NASA Moves Forward Toward Feb. 7 Target Launch

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch officials at the Space Shuttle Program's Flight Readiness Review decided today to move forward with the targeted launch date of Feb. 7.

At the executive-level Flight Readiness Review meeting being held at Kennedy on Jan. 27, NASA managers will evaluate all activities and elements necessary for the safe and successful performance of shuttle mission operations -- from the prelaunch phase through post-landing. They also will examine the readiness of the space shuttle, flight crew and payloads to determine if everything is set to proceed with launch.