Does anyone know how much of the initial thrust is used to carry the fuel? I seem to recall it being something like 80%.
spaceflightnow.com
1800 GMT (2:00 p.m. EDT)
The Final Inspection Team is performing its observations of Atlantis this afternoon.
The team is responsible for checking the shuttle and launch pad one last time prior to liftoff. The team is comprised of engineers and safety officials from NASA, United Space Alliance and tank-builder Lockheed Martin. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, the team will have walked up and down the entire fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform.
The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle and integrity of the external tank foam insulation.
The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the shuttle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. The team member also is responsible for photo documentation.
The team wears the highly visible day-glow orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air.
1742 GMT (1:42 p.m. EDT)
The astronauts have been seated in the crew quarters’ dining room for the traditional launch morning photo. They will be moving into the suitup room shortly to begin donning the launch and entry spacesuits before heading to the launch pad later this afternoon.
It’s over 80%. The solid boosters are recovered empty and the big tank is thrown away. That plus the payload, which is the shuttle and contents is what remains after fuel/oxidizer is burnt off.