NASA set to launch Shuttle 'Atlantis' today

[seaviewuk]

Launch of Shuttle Atlantis is due today with lift off at 7:45pm (UK time)

Atlantis is delivering the Columbus module to be attached to the International Space Station.

The crew are currently entering the shuttle.

Live Video here http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?skipIntro=1

Weather forecast is looking dodgy with only a 30% chance of acceptable conditions at todays launch window.

 

[touch]

The crew are currently entering the shuttle.

:O
Thats a long wait. What are they gonna do for 3.5 hours?

 

[seaviewuk]

:O
Thats a long wait. What are they gonna do for 3.5 hours?

LOTS of system checks!

 

[Biohazard]

I-Spy.

 

[seaviewuk]

Important milestones towards todays launch:

Times are US EST add 5 hours for UK time (eg 11:25am EST = 4:25pm UK )


11:25 AM......Crew ingress
12:15 PM......Astronaut comm checks
12:30 PM......Hatch closure
01:10 PM......White room closeout

01:30 PM......Begin 10-minute built-in hold (T-minus 20m)
01:40 PM......NASA test director countdown briefing
01:40 PM......Resume countdown (T-minus 20m)

01:41 PM......Backup flight computer to OPS 1
01:45 PM......KSC area clear to launch

01:50 PM......Begin final built-in hold (T-minus 9m)
02:21 PM......NTD launch status verification
02:36:25 PM...Resume countdown (T-minus 9m)

02:37:55 PM...Orbiter access arm retraction
02:40:25 PM...Launch window opens
02:40:25 PM...Hydraulic power system (APU) start
02:40:30 PM...Terminate LO2 replenish
02:41:25 PM...Purge sequence 4 hydraulic test
02:41:25 PM...Navigation system activated
02:41:30 PM...Aerosurface profile
02:41:55 PM...Main engine steering test
02:42:30 PM...LO2 tank pressurization
02:42:50 PM...Fuel cells to internal reactants
02:42:55 PM...Clear caution-and-warning memory
02:43:25 PM...Crew closes visors
02:43:28 PM...LH2 tank pressurization
02:44:35 PM...Booster joint heater deactivation
02:44:54 PM...Shuttle flight comptuers take control of countdown
02:45:04 PM...Booster steering test
02:45:18 PM...Main engine start (T-6.6 seconds)
02:45:25 PM...Booster ignition (LAUNCH)

 

[NightSt@lk3r]

about time too.

 

[MajorMaccas]

:O
Thats a long wait. What are they gonna do for 3.5 hours?

Procrastinate

When they're up there, they're gonna see if they can swim uphill in space...

 

[stevenazari1]

they can browse the internets for lolz


they should put the net up on the space station really. wouldnt be hard - satelite broadband would be great.

 

[paradigm]

satelite broadband would be great.

Terrible lag though, they wouldn't be able to play CSS

 

[stevenazari1]

Terrible lag though, they wouldn't be able to play CSS

well - the only need it for msn dont they. maybe a spot of auctioneering, check their healthy bank balance that they cant spend, speak to friends and family, maybe watch some porn.

 

[Mp4]

how many space satellites are there orbiting our earth ?

 

[barnettgs]

Important milestones towards todays launch:

Times are US EST add 5 hours for UK time (eg 11:25am EST = 4:25pm UK )


11:25 AM......Crew ingress
12:15 PM......Astronaut comm checks
12:30 PM......Hatch closure
01:10 PM......White room closeout

01:30 PM......Begin 10-minute built-in hold (T-minus 20m)
01:40 PM......NASA test director countdown briefing
01:40 PM......Resume countdown (T-minus 20m)

01:41 PM......Backup flight computer to OPS 1
01:45 PM......KSC area clear to launch

01:50 PM......Begin final built-in hold (T-minus 9m)
02:21 PM......NTD launch status verification
02:36:25 PM...Resume countdown (T-minus 9m)

02:37:55 PM...Orbiter access arm retraction
02:40:25 PM...Launch window opens
02:40:25 PM...Hydraulic power system (APU) start
02:40:30 PM...Terminate LO2 replenish
02:41:25 PM...Purge sequence 4 hydraulic test
02:41:25 PM...Navigation system activated
02:41:30 PM...Aerosurface profile
02:41:55 PM...Main engine steering test
02:42:30 PM...LO2 tank pressurization
02:42:50 PM...Fuel cells to internal reactants
02:42:55 PM...Clear caution-and-warning memory
02:43:25 PM...Crew closes visors
02:43:28 PM...LH2 tank pressurization
02:44:35 PM...Booster joint heater deactivation
02:44:54 PM...Shuttle flight comptuers take control of countdown
02:45:04 PM...Booster steering test
02:45:18 PM...Main engine start (T-6.6 seconds)
02:45:25 PM...Booster ignition (LAUNCH)

Thats scary...so unlike Dr Evil's launch in the Austin Powers film!

 

[stevenazari1]

how many space satellites are there orbiting our earth ?

hehe MANY! I think there is never a moment where you cant see a satelite at night. I know there's a lot though.

 

[iSam]

Thats scary...so unlike Dr Evil's launch in the Austin Powers film!

1 MILLION DOLLLARS!!!!

 

[stevenazari1]

Thats scary...so unlike Dr Evil's launch in the Austin Powers film!

yeah nasa really do take the fun out of launches. and its always the same speech "we have lift off" its never "**** boys she's off! up upup and away!"

 

[SDK^]

Looking good so far

 

[Mp4]

hehe MANY! I think there is never a moment where you cant see a satelite at night. I know there's a lot though.

hmm was just curious cuz wonder what % crash in to eachother

 

[seaviewuk]

hmm was just curious cuz wonder what % crash in to eachother

from NASA, bear in mind these are 1997 figures!

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Dated September, 1997, the report counts almost 25,000 man-made objects: 8681 currently in orbit, and over 16,000 objects in a state of decay. Not every single satellite is included, since some are too small or too far away from home to be detected.

 

[VaderDSL]

hmm was just curious cuz wonder what % crash in to eachother

I imagine before a satellite is launched that all orbital vectors are known and calculated in relation to all other satellites.

I think NORAD tracks most orbiting objects, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Space_Surveillance_Network

 

[stevenazari1]

hmm was just curious cuz wonder what % crash in to eachother

lol there isnt THAT many in the sky - scuzi would be looking into satelite trafficing then

should be able to google how many.