:: NASA Quest > Archives ::

Kennedy Space Center
Countdown to Launch

Click on thumbnail to see larger size

April 17, l998 - Launch day activities

After a weather briefing, the flight crew will be fitted with their launch and entry suits and depart for Launch Pad 39B. Once there, they will take their positions in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Columbia to await liftoff during a two-and-a-half-hour window that will open at 2:19 p.m. EDT, Apr. 17.

They are, from left, Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency, Pilot Scott Altman, Commander Richard Searfoss, Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire, Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., and Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D.
	The STS-90 flight crew enjoy the traditional pre-liftoff breakfast in the crew quarters of the Operations and Checkout Building.

Individual Pictures

**The STS-90 crew will shortly depart for Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia awaits a second liftoff attempt at 2:19 p.m. EDT.**
Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., with the Canadian Space Agency sits in a chair during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is his first trip into space.	Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D., stands ready for launch during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is his first trip into space.	Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire prepares for launch during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building as Astronaut Support Personnel team member Heidi Piper braids Hire's hair. This is her first trip into space.	Mission Commander Richard Searfoss sits in a chair during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is his third trip into space.

Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., sits in a chair during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building. This is his second trip into space.

Pilot Scott Altman is assisted during suit-up activities by Lockheed Suit Technician Valerie McNeil from Johnson Space Center in KSC's Operations and Checkout Building. This is his first trip into space.

Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D., prepares for launch during suit-up activities in KSC's Operations and Checkout Building. This is his first trip into space.

Greeted by cheers from wellwishers at KSC and eager for their venture into space on the Neurolab mission, the **STS-90 astronauts depart the Operations and Checkout Building** on their way to Launch Pad 39B.
	Their trip to the pad will take about 25 minutes aboard the Astrovan. Once there, they will take their positions in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Columbia to await a liftoff during a two-and-a-half hour window that will open at 2:19 p.m. EDT.