Rolled out and is on the pad launch date dec 3 I love when they do back to back launches.
and which Shuttle will be use ? Can you give us some short details of that mission?
Thanks ! :)
Space Shuttle Mission STS-122
Shuttle: Atlantis
Mission: STS-122/1E
Primary Payload: Columbus
Launch Date: Targeted for Dec. 6
Launch Time: 4:31 p.m. EST
Launch Pad: 39A
Landing Date: Dec. 17
Landing Time: 12:29 p.m. EST
Duration: 11 days
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Crew: Commander Stephen Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, Mission Specialists: Rex Walheim, Stanley Love, Leland Melvin, Hans Schlegel(ESA), Launching Expedition 16: Leopold Eyharts(ESA), Landing Expedition 16: Daniel Tani
This is great news. Thanks ;D
Yes thank you ! Atlantis is back!
I have a question about her, That right that Atlantis is used for military mission?
Yes, Atlantis has flown all but one mission for the department of defense. But if the planned launches from Vandenberg had gone through, Discovery would've been the "chosen one" ;)
Yay cant wait for the launch!! ;D
Currently NASA is planning to Decomission Atlantis after STS-125 the final Hubble servicing mission scheduled for August 7, 2008 thus making STS-122 the final visit to the ISS by Atlantis however they are throwing around the idea of keeping Atlantis to fly the STS-131 mission scheduled for early to mid 2010(if required) which is still under review at this point. Nothing is official except the STS-125 launch date.
That is some great info. Thanks ;D
Glad to help you guys out.
;D ;D Thank you this info was very helpfull. ;D ;D
Thank you Twabi2 for the details !
On Friday the STS-122 crew arrived at KSC for the terminal countdown demonstration test(TCDT) which is typically held 2 to 3 weeks before launch. On Novemer 30th the flight rediness review will be held and nasa will set an official launch date. liftoff is still scheduled to occur in the late afternoon of December 6th.
I hope it is late enough so I can watch. I missed the last one. >:(
Flight Readiness Review this week! On Friday nasa mission managers will hold the flight readiness review to make sure the shuttle, systems, flight crew, and the payloads are go for launch and an official launch date will be set. Currently everything is go for the launch in the late afternoon of December 6, 2007.
sounds good, and hope all will be good!
This mission maybe extended two extra days to deal with the solar alpha rotary joint problem. On Saturday Flight Engineer Daniel Tani along with Commander Peggy Whitson Opened up the thermal covers No. 12 and No. 7 and found shavings under the covers on the port side.
Flight Readiness Review complete! Nasa mission managers have cleared space shuttle Atlantis for launch next Thursday December 6, 2007 at 4:31 P.M. The crew will arrive on Monday at 12:30 P.M. and the countdown will officially begin at 7:00 P.M. on Monday Evening.
Thanks for giving us the progress of this mission ! It will be a great mission !
OK, it's 4AM CST and I am manning the post!
Atlantis is the shuttle for this flight, and she is delivering the Columbus European Lab module, Control Movement Gyro 3 , and a Nitrogen Tank Assembly to the ISS.
Launch time is 1631 EST (2331 GMT).
Orbit inclination is 51.6 degrees at a altitude of 122NM.
YEEHAW!!!!
Yes ! I'm waiting for this lunch !
here more details :
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
and for the direct live free video :
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
ATLANTIS TO LAUNCH TODAY! Space Shuttle Atlantis and her 7-member crew are set to liftoff at 4:31 this afternoon.
LAUNCH SCRUBBED! Two Engine Cutoff(ECO) sensors have reportedly failed so they going to execute a 24-hour scrub turnaround, de-tank, and try again tomorrow. I am still waiting for nasa's website but i have a good indication that they have scrubbed for the day. This was being reported on nasaspaceflight.com
One website says they have scrubbed the other says they haven't waiting for confirmation. technicians are troubleshooting standing by.
Approximately 16 minutes into fast fill, two ECO sensors failed to indicate wet. They are troubleshooting the issue. Currently, H2 is at 80% and O2 is at 50%. Tanking is continuing. They expect to have a status from leadership soon as to whether they continue or scrub. If they scrub, a briefing will follow that decision on NASA TV.
LAUNCH OFFICIALLY SCRUBBED! Technicians could not fix those ECO sensors. So they are going to stand down 24-hours, de-tank, and try again tomorrow. Again launch officially scrubbed for the day.
