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SHUTTLE LATEST STATUS
by Arthur Rowe 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C 31468 LATEST NEWS Uncooperative Weather Forces Launch Postponement to Saturday Space Shuttle Discovery awaits launch. The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery was scrubbed Thursday after poor weather conditions spoiled the attempt at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Earlier in the day a cold front moved in over the spaceport, bringing clouds and winds into the area. The cloud ceiling proved to be too low for a safe launch, prompting NASA to postpone Discovery's flight. NASA officials have set the next launch attempt for 8:47 p.m. EST on Dec. 9. The STS-116 mission is the 33rd for Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight. During the 12-day mission, the crew will continue construction on the International Space Station, rewiring the orbiting laboratory and adding a segment to its integrated truss structure

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NASA Reschedules Space Shuttle Launch for Saturday
by Arthur Rowe 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > Dec. 7, 2006 > > Jessica Rye/Katherine Trinidad > Kennedy Space Center, Fla. > 321-867-2468 > > > RELEASE: 06-368 > > NASA RESCHEDULES SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH FOR SATURDAY > > CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers postponed Thursday's space > shuttle launch until Saturday because of low cloud cover. Friday's > weather is not expected to be favorable for a launch attempt but > mission managers believe conditions will improve by the weekend. > > Launch of Discovery is now scheduled for 8:47 p.m. EST Dec. 9. > > Tomorrow's weather is not expected to be favorable for a launch > attempt but mission managers believe conditions will improve by the > weekend. > > During STS-116, the astronauts will deliver and install a girder-like > structure, known as the P5 truss, aboard the station. The 4,000-pound > component will make possible future installation of solar arrays. The > crew will also reconfigure the station's electrical and cooling > systems from temporary to permanent mode. > > Discovery's crew is Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Bill Oefelein and > mission specialists Bob Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, > Sunita Williams and Christer Fuglesang, a European Space Agency > astronaut. > > For the latest information about the STS-116 mission and its crew, > visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle > > > -end- > > > > To subscribe to the list, send a message to: > hqnews-subscribe(a)mediaservices.nasa.gov > To remove your address from the list, send a message to: > hqnews-unsubscribe(a)mediaservices.nasa.gov > >

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Shuttle Launch Aborted
by Tony, VK5ZAI 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

The Shuttle launch was aborted a few minutes before lift off this evening (USA Time) due to low cloud and weather conditions . The next try will be Saturday Dec 9 at 8.47 pm (USA East Coast Time) -- Regards Tony. VK5ZAI J.A.(Tony)Hutchison P.O.Box 470 Kingston SE South Australia 5275 Australian ARISS Co-ordinator and Satellite ground Station. Web Site :- http://www.electric-web.org

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NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE LAUNCH HAS BEEN ABORTED 9:27 p.m. - T-9 minutes and counting. The Ground Launch Sequencer (GLS) is now controlling the final phase of the countdown to Discovery's launch. The GLS will monitor approximately 1,000 different measurements to ensure they stay within their predetermined limits. 9:24 p.m. - The countdown clock will resume in about two minutes and proceed down to the T-5 minute mark, where it will hold, with the hope that the weather violation will resolve in time. 9:22 p.m. Launch Director Mike Leinbach has completed his final launch poll. He wished Commander Polansky and the crew "good luck and Godspeed," with the hope that weather will improve and allow a launch tonight.

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LAUNCH COVERAGE - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST *+ View All Launch Day Videos <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* 9:16 p.m. - There are about 10 minutes left in the T-9 minute built-in hold, and we are currently "red" for thick clouds in our forecast. 9:02 p.m. - Weather update: The transatlantic abort landing site at Zaragoza, Spain is "go," but the ceiling at Kennedy Space Center is currently too low, putting weather here into the "no-go" category for now. 8:52 p.m. - Launch Director Mike Leinbach just announced that the team is planning to launch at the preferred time of 9:35:48 p.m. this evening. 8:41 p.m. - T-9 minutes and holding. No technical issues are being discussed, and only the weather has been an issue this evening. Our latest forecast shows the cloud ceiling should be high enough and the clouds thin enough to meet our launch criteria. 8:39 p.m. - The countdown clock is at T-10 minutes and counting, and we are just about a minute away from our last built-in hold at T-9 minutes. This hold will last about 45 minutes. 8:36 p.m. - With Discovery's crew safely strapped in and the vehicle poised for flight, the Closeout Crew is leaving the launch pad. Meanwhile, Discovery's onboard computer systems are being configured for the proper guidance parameters for tonight's launch time.

