Space.com: Space Shuttle, Space Shuttle Discovery, Discovery Space Shuttle

NASA Gives Endeavour a "Go" For Tanking
13 July 2009 9:34 a.m. EDT

Mission managers cleared the space shuttle Endeavour to begin tanking this morning in preparation for a launch attempt tonight at 6:51 p.m. EDT (2251 GMT), with a 40 percent chance of good weather expected..

Tanking should begin shortly.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast Endeavour’s STS-127 mission to the International Space Station live on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com’s NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left on this page.

Thunderstorms Scrub Endeavour Launch

12 July 2009 7:01 p.m. EDT

A line of lightning-producing thunderstorms approaching Florida's Kennedy Space Center has forced a scrub of this evening's planned launch of space shuttle Endeavour.

NASA will try again to launch Endeavour on Monday evening.

-- Roger Guillemette

Thunderstorms May Scrub Endeavour Launch
12 July 2009 6:40 p.m. EDT

Thunderstorms forming along the afternoon sea breeze are threatening to scrub this evening's launch attempt of shuttle Endeavour on a mission to the International Space Station.

Chief astronaut Steve Lindsey is currently flying approaches around Florida's Kennedy Space Center to monitor a cluster of thunderstorms that have formed too close to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Launch commit criteria prohibit rain showers or thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility to ensure maximum visibility in the event of an emergency Return-to-Launch-Site Abort (RTLS).

The countdown clock is currently halted at the T-minus 9-minute mark – a scheduled built-in hold lasting approx. 45 minutes. The preferred launch time has been adjusted slightly to for 7:13:54 p.m. EDT (2315:54 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 7:18:55 p.m. EDT (2318:55 GMT).

If needed, a secondary launch window of 3 minutes, 11 seconds is available through 7:22:06 p.m. EDT (2322:06 GMT); however, launch during that secondary window would result in a later rendezvous and docking with the space station.

Other than the weather, the launch team is not currently working any technical issues as the countdown enters its final 30 minutes. A concern about some “slushy ice” forming near the liquid hydrogen umbilical seal has been determined not to be an issue for launch.

Shuttle Endeavour's hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the seven STS-127 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing smoothly for this evening's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39-A.

Veteran of three shuttle missions, astronaut Mark Polansky is commander of STS-127 accompanied by rookie pilot Doug Hurley. STS-127 mission specialists are Christopher J. Cassidy, Thomas H. Marshburn, David A. Wolf and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette who also serves as Endeavour's flight engineer.

Endeavour will deliver astronaut Timothy L. Kopra to the International Space Station as flight engineer and science officer and return Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata to Earth.

Wolf is making his fourth spaceflight and previously spent 128 days aboard the Russian Mir space station; Payette is making her second spaceflight, having previously flown on mission STS-99 in 1999. Hurley, Cassidy, Marshburn and Kopra are spaceflight rookies.

The astronauts are running through their pre-launch checklists and are closely monitoring their spacecraft systems in preparation for their ascent to orbit. The close-out crew has finished breaking down the 'White Room' surrounding the spacecraft hatch and departed the launch pad.

The 16-day STS-127 mission will include five spacewalks and the installation of two platforms outside of the Japanese Kibo module. One platform is permanent and will serve as a type of porch for experiments that require direct exposure to space. The other is an experiment storage pallet that will be detached and returned with the shuttle. During the mission, Kibo’s robotic arm will exchange three experiments from the palette to the platform. Future experiments also can be transferred to the platform from the inside using the laboratory’s airlock.

-- Roger Guillemette

Thunderstorms Threaten Endeavour's Launch Attempt
12 July 2009 6:15 p.m. EDT

Afternoon thunderstorms encroaching too close to Florida's Kennedy Space Center are threatening to disrupt this afternoon's smooth countdown for shuttle Endeavour on a mission to the International Space Station. Watch the launch attempt live via SPACE.com’s NASA TV webcast.

Launch commit criteria prohibit rain showers or thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility to ensure maximum visibility in the unlikely event of an emergency Return-to-Launch-Site Abort (RTLS). Shuttle Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters has informed the launch team that a weather system to the northwest is moving toward the Kennedy Space Center and conditions are currently 'Red' or 'No Go for launch.

Launch remains scheduled for 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 7:18:55 p.m. EDT (2318:55 GMT). A final adjustment may be made at the T-9 minute hold to more precisely align with the orbit of the International Space Station.

Weather conditions at all three Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Zaragoza and Moron, Spain and Istres, France are both observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt this evening.

Aside from the weather concerns, the launch team is not currently working any technical issues as the countdown enters its final hour.

Endeavour's hatch has been closed and latched for flight, the seven STS-127 astronauts are strapped into their seats and final preparations are progressing for this afternoon's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39-A. The countdown clock has just restarted following the planned T-minus 20-minute hold and will tick down to T-minus 9-minute hold - a planned, built-in hold to allow the launch team to catch up on any final preparations.

Weather permitting, Endeavour is about to sail on its 23^rd mission to deliver the final components of the Japan's Kibo laboratory to the ISS. The lab will provide a type of "front porch" for experiments in the exposed environment, and a robotic arm that will be attached to the Kibo Pressurized Module and used to position experiments outside the station.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour's Hatch Closed for Launch
12 July 2009 5:20 p.m. EDT

Launch is scheduled for 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 7:18:55 p.m. EDT (2318:55 GMT). A final adjustment may be made at the T-9 minute hold to more precisely align with the orbit of the International Space Station.

The STS-127 crew - led by veteran mission commander Mark Polansky and rookie pilot Doug Hurley - just completed the final series of air-to-ground communications checks to ensure that the astronauts can talk to flight controllers and each other during the spacecraft's ascent to orbit.

