Space Shuttle STS-121 - Mission ULF1.1 to the International Space Station

da_mic_1530 · 1 Jul 2006 at 14:36

i was lucky enough to see a shuttle launch a few years ago, a truly impressive thing which i will never ever forget, a little white spec with a huge fireball after it, one thing in life im proud to have already experienced

6thElement · 1 Jul 2006 at 14:49

Countdown appears to have been halted at 3 hours.

Messiah Khan · 1 Jul 2006 at 14:50

Whats the estimated launch time in BST at the moment? 9pm?

Berserker · 1 Jul 2006 at 14:58

6thElement said:
Countdown appears to have been halted at 3 hours.

As expected. Should resume in a few hours.

messiah khan said:
Whats the estimated launch time in BST at the moment? 9pm?

20:48:38 BST, I believe.

Red and White · 1 Jul 2006 at 15:00

where are they launching from?

Berserker · 1 Jul 2006 at 15:18

Kennedy Space Centre, on the east coast of central Florida:

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=28.667008~-80.653865&style=h&lvl=10&scene=4269217

Still working the thruster heater/thermostat failure, which will result in loss of at least one of the 38 thrusters aboard the shuttle. Fingers crossed.

Latest launch time estimate - 20:48:41 BST

Astronauts gather for their traditional 'pre-launch meal'.

pinkacidbootson · 1 Jul 2006 at 15:22

I never used to be very interested in the Space Shuttle or its missions, but after all this time without a mission and the delays, im actaully quite excited to see this thing take off, the anticipation is huge

Berserker · 1 Jul 2006 at 16:56

Currently no-go for launch due to weather. It may clear, I certainly hope so, but I wouldn't get too hopeful.

andi · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:10

What's the convoy of vehicles they keep showing? (Not got any sound on)

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:10

Now go for launch.

Crew in the bus on they way out to the Shuttle.

Someone talking now on the webcast.

Simon/~Flibster

andi · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:11

Ah, that'd be what the bus is then

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:11

andi said:
What's the convoy of vehicles they keep showing? (Not got any sound on)

Astronauts
Security
Few ground crew chiefs as well

Berserker · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:19

Astronauts.

Suit technicians (the guys that help put the suits on).
Close-out crew (for taking care of the crew hatch).
Security, apparently. :eek:

Etc.

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:20

Astronauts now getting out of the bus.

Going into the lift.

You would expect Nasa to be able to afford to buy colour cameras rather than black and white....

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:23

T-Minus 2 hours 31 mins

Crew out of the lift in the white room now getting ready to get strapped in.

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:28

There goes the Commander getting into his parachute harness.

They'll do them one at a time - get one comfy and strapped into the Shuttle and they will move the next chap in.

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:51

Currently no-go for launch now.

Clouds and lightning in the area.

Berserker · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:53

Should've gone yesterday - perfect weather for it.

Not sure when they decide to quit, but it'll either burn itself out or not. Mind you, after having a direct strike on the pad on Tuesday, I hope they're all safe.

Flibster · 1 Jul 2006 at 17:57

Berserker said:
Should've gone yesterday - perfect weather for it.

Not sure when they decide to quit, but it'll either burn itself out or not. Mind you, after having a direct strike on the pad on Tuesday, I hope they're all safe.

Same here - they're sat on top of several hundred thousand kilos of highly explosive liquid oxygen....

With lightning in the area. :eek:

locutus12 · 1 Jul 2006 at 18:16

they never went to the moon... we never went to space... the earth is flat, not round!

good luck to them all