... >:(
some 10 cent item screwed us out of a launch.... :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
DECEMBER 7 LAUNCH ATTEMPT SCRUBBED! Mission managers have decided to delay liftoff to at least Saturday. Launch weather calls for showers and low cloud ceiling so with that being said there is a 40% chance of KSC weather prohibiting launch.
Launch date: Targeted for December 8, 2007
Launch Time: 3:43 P.M. EST
thanks for the infos!
This is great news for me. ;D We had a huge windstorm Sunday night that knocked out power for 5 day's. >:( I thought I had missed the launch. So it looks like I will get to watch LIVE Saturday. ;D Good luck ATLANTIS!!!!! ;D
Mission Management Team (MMT) is meeting now we won't hear anything til at least 5:00 local it could be late tonight though. Bigger news is brewing. This could be a long one. There's Still a 50/50 chance of an attempt tomorrow. Waiting for further updates.
CORRECTION. The MMT is delayed. waiting for word. there is bigger news brewing so it could be a long one. waiting for updates. The meeting was scheduled to start at 3:00
MMT has begun and is expected to take several hours.
JSC, ET engineers both believed to be no-go at this time.
MMT still meeting. news conference scheduled for NET 8:00 local.
Conference now scheduled for NET 8:45 local.
DECEMBER 8 LAUNCH ATTEMPT SCRUBBED, CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR NET 9:00 LOCAL! Nasa mission managers have once again scrubbed Saturday's launch attempt. A post scrub news conference is scheduled for NET 9:00 P.M. local tonight.
Launch date: December 9, 2007
Launch time: 3:21 P.M. EST
Launch weather: There will be some clouds and showers so the primary concern is low cloud ceiling and showers within 20 nautical miles of LC-39A. With that there is a 30% chance of KSC weather prohibiting launch.
Well it looks like I will be watching the launch from the fire station. :(
MMT meeting sarts at 1:00 local.
ATLANTIS LAUNCH ATTEMPT TOMORROW! Nasa mission managers have decided to go for a second try at launch tomorrow.
Launch date: December 9, 2007
Launch time: 3:21 P.M. EST
ATLANTIS LAUNCH TODAY! At the Kennedy space center in Florida a go for fueling has been given and that activity begun at about 6:00 A.M. local. Currently the launch team isn't working any issues. By 6:40 A.M. local we should have a status on the ECO sensors. The count is proceeding normally for a 3:21 P.M. liftoff this afternoon.
SCRUBBED AGAIN! ECO sensor #3 has failed. Waiting for further updates.
ECO sensor #3 has failed wet and then after draining it failed dry. Launch commit criteria required that all 4 of those sensors work to proceed with launch and # 3 failed during tanking. Again Launch officially scrubbed for the day. No launch date set as of now. MMT will meet later.
MMT will meet at 9:00 A.M. EST. They will decide how to move forward.
OK - the truth is that they are waiting for SSM2007 to launch this Christmas! What an honor! :D
/Admin
STS-122 LAUNCH MOVED TO JANUARY 2, 2008!
Quote from: Admin on December 09, 2007, 01:42:28 PM
OK - the truth is that they are waiting for SSM2007 to launch this Christmas! What an honor! :D
/Admin
That is funny. ;D
yes ! They prefer to play at SSM07 !!! No problems like this on SSM07 !
Quote from: dembree on December 09, 2007, 02:27:19 PM
STS-122 LAUNCH MOVED TO JANUARY 2, 2008!
DARN! I made a joke and look what happened! :(
Note to self: never joke about a real Space Shuttle launch!
/Admin
The failure of a fuel gauge-like sensor in Atlantis' 15-story external tank during a countdown test today forced NASA to call off a planned afternoon launch for the second time. Engineers will now scour the sensor system in hopes of pinning down the malfunction in time for a potential Jan. 2 launch attempt.
The STS-122 crew is set to return to Houston today to receive further training and wait it out. They are currently set to return KSC for launch on December 30. Meanwhile at KSC engineers and technicians will troubleshoot and try to find root cause of this sensor problem. This morning troubleshooting continues. With the time the MMT and launch team has they may do another tanking test soon. When they scrubbed yesterday it basically turned in to the first tanking test.
If they launch on December 30th they will get 5 day's to play SSM07 before they go. ;D
I'm saying the crew will return to KSC on December 30 for a January 2 launch date. Crews usually arrive 3-4 days before launch. Launch is stiil scheduled for NET January 2. I worded my last post wrong.
