Shuttle "Go" for Dec. 6 Launch; Preparations Going Smoothly

Posted on: Dec. 4th, 2007 || Source: NASA | E-mail Article | Print Article

Shuttle

From astronauts practicing shuttle landings to engineers and technicians running tests on space shuttle Atlantis, NASA's Kennedy Space Center is excitedly preparing for its fourth shuttle launch in 2007. The shuttle is scheduled to lift off at 4:31 p.m. EST on Thursday to begin mission STS-122.

"Our preparations at the pad are going extremely well," said NASA Test Director Steve Payne.

Technicians will conduct tests on the pyrotechnics installed aboard space shuttle Atlantis today. Later, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be pumped into spherical tanks inside Atlantis. They will power the shuttle's fuel cells during flight. There are numerous systems onboard the orbiter that are also being confirmed today and tomorrow for use during the mission. All the tests are going well, Payne said.

"The vehicle is exceptionally clean," Payne said.

The weather outlook is also looking good, according to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters. The forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions.

"The weather looks really good for Thursday," Winters said.

Atlantis commander Steve Frick and pilot Alan Poindexter took turns flying simulated landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The heavily modified Gulfstream II business jet mimics an orbiter gliding back to Earth.

NASA Announces Web Coverage of Next Space Shuttle Mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts, pictures and videos will highlight NASA's Web coverage of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. For continuous online updates visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

A live webcast featuring NASA astronaut Robert Satcher will start the in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. EST on Dec. 5.

A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before Atlantis is scheduled to lift off on Dec. 6 at 4:31 p.m. EST. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch.

During the 11-day mission, Atlantis' crew of seven astronauts will deliver the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory, setting the stage for expanded science capabilities on the orbiting outpost. Visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the spacewalks live from the space station.

As Atlantis' flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the spacecraft's return to Earth.
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