STS-130 Shuttle Mission to the International Space Station Launches Sunday 09:39 GMT

Cosimo

Cosimo

Cosimo

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Endeavour’s 13-day flight will include three spacewalks and the delivery of a connecting module that will increase the International Space Station’s interior space. Node 3, known as Tranquility, will provide additional room for crew members and many of the space station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to the node is a cupola, which is a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the centre that will provide a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecrafts. After the node and cupola are added, the space station will be about 90 percent complete.
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From NASA

I’m sure that many of you will want to watch this. Scheduled for launch at 09:39 GMT (04:39 EST) on Sunday 7th of February, here is the standard NASA TV link.

Here is a better stream: 1200kbps ​


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The launch countdown officially started at 0:700 GMT (02:00 EST) this morning. The early weather forecast predicts a 70% chance of favourable weather but gusty winds may be an issue on Sunday. Current launch status is green.

What happens before a mission, take a look behind the scenes:



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All green for launch on Sunday. Preparations continue with the loading of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the fuel cells later tonight.

Meanwhile at 0450 GMT an unpiloted Russian Progress supply ship automatically docked to the International Space Station. It delivered two and a half tons of food, fuel and supplies for the five members of the Expedition 22 crew:


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Glad i didn't miss one, they're always the same but i never get bored or watching one launch.

It's going to be the end of an era come september :(.

I wonder what we'll get to see launched in the next few years :).

April 12, 1981 STS 1 - Sept 16th , 2010, STS 134 (1977 if you count the Enterprise prototype).

They've certainly will have been at it a long time. Just under 30 years since it started.
 
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Mission status is green and we are ready to go in 22 hours and 14 minutes.

The latest mission update:


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The schedule for launch from this evening:


22:14 ...... Begin 2-hour built-in hold (T-minus 6 hours)

22:24 ...... Safe-and-arm PIC test
23:14 ..... .External tank ready for loading
23:37 ..... .Mission Management Team tanking meeting

00:14 ...... Resume countdown (T-minus 6 hours)

00:14 ...... LO2, LH2 transfer line chill down
00:24 ...... Main propulsion system chill down
00:24 ...... LH2 slow fill
00:54 ...... LO2 slow fill
00:59 ...... Hydrogen ECO sensors go wet
01:04 ...... LO2 fast fill
01:07 ...... Crew medical checks
01:14 ...... LH2 fast fill
03:09 ...... LH2 topping
03:14 ...... LH2 replenish
03:14 ...... LO2 replenish

03:14 ...... Begin 2-hour 30-minute built-in hold (T-minus 3 hours)

03:14 ...... Closeout crew to white room
03:14 ...... External tank in stable replenish mode
03:29 ...... Astronaut support personnel communications checks
03:59 ...... Pre-ingress switch reconfiguration
05:14 ...... Final crew weather briefing
05:19 ...... Crew suit up begins

05:44 ...... Resume countdown (T-minus 3 hours)

05:59 ...... Crew departs O&C building
06:19 ...... Crew ingress
07:09 ...... Astronaut communications checks
07:34 ...... Hatch closure
08:04 ...... White room closeout

08:24 ...... Begin 10-minute built-in hold (T-minus 20m)

08:34 ...... NASA test director countdown briefing

08:34 ...... Resume countdown (T-minus 20m)

08:35 ...... Backup flight computer to OPS 1
08:39 ...... KSC area clear to launch

08:45 ...... Begin final built-in hold (T-minus 9m)

09:15:47 ... NTD launch status verification

09:30:47 ... Resume countdown (T-minus 9m)

09:34:47 ... Orbiter access arm retraction
09:34:47 ... Launch window opens
09:34:47 ... Hydraulic power system (APU) start
09:34:52 ... Terminate LO2 replenish
09:35:47 ... Purge sequence 4 hydraulic test
09:35:47 ... IMUs to inertial
09:35:52 ... Aero surface profile
09:36:17 ... Main engine steering test
09:36:52 ... LO2 tank pressurization
09:37:12 ... Fuel cells to internal reactants
09:37:17 ... Clear caution-and-warning memory
09:37:47 ... Crew closes visors
09:37:50 ... LH2 tank pressurization
09:38:57 ... SRB joint heater deactivation
09:39:16 ... Shuttle GPCs take control of countdown
09:39:26 ... SRB steering test
09:39:40 ... Main engine start (T-6.6 seconds)
09:39:47 ... SRB ignition and LAUNCH
 
I never knew NASA streamed stuff like this. I kind of thought maybe it'd be too dangerous (i.e: if something goes wrong they might not want the whole world to see it) or that it might be "top secret" or something. :p

Maybe I watch too many movies!
 
Now less than 14 hours and 2 minutes to go.

All systems are looking good and the weather forecast gives us an 80% chance of favourable weather for the launch.

The service gantry has been rolled away as Endeavour waits on Pad 39A:


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As the countdown continues have a look at a new animation showing not just the installation of Tranquility but most shuttle mission events from heat shield surveys, approach, rendezvous pitch maneuver, docking, spacewalks, undocking and late inspection.


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