ATLANTIS UPDATES
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Latest weather forecast:
Vehicle: STS-122, Atlantis / Columbus
Issued: 6 February 2008 / 1200Z (0700EST)
Valid: 7 February 2008 / 1940 - 1951Z (1440 – 1451EST)
Synoptic Discussion: A cold front will move into the Central Florida area north of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on launch day. Winds will decrease through the day allowing a sea breeze to develop by launch time. With the convergence along the coast combined with moisture increasing in the atmosphere, there is potential for cumulus clouds, showers, and even an isolated thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are more likely to be inland at launch time and move into the KSC area after launch. Although thunderstorms will be isolated, cool air aloft will provide a possibility of severe weather if a thunderstorm does occur, particularly when a storm interacts with the sea breeze.
Our primary concerns for launch day are cumulus clouds, showers, and an anvil from an inland thunderstorm. Meteorological models are now stalling the front in the area for a few days rather than moving it to the south; therefore, there is an increased chance of showers and ceilings for the 24- and 48- hour launch attempts.
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 70%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 0%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Showers, Anvils
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 20%
Primary concern(s): Ceiling, showers
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 30%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Showers
Vehicle: STS-122, Atlantis / Columbus
Issued: 6 February 2008 / 1200Z (0700EST)
Valid: 7 February 2008 / 1940 - 1951Z (1440 – 1451EST)
Synoptic Discussion: A cold front will move into the Central Florida area north of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on launch day. Winds will decrease through the day allowing a sea breeze to develop by launch time. With the convergence along the coast combined with moisture increasing in the atmosphere, there is potential for cumulus clouds, showers, and even an isolated thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are more likely to be inland at launch time and move into the KSC area after launch. Although thunderstorms will be isolated, cool air aloft will provide a possibility of severe weather if a thunderstorm does occur, particularly when a storm interacts with the sea breeze.
Our primary concerns for launch day are cumulus clouds, showers, and an anvil from an inland thunderstorm. Meteorological models are now stalling the front in the area for a few days rather than moving it to the south; therefore, there is an increased chance of showers and ceilings for the 24- and 48- hour launch attempts.
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 70%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 0%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Showers, Anvils
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 20%
Primary concern(s): Ceiling, showers
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 30%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Showers
Chipstone306
New member
Atlantis Astronauts Practice for Orbit
Image above: NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter climbs into a shuttle training aircraft to begin practice landings at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Poindexter is making his first flight and will serve as pilot. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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› STS-122 Webcast Update
Feb. 5
It's two days and counting for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station.
Liftoff is scheduled for Thursday at 2:45 p.m. EST.
Mission Management Team Chairman Leroy Cain said Atlantis and its European-built Columbus laboratory look good for the mission.
"The team is in great shape and we're ready to move forward," Cain said.
Weather remains a concern with a forecast that still gives a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch times.
Mission Commander Steve Frick and Pilot Alan Poindexter started the day practicing landing the shuttle in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The airplane is a Gulfstream business jet outfitted to mimic a space shuttle's flying characteristics. Although it takes a combination of modifications to the outside of the aircraft and a complex suite of computers to make the transformation from everyday jet handling to that of a 110-ton orbiter, astronauts consistently praise the practice runs for their realism.
The five mission specialists for the flight are also spending full days with checklists and practicing their flight tasks. They have simulators at their disposal that let them rehearse the complex duties required in orbit.
Astronaut Leland Melvin, for example, will operate the robot arm on the International Space Station during the mission to move the Columbus laboratory out of Atlantis' payload bay and attach it to the station. So he can rehearse with a simulator in the Astronaut Crew Quarters that is set up with the same kind of controllers he will use on the station.
As the lead spacewalker on three EVAs, Rex Walheim goes into space with a lot of checklists. One of the spacewalks will include astronaut Stanley Love, who will also help Melvin with the space station's robot arm.
Because the astronauts will be working with two long robot arms during spacewalks in which two astronauts are outside the station, each move is highly choreographed and carefully practiced. It routinely takes months of rehearsal before the actual duties are carried out in space.
The crew also includes European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel of Germany and Leopold Eyharts of France. Both have a list of duties for activating the Columbus lab, which was made in Europe and is ESA's primary contribution to the space station project.
Schlegel will conduct two spacewalks during the flight to connect power and fluid lines between Columbus and the station.
Eyharts will become Europe's first long-duration station resident. He will take the place of NASA astronaut Dan Tani.
› Hi-Res Image
› Post a comment
› STS-122 Webcast Update
Feb. 5
It's two days and counting for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station.
