STS-121 Update Thread: Part Two

[SpaceKiwi]

He'll be at his console I'd say, gearing up for the launch attempt.<br /><br />Final Inspection Team is about done at the Pad. Apparently reporting nothing out of the ordinary, though that will no doubt be confirmed once they have officially reported to the LD.<br /><br />Sounds like the weather has improved to a better than even chance of "Go" conditions. Up to a 60% chance of favourable conditions at this stage. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Well I'm off to bed, I didn't realise there was a couple of hour hold at this point. When I wake up STS-121 should be racing around above us. Hopefully that thruster heater is not going to be a real problem.<br /><br />Good luck STS121!<br />See you all in the morning.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Don't you guys forget to take the quiz, I want to see some results in the morning.<br /><br />Oh and yes, I will have a special announcement to make as well. Eh SK <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[subzero788]

Best wishes to Discovery and her crew for a perfect launch. And a quick question: Why are the launch windows only 5 minutes long?

 

[ozspace]

the launch window is defined by many factors, primarily the position of the ISS at launch (they want to minimise fuel needed to rendezvous, remember the ISS is travelling 17,500 mph, that is approx' 5 miles/second), another is lighting conditions (assent photography constraint bought in for the post Columbia test flights), I am sure there are others...

 

[superluminal]

Hi crew (everybody here?)<br />!!! there's lots of excitement!!!<br />Deism speed and best wishes to the crew from planet Earth.<br /><br />Crew on elevator....<br /><br />Less than 3 hours and counting.<br /><br />Astronauts in van headed to launch pad.<br /><br />Astronauts are my heroes.<br /><br />They definitely are the most courageous people on planet earth at the moment.<br /><br />No matter when they launch, today, tomorrow or whenever.<br /><br />They capture the heart and spirit of America.<br /><br /> Indeed they are the total right stuff.<br /><br />Did you see the security when the astronauts boarded the van? wow<br /><br />Would anyone want to comment about security and safety from terrorist attack? <br /><br /><br />countdown resumed.<br /><br />weather update <br />cumulus and anvil clouds.<br /><br />Astronauts still headed for shuttle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I hope the weather stays go.<br /><br />I hope the astronauts stay safe.<br /><br />NASA T V N.A.S.A live T V<br /><br />weather cleared up<br /><br />We're go for launch !!! <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[nacnud]

Well maybe, there is the weather issue, there are storms around. Plus there is the thruster issue but that seems like it might be ok.<br /><br />Too early to definatly say it's all go.

 

[gawin]

*edit*<br /><br />good luck discovery and her crew!!!!!

 

[captsolo]

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />And one more question - where could I find the shuttle launch procedures and the explanation of abbreviations (like LOX, ...) they are using now when doing cross-checks?

 

[ozspace]

try this and click any acronym to see what it means...<br />http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/count.html

 

[gawin]

http://www.wftv.com/weather/index.html<br /><br />this is radar out of orlando that has zoom in for the launch area.

 

[captsolo]

T-17m and counting.<br /><br />The failed thruster heater problem has been cleared as not stopping the launch. Said they can repair it in orbit (if I understood correctly).<br /><br />Thanks to all for info about acronyms, launch procedurs and other dummy questions. Nice to be able to make more sense of what's happening. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Doesn't look like they're going to get away today but, just in case, godspeed Discovery! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[mkofron]

God damn weather.

 

[ozspace]

It's Florida and anything's possible, go Discovery!<br /><br />"It's going to be close, but we're going to give it a shot," Leinbach.

 

[robotical]

In 20 minutes? Let's hope those clouds really blow out fast. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[baktothemoon]

Doing Go/No Go checks now.

 

[robotical]

Everything go except weather. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ozspace]

I thought I heard that there is a 'boat in the box' (assume resticted area)...

 

[vogelbek]

9 minute hold extended.<br /><br />I wonder how the weather team decides go/no go...it looks beautiful out there...

 

[robotical]

Sounds like they're going to scrub <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[vogelbek]

launch scrubbed untill tomorrow...

 

[ozspace]

Yes, scrub with 24 hr turn around

 

[vogelbek]

so what do they do after they scrub a lauch???<br /><br />do they let their propellants boil off and fill up again tommorrow??

 

[nacnud]

There was the tail of an anvil cloud crossing the launch site, and anvils within 20mi of the landing strip for a RTLS abort.<br /><br />The low level winds were easterlys but westerly high up bringing high level clouds with them.