Today, a 250-foot crane with a long boom attachment is in place on the pad surface. The crane is being secured and man-rated for repair work to begin this afternoon. Additional smaller cranes continue to be used for the lower areas of the tank. Following the meeting late this afternoon, the team will discuss launch scenarios for STS-70. Current estimates based on the time required to perform the necessary repairs indicate at least a one or two day delay from the previously scheduled June 8 launch date.
Preparations are in work to install the space shuttle main engines today.
Also, the crew equipment interface test is scheduled to begin later today. In the VAB, the external tank has been mated to the solid rocket boosters and electrical connections are being checked. Today, fuel cells no. 2 and 3 will be installed into the orbiter.