Space Shuttle Discovery

[dixiebreeze]

by deteriorating weather off Florida's east coast. I wonder if Invest 93 would have any impact on the flight:

Clock ticking for Discovery launch By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press Writer
7 minutes ago

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The countdown to a launch of space shuttle Discovery moved ahead Thursday with expected storm clouds remaining the chief obstacle to only the second U.S.-operated spaceflight since the Columbia tragedy.

The countdown to a Saturday afternoon launch for a 12-day trip to the international space station was proceeding without any technical problems, said Pete Nicolenko, NASA test director.

"At this point, we're right where we want to be, which is on schedule and tracking no significant issues," Nicolenko said.

Weather was a different story.

There was a 60 percent chance that thunderstorm clouds bringing lightning and isolated showers would prevent a launch Saturday, and the forecast didn't improve on Sunday or Monday, said Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.

The launch time, set for 3:49 p.m. EDT on Saturday, will be bumped up by 22 minutes with each passing day, improving the chances of avoiding Florida's volatile afternoon showers.

"Our main concern will be weather," Winters said. "That launch window moving up earlier is something that might help us out."

Nicolenko said the space agency most likely would try to launch Discovery on Saturday or Sunday, take a break on Monday and then try again on Tuesday.

The threat of lightning delayed fueling of the shuttle's power system Thursday, but the countdown was not expected to be affected.

NASA managers also met Thursday. They gave the go-ahead for the Saturday launch, but didn't discuss the controversial decision to fly the shuttle without making further design changes to foam on its external fuel tank, said John Shannon, deputy manager of the space shuttle program.

Two weeks ago, at another high-level meeting, NASA's safety officer and chief engineer recommended against launching because of concerns that dangerous foam could fly off the tank and damage the shuttle. Foam striking Columbia's wing was blamed for the shuttle's disintegration over Texas.

"No dissenting opinions" to the launch surfaced Thursday, Shannon said.

Saturday's launch would be just the second shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster in 2003, which killed seven astronauts, and the first since the liftoff of Discovery last July.

Discovery's seven-member crew will test shuttle inspection and repair techniques, bring supplies and equipment to the international space station and deliver the European Space Agency's Thomas Reiter for a six-month stay aboard the orbiting outpost.

Astronauts Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum will make two spacewalks and possibly a third, which would add a day to the mission.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I would fly any way a little rain and clouds don't stop normal Airplanes. In this is 10 times more powerful then then the most powerful airplanes. I don't see any problem. Also lighting should just go through body of the shuttle like plane doe's. Because planes get hit many times. Winds heck if its above 30 mph I could see but it should not be a problem below that.

But thats my option...If a Astroid was heading for earth in they had to get 5 or 6 people on the space stion to save the human race they could do it. Believe me.

[Frank P]

I would fly any way a little rain and clouds don't stop normal Airplanes. In this is 10 times more powerful then then the most powerful airplanes. I don't see any problem. Also lighting should just go through body of the shuttle like plane doe's. Because planes get hit many times. Winds heck if its above 30 mph I could see but it should not be a problem below that.

But thats my option...If a Astroid was heading for earth in they had to get 5 or 6 people on the space stion to save the human race they could do it. Believe me.

This is nothing like a plane... good weather is critical in case of a return to pad abort, or abort to other secondary landing facilities, which also have to have good weather... the shuttle has never made an abort to pad, but believe me it would not be a good thing... the external tank, which would be filled with copious amounts of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen would have to be scuttled and then the shuttle would have to land by gliding in, it would have no power, just like when it returns from space... except it would not be in space and would still have to try to return safety to the pad or alternate abort landing zone.... trust me, the weather must be almost perfect for this to come to a safe fruition, and even at that its certainly something the shuttle would never want to do unless some type of serious catastrophe occurred early in the launch...

[Aquawind]

I have my doubts.. 60% chances and the doesn't even have to be overhead.. It can be miles away and further if lightening..

[Windsong]

Right. There cannot be any lightning with in 20 miles of the pad.

