For Release: September 16, 1994

Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/358-1779)

Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 407/867-2468)

RELEASE: 94-154

LAUNCH DATE SET FOR STS-68/ENDEAVOUR

NASA managers today targeted September 30 for launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and its primary payload, the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL). The 2-1/2-hour launch window on the 30th opens at 7:16 a.m., EDT.

SRL, which first flew last April, will again give scientists highly detailed information that will help them distinguish between human-induced environmental changes and other natural forms of change.

The SRL science team will compare SRL-2 data to SRL-1 data to study changes in the environment between spring and autumn.

The STS-68 crew will be commanded by Michael Baker and piloted by Terrence Wilcutt. Rounding out the crew are Payload Commander Thomas Jones, and three additional Mission Specialists: Steven Smith, Daniel Bursch and Jeff Wisoff.

Endeavour, whose three main engines were replaced following an unsuccessful launch attempt on August 18, will be making its seventh flight--the 65th of the Space Shuttle Program.

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