T-minus 9 minutes and holding. Countdown clocks have gone into the planned 45-minute, 37-second built-in hold. Launch is targeted for 11:59:37 p.m. EDT. Today’s available window to get the shuttle off the ground extends just five minutes to 12:04:29 a.m. EDT.
At launch, the space station will be flying 225 miles above the Indian Ocean southwest of Tasmania. Liftoff at 11:59 p.m. EDT is timed to place Discovery on course to dock with the station Sunday night.