STS-77 Mission Control Center 
Status Report # 2

Sunday, May 19, 4:30 p.m. CDT

Following an on-time launch this morning, the crew of Endeavour set up
a variety of experiments today that will operate for much of the
mission while preparing for tomorrow's work with the first of two
satellites to be deployed during the flight.

One of the first activities for the crew was to activate the Spacehab
module, making its fourth flight on STS-77 and carrying more than
3,000 pounds of experiment equipment.  Astronauts Andy Thomas and Marc
Garneau opened the hatch to the Spacehab and entered the module
shortly after the crew was given a go for extended orbital operations.

Mission Specialist Mario Runco began experiments with the Aquatic
Research Facility, a type of orbital aquarium on Endeavour's lower
deck. The facility, a joint project by the Canadian Space Agency and
NASA, will study the early development in weightlessness of sea
urchins, mussels and starfish. The studies may provide clues to how
humans may develop in weightlessness.

Other experiments which were activated aboard Endeavour include an
investigation called GANE that uses Global Positioning System
satellites to determine a spacecraft's orientation, an experiment
called BETSCE that tests a new, supercold refrigeration system that
needs no moving parts and could be used on orbiting astronomical
instruments and a Commercial Float Zone Furnace, which will produce
large crystals for use in semiconductors and infrared sensors.

Mission Specialist Andy Thomas prepared for the deployment of the
Spartan-207 satellite on Monday, as he conducted a thorough checkout
of the Shuttle's robot arm, which Runco will use to grapple and
release the satellite. The Spartan-207 satellite, carrying the
Inflatable Antenna Experiment, will be released at about 6:29 a.m. CDT
Monday and the antenna, which is the size of a tennis court, will be
inflated at about 8:38 a.m. CDT as Endeavour holds position nearby.

Endeavour is currently in a 176-mile high circular orbit, completing
one revolution of Earth every hour and a half. The crew began an
eight-hour sleep period at 4:30 p.m. CDT and will awaken for Day 2 of
the planned 10-day mission at 12:30 a.m. CDT Monday.

The JSC Newsroom will remain open around the clock during the flight
of Endeavour.