STS-134 Shuttle Mission to the International Space Station Launches Monday 16th @ 13:56 BST

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 11:09

Crew is getting aboard and all is looking good.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 11:52

Superewza said:
Just to clarify, those times are in BST simulatorman, right?

That is what it says.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 12:09

VaderDSL said:
Hmm damaged tile, not sure where it is but doesn't look small.

Hopefully just a touch up job like they did with Discovery.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 12:21

Megahurtz400 said:
Take off still at 1356?

Just saw the countdown clock and it said 51 mins?

Yes.

There are two clocks, one with elapsed (real) time to launch the other the countdown clock with all the launch events and built in holds. You’re seeing the latter. See the plan for today a few posts up to see the events scheduled and holds.

Here is a full explanation:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/countdown101.html

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 12:24

The tile has been repaired so we are ok and time to grab a quick lunch.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 13:01

A great sight:

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 13:13

One more for the album:

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 13:40

2StepSteve said:
When is it now due to take off?

13:56:28 BST (just like the title says)

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 13:44

We are GO for launch.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 13:56

Go Go GoLiftoff!

God Speed Endeavour!

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:03

MECO - we have main engine shut-off

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:06

Tank separation complete.

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:09

What a beautiful launch!

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:21

The launch for those that missed it:

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:27

Spook187 said:
what sort of spec are we looking at for the onboard computers and at houston.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/flyfeature_shuttlecomputers.html

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 14:31

Superewza said:
Will we get all these launch replays on youtube? The NasaTV stream was great but it cut from a camera the moment before it went into the clouds, one of the best parts

I've already posted the first one. More will be appearing in the few hours/days. Keep a watch for them here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NASAKennedy

http://www.youtube.com/NASATelevision

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 16:30

The launch in HD:

http://youtu.be/PNWPEweU8pA

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 19:10

Ok, just a few more to watch:

Cosimo · 16 May 2011 at 19:17

The post launch briefing:

Cosimo · 17 May 2011 at 07:45

The wakeup call for today (03:56 BST) was Beautiful Day by U2 and the plan is:

Flight Day 2

• Endeavour’s Thermal Protection System Survey with shuttle robotic arm/Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS)
• Extravehicular mobility unit checkout
• Centerline camera installation
• Orbiter docking system ring extension
• Rendezvous tools checkout