STORM2K

NASA's mission management team decided Friday that March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT is the official launch time for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission.

After two days of evaluating launch preparations for the mission, the group has confirmed the readiness of the shuttle, flight crew and payload for the next flight to the International Space Station.

Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations said there are very few issues being worked and the shuttle is ready to go. He stressed the16-day mission will be complex for the crew with five spacewalks to continue expansion of the station.

"It was a very thorough review, we covered lots information, lots of data," said Gerstenmaier. "The teams are truly ready."

"It’s a tribute to the teams that they worked so well with the vehicle... they've done a phenomenal job."

"We're right on the timeline," said Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director. "Endeavour is doing really well and we're ready to launch on the eleventh."

The crew will deliver the first segment of a Japanese laboratory complex called Kibo, plus a new Canadian robotics system to complement the station's robot arm.

The flight is commanded by Dominic Gorie with Gregory H. Johnson serving as Pilot. The crew also includes Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garret Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi.
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Unless we have a 100% chance of no clouds, I wont be staying up for this one.

They are really packing the launches close together now for the next few years. Hopefully they don't overlook anything.

EDIT: Eastern Daylight Time. Wow. Winter sure went quick.

Remember Atlantis was 2 months behind schedule.

A launch at 2:28am? That's weird.

Brent wrote:A launch at 2:28am? That's weird.

Night launches are cool. Only problem is they need a lot of high power lights for all the cameras to pick up any debris.

RL3AO wrote:

Brent wrote:A launch at 2:28am? That's weird.

Night launches are cool. Only problem is they need a lot of high power lights for all the cameras to pick up any debris.

Its the only kind of launches I can see from here on the West Coast if conditions are right.

RL3AO wrote:

Brent wrote:A launch at 2:28am? That's weird.

Night launches are cool. Only problem is they need a lot of high power lights for all the cameras to pick up any debris.

Yeah, I remember one not that long ago(although it was at like 9pm, not 2am, LOL).

again, awesome picture!

March 8, 2008
The space shuttle Endeavour astronauts are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final launch preparations for their STS-123 mission to the International Space Station.

The crew arrived at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility in a Shuttle Training Aircraft at 1:21 a.m. EST Saturday, March 8.

After arriving in a driving rainstorm, Endeavour Commander Dominic Gorie made a few comments to media gathered at the runway.

"I think once we get the weather done today we'll have a good shot at launching this week. But we just wanted to convey how excited we are to be here for launch week. We've got a great training team, they've got us ready.”

The countdown for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour began on time at 3 a.m. EST in Firing Room 4 of the launch control center. The clock picked up at the T-43 hour mark.

The launch weather forecast calls for only a 10% chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria, primarily due to a low cloud ceiling.

Endeavour's launch is scheduled for 2:28 a.m. EDT Tuesday, March 11.

Next mission status briefing will air at 8:30 a.m. EDT Sunday on NASA TV.
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Thats the best chance of liftoff I have seen in a while, too bad its that early in the morning.

I don't remember seeing a night launch on TV ever. This could be sweet.

When I first read the topic title, I thought it said "Endeavour to go for lunch on March 11th".

I still kinda wanna stay up to see the launch if the clouds are clear enough, but I havent decided.

March 9, 2008
Space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-123 mission is officially set for launch after getting the "go" from NASA's Mission Management Team on Sunday. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, is scheduled for 2:28 a.m. EDT Tuesday, March 11.

LeRoy Cain, chair for the team, stated that the countdown to liftoff is proceeding smoothly. "I’m happy to report that the mission management team is not working any issues or constraints to launch." said Cain.

Endeavour's go for launch clears STS-123's seven astronauts to start final preparations for their mission. Over the next few days, the crew will be busy double-checking equipment, rehearsing procedures and looking forward to an exciting trip into space.

At 6 a.m. Monday the gantry-like rotating service structure, which provides easy access and weather protection for Endeavour, will be retracted.

The current weather forecast calls for only a 10 percent chance atmospheric conditions will delay the launch, with the primary concern coming from a slight chance of a low cloud ceiling around Kennedy.

Canadian Space Agency Dextre Briefing will air at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday on NASA TV.

The flight is commanded by Dominic Gorie with Gregory H. Johnson serving as Pilot. The crew also includes Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi.

The crew will deliver the first section of the Japanese-built Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system called Dextre.

STS-123 is an international mission combining the expertise and experience of several countries working together to create a working 'home' in space.

Everything still go for launch. One thing I had not seen before...This mission is a planned 16 days! The longest mission so far.

Weather, looks chancy right now, ill make up my mind at 11pm.

I've now thrown out the idea of watching the launch. Altostratus clouds have filled in over the clear blue skies and a 20% chance of rain has been added to my forecast.

March 10, 2008 - 9:30 p.m. EDT
Space shuttle Endeavour's orange external tank has been loaded with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. These propellants power the orbiter's trio of main engines during the entire ride to space. The loading process, called "tanking," began at 5:04 p.m. EDT and ended at 7:59 p.m. The tank will be continuously "topped off" during the remainder of today's countdown.

No technical issues are in work at this point, and only a 10 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 2:28 a.m. EDT. The only concern is for low clouds moving onshore at the time of launch.

Across the space center, in the Operations and Checkout Building's crew quarters, the astronauts are making their final launch preparations. After a weather briefing and suiting up, they'll board the silver Astrovan and leave for the launch pad amid the cheers of Kennedy employees.

About the Mission
NASA astronaut Dominic Gorie commands a crew of six, including Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi. Johnson, Behnken and Foreman will be making their first spaceflight.

During the 16-day mission, the crew's two prime objectives are to deliver and attach to the International Space Station the first component of Japan's new laboratory called Kibo, as well as Canada's new robotics system, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre. STS-123 is the 25th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, who arrived at the station aboard Atlantis in February, will return to Earth with the Endeavour crew as Reisman takes his place on the station.

10:33 p.m. - T-3 hours and counting . . . The countdown has resumed on schedule for the launch of the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff remains set for 2:28 a.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew of seven astronauts will be leaving shortly for the trip to the launch pad.

11:10 p.m. - The crew has begun boarding Endeavour through the side hatch on the space shuttle. Commander Dominic Gorie goes first and will make his way to the left seat on the flight deck. With Endeavour standing on its back for launch, the astronauts have to be very careful where they put their feet while getting into place. There are covers over critical controls and areas to prevent kicking by astronauts or technicians helping them strap in.

Will this be live on any major TV networks?

Cyclenall wrote:Will this be live on any major TV networks?

I'm sure it will, they usually are.