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
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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.