Space Shuttle Endeavour set for launch on Saturday

by Neka Sehgal - July 11, 2009 - 0 comments

<strong>Cape Canaveral, July 10:</strong> All eyes are on the weather, as space shuttle Endeavour and crew of seven astronauts prepare for Saturday's scheduled launch at 1939 EDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour is ready for its planned launch into orbit this weekend

Cape Canaveral, July 10: All eyes are on the weather, as space shuttle Endeavour and crew of seven astronauts prepare for Saturday's scheduled launch at 1939 EDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Saturday marks the third scheduled launch for Endeavour after two scrubbed launches because of gaseous hydrogen leaks in an outer tank. The leak has been repaired and the shuttle is ready for liftoff.

"I am happy to report that we are ready to proceed with launch countdown. We are ready to tank this vehicle on Saturday morning and proceed with our launch on Saturday evening," said NASA test director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson at a press conference.

Weather may play spoilsport
There are no technical problems of any significance at launch complex 39A.

However, the weather may play truant as forecasters are predicting a 60 percent chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms and electrical activity that could interfere with the countdown and trigger another delay.

According to Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters, "By the time we get to launch time, we are going with a 60 percent chance of (Kennedy) weather prohibiting launch, so only a 40 percent chance of weather that is good for launch.”

Agenda of the mission
Endeavour’s crew led by mission commander Mark Polansky, plans to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) over a 16-day mission.

The shuttle is slated to deliver a final piece for Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory to the ISS whose assembly began last year and has spanned three shuttle missions.

They will add 8,400-pound "front porch" that will house up to a dozen experiments exposed to the harsh environment of space.

The schedule includes five spacewalks and installation of six fresh batteries as well as a spare antenna, a cooling system pump module and a drive unit for the station's railcar, said Scott Higginbotham, NASA's payload manager.

With Endeavour's arrival, there will be a record 13 people on the research outpost orbiting about 220 miles above Earth.

With an exception of the stormy weather playing spoilsport, Endeavour is scheduled to blast off with no technical issues at this time.

"Good things come to those who wait," Higginbotham said. "It's time to go fly and complete Kibo.”

Last edited by Jaspreet Virk on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 15:51 | Write to author: Neka Sehgal |