CAPE
CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA mission managers gave a preliminary approval late
Tuesday for the planned Dec. 7 launch of the space shuttle Discovery, even as
engineers wrangle two issues that came up during routine inspections.
"We're
on track and on target for Thursday," said LeRoy Cain, NASA's space
shuttle program launch integration manager, in a launch readiness briefing held
here at Kennedy Space Center. "All in all, we're in great shape."
Discovery
is slated to lift off with seven astronauts at 9:35:47 p.m. EST (0235:47 Dec. 8
GMT) toward the International
Space Station (ISS) for a 12-day construction mission. The STS-116
mission's launch window runs from Dec. 7 to 17, with the possibility that
it could be extended further if NASA managers decide to allow the mission to run
over the New Year.
Launch
engineers are looking into a brief power surge in a main circuit used in
switching power from the Discovery's Mobile Launcher Platform to the orbiter and
a potentially problematic adhesive on the shuttle's reusable solid rocket
motor's pressure seal.
"With
respect to the solid rocket motor joint adhesive, I don't think I would even
call it suspect because I don't know enough to be able to even put an adjective
or a characterization of it," Cain said. "What we know is there is a
test out there, or the results of a test, which potentially we need to look
further at and determine whether or not we have any concerns."
It is currently
unknown whether either issue could affect launch but more information is expected
during a 1:00 p.m. EST (1800 GMT) shuttle manager meeting set for Wednesday.
"We
don't even know if we have a concern," Cain said. "I wouldn't want to
speculate, really, on either one of those problems and where they might lead,
but you can be sure we'll follow the data."
Led by commander
Mark Polanksy, the seven-member crew
of STS-116 are tasked with delivering a new portside piece of the orbital
laboratory and rewiring the station's electrical grid. Mission specialists Sunita
Williams will also relieve ESA astronaut Thomas
Reiter who has been aboard the station since July.
The weather
outlook for Discovery's launch day also deteriorated from 80 percent favorable
on Monday to 60 percent by Tuesday evening. The main concern is a cold front
expected to pass through the launch area Thursday that could bring with it
lingering cloud cover, explained Air Force 1st Lt. Kaleb Nordgren of
the 45th Weather Squadron.
Strong
winds are expected at Kennedy on Friday and Saturday, bringing a 60 percent
chance launch attempts could be scrubbed on both days.
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