[Stratosphere747]

I would fly any way a little rain and clouds don't stop normal Airplanes. In this is 10 times more powerful then then the most powerful airplanes. I don't see any problem. Also lighting should just go through body of the shuttle like plane doe's. Because planes get hit many times. Winds heck if its above 30 mph I could see but it should not be a problem below that.

But thats my option...If a Astroid was heading for earth in they had to get 5 or 6 people on the space stion to save the human race they could do it. Believe me.

It's a shame how little you know about the complications of a shuttle launch.

"Armageddon-The movie" is not a true indicator....

On-topic, possible that whatever is left of 93 would have some impact, depending on its course.

[HurricaneHunter914]

I hope the launch is delayed to another day because I'm going to Disney World on SAT.

[jlauderdal]

I would fly any way a little rain and clouds don't stop normal Airplanes. In this is 10 times more powerful then then the most powerful airplanes. I don't see any problem. Also lighting should just go through body of the shuttle like plane doe's. Because planes get hit many times. Winds heck if its above 30 mph I could see but it should not be a problem below that.

But thats my option...If a Astroid was heading for earth in they had to get 5 or 6 people on the space stion to save the human race they could do it. Believe me.

NASA will take your opinion under advisement.

[smerby]

There may be a decent chance of getting the launch off Saturday afternoon. Steering flow for showers and thunderstorms will be easterly providing the best chance of showers and thunderstorms at the Cape during the morning. Showers and thunderstorms will shift inland in the afternoon while any residual showers or t-storms coming in off Atlantic should weaken or dissipate as they approach the coast; at least thats the way it should work without a tropical wave moving ashore in the afternoon.

Smerby
http://www.accuweather.com

[gatorcane]

There may be a decent chance of getting the launch off Saturday afternoon. Steering flow for showers and thunderstorms will be easterly providing the best chance of showers and thunderstorms at the Cape during the morning. Showers and thunderstorms will shift inland in the afternoon while any residual showers or t-storms coming in off Atlantic should weaken or dissipate as they approach the coast; at least thats the way it should work without a tropical wave moving ashore in the afternoon.

Smerby
http://www.accuweather.com

Yes you are right, Florida's wind patterns are currently in transition as the Bermuda ridge is building in. I expect all of peninsula Florida to see mostly east winds by Saturday and when the wave passes to the south the east winds will prevent any west coast seabreeze convergence to develop - so the shuttle may be okay.

[CronkPSU]

down to a 20% chance of rain now for saturday

[gatorcane]

down to a 20% chance of rain now for saturday

If you are talking about Orlando - yes the east wind pattern does not really favor Orlando - more so Tampa, Sarasota, Ft Myers, etc....also the wave should only really increase the precip chances for South Florida which includes Ft Myers, W. Palm Beach, and points south through the Florida Straits. Sorry.

[Aquawind]

poor Kathy.. Hope I can see it.. It's awesome in the dark..

[MGC]

I tried to catch a shuttle launch a few years ago but weather scrubbed the launch. They rescheduled for the next day but didn't even begin the countdown because of weather. I've seen the shuttles land twice both in California at Edwards AFB. Also watched the shuttle streak overhead during re-entry at night. That was impressive.....MGC

[dixiebreeze]

Looks like the launch is a GO!

[jdray]

cool, time to get the binocs and head outside.

a couple of years ago I was able to manually track the last atlas missle launch through a 6" reflector telescope (at dusk) and it was a beautiful sight.

[no advance]

Heard on TV it is a no go right now because of the weather. Looks good to me. If the weather clears out alittle more they will go. The vehicle is a relic from the 80s.

[no advance]

Looked north again there are some clouds over the cape maybe some showers.

[flamingosun]

The launch is still technically a GO, but they are concerned with some weather around Tampa... NASA is watching it closely

[Stratusxpeye]

The launch is still technically a GO, but they are concerned with some weather around Tampa... NASA is watching it closely

Tampa? I show nothing here we have bright blue skys and nothing on radar yet. Getting close to those afternoon storms soon though.