Endeavour's massive External Tank is now filled with a half-million gallons of super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and will continue to be topped-off until launch.

The launch team is not working any technical issues at this time; however, technicians are closely monitoring a build-up of "slushy ice" on the liquid hydrogen umbilical seal edge. Weather along Florida's Space Coast is still cooperating, with just a 30-percent chance that the afternoon sea breeze will trigger some showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Weather conditions at all three Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Zaragoza and Moron, Spain and Istres, France are observed and forecast 'Green' or 'Go' to support a launch attempt this evening.

STS-127 will be the 29^th shuttle mission to the International Space Station and the 16-day flight will include five spacewalks.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Astronauts Strapped-in for Launch
12 July 2009 4:45 p.m. EDT

The seven STS-127 astronauts are now securely strapped into their seats onboard shuttle Endeavour and are beginning final preparations for this evening's launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A. Watch the action live via SPACE.com’s NASA TV webcast.

Launch is scheduled for 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 7:18:55 p.m. EDT (2318:55 GMT).

Led by veteran commander Mark Polansky (making his third spaceflight) and rookie pilot Doug Hurley, the STS-127 mission specialists are Christopher J. Cassidy, Thomas H. Marshburn, David A. Wolf and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Endeavour will also deliver astronaut Timothy L. Kopra to the International Space Station as flight engineer and science officer and return Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata to Earth.

Wolf is making his fourth spaceflight and spent 128 days aboard the Russian Mir space station; Payette is making her second spaceflight, having previously flown on mission STS-99 in 1999, and will serve as Endeavour's flight engineer. Cassidy, Marshburn and Kopra will be making their first trips to space.

The astronauts are now engaged in a series of communications checks between the spacecraft, the launch team and Mission Control in Houston.

The launch team is not currently working any technical issues and weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast are near-ideal for July. The official forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch – the primary concern is the afternoon sea breeze triggering thunderstorms and showers within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

The combination of a spectacular early evening weekend launch and fine weather is attracting throngs of spectators who are lining the area's beaches and causeways by the thousands to witness Endeavour's liftoff.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Commander Enters Spacecraft
12 July 2009 3:50 p.m. EDT

NASA's STS-127 mission commander Mark Polansky has climbed onboard shuttle Endeavour for this evening's planned launch attempt at 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT). STS-127 will be Polansky's third spaceflight. Watch the action live via SPACE.com’s NASA TV webcast.

No technical issues are currently being worked for this evening's launch attempt and the weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast are near-perfect. Meteorologists are closely watching the afternoon sea breeze to see if it triggers showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

At this time, shuttle Endeavour is fully fueled for launch and the vehicle is in "stable replenish" mode, with propellants being topped-off until launch time. Earlier today, technicians loaded Endeavour's 15-story external fuel tank with the super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed its three main engines during the 8.5-minute ascent into space. Fueling operations ended at 12:48 p.m. EDT (1648 GMT) with more than 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant loaded into the fuel tank.

Endeavour sets sail on its 23rd mission to deliver the final components of the Japan's Kibo laboratory to the ISS. The lab will provide a type of "front porch" for experiments in the exposed environment, and a robotic arm that will be attached to the Kibo Pressurized Module and used to position experiments outside the station. The mission will include five spacewalks.

STS-127 is the 29th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Astronauts Arrive at Launch Pad
12 July 2009 3:40 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The seven STS-127 astronauts have arrived at Pad 39A where shuttle Endeavour awaits a 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT) liftoff. Watch the action live via SPACE.com’s NASA TV webcast.

The astronauts will soon enter Endeavour one by one, beginning with veteran shuttle commander Mark Polansky, to prepare for this evening's launch attempt.

The launch team is not working any technical issues and the countdown so far has been smooth and uneventful. The Final Inspection Team, also known as the "Ice Team", has not found any unusual build-up of ice or damage to the External Tank.

The official weather forecast remains pegged at a very optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch – the only concern is the possibility the afternoon sea breeze may trigger thunderstorms and showers within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

-- Roger Guillemette

Endeavour Astronauts Depart for Launch Pad
12 July 2009 3:23 p.m. EDT

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour, clad in their bright orange launch-and-entry pressure suits, has departed the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The seven astronauts, riding in their silver 'Astro Van', are now en route to the seaside pad 39A where the shuttle is poised for launch, framed by hazy blue skies and a few streaks of high clouds. Watch the action live via SPACE.com’s NASA TV webcast.

After a twenty-minute ride to the launch pad, the STS-127 astronauts will enter Endeavour one by one, beginning with veteran shuttle commander Mark Polansky, to prepare for this evening's launch attempt.

Launch is scheduled for 7:13:55 p.m. EDT (2315:55 GMT) – near the midpoint of a 10-minute launch window that closes at 7:18:55 p.m. EDT (2318:55 GMT).

The launch team is not currently working any technical issues and the inspection of the vehicle by the 'Ice Team' has not found anything of concern. Weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast are near-ideal for July – the official weather forecast remains pegged at an optimistic 70 percent probability of acceptable conditions for launch. Meteorologists are closely watching the afternoon sea breeze for the possibility that it could trigger thunderstorms and showers within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

-- Roger Guillemette

Launch Countdown Resumes
12 July 2009 3:18 p.m. EDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The countdown toward launch for the space shuttle Endeavour has picked back up at T-3 hours and counting, ending a planned hold.

Endeavour's seven astronauts are still at the operations and checkout building, but are preparing to leave and ride the silver "astrovan" down to the launch pad.

Endeavour is slated to lift off tonight at 7:13 p.m. EDT (2313 GMT).