News From Space!

NASA has announced a 48-hour turnaround for Discovery, with the next launch attempt set for Saturday night at 8:47PM EST. NASA reports:

Thursday Launch Attempt Scrubbed

The start of mission STS-116 was delayed Thursday after NASA launch managers scrubbed the launch of Discovery due to poor weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During the day a cold front descended on Kennedy, producing cloudy skies and strong winds in the area. Managers postponed the launch during the final minutes of the countdown after determining the cloud cover was too low and thick for a safe liftoff.

NASA launch teams are now preparing for a second liftoff attempt at 8:47 p.m. EST on Dec. 9.

Videos of tonight’s launch attempt here.

Weather conditions at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center forced a postponement of Shuttle Discovery’s flight to the International Space Station. Ground personnel are safing the vehicle and getting ready to de-board the crew. NASA reports:

Uncooperative Weather Forces Launch Delay

The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has been scrubbed due to poor weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Earlier in the day a cold front moved in over the spaceport, bringing clouds and winds into the area. The cloud ceiling proved to be too low for a safe launch, prompting NASA to postpone Discovery’s flight.

Stay Tuned…

Discovery won’t be launching tonight. Thick clouds caused a violation of launch guidelines. An attempt tomorrow seems unlikely.

NASA managers are calling all systems GO except for low clouds in violation of launch guidelines. The Transatlantic Abort Site is Zaragoza, Spain.

Low clouds may thwart tonight’s launch. NASA reports:

NASA Watches Weather as Crew Readies for Flight

The countdown to liftoff of Discovery on mission STS-116 continues to tick down to a launch at 9:35 p.m. EST. Launch managers are reporting the ship is in excellent condition and ready for flight.

Commander Polansky and his crew are now seated inside the space shuttle, making final checks and powering up the vehicle’s systems.

Earlier in the evening, the Ice Inspection Team reported seeing a small build up of ice attached to the white “beanie cap” that tops the shuttle’s fuel tank. After some discussion, the engineering team determined that the small piece of ice or frost is not a danger to Discovery or its crew.

A cold front continues to move across the Kennedy Space Center area, bringing clouds and winds along with it. NASA’s weather team is watching cloud altitudes and wind speeds closely, and remains hopeful conditions will permit Discovery to launch.

The STS-116 mission is the 33rd for Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight. During the 12-day mission, the crew will continue construction on the International Space Station, rewiring the orbiting laboratory and adding a segment to its integrated truss structure.

Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

Discovery’s crew is all aboard, and we are an hour away from liftoff - maybe. NASA reports:

Crew Boards Discovery

With the help of the Closeout Crew and Astronaut Support Personnel, the STS-116 crew members are taking their seats inside Space Shuttle Discovery as the vehicle awaits liftoff at 9:35 p.m. EST. Once in place, the crew will begin powering up Discovery’s systems and getting the ship configured for launch.

A cold front moving through the Central Florida area is producing a lingering blanket of clouds, gusting winds and isolated light rain. The team will press on with the countdown for now, in case the weather cooperates after all.

Discovery’s orange external tank has been loaded with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. These propellants power the orbiter’s trio of main engines during the entire ride to space. The loading process, called “tanking,” began at 11:30 a.m. EST and ended at 2:30 p.m. The tank will be continuously “topped off” during the remainder of today’s countdown.

There are no technical concerns being addressed with Space Shuttle Discovery. The vehicle, crew and the mission’s payloads are ready to fly.

Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.