Analysis of the leaking oxygen flex hose continues as well. It might not be until management meets on Friday that the issue is closed and officials approve tanking the vehicle so Endeavour can launch.
The next decision point is expected late Wednesday after Canadian officials brief NASA on the results of their robot arm tests.
Stay tuned to this page throughout the week for updates on Endeavour's countdown to launch. Unless circumstances warrant otherwise, our next update to this page will be midday Tuesday.
Robot arm tests planned for Wednesday
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. EST
Workers at the Kennedy Space Center are continuing to prepare as though shuttle Endeavour will lift off Friday night between 7 and 11 p.m. EST. At the same time, the shuttle community is waiting for word from Toronto on the results of tests that are planned for Wednesday in Canada.
Endeavour's robot arm was recently damaged when a work platform bumped into it. It's unclear if the extent of the damage is such that the station assembly mission can be launched on Friday and flown as is, or if another couple of weeks are needed to either repair the arm or remove it from Endeavour's cargo bay.
The option selected will depend on what happens in Canada tomorrow and what decisions are made by shuttle program manager Ron Dittermore and his team in Houston tomorrow night.
Officials would like to make a final decision whether or not to proceed with plans for a Friday launch before Endeavour's fuell cell system is loaded with its supply of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants -- an event that would normally take place tomorrow night for a planned Friday night launch.
The exercise in Canada involves damaging an existing shuttle robot arm test article to match the damage seen on Endeavour's arm at pad 39A. That damage is being applied to the test arm today, said NASA spokesman James Hartsfield.
Canadarm engineers will test the damaged arm tomorrow to see if its fragile carbon composite materials remains strong enough to be able to handle a mass of some 14 tons -- the size of the P1 truss the shuttle arm is supposed to lift from Endeavour's cargo bay during the mission and hand off to the station's robot arm.
If the arm is deemed unusable, shuttle managers will consider their options -- all of which would mean another couple of weeks' delay in the STS-113 mission.
A news media telecon with Dittemore is planned for about 7:30 p.m. EST Wednesday, possibly later. We will update this page as soon as we have something to report.
Endeavour go for launch Friday
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 at 7:35 p.m. EST
Shuttle program manager Ron Dittemore announced tonight that Endeavour's robot arm is acceptable to fly as is and the shuttle countdown will continue to launch on Friday.
We will update this page with more information later tonight.
Shuttle countdown continues
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 at 9:15 a.m. EST
Well, here we go again.
Technical problems scrubbed a Nov. 11 launch attempt on a day when the weather was perfect. Now with the technical problems solved, weather in Florida at an the overseas emergency landing sites threaten to delay this shuttle mission.
It's not scientific, but it seems to happen a lot.
Officially there is an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions during Endeavour's 10-minute launch window, which will fall some time within a launch period of 7 to 11 p.m. EST Friday. We'll learn the exact launch time later today.
Gusting winds are the concern here at the Cape, with crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing Facility more of a worry than the winds at launch pad 39A. And in Spain, the landing fields in Zaragoza and Moron are under the influence of a low pressure system that is expected to linger for the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, here at the launch site, workers have finished loading liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into storage tanks that are part of the shuttle's electricity-generating fuel cell system. Today the launch team will finish their final engine preps and activate the shuttle's communication systems and networks.
The Rotating Service Structure is to be retracted tonight in anticipation of filling Endeavour's external tank tomorrow.
We'll update this page again later today when NASA releases the launch time.
NASA reveals Endeavour launch time
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 at 7 p.m. EST
Space shuttle Endeavour is to launch at 8:15:30 p.m. EST Friday (0115.30 GMT Saturday) from the Kennedy Space Center.
The launch window opens at 8:10:30 p.m. and closes 10 minutes later, but mission managers would prefer to launch right in the middle of the window so the shuttle uses the least amount of propellant in reaching for the International Space Station.
Under post Sept. 11, 2001 security rules, NASA has not been divulging the exact launch time until the day before liftoff, even though launch times for missions to the space station are easily calculated.
Technically everything is going well at the launch pad for an on time liftoff. And though the overall weather forecast is optimistic, there still is a chance of high winds at the shuttle landing facility and poor weather overseas at the emergency landing sites.
If I've figured this out correctly, with a Friday launch the shuttle would dock with the space station on Sunday. Spacewalks would follow on Monday, Wednesday and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Undocking would be on Sunday, Dec. 1 and landing back in Florida would be on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Stay tuned to this page all day on Friday as we bring you regular updates on Endeavour's final countdown.
Will this be the day?
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 9 a.m. EST
Shuttle Endeavour is poised at pad 39A ready for its second launch attempt and its seven-man crew is hoping to be aboard and lifting off at 8:15:30 p.m. EST tonight.
Technically the report is that everything continues to go well. The Rotating Service Structure was move away from the vehicle last night and all systems remain "go."
The next big step in the countdown is expected to start just before 11 a.m. today, and that's the process to fill the shuttle's external tank with its half-million gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant. The elements are combined and burned inside the shuttle's three Rocketdyne main engines during the climb to orbit.
