yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/31/90)
Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. October 30, 1990
(Phone: 202/453-8536)
Dick Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 407/867-2468)
N90-86: STS-38 LAUNCH SET, STS-35 TANKING BRIEFING SCHEDULED
NASA and DoD managers today established Nov. 9th as the
target date for the launch of STS-38 Space Shuttle Atlantis. The
4-hour launch period for this classified DoD flight begins at
6:30 p.m. EST.
Additionally, a press briefing will be held today following
completion of the STS-35 Columbia tanking test at Kennedy Space
Center, Fla. The briefing, time to be determined, will be
carried live on NASA Select television with 2-way question and
answer capability.
The decision to launch Atlantis on the 9th was made
following the STS-38 Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center. On October 24, Atlantis successfully passed a
special tanking test designed to assure the absence of
significant liquid propellant leaks, both hydrogen and oxygen.
No major obstacles have surfaced since that time which would
preclude launch on the targeted date.
The five-man crew for this 37th Space Shuttle mission is
commanded by 41-year-old Richard O. Covey, an Air Force
Colonel. Sitting in the right seat will be Pilot Frank L.
Culbertson, Jr., 41, a Navy Commander. Three STS-38 Mission
Specialists will be flying aboard Atlantis: Air Force Lt.
Colonel Carl J. Meade, 39; Marine Corps Colonel Robert C.
Springer,48; and 35-year-old Army Captain Charles D. (Sam)
Gemar. Both Covey (twice) and Springer (once) have flown in
space before aboard the Shuttle.