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STS-133: Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Launch - Live Thread
NASA ^ | 02/23/2011 | n/a

Posted on 02/23/2011 2:32:10 PM PST by Pyro7480

NASA Managers: It's a "Go" for Launch

At today's pre-launch news conference NASA's mission management team have given their unanimous approval for space shuttle Discovery's launch tomorrow at 4:50 p.m. EST.

"Everything is on track and going beautifully with the countdown," said Mike Moses, mission management team chair. "We're really looking forward to a very action-packed, successful mission and everything is on track."

Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, agreed that everything is going extremely well with the launch countdown. He also acknowledged the processing teams who worked on Discovery, its flight systems and ground elements. "As we're powering up (the systems) we're seeing no problems at all."

The rotating service structure will be rolled away from Discovery at around 8 p.m. revealing it for the last time on the launch pad. Loading of the external fuel tank will begin at around 7:25 a.m. tomorrow morning. "We're not tracking any issues and it looks like Discovery will fly this time," said Leinbach.

Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer, reported that the weather remains exceptional with only a 20 percent chance that weather will be prohibitive at launch time. The only slight issue may be a localized off-shore shower in the late afternoon. The forecast during tanking also is looking very good.

At 7:15 a.m. EST NASA TV will begin coverage of the fueling of the external tank. Launch coverage for Discovery's final mission to the International Space Station will begin at 11:30 a.m.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: deathtrap; discovery; fl; florida; nasa; spaceshuttle
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To: markman46
would you like to back up your statement

I'm not sure what you mean?

41 posted on 02/23/2011 9:08:34 PM PST by fso301
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To: ml/nj

read article 1 section 8


42 posted on 02/23/2011 9:10:00 PM PST by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: Pyro7480

*spaceplacemarker*


43 posted on 02/23/2011 9:59:13 PM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: ml/nj
How are these people, who will be in orbit for something like a week, going to protect us from a future orbital attack? They couldn't even be reasonably be expected to prevent an attack while they are in orbit.

It's called research.

44 posted on 02/23/2011 11:40:09 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: ml/nj
NASA is just another huge government boondogle.

Sorry that you drank the liberal Kool-Aid. At less than one half of one percent of the federal budget, NASA has returned far more than that in R&D, spinoffs and basic scientific knowledge. The liberals hijacked it in the '90s for "Earth studies," and we all know what this gang of Commies has done to it.

Space is a potential theater of war. We need a presence and expertise. If I had my way, NASA would be turned over to either the USAF or USN, and private space ventures would be given tax breaks to get them into a competitive environment.

45 posted on 02/23/2011 11:46:17 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: newzjunkey
and the incompetent engineers don't murder another crew.

Are you always such an idiotic putz?

46 posted on 02/23/2011 11:48:12 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: buccaneer81
Space is a potential theater of war. We need a presence and expertise. If I had my way, NASA would be turned over to either the USAF or USN, and private space ventures would be given tax breaks to get them into a competitive environment.

Ditto.
47 posted on 02/23/2011 11:48:59 PM PST by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media. There are Wars and Rumors of War.)
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To: ml/nj
I said their activities are unconstitutional.

In that case so are those of the FBI, CIA, NSA, AEC, USAF (not mentioned in the Constitution while the Army and Navy are,) NOAA...

48 posted on 02/23/2011 11:53:00 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: BenLurkin
One astronaut account I read said that women's hair caused
problems. On one mission, it jammed a movie camera (pre-cheap
digital) "Houston, the camera malfunctioned..."
49 posted on 02/24/2011 6:11:58 AM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: ml/nj

I think we took a Russian satellite out of orbit once.

Shhh....


50 posted on 02/24/2011 6:31:23 AM PST by onedoug (If)
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To: buccaneer81
In that case so are those of the FBI, CIA, NSA, AEC, USAF (not mentioned in the Constitution while the Army and Navy are,) NOAA...

Most everything the government does is outside of the scope of the Constitution. But the USAF is not. It used to be called the the Army Air Corps until 1947, I think. Certainly changing its name would not make it unconstitutional. The Constitution is (or was) about what functions the Federal government could get involved in, not what the government decides to call things.

Do you know why the FBI is the FBI; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that is? When it was formed many argued (correctly, IMHO) that a Federal police force was unconstitutional, and that the police function was a State responsibility. So the proponents said that the new agency would only assist local police forces with their investigations. They lied.

ML/NJ

51 posted on 02/24/2011 7:04:01 AM PST by ml/nj
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To: Bean Counter

That would be great if you got NASA tv:( I’ve still got comcast.


52 posted on 02/24/2011 7:55:41 AM PST by united1000
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To: Pyro7480
Any Freepers heading over to watch the launch? I usually view from the banks at North Port Canaveral.
53 posted on 02/24/2011 7:57:30 AM PST by DocRock (All they that TAKE the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52 Gun grabbers beware.)
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To: June2
"I don’t try to persuade folks about the benefits of NASA anymore."

There is no point in arguing with the Luddites, and they won't be impressed by any technology transfers or other benefits of space exploration. Their problem with NASA is philosophical, not fiduciary. Many of them won't be happy until we are all again wearing animal skins and living off the land.

54 posted on 02/24/2011 8:01:40 AM PST by jboot
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To: Pyro7480
"...there’s still the final launch of Endeavour"

Any idea when this is scheduled? I've never seen a launch, and this is my last chance.

55 posted on 02/24/2011 8:07:29 AM PST by jboot
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To: DocRock
DocRock will be on the North Port Canaveral shore, facing north. If any Freepers are in the area, I'll be riding a plasma blue Kawasaki Ninja, black riding jacket sporting the bright yellow Gadsden Flag on the back.
56 posted on 02/24/2011 10:36:07 AM PST by DocRock (All they that TAKE the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52 Gun grabbers beware.)
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To: DocRock

I;ll be there for the next one- this time I’ll watch from my backyard :)


57 posted on 02/24/2011 11:12:45 AM PST by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
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To: SE Mom

It appears that all Astros are on board, Comm checks proceeding.


58 posted on 02/24/2011 11:23:09 AM PST by Not now, Not ever! (Girlfriend suggested I use pelosi in place of swear words, A good idea, I think)
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To: Not now, Not ever!

Weather is 90% go.


59 posted on 02/24/2011 11:23:59 AM PST by Not now, Not ever! (Girlfriend suggested I use pelosi in place of swear words, A good idea, I think)
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To: Not now, Not ever!

Proceeding with crew module close out.


60 posted on 02/24/2011 11:33:17 AM PST by Not now, Not ever! (Girlfriend suggested I use pelosi in place of swear words, A good idea, I think)
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