Posted on 03/25/2008 6:40:11 PM PDT by KevinDavis
Endeavour has been waved off of its first landing attempt. The second landing approach has the shuttle passing directly over the house! Crack, Crack BOOM!
spaceflightnow.com
2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)
WAVE OFF. Cloudy conditions that rolled into the Kennedy Space Center area late this afternoon has forced Mission Control to delay landing of space shuttle Endeavour for one orbit. The ship will remain in space an additional 90-minute revolution of the planet in hopes the weather improves.
The day’s second and final landing opportunity would begin with a deorbit burn at 6:33 p.m., leading to a nighttime touchdown on the spaceport’s three-mile-long concrete landing strip at 8:39 p.m. EDT.
It's been years since they used this approach. Several other times, they ended up bagging a FL landing altogether and touching down at Edwards.
WAVE OFF!
This raises questions about the fluid loading.
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Oh, the humanity!
Houston, we have a problem,
we are out of tang and the main galley is shut down.
So what are you gonna do?
Go stand outside at about 8:00?
The local news stations get flooded with calls from frightened senior citizens every time.
There is in fact a plumbing problem on the Shuttle. They have duct tape and towels controlling the situation.
That’s typically how I repair mine, as well.
Not a plumbing problem so much as a condensation problem.
According to NASASpaceFlight.com (live thread link above) Edwards is NOT available today. KSC is the only active landing site today.
spaceflightnow.com
2235 GMT (6:35 p.m. EDT)
The weather trend shows the clouds could be thinning. The situation remains iffy at best right now.
But the crew has been given a “go” to re-start the “fluid loading” protocol. That involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to assist in the readaptation to Earth’s gravity.
“Cheers!” radioed CAPCOM Jim Dutton.
The crew can pick from water, chicken consomme, orange and lemon-lime drinks.
WFLA local news failed to remind the seasoned citizens of tonight’s shuttle landing during their broadcast. They must love the flood of calls they’re going to receive tonight.
It’s going to come in from the west now. Across the state, over the landing strip, circle to port and land southeast.
What time is the landing? Thanks!
Deorbit burn now scheduled in 15 minutes. Landing about 45 minutes later.
Mission Control just asked commander Dom Gorie if he is comfortable about flying through low clouds between 5,000 and 6,000 feet at night or else wait for tomorrow night’s daylight opportunity. Gorie replied he would be comfortable with those cloud conditions tonight.
We’re hoping the shuttle will reflect sunlight as it crosses the FL Gulf coast. Would love to see it in addition to hearing it.
Oh, sure, ask the Commander. He would be comfortable landing in a blinding snowstorm with 100 mph crosswinds.
GO!
Its on!
God speed.
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