No hope of playing SSM07 before Atlantis goes.
Space Shuttle Mission STS-122
Shuttle: Atlantis
Mission: STS-122/1E
Primary Payload: Columbus
Launch Date: No earlier than Jan. 2
Launch Time: 5:41 a.m.
Launch Pad: 39A
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Crew: Stephen frick(commander), Alan Poindexter(pilot), Mission specialists: Leland Melvin, Stanley Love, Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegal(ESA), Expedition 16: Leopold Eyharts(ESA) UP, Daniel Tani(Down)
TANKING TEST NEXT WEEK! The Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) has decided on a troubleshooting plan which will include a tanking test next week. The main purpose of this test is to check the status of the 4 ECO sensors that failed on both launch attempts on Thursday and Sunday. Launch still remains scheduled for the morning of January 2.
STS-122 LAUNCH RESCHEDULED! Mission managers think they have found root cause for the ECO sensor failures. They have targeted NET January 10, 2008 for the next launch attempt. A tanking test is still scheduled for Dec. 18. Liftoff time from Kennedy Space Center is: 2:26 A.M.
I got this from an unofficial source, but still...
The reason for the ECO sensor failure was a malfunctioning cable. The cable was manufactured by a new company and had not been tested for cryogenic temperatures.
As soon as the temperature dropped too low, the insulation of the cable started cracking and the connector deformed, causing bad contact with the ECO sensor.
Replacing the cable should solve the problem.
-Toine Out-
That is amazing that a cable can cause a multi million dollar mission to be scrubbed. >:(
The tanking test on Tuesday will tell. NASA TV is covering the test. Coverage will begin at 7:00 A.M. EST on the media channel. Atlantis is still scheduled to liftoff from KSC on January 10, 2008 at 2:26 A.M. EST
Tanking test is underway at Launch Complex 39A and so far LH2 ECO sensor#1 has been confirmed to have failed "WET" in an open circuit, with sensors#2 and 3 being intermittent.
When stable replenish have been achived, a special "Red Crew" will go out to the launch pad and operate the Time Domain Reflectometry equipment that has been specially set-up for this tanking test.
Both LH2 and LOX are now in stable replenish. The Red Crews and the Final Inspection Team is now preparing to go out to the pad to support troubleshooting activities.
NASA SCRUBS ATLANTIS JANUARY LAUNCH! The PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) today decided to scrub Atlantis's Jan 10 launch attempt. two options left.
A. Appears to have the support of shuttle management, which will involve the soldering of the LH2 Feed-through connector pins.
B. Involves rollback and a tank swap with ET-126.
Launch date: TBD
Quote from: dembree on December 28, 2007, 03:35:06 AM
NASA SCRUBS ATLANTIS JANUARY LAUNCH! The PRCB (Program Requirements Control Board) today decided to scrub Atlantis's Jan 10 launch attempt. two options left.
A. Appears to have the support of shuttle management, which will involve the soldering of the LH2 Feed-through connector pins.
B. Involves rollback and a tank swap with ET-126.
Launch date: TBD
Noooooooooooooo. WHI WHI WHI :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Oh my god! :'(
With all this, the Space Shuttle Program will don't stop in 2010 but in 2015 ! ???
Wut wrong with that that puts me in range for if I become an asronaut in real life I can fly the space shuttle or ride the space shuttle.
Sorry to disappoint you Rocket-Man, but that's really out of your range.
I don't know how old you are, but if you take a look at the studies the real astronauts have done,
and how many years experience they had...
I started university this year and I will graduate no earlier than in 2020 if all goes well, so no Space Shuttle for me either :(
Well, perhaps the next spacecraft?
-Toine Out-
That is ok I dont mind. I would rather be able to fly the CEV (Crew Exploration Velicle) but I do like the space shuttle. So I dont mind. I at least in my lifetime want to go to the ISS. ;D That would be fun. ;D
NASA DECIDES PLAN OF ACTION! Space Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale announced on Friday that Nasa will go ahead with option A which involves the soldering of the LH2 Feed-through connector pins. If this does fail Option B would involve a a rollback & tank swap to ET-126 which is currently to be used on Endeavour's STS-123 mission. As of now Nasa could Launch in early Febuary Delaying STS-123 to a launch date TBD. The current launch date for STS-123 is Febuary 14,2007.
