Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Live Thread 09/09/06 11:15 am EDT

09/07/06 | Kevin Davis

[KevinDavis]

The shuttle's crew compartment hatch has swung shut.

[don-o]

Looks like a beautiful day to fire this baby up!

[KevinDavis]

Lord please don't let me frack up!!!!!

[KevinDavis]

The crew hatch is confirmed to be closed and latched for flight.

[don-o]

1 hr 7 min

[KevinDavis]

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/live_tv.html for those who does not have NASA tv....

[cripplecreek]

I want one of those cool tech suits with a number on the back so I can wear it around.

[don-o]

Page not available.

[KevinDavis]

Still a go....

[KevinDavis]

57 mins and counting...

[Unmarked Package]

Cal Poly Pomona offers a good streaming feed of the NASA TV public channel via Windows Media over the web with better resolution (242 Kbps). It's suitable for broadband Internet users.

[KevinDavis]

Now passing the T-minus 1 hour mark in the countdown. Two scheduled holds are planned at T-minus 20 minutes and T-minus 9 minutes, leading to the target liftoff time of 11:15 a.m., if the hydrogen fuel sensor issue is deemed not a violation of NASA rules.

[burzum]

Now passing the T-minus 1 hour mark in the countdown. Two scheduled holds are planned at T-minus 20 minutes and T-minus 9 minutes, leading to the target liftoff time of 11:15 a.m., if the hydrogen fuel sensor issue is deemed not a violation of NASA rules.

The Spaceflight Now Launch Blog noted earlier this morning that "as long as the three hydrogen sensors that worked normally yesterday remain good today, NASA will meet its rules governing the hardware and expect to press forward with 3-of-4 sensors for liftoff at 11:15 a.m." Apparently when they detanked yesterday, the bad sensor still tested wet (and probably this morning as well). These sensors are very important and were used for protective action on STS-51F (where the orbiter had a main engine failure due to a high temperature sensor failure) and STS-93 (where a hydrogen leak caused premature fuel expenditure).

[KevinDavis]

Commander Brent Jett is pressurizing the gaseous nitrogen system for Atlantis' Orbital Maneuvering System engines, and pilot Chris Ferguson is activating the gaseous nitrogen supply for the orbiter's Auxiliary Power Units' water spray boilers.

[Unmarked Package]

The 5:00 a.m. EDT entry on the NASA Launch Blog lists the following status of the ECO sensors.

The engine cut-off (ECO) sensors in the external tank, which scrubbed our attempt yesterday, have been tested during this time and all four are performing as expected.

[KevinDavis]

The Orbiter Closeout Crew is leaving the launch pad now.

[burzum]

Excellent! Thanks.

[KevinDavis]

T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has paused for a 10-minute built-in hold. Launch remains scheduled for 11:14:55 a.m. EDT.

During this built-in hold, all computer programs in Firing Room 4 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be verified to ensure that the proper programs are available for the countdown; the landing convoy status will be verified and the landing sites will be checked to support an abort landing during launch today; the Inertial Measurement Unit preflight alignment will be verified completed; and preparations are made to transition the orbiter onboard computers to Major Mode 101 upon coming out of the hold. This configures the computer memory to a terminal countdown configuration.

[don-o]

There one more planned hold after this? Right?

[KevinDavis]

I believe so...