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LAUNCH COVERAGE ,NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST *+ View All Launch Day Videos <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/launch/lau…>* 8:36 p.m. - With Discovery's crew safely strapped in and the vehicle poised for flight, the Closeout Crew is leaving the launch pad. Meanwhile, Discovery's onboard computer systems are being configured for the proper guidance parameters for tonight's launch time. 8:34 p.m. - The Closeout Crew has been given permission to leave the White Room, so they'll take the elevator down to the pad surface, then lock it into place at the ground level before making their way off the pad. 8:29 p.m. - The countdown has resumed. T-20 minutes and counting. The clock will hold once more at T-9 minutes. From now until the T-31 second mark, any of the launch supporters or operators can ask for a hold in the count. 8:27 p.m. - Weather has gone "green" in all areas -- meaning weather is favorable for a launch tonight. Clouds appear to be high enough and thinning out enough that they won't violate the ceiling rule. 8:24 p.m. - NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/spaulding.html> is conducting his T-20 briefing, advising the team of any instructions they need to know for the remainder of the countdown. 8:19 p.m. - T-20 minutes and holding. This is a 10-minute built-in hold. The principal payload managers have been polled, and all are ready to support launch tonight. The landing director will check on the landing site and the SRB recovery ships will be checked to make sure they are on site and ready to support launch as well. 8:17 p.m. - Commander Mike Polansky is pressurizing the gaseous nitrogen system for the Orbital Maneuvering System engines, while Pilot Bill Oefelein is activating the gaseous nitrogen supply for the Auxilliary Power Units. 8:06 p.m. - Our launch time for this evening has been recalculated, and the preferred launch time for this evening is 9:35:48 p.m. This time will be fine-tuned once again during the T-9 minute hold. The weather at the transatlantic abort sites <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/tal_sites.html> is still being evaluated. At least one site must be available in order to launch. 8:03 p.m. - At T-26 minutes, 32 seconds and counting, the Eastern Range has completed its closed loop test, which is the path of the destruct signal that could be required in the event of an emergency. All systems look good tonight, with no problems being reported 7:48 p.m. - At T-51 minutes and counting, the orbiter's hatch has been closed and latched for flight. 7:36 p.m. - Once Discovery's hatch is closed, the crew will begin checks to make sure the hatch is closed tightly. After some discussion, the engineering team determined that the small piece of ice or frost discovered at the top of the external tank is not a danger. "The configuration of that little, teeny piece of ice is not going to prohibit our launch tonight," said NASA Commentator Bruce Buckingham <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/buckingh.html>. 7:30 p.m. - Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters just briefed Launch Director Mike Leinbach <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/leinbach.html> on the weather situation. The ceiling is in the "red" for launch, but that's the only weather violation at the moment. *Did You Know?* On Flight Day 12, two microsatellites will be launched from Discovery's cargo bay. They'll measure the density and composition of the atmosphere in low Earth orbit.

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NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST + View All Launch Day Videos NOTE: Refresh/Reload your browser every few minutes to view launch control center updates. All times are in EST unless otherwise stated. 7:30 p.m. - Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters just briefed Launch Director Mike Leinbach <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/leinbach.html> on the weather situation. The ceiling is in the "red" for launch, but that's the only weather violation at the moment. *Did You Know?* On Flight Day 12, two microsatellites will be launched from Discovery's cargo bay. They'll measure the density and composition of the atmosphere in low Earth orbit. 7:17 p.m. - Now that the crew is safely aboard, the Closeout Crew is beginning cabin closeout procedures. Next, the crew module hatch will be closed and sealed for flight. 7:05 p.m. - During its inspection earlier in the countdown, the Ice Inspection Team found a very small piece of ice at the end of the northern-most vent of the two vents that carry the gaseous oxygen away from the external fuel tank's beanie cap. The vents are the two large white pipes emanating vapors near the top of the tank. The issue is being reviewed by mission managers and we'll let you know when we hear more.

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NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST + View All Launch Day Videos 7:05 p.m. - During its inspection earlier in the countdown, the Ice Inspection Team found a very small piece of ice at the end of the northern-most vent of the two vents that carry the gaseous oxygen away from the external fuel tank's beanie cap. The vents are the two large white pipes emanating vapors near the top of the tank. The issue is being reviewed by mission managers and we'll let you know when we hear more. 7:04 p.m. - With the entire crew now seated inside Discovery, another countdown milestone has passed. 7:00 p.m. - At T-1 hour, 39 minutes and counting, all is progressing well toward our liftoff at 9:35 p.m. Air to ground voice checks are continuing between the crew and the mission managers in the Firing Room. Cabin closeouts will begin once all seven astronauts are seated. 6:52 p.m. - There is still quite a bit of discussion about weather here at Kennedy tonight. Not only do launch managers have to ensure a safe launch, they also must make sure weather is safe in the unlikely event of a return-to-launch-site abort. 6:50 p.m. - The Ground Launch Sequencer has been activated and the Vehicle Assembly Building doors are being closed in anticipation of liftoff. One of the world's largest buildings by volume, the cavernous assembly facility covers a ground area of about eight acres and has a volume of approximately 129,482,000 cubic feet. 6:49 p.m. - The two solid rocket booster recovery ships <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/recovery_ships.html>, Freedom Star and Liberty Star, are on station in the Atlantic Ocean about 140 miles northeast of Kennedy Space Center off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla. The ships will retrieve the boosters and return them back to the Cape in preparation for their trip by train to Utah, where they'll be readied for a future shuttle launch. 6:42 p.m. - As astronaut Bob Curbeam finishes getting ready to enter the orbiter, he's holding up signs for the TV camera inside the White Room. The first read "Go Colts," referring to the Indianapolis Colts football team. The second sign read "Hi Eva." 6:34 p.m. - Joan Higginbotham <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/higginbo.html')> and Robert Curbeam <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/curbeam.html')> will be the last two crew members to enter the orbiter. 6:30 p.m. - Earlier this afternoon, the crew module was configured by the Astronaut Support Personnel. Known as the "Cape Crusaders," they helped prepare the orbiter for launch today. For this mission, the team is composed of astronaut Barry (Butch) Wilmore <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/wilmore-be.html')>, who is serving as Prime, and astronauts Michael (Bueno) Good <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/good-mt.html')>, Kathryn (Kay) Hire <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/hire.html')>, Jose Hernandez <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www11.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/hernandez-jm.html')> and Robert Behnken <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/behnken-rl.html')>. 6:28 p.m. - Next up is Nicholas Patrick <javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/patrick.html')>, serving as Mission Specialist 1. 6:25 p.m. - As the crew members are seated inside Discovery's crew module, they perform voice checks with the launch team in the Launch Control Center here at Kennedy, as well as Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston. 6:24 p.m. - Weather update: The latest forecast eliminates the chance of rain showers, but low cloud ceilings continues to pose a concern. The countdown is going very well otherwise, and the launch team will press on in hopes that the weather will improve as we approach the 9:35 launch time. 6:19 p.m. - Pilot William Oefelein is the next to enter the orbiter. He will be followed by Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency.

