News From Space!

Aboard Discovery, the astronauts are powering up systems for orbital operations, including the Spacehab module. There is a post-launch press conference starting at 10PM EST. Launch pics are up at KSC. Launch video here.

Shuttle Discovery is doing OMS burns in order to circularize its orbit. The ISS crew has been notified that they have company coming. Everything is looking good so far.

GO DISCOVERY!!! “…and liftoff of the Space Shuttle Discovery, lighting up the nighttime sky, as we continue building the International Space Station!” Go At Throttle Up…

Minutes left before Discovery’s launch. Weather is looking good! Live coverage on Fox News.

It’s Saturday, and NASA is trying for the second time to launch Shuttle Discovery on its construction and crew transfer mission to the International Space Station. NASA reports:

Preparations Continue for Launch

Updated: 11:30 a.m. EST
Under a partly cloudy sky, Space Shuttle Discovery is ready for launch of mission STS-116 from Launch Pad 39B. The rotating service structure rolled back at approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning to enable launch.

NASA officials have set the next launch attempt for tonight at 8:47 p.m. EST. Shuttle weather forecasters anticipate that a cold front will linger in the area this evening, limiting chances for liftoff to 30 percent.

The launch team is still working its way through a series of tasks that must be completed before Discovery’s orange external tank can be loaded with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. If tanking has not started by 12:30 p.m. today, the Mission Management Team will meet and decide whether to make another attempt on Sunday or delay launch further.

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.