SPACEPHOTOS

(11/16/1999) --- At the 195-foot level of the Fixed Service Structure on Launch Pad 39B, the STS-103 crew take a break from Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. Standing from left to right are Mission Specialists Jean-François Clervoy of France and Claude Nicollier of Switzerland, who are with the European Space Agency; Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr.; Pilot Scott J. Kelly; and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld (Ph.D.), C. Michael Foale (Ph.D.) and Steven L. Smith. The TCDT provides the crew with the emergency egress training, opportunities to inspect their mission payloads in the orbiter's payload bay, and simulated countdown exercises. STS-103 is a 'call-up' mission due to the need to replace and repair portions of the Hubble Space Telescope, including the gyroscopes that allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will be replacing a Fine Guidance Sensor, an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid-state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also install a Battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit to protect the spacecraft batteries from overcharging and overheating when the telescope goes into a safe mode. Four EVA's are planned to make the necessary repairs and replacements on the telescope. The mission is targeted for launch Dec. 6 at 2:37 a.m. EST