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shuttle audio?
by KD5MSS 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Shuttle Audio: IRLP reflector: 9228 (openIRLP) Echolink conference server: 302324 (openIRLP)

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NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116
by Arthur Rowe 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/.C #31468 LAUNCH COVERAGE NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116 TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIMES NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST + View All Launch Day Videos 6:19 p.m. - Pilot William Oefelein is the next to enter the orbiter. He will be followed by Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency. 6:17 p.m. - The next crew member to board is Sunita Williams, who is Mission Specialist 5. She'll be staying behind to serve as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station when the STS-116 crew returns to Earth later this month. 6:12 p.m. - As each crew member is suited for entry, orange glow sticks are tucked into the shoulder pockets on their upper sleeves. Like the orange suits, the glow sticks are intended to give the astronauts a means of identifying their locations in the unlikely event of an emergency landing in darkness. 6:10 p.m. - The astronauts have specific seating designations for each launch. Often the seating assignments are changed for descent. There is room for up to four seats in the middeck. As Commander, Mark Polansky will be the first astronaut to board. He will have the forward-left seat on the flight deck. 6:07 p.m. - The STS-116 crew has arrived at Launch Pad 39B, where they are exiting the Astrovan and boarding the elevator of the Fixed Service Structure for the ride up to the 195-foot level. From here they will enter the climate-controlled White Room, make their final preparations and then board the shuttle. 5:54 p.m. - T-2 hours, 45 minutes and counting. Steve Lindsey was just dropped off at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Now the Astrovan will continue on to the Launch Control Center, where astronaut Ellen Ochoa, head of Flight Crew Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, will exit the van and join her co-workers in the Firing Room for the remainder of the countdown. 5:47 p.m. - The astronaut convoy is en route to Launch Pad 39B, a journey that typically takes 20-25 minutes. The "Astrovan" will make two stops. At one stop they'll let out astroanut Steve Lindsey, who will be heading to the Shuttle Landing Facility to scout out the weather for tonight's launch. The second stop is in front of the Launch Control Center before heading out to the pad. Steve Lindsey, the weather pilot for this mission, will fly both a T-38 and the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) at different times tonight, checking the conditions up to launch. The weather coordinator for this mission is astronaut Dominic Gorie. 5:45 p.m. - Right on time, the STS-116 crew just walked out of the Operations and Checkout building, cheered on by a crowd of employees. 5:40 p.m. - T-3 hours and counting. There are two remaining holds left in the count at T-20 minutes and T-9 minutes. 5:30 p.m. - In ten minutes, we'll come out of the T-3 hour built-in hold and the countdown will resume. Darkness is beginning to fall at Kennedy Space Center, and the xenon lights out at the launch pad have been turned on, bathing Discovery and the mobile launcher platform in a brilliant white glow. *Did You Know?* This is the first flight of a space shuttle with an Advanced Health Monitoring System installed. + Read More <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/162182main_STS-116_Press_Kit.pdf> 5:19 p.m. - Kathy Winters <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/winters.html>, launch weather officer, has given Launch Director Mike Leinbach the latest weather briefing. The winds have "gone red" -- out of limits -- but, in her words, they are only "bumping the constraint" and it is still possible that our weather could be clear enough to allow for launch later this evening. 5:09 p.m. - The weather seems to be improving, but it is still too close to call at the moment. The concerns at Kennedy are low cloud ceilings and showers in the launch area. Otherwise, the countdown is going rather well, with the forecast posing the only concern for now. 5:01 p.m. - In the astronaut crew quarters, the crew is receiving a weather briefing. It's still cloudy at the Florida spaceport, but with four-and-a-half hours left until launch, there is still time for the weather to become more cooperative.

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