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

09/07/06 | Kevin Davis

[Issaquahking]

Ping!

[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 11:41 a.m., if the hydrogen fuel sensor issue is deemed not a violation of NASA rules.

[KevinDavis]

The crew module hatch has been sealed and latched for flight, the closeout crew reports.

[TNCMAXQ]

I am surprised they are taking it down this close before deciding on the sensor issue. Florida Today still reports a scrub is likely but NASA is still pressing ahead with less than 2 hours to scheduled liftoff. The drama is making me more nervous.

[KevinDavis]

Folks, I have to run some errands this morning.. Lets hope for a awesome and safe launch...

[burzum]

It is probably so close because STS-114 launched with a very similar problem. This means that they have analyzed the issue and have determined that it was safe to launch in the past. They now need to determine if the past engineering analysis applies to this flight.

[burzum]

T-20 hold.

[theDentist]

I think that depends on how hugh you want it and how series a beeber you require.

[r9etb]

I am surprised they are taking it down this close before deciding on the sensor issue. Florida Today still reports a scrub is likely but NASA is still pressing ahead with less than 2 hours to scheduled liftoff. The drama is making me more nervous.

If I'm not mistaken, this sensor is part of the ground support equipment, and is designed to check for hydrogen around the base of the Shuttle. There are three other sensors, so they're not really blind...

[markman46]

I believe these are the ET sensors, and there are 8 4 for the O2 and 4 for the Hydrogen, one of the hydrogen sensor tested bad.

[fanfan]

LOL!

[RightWhale]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1690167/posts?page=147

Historical STS-115 LIVE THREAD

[RightWhale]

spaceflightnow.com
1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)

The Main Propulsion System helium system has been reconfigured by pilot Chris Ferguson. Soon the gaseous nitrogen purge to the aft skirts of the solid rocket boosters will be started.

1440 GMT (10:40 a.m. EDT)

Now one hour away from launch of Atlantis.

Pilot Chris Ferguson is configuring the displays inside Atlantis' cockpit for launch while commander Brent Jett enables the abort steering instrumentation. And Mission Control in Houston is loading Atlantis' onboard computers with the proper guidance parameters based on the projected launch time.

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Any more talk of the tank sensor?

[burzum]

T-9 minute hold (45 minutes).

[r9etb]

Mission Control in Houston is loading Atlantis' onboard computers with the proper guidance parameters based on the projected launch time.

Back when I was a navigation flight controller, I always liked this part of the Shuttle rendezvous missions -- we'd do orbit determination on the target, provide it to the Flight Dynamics Officer, and they'd run launch targeting to update the guidance.

[Flightdeck]

Dang, looking at the color of that huge tank, now I think I know where my wife got .. the color for our bathroom. It's burnt orange in anticipation of the Texas Longhorn victory tomorrow. Hook 'em Horns!!

[RightWhale]

spaceflightnow.com
1446 GMT (10:46 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 9 minutes and holding. Countdown clocks have gone into the planned 45-minute built-in hold. Today's launch remains set for 11:41 a.m. EDT. However, the failed engine cutoff sensor remains an unresolved issue right now.

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tank sensor still an issue. If they can't work around they have a potential main motor explosion issue.

[txroadkill]

NO GO!

[hoagy62]

That's it...24-hour scrub!

[Jambe]

Launch Scrubbed - 24 hour turnaround. Will attempt tomorrow.