The new system improves crew/orbiter interaction with easy-to-read, graphic portrayals of key flight indicators like attitude, altitude and speed.ġ2:05 p.m. There are no collision avoidance issues being worked for today's launch to the International Space Station.ĭid you know? Both Discovery and Atlantis have received the new full-color, flat, 11-panel Multifunction Electronic Display Subsystem. The flight crew was just given clearance to proceed to the pad.ġ2:21 p.m. There is room for up to four seats in the mid-deck.ġ2:22 p.m. Often the seating arrangement is changed for descent. The astronauts have specific seating designations for each launch. Once the astronauts are fully suited up, they enter the orbiter with the help of the Closeout Crew. The crew has reached Launch Pad 39B! They'll ride up in the elevator to the 195-foot level, where they'll be greeted by the Closeout Crew. The two pads were heavily modified from their Apollo/Saturn V configuration to launch Space Shuttles.ġ2:25 p.m. Mission specialists, payload specialists and International Space Station crews can be seated in any of the remaining five seats.ĭid you know? Pads A and B at Launch Complex 39 were originally designed for the Apollo Program. The commander of the Shuttle flight is always seated in seat 1 and the pilot in seat 2.

Mission Specialist Charles Camarda is next. She is the first of the seven STS-114 crew members to board the orbiter today. Commander Eileen Collins is on her way into Discovery's crew module. Meanwhile, a lightning advisory issued earlier at Kennedy Space Center has been downgraded.ġ2:36 p.m. The flight deck and mid-deck are boarded simultaneously. Seating is started on the far side, and moves forward toward the hatch. The order of ingress is determined by access to the seats. Mission Specialist Charlie Camarda is set to board Discovery. He will join Commander Eileen Collins on the flight deck.ġ2:45 p.m. Pilot James Kelly is undergoing final preparations to board Discovery. Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas will be next to climb aboard Discovery.ġ2:48 p.m. While her crewmates continue to take their seats in the crew module, Commander Eileen Collins has completed communication checks with the NASA Test Director in Kennedy's firing room 3 and the Capcom in Mission Control, Houston. Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency is preparing to board.ĭue to the White Room's compact size, there is only room for one or two astronauts inside at one time, along with the Closeout Crew members who are assisting them.Įach astronaut completes communications checks after they are seated.ġ2:53 p.m. Fortunately, there is ample water for rehydration, since the fuel cells that power the orbiter produce it as a byproduct when generating electricity.ġ:00 p.m. The skies above Kennedy Space Center have cleared considerably for the time being.ĭid you know? About half of the foods and beverages carried on the Space Shuttle are preserved by dehydration, which saves both weight and storage space. We are at 1 hour, 52 minutes and counting.

Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence is preparing to board.ġ:02 p.m. He is in the White Room undergoing final suit-up.ġ:10 p.m. Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson will be the last to board. At 1 hour, 27 minutes and counting, all crew members are now aboard and completing their comm checks.ġ:15 p.m. Please visit the Return to Flight main page for further information.ġ:27 p.m. One of four low-level fuel cutoff sensors is not functioning properly. Launch Director Mike Leinbach has scrubbed the launch for today. The Virtual Launch Control Center was deactivated Jat 1:35 p.m. The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated Jat 10:00 a.m. + NASA Home > Mission Sections > Space Shuttle > Return to Flight > Launch and LandingĪll times are in EDT unless otherwise stated. NASA - Live Launch Countdown Coverage The site requires that JavaScripts be enabled in your browser.

Space shuttle launch profile