Posted on 07/25/2005 4:24:13 PM PDT by 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.
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I just wanted to get this up and ready, I'm sure this thread will get moved into breaking tomorrow.
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BTW if you flip on NASA TV right now you'll see a live shot of the Shuttle sitting on the pad with a nice sunset in the background.
NEW LIVE THREAD PING!
Thanks. Will be getting up a tad earlier tomorrow, PDT, to catch the launch live.
I hope the sky is clear tomorrow.
I'll be posting pics form JAX after it launches.
Very nice. I'll be able to watch.
This is a Roll Tide ping! The pilot is a U of A grad.
Hey OX, we moved to JAX last year before Hurricane Jeanne, can you see the launch from here?
Space ping
Launch about 6:30 AM Alaska DT.
Here we go!!!!!
You bet!
You will be shocked at how well you will see it!!!
It is so cool!
Just look south and a little to the east, ya can't miss it.
WooooHoooo! Thanks for this ping. Will be watching Big Time.
We can see the shuttle all the way over in the Tampa Bay area. You will have a nice view--as long as the clouds stay away.
Gosh, it's nice to have something NICE to talk about regarding Florida, isn't it?
I am glad you posted a new thread...everytime I would see (Flight cancelled ) on the headline, I would think it meant tomorrow's flight! Thanks!
Just announced: FOX coverage will begin at 9am EST.
This is most excellent! I'm so glad we didn't cow under to all the weenies that wanted to scrap the whole program. There is always risk involved in exploring new frontiers but there are always rugged souls that are willing to step up to the plate because they know that the quest is a worthy one. I'll be watching this with great pride.
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