After lighting up the Florida night, Endeavour is chasing the Space Station. NASA pics:
Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off its launch pad to start the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA
Image above: Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off its launch pad to start the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA
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Videos here. Pics here and here. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV. Live video here.
Watching the final minutes of the countdown… NASA reports:
Endeavour is a “Go” for Launch!
Image above: On top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour waits for liftoff on the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA
March 11, 2008 - 2:15 a.m. EDT
Endeavour is ready for liftoff at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The space shuttle launch team has given the “go” for launch! The countdown clock is now ticking off the final few minutes before liftoff. A computer on the ground at Kennedy, known as the ground launch sequencer, is managing the countdown and will monitor the space shuttle’s systems until the final moments before launch.At the 31-second mark, Endeavour’s onboard computers will take control and ignite the solid rocket boosters and orbiter main engines.
Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.
Ready for launch at 2:28AM EDT. NASA reports:
Hatch is Closed and Secured
Image above: On top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour waits for liftoff on the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA
March 11, 2008 - 12:30 a.m. EDT
The Closeout Crew members wished the STS-123 astronauts good luck and best wishes as they secured Endeavour’s hatch for launch. The astronauts now are going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for their journey to the International Space Station.
Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.
Endeavour’s hatch is closed. NASA reports:
Hatch is Closed and Secured
Image above: On top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour waits for liftoff on the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA
March 11, 2008 - 12:30 a.m. EDT
The Closeout Crew members wished the STS-123 astronauts good luck and best wishes as they secured Endeavour’s hatch for launch. The astronauts now are going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for their journey to the International Space Station.During the last few minutes of the countdown, the access arm on the rotating service structure will swing away from the shuttle and a device known as the “beanie cap” covering the top of the external tank will lift up and move away.
Preflight pics and video at KSC. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.
The Endeavour Seven are all aboard the Orbiter, ready to lift off in less than two hours. NASA reports:
Strapped In and Ready to Fly
Image above: Inside space shuttle Endeavour, STS-123 Commander Dominic Gorie gets seated for launch. Credit: NASA
March 10, 2008 - 11:45 p.m. EDT
Commander Gorie was first to be secured in his seat, assisted by the Closeout Crew. Endeavour’ pilot, Gregory Johnson, was next on the flight deck. The rest of the flight team was seated and strapped in while Gorie began powering up the orbiter’s general purpose computer for flight.All seven Endeavour astronauts for mission STS-123 are now strapped into their seats inside the crew compartment and conducting last-minute preparations for launch. The countdown remains on track. Final communication checks took place as each crew member took his seat.
Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.