Liftoff is scheduled for Thursday at 2:45 p.m. EST.
Mission Management Team Chairman Leroy Cain said Atlantis and its European-built Columbus laboratory look good for the mission.
"The team is in great shape and we're ready to move forward," Cain said.
Weather remains a concern with a forecast that still gives a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch times.
Mission Commander Steve Frick and Pilot Alan Poindexter started the day practicing landing the shuttle in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The airplane is a Gulfstream business jet outfitted to mimic a space shuttle's flying characteristics. Although it takes a combination of modifications to the outside of the aircraft and a complex suite of computers to make the transformation from everyday jet handling to that of a 110-ton orbiter, astronauts consistently praise the practice runs for their realism.
The five mission specialists for the flight are also spending full days with checklists and practicing their flight tasks. They have simulators at their disposal that let them rehearse the complex duties required in orbit.
Astronaut Leland Melvin, for example, will operate the robot arm on the International Space Station during the mission to move the Columbus laboratory out of Atlantis' payload bay and attach it to the station. So he can rehearse with a simulator in the Astronaut Crew Quarters that is set up with the same kind of controllers he will use on the station.
As the lead spacewalker on three EVAs, Rex Walheim goes into space with a lot of checklists. One of the spacewalks will include astronaut Stanley Love, who will also help Melvin with the space station's robot arm.
Because the astronauts will be working with two long robot arms during spacewalks in which two astronauts are outside the station, each move is highly choreographed and carefully practiced. It routinely takes months of rehearsal before the actual duties are carried out in space.
The crew also includes European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel of Germany and Leopold Eyharts of France. Both have a list of duties for activating the Columbus lab, which was made in Europe and is ESA's primary contribution to the space station project.
Schlegel will conduct two spacewalks during the flight to connect power and fluid lines between Columbus and the station.
Eyharts will become Europe's first long-duration station resident. He will take the place of NASA astronaut Dan Tani.
T-11 hours and hold for 13 hours and 20 minutes.
T-11 hours and holding
This built-in hold varies in length, but typically lasts 12 to 13 hours.
T-11 hours and holding
This built-in hold varies in length, but typically lasts 12 to 13 hours.
- Flight crew equipment late stow
- Move Rotating Service Structure (RSS) to "park" position
- Activate the orbiter's inertial measurement units and communications systems
- Perform ascent switch list
L-1 day Countdown Status Briefing:
Countdown going smoothly. Not tracking any issues. PRSD load yeaterday was completed on time.
Vehicle avionics and pneumatics were checked out earlier this morning, with no problems recorded.
Final vehicle inspections is underway right now. After these are complete, they'll retract the various platforms.
RSS retract planned for 6 pm EST(2300 UTC) tonight.
MMT plans to meet at 4:30 am EST Thursday(0930 UTC) for the standard pre-tanking meeting.
Countdown going smoothly. Not tracking any issues. PRSD load yeaterday was completed on time.
Vehicle avionics and pneumatics were checked out earlier this morning, with no problems recorded.
Final vehicle inspections is underway right now. After these are complete, they'll retract the various platforms.
RSS retract planned for 6 pm EST(2300 UTC) tonight.
MMT plans to meet at 4:30 am EST Thursday(0930 UTC) for the standard pre-tanking meeting.
Chipstone306
New member
From the NASA website daily public update
Feb. 6
Weather is the watch word at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after meteorologists updated their launch forecast to give space shuttle Atlantis a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions on Thursday.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy on launch day and bring with it clouds and storms. Meteorologists also think the front may stall over Central Florida, so they also lowered the chances for acceptable weather if launch attempts are made Friday or Saturday.
Friday's forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather, while Saturday's forecast sets the odds at 70 percent for acceptable conditions.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts is that the shuttle is showing no technical issues and liftoff preparations are continuing at the launch pad and in the launch team facilities.
Great JOB DaveS!:lol:
Feb. 6
Weather is the watch word at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after meteorologists updated their launch forecast to give space shuttle Atlantis a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions on Thursday.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy on launch day and bring with it clouds and storms. Meteorologists also think the front may stall over Central Florida, so they also lowered the chances for acceptable weather if launch attempts are made Friday or Saturday.
Friday's forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather, while Saturday's forecast sets the odds at 70 percent for acceptable conditions.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts is that the shuttle is showing no technical issues and liftoff preparations are continuing at the launch pad and in the launch team facilities.
