STS-122: Space Shuttle Launch - Sunday Dec 9th, 7:43am AEDST

[MikeyB (Michael)]

NASA run two concurrent countdown clocks. The actual time to launch (presently showing around 8 hours but likely to change after the latest hitch), includes several planned hold points where they stop the other clock - the one announced on the NASA TV commentary.

The Countdown 101 page gives more info:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/la...ntdown101.html

Today's launch (tomorrow morning our time), has just been scrubbed - they're draining the LOX tank now, then the hydrogen one. Grrr!

[Chrissyo (Chris)]

Looks like we won't be seeing this launch for a couple more weeks.

"The launch of space shuttle Atlantis has been rescheduled for no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008."

Dec. 9 -9:30 a.m. EST
The launch of space shuttle Atlantis has been rescheduled for no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008. The postponement will give engineers time to evaluate false readings from the engine cutoff sensor system that measures liquid hydrogen in the external tank.

Of the four engine cutoff sensors, ECO sensor number three gave false readings during Sunday's launch attempt. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.

Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel.

The post-Mission Management Team press conference will be conducted at about 10 a.m. It will be broadcast on NASA TV.

[iceman (Mike)]

Bummer! Next launch window is 2nd January.

[Space]

Next launch window is 10th January :
"NASA is targeting Jan. 10 as the next possible launch opportunity for Atlantis on mission STS-122. Atlantis will carry the European-built Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station"

[saberscorpx]

While we're waiting, and in case anyone missed it:

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fusea...deoid=23903634


SJS

[erick (Eric)]

Is that why they call it a "web"cam?

[iceman (Mike)]

lol i saw that on Channel 7 (sunrise) the other day.. very funny seeing a spider crawl over the lens.