Weatherwise the picture is a little more pessimistic. Although conditions here at the Cape are generally favorable -- strong crosswinds remain a concern -- the situation in Spain at the overseas emergency landing sites is not as promising.
A strong low pressure system is bringing rain, thick clouds and turbulence to the skies over Moron and Zaragoza -- bad weather that is forecast to persist through the weekend. At least one of those two airfields must have acceptable conditions in order for the shuttle to launch,
A third landing site in North Africa that is usually available for missions going into the station's orbit has not been for some time due to security concerns.
Stay tuned to this page throughout the day for countdown updates. Our next update will come after we confirm that tanking has started later this morning.
Fueling begins late, weather picture improved
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. EST
A problem with a gaseuos nitrogen valve at launch pad 39A delayed the start of tanking more than an hour but there is plenty of time built into the countdown to make that time up and keep the launch on schedule.
The process of filling the external tank with its load of propellant began at 12:14 p.m. EST and is expected to take about three hours to complete.
A small team of workers had to go out to the pad and check the valve and take care of the problem. Once the issue had been dispositioned by shuttle program management the approval to continue with tanking was given.
The nitrogen is an important part of the process as the inert gas is used to purge certain plumbing and volumes within the shuttle before loading the hazardous and explosive liquid hydrogen.
No other technical problems have been reported and the launch remains set for 8:15:30 p.m. EST today.
Meanwhile, the weather picture has improved a little bit. The local conditions are calmer than expected so there is now a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions. Overseas at the emergency landing sites in Spain, Moron is still forecast to be "no go," while the situation at Zaragoza is now considered marginal.
Although "marginal," isn't completely good news, it is an improvement from "no go."
We will update this page again as soon as tanking is complete in about three hours -- or sooner if events warrant.
Tanking finished at the launch pad
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. EST
The shuttle's external tank is now filled with its load of supercold propellant and all is in readiness at pad 39A for the seven-member flight crew to begin boarding Endeavour, an event that is expected to be under way by 5 p.m. EST.
The tanking process began a little late thanks to a balky nitrogen valve at the pad. The three-hour operation began at 12:14 p.m. EST and finished at 3:14 p.m. EST with no trouble.
Kennedy Space Center's ice and debris team is now at the pad making sure there is no unwanted build up of ice anywhere on the tank and that no objects have been left at the pad that could damage the vehicle upon liftoff.
As that is going on, at this hour the crew and launch team are watching a final major weather briefing. The situation hasn't changed much from our last report. Florida weather is good, but conditions at the emergency landing sites in Spain are not.
Weather in Moron and Zaragoza keeps going in and out of limits, with Moron pretty much socked in and Zaragoza offering a little hope, according to the latest word from NASA public affairs.
The pessimistic weather in Spain raises the question of whether the crew will be given a "go" to proceed out to the pad, a step that requires them to don their cumbersome orange launch and entry suits. NASA public affairs at KSC cannot say at this point that the crew has been given that "go," nor do they have any reason to believe the crew won't depart on time.
We will update this page again as soon as we can confirm the crew has departed for the launch pad -- or earlier if events warrant.
Astronauts on their way to pad
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 4:25 p.m. EST
The STS-113 and Expedition Six astronauts are on their way to launch pad 39A.
Although NASA TV isn't covering the event live and NASA public affairs officials won't confirm the crew's movements -- a post Sept. 11, 2001 security deal -- a variety of sources confirm the six astronauts and one cosmonaut are on their way.
Once at the pad and up the elevator to the 195-foot-level, it will take the seven men about an hour or so to crawl aboard Endeavour and strap themselves in to their reclined position.
With any luck they won't have to lay there for more than a couple of hours before they are safely in Earth orbit, lifting off at 8:15:30 p.m. EST.
The weather here in Florida is shaping up to be perfect for a launch. The skies are clear, the temperatures are comfortably cool and the winds seem to be holding within limits.
The weather in Spain continues to be a problem, however. Conditions at Moron and Zaragoza include rain, clouds and turbulence.
We will update this page again about 6 p.m. EST, sooner if events warrant.
Flight crew strapped inside shuttle
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 6 p.m. EST
All seven crewmembers are seated inside Endeavour and are securely strapped in for the ride to orbit. The shuttle's main hatch is expected to be closed within the next few minutes.
There are no technical problems reported with the shuttle at this time. A two-person "Red Crew" was dispatched to the launch pad to check actuators on the hydraulic system that is used to move the Orbiter Access Arm back and forth, and that work is done and there are no problems.
The sun has set on Florida's Space Coast and the skies are clear and cool. Winds out at the Shuttle Landing Facility are reported to be a little brisk, but within limits.
The weather at the emergency landing sites in Spain continues to be the potential problem of the day. The landing field at Moron is completely socked in and is apparently no longer in consideration for the evening. Weather at Zaragoza is forecast to be "no go," but observed conditions alternate between being good and bad.
