SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Atlantis Astronauts Ready to Go*

/ Sept. 8, 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 UTC)/ Technicians helped the six STS-115 crew members get into the familiar orange launch and entry suits. The suits carry an oxygen supply, communications equipment and a temperature control system, and can provide protection in the event of an emergency. After suiting up, the astronauts will make their way out of the crew quarters to the waiting Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39B, where Atlantis stands ready for launch.

The launch team has reported that an ECO sensor on the hydrogen side of the external tank has failed. At this time the team is pressing forward with launch preparations. Mission Management Team members are meeting to determine if they will consider launching with three working sensors or if it will be necessary to de-tank and come back tomorrow.

Launch weather remains at 70 percent "go" for launch, with the primary concern for rain within 20 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility. No other issues are being addressed by the launch team at this time.

Follow along with the countdown: + NASA's Launch Blog http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/sts-115/launch-vlcc.html + NASA TV http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

*Mission Management Briefing* During a Thursday evening news conference Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Program manager, said the decision to fly came about after a lively and inclusive meeting with space shuttle mission managers and engineers held in the early afternoon. "If you ever wanted to see the difference between the old NASA and the new NASA, you should've been over there today. There was a chance for everyone to participate." Hale continued to say that the Mission Management team's vote to fly on Friday was nearly unanimous.

The decision to launch follows analysis of an issue found with one of Atlantis' three electricity-generating fuel cells, which was discovered during pre-launch preparations earlier this week. NASA engineers have determined that any failure of the suspect fuel cell during the mission poses no danger to Atlantis and its crew. They also believe two fuel cells alone would provide Atlantis with enough power to accomplish the major goals of the mission.