The Nation - News from Nov. 14, 1988

A two-day countdown simulation began at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of the preparation for a classified space shuttle mission tentatively scheduled for Nov. 30. The five astronauts selected for the flight reviewed emergency escape procedures at the launching pad and are expected to board the shuttle Atlantis today for the final two hours of the rehearsal to test communications and other procedures. A firm date for the launching has not been set because the flight readiness review will not be completed until Wednesday. Most details about the flight are cloaked in secrecy because Atlantis will be carrying a Defense Department payload, which sources say is an intelligence-gathering satellite intended to fly over 80% of the Soviet Union.