Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Live Thread 2:38 EDT (Successful launch -- Discovery in Space)

07/04/06 | Kevin Davis

[KevinDavis]

Third time the charm?

[NonValueAdded]

Hi Howlin!

[al baby]

good because i sure would hate to change my sobriety date

[acoulterfan]

My eyes are already tearing up in anticipation!

[Prime Choice]

Anyone else getting butterflies in the tummy

Only twice.

Every time the bird goes up...and every time the bird comes home.

[KevinDavis]

19 mins and counting...

[RightWhale]

spaceflightnow.com
1817 GMT (2:17 p.m. EDT)

Mission Management Team chairman John Shannon has polled his team for a readiness call to proceed with the countdown. No constraints were reported.

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crosswinds must be go.

[ChadGore]

[TomGuy]

Direct Link to NASA TV - MS Player

[paulat]

In case something happens..

LOL!! Got that! Just don't understand why they say "built-in hold" instead of say, just holding at 00:40:00.

[Howlin]

I love that movie. So MANY good lines.

[NonValueAdded]

Credit to tlj18 for mentioning it first ... I didn't see that before I posted.

[Howlin]

Hey, Non! How you doing?

[ChadGore]

Streaming video:

http://video.csupomona.edu/LiveTwo-245.asx

http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

[Unmarked Package]

Why there are built-in holds during a countdown.

[RightWhale]

1818 GMT (2:18 p.m. EDT) Weather officials say all conditions currently observed and forecast for launch are acceptable! ================================ another 20 minutes to go?

[linda_22003]

My favorite is the mother's line: "If they put a washing machine in space, my Jimmy could land it." :)

[Global2010]

Makes me think of the ole saying the guy/gal who sits around the water cooler on the job talking about sex non stop is the one who is not having any.

God forgive me the launch and 'nauts are giving me inpure thoughts.

My feet are getting all sweaty.

[paulat]

Thanks so much!! That answers my question...I was trying to explain it to my Mom...but didn't know how to do it.

Perfect!

[Central Scrutiniser]

Holds are built in at specific times before you commit to doing more major things in the countdown. There are a number of steps that need to be overcome in any countdown, a hold is usually put in before a major step that could be irrevokable.

[NonValueAdded]

Better to be talking on a launch thread than a hurricane thread! Things are just ducky here on the space coast. Getting ready to pop out the door at the appropriate minute. We don't hear the sound until long after SRB-sep but it's still a great view.