Space Shuttle Launch

[Steven Roy]

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

For those of us who grew up watching Apollo going to the moon space missions are still something not to be missed.  The space shuttle Atlantis will take off tomorrow (Thursday) to deliver the Columbus module to the International Space Station.  The launch will take place at 4:31pm EST (9:31pm GMT).  It can be viewed at the link above.  For best coverage select the 'other viewing options' menu on the right of the video and select 'Windows Media (best for full screen)'.

Remember the launch is at the time shown so you need to tune in before that for the build up.  I have watched quite a few launches of different vehicles on NASA TV and they are still as exciting as those grainy black and white pictures of the Apollo missions.

[Wizzo]

Excellent suff Steven!   

I've always wanted to view a shuttle launch 'live'. Has anyone else ever seen one?

[Ian]

Nope, but I'm gonna watch this one too Wiz, nice one Steven. 

[cosworth151]

I just left the east coast of Florida Monday morning. This is about the third time I missed one by a few days.

[Steven Roy]

http://science.nasa.gov/realtime/

If you want to know where all the bits of metal that are whizzing about up there you will find something on this page to show you.

It will also tell you when you can see the International Space Station.  It is clearly visible and recognisable from the ground with the naked eye although it is only visible for a few minutes on some days just before the sun comes up or goes down.  The first time I saw it I had just left work and there was a very odd shaped star in the sky.  I could tel what it was even though I didn't know it was visible from the ground.

The nearer the equator you are the more often you will see it and the longer you will see it for.

[Steven Roy]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/06/space.shuttle.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

The launch of the shuttle has been postponed for at least one day.  Unbelievable as it may seem the reason for the postponement is a faulty fuel gauge.  Even more unbelievably this is not the first time a shuttle has been delayed due to this fault.

[Steven Roy]

New lauch time is Friday 4:09pm Eastern - 9:09pm GMT

[Steven Roy]

It has been postponed again.  New time is Saturday 3:45pm Eastern - 8:45pm GMT.  I guess fixing a shuttle fuel gauge is a bit more complicated than a Ford Focus.

[Steven Roy]

The launch has been postponed.  Again.

It is now Sunday 3:21pm eastern - 8:21pm GMT.  Launch coverage on NASA TV starts 10:00am eastern 3pm GMT.

[cosworth151]

Remember, it is about 25 years old. And high mileage, too!

[Steven Roy]

They have run into problems with engine cut off sensors.

The launch will now be on 2nd January.  I will post times whne announced.

[Steven Roy]

I am sure this will come as no surprise to anyone.  The January 2nd launch was delayed to Jan 10th.  The Jan 10th launch has now been postponed too.  No date or time has been set.

[Steven Roy]

The space shuttle will now definitely, almost certainly, probably, maybe(delete as appropriate) be launched on February 7th.  The have changed the faulty bits and apparently all is now well.  They need to launch it soon or they will hav to stack it with the next mission due to launch April 8th.

[Steven Roy]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

Latest NASA update.  The countdown is progressing and they hope to hit the 10 minute launch window tomorrow.  However there is only a 30% chance of the weather being good enough.  If they miss the window there is a 60% chance of acceptable weather on Friday and 70% on Saturday.  SO if my adding is correct there is a 160% chance of a launch by Saturday.

[Wizzo]

Thanks for keeping us updated Steven