From the launch briefing...Launch is on for Friday, and if weather doesn't permit, launch is possible on Saturday for a full duration mission. The non-working phase of the freon motor will be turned off for the ride uphill. Even if no launch this week, the fuel cell won't be swapped out for flight in late September. The press was wringing their hands (hehe).
yah Go for the "Hail Mary" shot before the window closes tomorrow night.
The reason we can't launch past Saturday is officially to prevent a "conflict" with the "Russian resupply mission" this month.
Translated, that means a couple of things. First, the Russians will raise hell if we interfere with their sending another tourist to the ISS because they need the $20 Million in cash.
Next, we don't completely trust the Russian re-supply missions ever since they rammed Mir that time; so it's infinitely safer for the shuttle if it isn't anywhere near orbit when the Russians start firing projectiles toward LOE...
Just sayin...
spaceflightnow.com
2201 GMT (6:01 p.m. EDT)
Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale says "cloud over fuel cell No. 1" has lifted and the device should be safe to launch as-is without repairs. But that decision was not fully unanimous. A final piece of analysis will be reviewed at the next management team meeting prior to fueling overnight.
We'll post a complete story following the news conference.
2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
GO FOR LAUNCH. Space shuttle Atlantis has been given approval to proceed toward launch Friday morning at 11:41 a.m. The press briefing to explain how the fuel cell issue was resolved is coming up in about 20 minutes.