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             KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 20, 1990 11:30 AM

                                LAUNCH MINUS TWO-DAYS


                    STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A

               Overnight,  the launch team filled Atlantis' onboard storage
          tanks  with  liquid  oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants.  These
          reactants are combined in the orbiter's  fuel  cells  to  produce
          power for the orbiter and water as a byproduct.

               Today's  activities include activation of the orbiter's com-
          munications system,  closeouts of the tail service masts  on  the
          mobile  launcher  platform  and installation of the crew seats in
          the crew cabin.

               All launch countdown events remain on  schedule  to  support
          Thursday's launch.  Liftoff of Mission STS-36 is scheduled to oc-
          cur during a four-hour period extending from 12 a.m.  to  4  a.m.
          EST on Feb. 22.

               Since the countdown began, the launch team completed activa-
          tion  of Atlantis'  navigation system,  stowed some of the flight
          crew equipment,  performed final closeouts on the main propulsion
          system and completed main engine calibrations.

               The  five-member astronaut crew will be participating in the
          routine pre-launch activities such as  practice  flights  in  the
          Shuttle  Training  Aircraft  for  Commander  Creighton  and Pilot
          Casper,  fit checks of crew equipment and review of  flight  data
          files.

               Weather  forecasts  indicate there is a 70 percent chance of
          violating criteria during the launch period on Thursday. The con-
          cern is over predicted high winds,  clouds,  ceilings below 8,000
          feet  and rain.  Winds are forecast to be from the east/southeast
          direction at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots.  Clouds  are  forecast
          between 2,000-5,000 feet and between 8,000-20,000 feet.   The ex-
          pected temperature at launch is between 67-69 degrees F.

               NASA and contractor shuttle program managers will meet  here
          today  for the routine launch minus two-day meeting to review any
          changes in the status of preparations for  Mission  STS-36  since
          the Flight Readiness Review.