Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Live Thread 8:47 est

12/09/06 | Kevin Davis

[KevinDavis]

Will the Shuttle go or not... It all depends on the weather...

[KevinDavis]

Lord please don't let me frack up...

[KevinDavis]

[Condor 63]

While they are up there I'd appreciate it if they tinkered a little with that there satellite and rigged me some free HBO.

That would be really cool.

[BallyBill]

Is the launch still expected to be visible up most of the east coast?

Every time it is, we have overcast skies up here. Tonight looks clear.

[Enosh]

30% chance of launch today, per NASA.

Decision for fueling to be made at 11:00.

Source

[dawn53]

We live on the West Coast, but on a clear night have a good view of a nighttime launch. We can also see the daytime launches, if there are no clouds.

[sionnsar]

We live on the West Coast,

...of Florida, I take it. Sure can't see them from Seattle...

[radar101]

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/cdt/

[dawn53]

LOL...yeah, of Florida.

[KevinDavis]

Discovery's seven astronauts are getting their launch day wakeup call over in crew quarters at the Operations and Checkout Building. Their sleep/wake cycle is timed to match the mission hours of STS-116.

Coming up in about 90 minutes, the crew will undergo final pre-flight medical exams.

You'll see the astronauts for the first time today at about 3 p.m. during the traditional photo opportunity in the crew quarters' dining room.

A weather briefing and then suitup follows for the crewmates. Departure for the launch pad is expected just before 5 p.m.

[TomGuy]

I thought the launch for today had already been scrapped due to FL weather conditions.

[KevinDavis]

No official word yet...

[dandelion]

Pre-flight hopeful space bump!

[Enosh]

Fueling decision delayed ninety minutes to 12:30.

Source

[jsh3180]

Pretty dang breezy here in South Fl....methinks this one gets scrubbed today.

[RightWhale]

I heard that on the overnight news, but apparently that was extrapolation by the news service.

[N. Theknow]

Middle of the state, Winter Haven, here.

Wine is set and lawn chairs in the backyard are ready and waiting for tonight.

[Bean Counter]

I just watched the mission profile video on NASA TV; pretty technical and very complicated electrical engineering schedule for this flight....

If there continues to be only a 30% chance the weather will be GO at launch time, I appreciate that they are delaying the fueling. Why endure the thermal stress of fueling the ET, and risk loosening foam insulation, if there is little chance of flying? Someone is thinking...

[Bean Counter]

Belay my last.

It's obvious I attempted to give way more credit than was due. NASA just announced (per FoxNews) that fueling will be commencing immediately, with a 30% chance of launch tonight.

Silly me.

[Young Werther]

IMHO I would have included Bob Villa as a Mission Specialist.

During High School I worked for my next door neighbor who was an electrician. If Bob need a helper I'd go too!