In order for Endeavour to be allowed to launch, one of the two sites must be observed go and forecast go.
During the shuttle's climb to orbit there is about a 2.5-minute period of time where if there is an engine failure the shuttle would arc over the Atlantic, re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land at Zaragoza, where a small crew of workers would be ready to receive the orbiter and crew.
The hope is that a small band of good weather would drift over Zaragoza at the right time and allow launch. But with only a 10-minute launch window, there will have to be some amount of luck to get off the ground tonight.
Meanwhile, NASA TV is now broadcasting live coverage of the launch and you can access our feed by clicking on the link above.
Stay tuned to this page for updates on the countdown. We will update this page again in about an hour or so, sooner if events warrant.
Overseas weather may delay Endeavour launch
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 7:10 p.m. EST
Inclement weather at two emergency landing strips in Spain may again keep
shuttle Endeavour grounded.
In order for Endeavour to be cleared for launch, weather at one of the
two Trans-Atlantic Abort (TAL) landing sites in Zaragoza and Moron must be
observed 'Go' and forecast 'Go'. At this time, conditions at both TAL sites
are still unacceptable to support a shuttle launch this evening. A final
determination will be made before the countdown resumes following the
planned T-minus 9 minute hold.
During the shuttle's climb to orbit there is about a 2.5-minute period of
time where if there is an engine failure the shuttle would arc over the
Atlantic, re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land at either Zaragoza or Moron.
Spotter aircraft have reported slightly better conditions at both TAL
sites and NASA officials remain hopeful that the weather will clear enough
to permit a launch attempt this evening. Launch remains targeted for 8:15:30
p.m. EST during a five-minute launch window.
All seven crewmembers are now seated inside Endeavour and securely
strapped in for the ride to orbit. The shuttle's main hatch has been closed,
leak checks completed and the close-out crew is preparing to depart from
Launch Complex 39A within the next few minutes.
Overseas weather improving for Endeavour launch
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 7:35 p.m. EST
Weather conditions at an emergency landing strip in Spain are improving
and just may permit a launch attempt for shuttle Endeavour this evening.
In order for Endeavour to be cleared for launch, weather at one of the
two Trans-Atlantic Abort (TAL) landing sites in Zaragoza and Moron must be
observed 'Go' and forecast 'Go'. At this time, conditions at Moron have
improved and are forecast to be only 'marginal' to support a launch attempt.
A final weather determination will be made before the countdown resumes
following the planned T-minus 9 minute hold.
During the shuttle's climb to orbit there is about a 2.5-minute period of
time where if there is an engine failure the shuttle would arc over the
Atlantic, re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land at either Zaragoza or Moron.
No technical issues are being worked and launch remains targeted for
8:15:30 p.m. EST during a five-minute launch window.
All seven crewmembers are now seated inside Endeavour and securely
strapped in for the ride to orbit. The shuttle's main hatch has been closed,
leak checks completed and the close-out crew has departed from Launch
Complex 39A.
Bad weather overseas scrubs Endeavour launch
Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at 8:07 p.m. EST
Inclement weather conditions at two emergency landing strips in Spain forced NASA to scrub this evening's scheduled launch of shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station.
Mission managers have ordered a 24-hour scrub turnaround and will again attempt to launch Endeavour on Saturday evening.
In order for a shuttle to be cleared for launch, weather at one of the two Trans-Atlantic Abort (TAL) landing sites in Zaragoza and Moron, Spain must be observed 'Go' and forecast 'Go'. Weather conditions at both TAL sites were unstable with the potential for lightning forcing NASA to scrub tonight's launch attempt.
We will next update this page later this evening.
Fueling begins again for launch attempt
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. EST
Shuttle managers gathered at 9:30 a.m. EST today at the Kennedy Space Center and gave their approval for Endeavour's third launch attempt, which today would mean lifting off at 7:49:47 p.m. EST.
Immediately following that meeting the process to begin refilling the shuttle's external tank with its half-million gallons of propellant was begun, with the start of tanking officially noted for the history books at 10:45 a.m. EST.
The whole situation today essentially repeats the scenario from Friday: technically everything is behaving, the weather in Florida is basically ideal -- oh to be at one of the theme parks in Orlando today! -- but the weather at the emergency landing sites in Spain is not encouraging.
Between Moron and Zaragoza, the weather favorite at this hour appears to be Zaragoza. It has less lousy weather than Moron and has the most promise for improvement later today. Officially both sites still are forecast "no go," but there is enough hope for a hole in the sky that tanking was allowed to start.
Should the launch scrub today, NASA basically has two options, according to agency spokesman John Ira Petty.
The first is to take tomorrow off and try again on Monday and Tuesday, and that seems to be the way things are leaning. The second is to try again on Sunday -- a rare third attempt in a row -- but if Sunday's launch was scrubbed the next available attempt would be on Thanksgiving Day. Not a popular choice.
Stay tuned to this page for updates on the countdown. Our next planned update will be about 2 p.m. when we can confirm that tanking is finished.
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