SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Hatched is Closed and Secured * *Launch Date:* Aug. 8 *Launch Time:* 6:36 p.m. EDT(2236 UTC)

Image above: Commander Scott J. Kelly gets strapped in to his seat inside Endeavour's cabin. Photo credit: NASA

TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

*08.08.07 - 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 UTC)* The closeout crew wished the STS-118 team good luck and best wishes as they secured Endeavour's hatch for launch. The astronauts are now going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for their journey to the International Space Station.

Countdown is proceeding smoothly, and there's only a 10 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 6:36 p.m. EDT.

Mission STS-118 will be the first for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago. First Lady Laura Bush called Morgan Tuesday morning to offer congratulations "one schoolteacher to another," and to thank her for her commitment to the space program and to education. + White House News Release http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070807.html< br /> The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002. Launch remains on target for Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT .

*Mission Information* + STS-118 Mission Overview http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html + STS-118 Fact Sheet (900 Kb PDF) http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/184910main_sts118_factsheet4.pdf + STS-118 NASA TV Schedule http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html + STS-118 Briefing Animations http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia/sts118_anim_07102007.html + STS-117 Mission Archive http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index.html