The Nation : Launch of Shuttle Atlantis Set for Dec. 1

Space shuttle managers set Dec. 1 as the date for launching Atlantis and five military astronauts on a secret Defense Department mission. Rear Adm. Richard Truly, NASA’s associate administrator for space flight, made the announcement at the conclusion of a two-day flight readiness review. “I’ve just finished hearing a comprehensive assessment of flight readiness from both contractor and government representatives of all shuttle elements and systems,” he said. “I am pleased to report that the space shuttle Atlantis is as ready to fly as Discovery was at this same point before its flight last September.”