With this kind of "stuff" delaying the shuttle the ISS will not be finished in 2010. That is ok with me. ;D I want to see the shuttle fly forever. :D
Yes me to. That would be awsom!!!!!!! ::) ;D
STS-122 NET LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED, STS-123 DELAYED! The PRCB today announced the STS-122 forward plan and an NET launch date of Febuary 2, 2008
the plan is to install a new LH2 feed line which will take up to 25 days to complete. This could include another tanking test which would put the NET launch date at Febuary 8, 2008. Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission originally scheduled for Febuary 14, 2008 has been delayed until siometime after Atlantis's return to earth.
STS-122 launch date: Febuary 2 or Febuary 8
STS-123 launch date: TBD
Tanking test is likely, they won't decide on that quite yet so plan on the NET Feb 8th. This info, along with the presentations showing cracks in the connection, was posted much earlier today at http://www.nasaspaceflight.com
NASA press conference will be at 5pm EST (22Z) at http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio
HALE CALLS FOR PATIANCE AND POSITIVITY AHEAD OF CRUCIAL PERIOD! Space shuttle program manager Wayne Hale has called for patiance and positive thoughts with the on going troubleshooting efforts for the launch of Atlantis on STS-122. At the same time technicians are Prepatring to rollover Endeavour for STS-123 Pre-empting a run of six missions this year.
STS-122-under review
STS-123-under review
STS-124-April 24, 2008
STS-125-August 7, 2008-Final hubble servicing mission, Atlantis's final flight
STS-126-September 18, 2008
STS-119-November 6, 2008
Here are some updated launch dates as of January 10, 2008 STS-122 through STS-124. There are reports that the tanking test will not happen(Has yet to be confirmed).
STS-122 SSP Delta FRR at KSC: 1/25/08 (no tanking test planned)
STS-122 SSP Delta FRR: 1/30/08
STS-122 launch: 2/7/08 (CR in work to assess that)
STS-123 launch: NET 3/13/08
STS-124: Still 4/24/08
All missions after STS-123 are on schedule.
STS-122 LAUNCH DATE SET! Nasa mission managers have set a target launch date for Atlantis and her 7 member crew.
Launch date: Targeted for Febuary 7, 2008
Launch time: 2:47 P.M. EST
hope now all will be good... ???
ATLANTIS FLYING TO 2010, HUBBLE SLIGHTLY DELAYED-MANIFEST RE-ALIGNED! The future of Space Shuttle Atlantis has been decided. She will avoid early retirement in 2008-gaining STS-128 and STS-131 in the process. Each mission has been moved to the right on the calendar by about 30 days
STS-122: NET Febuary 7, 2008
STS-123: NET March 13, 2008
STS-124: NET April 24, 2008
STS-125: NET September 5, 2008-Hubble Servicing mission
STS-126: October 18, 2008
STS-119: December 4, 2008
Yes !! That is a great new !
There isn't much of a difference but the STS-122 launch time has changed.
Old time: 2:47 P.M. EST
New time: 2:45 P.M. EST
just 2 mins? Why? That's strange...
It could be any number of things.
1. Avoid a collision with something.
2. It could be based on where the space station will be positioned at that time.
thanks ! :)
If everything is OK, 2008 augurs well for space flights.
I have the Febuary 7 NASA TV schedule for you here:
Feb. 7, Thursday
5:30 a.m. - STS-122 Fueling Coverage Begins - KSC (All Channels)
9:15 a.m. - ISS Progress 28 Docking Coverage (Docking is scheduled for 9:33 a.m.) - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
9:45 a.m. - STS-122 Launch Coverage Begins - KSC (All Channels)
2:45 p.m. - STS-122 Launch (All Channels)
All times are in Eastern Time.
ssjfb, I don't expect them to fly all the planed flights.
You'll see, a lot of unexpected problems will delay the flights again,
resulting in (my guess) only 3 launches this year.
But we're used to that I guess :p
-Toine Out-
I have a STS-122 Mission status update for you and a target STS-123 launch date. This status report was released on 1/18/08:
STS-122 - 24th International Space Station Flight - Columbus laboratory
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Targeting Feb. 7
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin, Walheim
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Launch Pad 39A
- Engine cutoff (ECO) sensor external feedthrough connector installation is complete
- Aft ECO instrumentation wiring removal and retest was completed
- All sensors have been tested successfully
- ECO sensor feedthrough foaming work on the external J-Box and solid rocket booster PAL ramp continues through the weekend
- Annual slidewire basket pad evacuation system maintenance and checkout continues through the weekend
- Solid rocket booster hydraulic retesting was completed Monday
- Liquid oxygen storage tank pressurization and relief valve testing was successfully completed Tuesday
STS-123 Launch date: Targeted for March 11, 2008
ROOT CAUSE CONFIRMED ON STS-122!
