ATLANTIS UPDATES

[Chipstone306]

Atlantis Prelaunch Updates

Crew Arrives for Atlantis Launch

Image above: The crew of STS-122 arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Monday. The seven astronauts are to launch aboard space shuttle Atlantis on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. EST. Photo credit: NASA TV
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Feb. 4
The crew of space shuttle Atlantis flew to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Monday in preparation for the launch of the STS-122 mission at 2:45 p.m. EST on Thursday.

"We're very happy about the condition of Atlantis," mission commander Steve Frick said.

Frick noted the work of NASA and contractor specialists throughout the agency's space flight centers for modifying a connector in the external tank's engine cutoff low-level fuel sensor system.

"The technicians, the engineers, I think they are the best there are," he said.

The countdown to Thursday's liftoff is to begin today at 5 p.m.

"Atlantis is ready to go fly," said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, assistant NASA Test Director.

Frick said the crew would keep its eyes on the weather, too, following a forecast calling for a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.

There had been concern about a flexible cooling system hose in Atlantis's payload bay that was more bent than expected. Technicians used a special tool to guide the hose back into its storage box while the payload bay doors were closed.

"It pretty much went to plan," Blackwell-Thompson said. "We didn't have any issues at all."

 

[Chipstone306]

On wensday this thread will be locked and the launch day thread will be opened with up to the minute launch coverage pending a favourable launch day forcast .

 

[DaveS]

S0007 Call To Stations(CTS) is in 10 minutes. S0007 start is in 40 minutes.

Check this page after CTS has occured http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/cdt/ for what countdown time(CDT) it is.

Countdown will start at T-43 hours which is the equivalent to T-1 day, 19 hours.

KSC webcam stills can be found here: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/video60m.html

 

[DaveS]

S0007 CTS has now occured. We're now at T-43 hours and holding.

 

[DaveS]

Be sure to watch NASA TV at 10 am tommorow for the L-2 day Countdown Status Briefing.

Also at NET 1 pm, the L-2 day post-MMT meeting press conference will be held. Start in is depedant on conclusion of the MMT meeting.

 

[DaveS]

T-43 hours and counting. The second launch countdown for STS-122/1E is now underway.

 

[DaveS]

This is a list of events that will take place between now and T-27 hours and holding:

T-43 hours and counting
The Shuttle Test Director performs the traditional call to stations and the countdown clock is activated.

• Begin final vehicle and facility close-outs for launch
• Check out backup flight systems
• Review flight software stored in mass memory units and display systems
• Load backup flight system software into the orbiter's general purpose computers
• Remove middeck and flight deck platforms
• Activate and test navigational systems
• Complete preparation to load power reactant storage and distribution system
• Complete flight deck preliminary inspections

 

[DaveS]

Latest grabs from the KSC webcams at LC-39A. Taken at 2331 UTC, Feb. 4.

 

[Chipstone306]

Looks beautiful. :speakcool:

 

[DaveS]

Latest Wx forecast:
Vehicle: STS-122, Atlantis / Columbus
Issued: 5 February 2008/ 1200Z (0700EST)
Valid: 7 February 2008/ 1940 - 1951Z (1440 – 1451EST)

Synoptic Discussion: High pressure will dominate the Central Florida area for the next few days, and temperatures will be above average with highs reaching the low 80s. A cold front will move into the Central Florida
area on launch day. The front will be located to the north of Kennedy Space Center by launch time bringing increased moisture and southwest flow.

This increases the potential for cumulus clouds, showers, and even an
isolated thunderstorm. Our primary concerns for launch day are cumulus clouds, showers, and an anvil
from an inland thunderstorm. The front will move through the area early Friday morning, and weather conditions improve for the 24- and 48-hour launch attempts.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 60%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Showers, Anvils

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 20%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 20%
Primary concern(s): Ceiling, showers

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 20%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 0%
Primary concern(s): Launch Winds

 

[DaveS]

T-27 hours and holding for 4 hours. The next Countdown Status Briefing is at 10 am EST(1500 UTC).

 

[DaveS]

The report from today's Countdown Status Briefing is that currently the countdown is going very well. After the release of the T-27 hour hold at 1 pm EST(1800 UTC), they'll start the PRSD reactant loading, starting with LOX load. After LOX load is complete, they'll start the LH2 loading.

PRSD loading is expected to be complete at 8:30 pm EST(0130 UTC, Wednesday).

Weather-wise, forecast hasn't changed. Still 60% chance of unfavourable weather on Thursday due to the frontal boundary and 20% chance on Friday and Saturday.

 

[DaveS]

Coming in a few minutes: The L-2 day MMT meeting press conference. And release of the T-27 hour hold.

 

[DaveS]

T-27 hours and counting.

 

[DaveS]

No significant issues in work right now.

 

[DaveS]

Good MMT meeting today.

 

[DaveS]

Haven't picked up a single IPR through the countdown so far.

 

[DaveS]

Happy with the payloads. Working no problems with either Columbus or the external experiments.

 

[Chipstone306]

Thanks DaveS!:speakcool:

 

[DaveS]

LOX loading for the PRSD was completed on-time. LH2 loading should be in work by now. They're right on the nominal timeline so far.