforts are scheduled to begin this week. Leak checks of the flash evaporator system and post flight inspections of the Shuttle main engines are ongoing. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 6/22/1998)

Orbit:

Altitude: 310nm

Inclination: 28.45

Orbits: 134

Duration: 8 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes

Distance: 3.6 Million miles

Hardware:

SRB: BIO-97

SRM: RSRM-69

ET : SN-98

MLP :

SSME-1: SN-2048**A (HPOTP 8026, HPFTP 4114)

SSME-2: SN-2043*

SSME-3: SN-2045*

Landing:

November 7, 1998 KSC, 12:04pm EST. Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) Runway 33. No Drag Chute deployed Just after landing, Astronaut John Glenn said "1 G and I feel fine". Main Gear Touchdown 8 days 21 hours 43 minutes 57 seconds, Nose Gear Touchdown 8 days 21 hours 44 minutes 7 seconds. Wheel Stop at 8 days 21 hours 44 minutes 56 seconds.

The payload bay doors were closed at 8:17 a.m. EST and the 4 minute 40 second deorbit burn occured at 10:53 am. At 11:30a.m. EST, Discovery began its Entry interface while at 400,000ft and at a speed of Mach 25. At 11:34am EST, Discovery was at an altitude of approximately 65 miles and was 4,500 miles from the landing strip. At 11:42, Discovery was just under 1800 miles from KSC and dropping at 73 mph. At 11:53pm, Discovery was over the Gulf of Mexico traveling at Mach 7, 26 miles in altitude decending at 190 mph. At noon, the distinctive dual sonic booms were heard just as Discovery decended past the speed of sound 650mph, 8 miles altitude. Touchdown at 12:04am EST.

While Discovery took the 1st KSC landing opportunity, there were 2 landing opportunities at KSC and two to Edwards Air Force Base, California . Discovery has a second chance to land at KSC at 1:45 p.m. EST or could have landed at Edwards at either 1:35 p.m EST. or 3:17 p.m. EST. The astronauts will spend the night at KSC before returning to leaving KSC for Houston around 10am EST on Sunday to a welcome at Ellington Field.

Mission Highlights:

STS-95 Flight Day 1 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 2 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 3 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 4 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 5 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 6 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 7 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 8 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 9 Highlights:
STS-95 Flight Day 10 Highlights:

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