ECO (Engine Cut Off) sensor anomalies are caused by "substantial amount of Krytox grease and silicon contamination" on the External LH2 Feed-through connector plug and pins, testing has found, as STS-122 marches - with confidence - towards launch next month.
Next week A Flight Rediness Review will be held. Nasa mission managers will meet to decide on an official launch date and decide if the flight crew, Shuttle, systems, and payload are ok to fly.
Great info as usual, thanks. :)
Nearly 300(!) pages of review documents for the FRR available at NSF...
We have been waiting 2 months for this. We are only 10 days away from launch!
FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW TOMORROW! Nasa mission managers will hold the flight readiness review to determine the readiness of the Shuttle, systems, flight crew, and payload and then set a formal launch date. The crew will arrive at KSC on the night of Febuary 4 to begin last minute training and checks. Launch remains targeted for the early afternoon of Febuary 6.
FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW TODAY! Nasa mission managers are meeting today to determine if the Shuttle, systems, flight crew, and payload are ready for flight and also makee any changes to the plan since the last launch attempt on December 9, 2007. They will also set a formal launch date. Launch remains targeted for the early afternoon of Febuary 7.
FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW COMPLETE, MISSION MANAGERS LOOKING AT RADIATOR HOSE PROBLEM! Nasa mission managers have approved the Feb. 7 launch date. There is one issue that is being discussed and that is a kinked radiator hose. Managers will be meeting on Saturday to decide what to do. I will have more on this issue soon. As of now it looks good for Febuary 7. It is unknown whether this hose needs to be repaired, if it can happen on the pad, or If it will need to go back to OPF.
Launch date: Febuary 7, 2008
Launch time: 2:45 P.M.
CORRECTION HERE! Nasa mission managers have tentatively scheduled Atlantis's launch for next Thursday pending this radiator hose issue. What happens is the shuttle's computers and other electronic systems are mounted on cold plates that use circulating water to carry away heat. That heat is then transferred to two Freon coolant loops that, in turn, carry it to the cargo bay radiators for dissipation into space or to an internal system that boils water to accomplish the same goal.
The concern with the kinked line is that launch vibrations, coupled with stress on the line, could cause a leak. That could force the crew to bypass the radiator in question and rely instead on the flash evaporator system, an option that could affect the duration of the mission. Again launch targeted tantatively for next Thursday Pending this issue. There will be a meeting on Saturday about this issue. Nasa however is confident that they can fly "as-is" with this issue and repair it in the turnaround between STS-122 and STS-125.
I have the plan of action on this radiator hose issue. During launch preparations at Kennedy, technicians noticed a small section of a braided metal hose that was bent in a shape similar to the Greek letter Omega. The radiator retract hose, part of the shuttle's cooling system that carries Freon, is designed to flex. However, engineers wanted to make sure they were not overlooking potential problems and designed a tool to guide the hose back into the storage box. Testing in Huntington Beach, Calif., has proven successful and program managers gave the go ahead to close payload bay doors using the tool on Sunday evening. Atlantis' seven astronauts will arrive at Kennedy Monday at 10:30 a.m., and the countdown clock will begin ticking down Monday at 5 p.m.
Launch date: February 7, 2008
Launch time: 2:45 P.M.
One programming Note:
Fueling coverage will begin at 5:15 a.m. not 5:30 a.m.
PAYLOAD BAY DOORS TO BE CLOSED TOMORROW! Technicians out at LC-39A are set to close the payload bay doors for flight tomorrow in preparation for launch on Thursday.
I have a launch weather report. A weak cold front appears to be moving in late Wednesday into early Thursday which could kick off a stray shower or storm. The NWS has a 20% chance of a shower on Wednesday night, but dry on Thursday. The USAF also has just a 10% chance of a shower.
Quote from: dembree on February 02, 2008, 06:53:52 PM
I have a launch weather report. A weak cold front appears to be moving in late Wednesday into early Thursday which could kick off a stray shower or storm. The NWS has a 20% chance of a shower on Wednesday night, but dry on Thursday. The USAF also has just a 10% chance of a shower.