Great JOB DaveS!:lol:
Chipstone306
New member
From the Nasa web site Public access
Launch Team Eyes Weather
Image above: NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter checks the settings and instruments inside Atlantis on the day before launch. The STS-122 crew performed a number of inspections on the shuttle systems during a stop at the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
› Hi-Res Image
› Post a comment
› STS-122 Webcast Update
Feb. 6
Weather is the watch word at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after meteorologists updated their launch forecast to give space shuttle Atlantis a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions on Thursday.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy on launch day and bring with it clouds and storms. Meteorologists also think the front may stall over Central Florida, so they also lowered the chances for acceptable weather if launch attempts are made Friday or Saturday.
Friday's forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather, while Saturday's forecast sets the odds at 70 percent for acceptable conditions.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts is that the shuttle is showing no technical issues and liftoff preparations are continuing at the launch pad and in the launch team facilities.
Launch Team Eyes Weather
› Hi-Res Image
› Post a comment
› STS-122 Webcast Update
Feb. 6
Weather is the watch word at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after meteorologists updated their launch forecast to give space shuttle Atlantis a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions on Thursday.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy on launch day and bring with it clouds and storms. Meteorologists also think the front may stall over Central Florida, so they also lowered the chances for acceptable weather if launch attempts are made Friday or Saturday.
Friday's forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather, while Saturday's forecast sets the odds at 70 percent for acceptable conditions.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts is that the shuttle is showing no technical issues and liftoff preparations are continuing at the launch pad and in the launch team facilities.
You can watch a live video stream from OTV-070 at 39A here: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/rr.pl?nasaksc.rm
RealPlayer required or any other mediaplayer that is capable of playing rm files.
RealPlayer required or any other mediaplayer that is capable of playing rm files.
Chipstone306
New member
Launch Day Dawns, Sensors Working Well
Image above: As dawn breaks over the Space Coast of Florida, space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for launch. Photo credit: NASA TV
Feb. 7, 7:10 a.m. EST
Filling of space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank continues and the engine cut-off sensors are giving a "wet" reading. Initial planned tests of the system are complete and all sensors are working well. Further testing will occur when the tank reaches the stable replenish mode. Early this morning, the Mission Management Team met and gave the "go" for loading space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Fueling the tank should take approximately three hours.
There are four engine cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank. The sensors are part of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering them to shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy around launch time, bringing with it clouds and storms, resulting in only a 30-percent chance of good weather for liftoff. Further, there is a possibility that the front may stall over Central Florida, providing only slightly better chances for acceptable weather for launch attempts on Friday or Saturday.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and crew is that no technical issues are reported.
NASA astronaut Steve Frick commands a crew of six, including Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and the European Space Agency's Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. This is the first spaceflight for Poindexter, Love and Melvin.
During the 11-day mission, the crew's prime objective is to attach the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station, adding to the station's size and capabilities.
Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani, who arrived at the station aboard Discovery in October, will return to Earth with the Atlantis crew as Eyharts takes his place on the station.
Image above: As dawn breaks over the Space Coast of Florida, space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for launch. Photo credit: NASA TV
Feb. 7, 7:10 a.m. EST
Filling of space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank continues and the engine cut-off sensors are giving a "wet" reading. Initial planned tests of the system are complete and all sensors are working well. Further testing will occur when the tank reaches the stable replenish mode. Early this morning, the Mission Management Team met and gave the "go" for loading space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Fueling the tank should take approximately three hours.
There are four engine cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank. The sensors are part of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering them to shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy around launch time, bringing with it clouds and storms, resulting in only a 30-percent chance of good weather for liftoff. Further, there is a possibility that the front may stall over Central Florida, providing only slightly better chances for acceptable weather for launch attempts on Friday or Saturday.
NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.
The good news for Atlantis and crew is that no technical issues are reported.
NASA astronaut Steve Frick commands a crew of six, including Pilot Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and the European Space Agency's Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. This is the first spaceflight for Poindexter, Love and Melvin.
During the 11-day mission, the crew's prime objective is to attach the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station, adding to the station's size and capabilities.
Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel Tani, who arrived at the station aboard Discovery in October, will return to Earth with the Atlantis crew as Eyharts takes his place on the station.
Chipstone306
New member
THANK YOU
This is the last post for this thread thanks to all who have read the posts leading up to todays launch ! Now you can follow up to the minute updates in the launch day thread . Follow atlantis with updates throughout the entire mission!
This is the last post for this thread thanks to all who have read the posts leading up to todays launch ! Now you can follow up to the minute updates in the launch day thread . Follow atlantis with updates throughout the entire mission!- Status
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