LIVE THREAD(2): DISCOVERY - Return to Flight

NASA ^ | 7-25-05

[OXENinFLA]

Poised for Liftoff

Space Shuttle Discovery rests in full view on the launch pad. Image above: The rolling back of Launch Pad 39B's Rotating Service Structure reveals orbiter Discovery. + Click for larger image. Image credit: NASA/KSC

Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114, NASA's Return to Flight mission, is set for Tuesday at 10:39 a.m. EDT.

The launch pad's Rotating Service Structure (RSS) was rolled away from Discovery at 3:38 p.m. on Monday. When in place, the giant enveloping appendage is used to install payloads into an orbiter's cargo bay and provide protection from inclement weather. With the RSS now out of the way, propellant loading is set to begin after midnight Tuesday morning with the pumping of more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen into the vehicle's orange External Tank.

The chance of Kennedy weather cooperating for the launch remains at 60 percent.

First Lady Laura Bush will join other dignitaries and VIPs at Kennedy for the Return to Flight liftoff, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced earlier today.

[Soaring Feather]

Great images on CSpan

[Kathy in Alaska]

Awesome onboard shots!!

[MinuteGal]

At first sight, that fiery separation just about gave me heart failure.

Leni

[Guenevere]

It was a beautiful lift-off.

Always amazing to feel the shockwaves afterward....

I lost sight of it after about 6 minutes....it was a clear blue sky, but I lost sight of it.

[HiJinx]

Thanks, Tom, great screen caps.

Good separation of the SRBs...scary moment always since Challenger...

[Prime Choice]

All systems remain go for Discovery. Moving to 17,400 mph.

200 miles downrange.

[Soaring Feather]

AWESOME is what I said!!

[JFC]

This proves that the evil doers have no place in our world.

We are survivors!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO USA!

[Miss Behave]

Thank you, Tom. Hard to see though through tears.

[gopwinsin04]

We've reached negative return.

[Dashing Dasher]

Thanks.

[glock rocks]

Excellent caps TomGuy! Thanks!

[js1138]

On a clear day I can see a Shuttle launch from my kitchen window. Night launches are as bright as the sodium vapor street lights. Completely overcast today.

[noexcuses]

Thank you for the pics, TomGuy!

[onyx]

Me neither, Peach. I am in utter awe.

[SeaBiscuit]

Great pics.

Godspeed.

[abner]

Sniff...

Very cool and the pics are amazing!

[Semper911]

Bravo, NASA. Bravo.

[Peach]

Lucky you! My brother can see the launches in his neighborhood. But I want to be THERE. Right there.

[RightWhale]

SpaceflightNow.com

1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 10 seconds. Negative return. The shuttle is traveling too fast and is too far downrange so it can no longer return to the launch site in the event of a main engine problem.