SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

LAUNCH COVERAGE - Dec 7th, 2006 NASA's Launch Blog - Mission STS-116

NASA's launch blog was activated on December 7, 2006 at 3:25 p.m. EST

+ View All Launch Day Videos

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.

4:48 p.m. - With its inspection complete, the Ice Team is leaving the launch pad and heading back to the Launch Control Center to give Launch Director Mike Leinbach a final report.

4:39 p.m. - The lights have been turned on at the launch pad as the Ice Team is now progressing down to the pad surface. Meanwhile, a gray blanket of clouds has rolled in from the west.

4:35 p.m. - The Ice Team is reporting that the launch pad's water sound suppression system is in good condition and clear of debris.

Did You Know? Ground teams have trained for nearly six years to make sure the mission timeline is as efficient and safe as possible.

4:25 p.m. - The countdown clock is holding at T-3 hours. This three hour built-in hold began at 2:40 p.m.

4:10 p.m. - NAVAIDS activation is complete.

Did You Know? This will be the 29th nighttime shuttle launch and the first since Nov. 23, 2002, when Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off on the STS-113 mission. + Read More

3:58 p.m. - Firing Room 4, our newest firing room, is being used today for our launch team, and will continue to be used for the rest of the shuttle missions through 2010.

3:55 p.m. - In the dining room of the astronaut crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building, the STS-116 astronauts are having a snack and posing for pictures before putting on their pumpkin-colored launch and entry suits. They'll receive an updated weather briefing shortly.

Everything is going well with the countdown. All the vehicle's systems are in good shape, and the flight crew and launch team are ready for liftoff tonight at 9:35 p.m. Weather is still a concern, but every few minutes, blue sky and sunlight peek through the clouds associated with today's cold front.

3:50 p.m. - The Ice Team is proceeding to the zero level.

The STS-116 crew visited Kennedy Space Center in November to participate in the four-day terminal countdown demonstration test, culminating in a dress rehearsal for launch. + View Video (Real) + View Video (Windows)