This looks vaguely similar -- no, exactly the same -- as the weather report
I came up with on NASASpaceflight.com Are you also a meteorologist and developed this on your own, identical to mine, or are you just copying things from NSF and posting them here as your own snippets without regard for their real source?
Rdale, I'm an honest person. I'm sorry. You can call me David by the way. I didn't read the terms and conditions of NSF carefully enough i don't think.
I watch the Weather Channel though.
I have gotton my information that i put on this site from www.nasaspaceflight.com and I will not post any information on the STS-122 thread unless it contains a link to that article and did not mention this before now.
Thanks to this sim, will have some idear on what is actually happing behind the real missions.
Quote from: dembree on February 03, 2008, 07:30:44 PM
Rdale, I'm an honest person. I'm sorry.
Apology accepted -- until I saw that you get your forecasts from the Weather Channel ;D
HD Net starts coverage at 2pm est I'll be at work :( yay for DVR!
woo hoo go Atlantis!
Aye ... lets hope for a trouble free countdown. Go STS-122 :)
I want to wish good luck to the crew of STS-122. Have a great mission and a safe return! ;D
The ECO-sensors are working as advertised! In a few minutes the countdown will resume the count and the clock will be counting down from T-3 hours down to T-20 minutes.
The launch might be delayed do to weather
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080207/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=ArZyTMAen6zqNDtXtZc97kCs0NUE (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080207/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=ArZyTMAen6zqNDtXtZc97kCs0NUE)
hope no ... I'm watching NASA TV Right now and all looks good right now...
Hope that in 50 minutes, weather will not change...
yes lift off just when ill be on the road going to work GERRRRRRR so ill have to watch the highlights..depending on what sleep cycle they will be on.i am guessing they will be asleep around 10-11pm...I like it when they are on the 6-6 better so when i am home i get to see whats going on becides them sleeping...the pearls of swing shift. good luck sts 122
So far so good ... Steve Lindsey is reasonably happy at the moment and has reported no constraints for launch. He will switch aircraft to the STA and continue checking weather conditions at the SLF upto launch.
1hour 25 mins to Launch time -- mark! 1820 GMT
20 minutes and holding - ten minute hold -
Boiler activation completed
White room close-out complete
Hold briefing completed - no issues in work
Weather currently green for Launch
Cabin vent valve checkout complete
Crosswinds being discussed at Houston - currently no constraints
Lindsey reporting crosswinds steady - good for any Possible RTLS
20 minute hold complete on time. launch countdown continuing
Mark - 1843 GMT 1 Hour to launch
Pad clearance in work
T-9 Minutes and Holding - 40 minute hold - - - Keep fingers crossed for the weather guys :)
why 40minutes ??
This is an In-built hold.
During this time they get a lot of jobs done including the final poll on the go-no go for launch.. One job of interest is a command sent to the ECO sensors again. So far they have been fine today :)
News just in - RTLS is currently no-go due to weather. May clear to the North.
ok
40 minute hold status -
Launch area clear
RTLS situation - looking better clearing to the northeast - good news - fingers crossed
ECO sensor - clear and nominal
BFS uplink complete
Launch window determination complete
HSI config complete
MMT team poll - go no go for launch in progress
10 or so other items still remaining
approx 15 minutes of hold remaining
T-9 minutes and counting - - - - WOOOOhooooooooo
GO ATLANTIS
AND SHE IS AWAY .............. GO GO GO :)
That concludes my launch coverage hehe :)
Nominal MECO
Spectacular coverage from the ET Camera ... one note
I've never seen so much ice debris coming off the MPS from the ET Cam ... Probably because she had the sun on her back ... Fantastic stuff ... and the mission to look forward to :)
hmmmm
Just checked my replays and there appears to be an off nominal debris event just after SRB Sep. Can't be certain because of crappy resolution but it looks like a few bits falling aft.
Hopefully they didn't impact. At that point in flight I think there is still enough pressure to accelerate any debris to damaging levels. Might just be my screen capture but looks like debris.
we're looking forward to flight day 2 tomorrow.
In a couple days i will be starting the STS-123 mission thread once Endeavour rolls out to the pad. I will not be posting information from www.nasaspaceflight.com unless i get clearance to do so.
As Atlantis made a beautiful landing this afternoon (time in Europe), we can thank all the crew for this wonderful mission that provide the first european laboratory in space. For all european people, I'm proud to know that somewhere in the sky, we participate to this human adventure. :P
STS-122 is finished, welcome STS-123 and his Japan contribution. 8)
We second that feeling.
/Admin