STS-120

[Firefighterdan]

I watched. It was interesting.

[Skylab]

Argh... The launch is during my prices 

[Admin]

Argh... The launch is during my prices 

Say what?

/Admin

[Firefighterdan]

I was wondering the same thing

[Skylab]

Argh... The launch is during my prices 

Say what?

/Admin

Oops sorry, translate: the launch is during school, unfortunately... 

[DaveS]

Right now in the 19 hours hold which was started 27 minutes ago at 6 pm EDT. Also PRSD servicing was completed about 1 hour and 50 minutes later than anticipated due to bad weather that held up LH2 servicing. They got plenty of time to catch up however.

[DaveS]

STS-120 Launch Weather Forecast
Vehicle: STS-120, Discovery
Issued: 22 October 2007/ 1100Z (0700EDT)
Valid: 23 October 2007/ 1533 - 1547Z (1133 ? 1147EDT)

Synoptic Discussion: Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are affecting the coastal area this morning.
This afternoon, the east coast sea breeze will push inland allowing for favorable weather for the Rotating Service
Structure retract operations. A decrease in atmospheric moisture over Kennedy Space Center will also allow for
favorable weather during the external tank fueling operations tomorrow morning. By launch time, high pressure will
be located off of the east coast of the U.S. causing south-southeasterly flow over Central Florida. With this weather
pattern, there is a threat of coastal showers, cumulus cloud development, and a low-cloud ceiling at the onset of
the east coast sea breeze near launch time. Our primary concerns for launch day are cumulus clouds,
showers, and a low-cloud ceiling. The upper-level low in the Central U.S. will most likely cut-off over the Texas
area, preventing the associated cold front from progressing toward Florida until no earlier than the end of the week.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 60%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus clouds, showers, low-cloud ceiling.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus clouds, showers.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus clouds, showers.

[Firefighterdan]

If is get's delayed I may get to watch after all.

[Admin]

The numbers do not look good to me.

This reminds me the scrubbed STS-116 launch that I attended. Weather was just like this and numbers were very similar. We thought - "40% is still a good chance for launch"... and it wasn't even raining. It all had to do with the cloud ceiling and cover (and winds). NASA wants to have a clear and on-going visual link with the Shuttle during the Ascent phase and heavy clouds may prohibit that.
What was funny is that the winds calmed down exactly within the launch window, but the cloud cover didn't let go.

We waited until the T-last few minutes for the weather to clear and then it was scrubbed. We went form high to low spirits several times during the waiting period.

I hope I am wrong, but I do not envy those who bought tickets to the launch... they might as well return on the 25th...

/Admin

[DaveS]

SMG at JSC Wx forecast for CONUS and TAL sites:

NOUS54 KWNJ 220952
OAVJSC

NOAA/NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
SPACEFLIGHT METEOROLOGY GROUP / WS8
LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
HOUSTON TX              77058
500 AM CDT MONDAY OCTOBER 22 2007

LANDING FORECAST FOR STS-120

EXPECTED LAUNCH TIME:      1538Z
                DATE:      10/23/07

RETURN TO LAUNCH SITE (RTLS) - VALID LAUNCH TIME + 25 MINUTES
SHUTTLE LANDING FACILITY...  KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FL
KSC  SCT030 SCT250                  7              15008P13
      SHRA WI 20NM CHC BKN030

TRANS-OCEANIC ABORT LANDING SITES (TAL) - VALID LAUNCH TIME + 35 MINUTES

ZARAGOZA...SPAIN
ZZA  SCT090 BKN180                  7              32018P28
      MDT TURB 300-400

MORON...SPAIN
MRN  SCT050 SCT200                  7              26008P13


ISTRES...FRANCE
FMI  FEW090 BKN200                  7              34020P30


ABORT-ONCE-AROUND SITE (AOA) - VALID LAUNCH TIME + 90 MINUTES
NOR  SKC                            7              02014P22


PRIMARY LANDING SITE (PLS) - VALID 10/23/07 20Z TO 10/23/07 21Z
EDW  SKC                            7              05015P25


FLIGHT RULE VIOLATIONS:
KSC ... CIG/PRECIP
NOR ... NONE
EDW ... NONE
ZZA ... HWIND
MRN ... NONE
FMI ... HWIND

THE NEXT SCHEDULED FORECAST WILL BE ISSUED 22/2200

KSC ...KENNEDY SPACE CENTER...FL
       ICAO ID IS KTTS
NOR ...NORTHRUP STRIP WHITE SANDS SPACE HARBOR...NM
       ICAO ID IS KE28 (KHMN IS NEARBY)
EDW ...EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE...CA
       ICAO ID IS KEDW
ZZA...ZARAGOZA SPAIN
       ICAO ID IS LEZG
MRN...MORON SPAIN
       ICAO ID IS LEMO
FMI...ISTRES FRANCE
       ICAO ID IS LFMI

[DaveS]

Space Shuttle Discovery is Ready; Weather Remains a Concern

The countdown to launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission is proceeding smoothly at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Test Director Steve Payne announced at this morning's countdown status briefing.

"At this point in the count, we're on schedule, our systems are all good and we're in great shape," Payne said, adding that the launch team is not tracking any technical issues. However, the weather forecast for Tuesday continues to pose a threat to NASA's launch plans. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters reported that the seabreeze could begin developing by the 11:38 a.m. EDT launch time. There is a 60-percent chance that cumulus clouds, showers and a low cloud ceiling could keep Discovery grounded.

Because launch times are earlier each day, the forecast improves slightly for Wednesday and Thurdsday, with a 40-percent probability of weather prohibiting liftoff.

Discovery's crew of seven astronauts arrived in Florida on Friday and have been going through final checklists and preparations for Tuesday's liftoff.

Discovery is scheduled to return to Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility at 4:47 a.m. Nov. 6.

[DaveS]

Engine Service Platform(ESP) is being transported to the launch position now, 3? hours later than planned as outlined by the S0007 bar chart.

[DaveS]

RSS retract for launch is about to get underway. Live views can be seen here: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/chan3large.jpg and here: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/chan3large.jpg

You can also get a live video feed here: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/rrg2.pl?encoder/cif.rm

[DaveS]

RSS retract for launch is underway!

[DaveS]

RSS retract complete!