I am very scared of a bird that dwarfs both a water tower and the space shuttle.
Posted on 06/07/2007 6:37:21 PM PDT by KevinDavis
spaceflightnow.com
2203 GMT (6:03 p.m. EDT)
The ground pyro initiator controllers (PICs) are scheduled to be powered up around this time in the countdown. They are used to fire the solid rocket hold-down posts, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tail service mast and external tank vent arm system pyros at liftoff and the space shuttle main engine hydrogen gas burn system prior to engine ignition.
The shuttle’s two Master Events Controllers are being tested. They relay the commands from the shuttle’s computers to ignite, and then separate the boosters and external tank during launch.
Lots of fire stuff
I’m about 30 mins west of the Cape...from here it looks clear-ish...just noticed some clouds popping up..
I am very scared of a bird that dwarfs both a water tower and the space shuttle.
Storms all seem to be moving west, away from the launch pads. Looks like a nice evening for a launch!
Maybe you’ll see it. Launch about 7:38. Daylight still?
Romulans?
“I am very scared of a bird that dwarfs both a water tower and the space shuttle.”
If a bird that size is good enough for Gandalf. . .
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Yep- it will still be light at lift off time:) The MOST beautiful ones are the night launches...
spaceflightnow.com
2222 GMT (6:22 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 20 minutes and holding. The countdown has paused for a 10-minute built-in hold. Launch is scheduled for 7:38 p.m. EDT. Everything is going smoothly with the countdown and weather is still looking good.
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.
Major Mode 101 sounds appropriate
I am very scared of a bird that dwarfs both a water tower and the space shuttle.
—
I was looking for the giant spider and fly shots but no luck this go around. maybe the bird got ‘em. ;-)
I just drop kicked this thread into FRontpage..
Sorry, just kidding.
Don’t be a FRAID!
Count resumes.
That’s good. Launches are entirely too busy to be following several threads at once.
spaceflightnow.com
2232 GMT (6:32 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The countdown has resumed after a 10-minute hold. Clocks will tick down for the next 11 minutes to T-minus 9 minutes where the final planned hold is scheduled to occur. The hold length will be adjusted to synch up with today’s preferred launch time of 7:38:04 p.m.
Atlantis’ onboard computers are now transitioning to the Major Mode-101 program, the primary ascent software. Also, engineers are dumping the Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) onboard computers. The data that is dumped from each of PASS computers is compared to verify that the proper software is loaded aboard for launch.
Microsoft still hasn’t released a decent Shuttle Simulator. They tried once and released a bomb.
I played with that one for a while, and it was indeed rather strange. Oh well.
spaceflightnow.com
2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT)
Now one hour away from launch of Atlantis.
Pilot Lee Archambault is configuring the displays inside Atlantis’ cockpit for launch while commander Rick Sturckow enables the abort steering instrumentation.
Just a reminder that this is beyond dangerous.
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