By TonyF on 14 March 2009 at 11:04PM
With repairs at the launchpad complete, Discovery will be ready for the second launch attempt for mission STS-119 to the ISS. NASA reports:
Image: Lights around Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida bathe space shuttle Discovery after rollback of the rotating service structure. Photo credit: NASA
› View High-res of Technicians
› View High-res of Quick Disconnect
› View Vent Line Location
NASA managers said Saturday that space shuttle Discovery is ready for Sunday’s launch opportunity as repairs on a leaking gaseous hydrogen vent line are moving along smoothly.
“I think we’re in really good shape,” said Mike Moses, chairman of the Mission Management Team that reviewed the shuttle’s readiness.
Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, said the work to replace a suspect quick disconnect assembly on the launch pad is about three hours behind schedule, but that will not delay the countdown. Leak checks will be performed later tonight.
“We feel really good and we’re really excited about launching tomorrow,” Leinbach said.
The weather forecast continues to call for an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions, said Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer.
Launch controllers will begin preparing to pump fuel and oxygen into the external tank Sunday at 10:18 a.m. EDT. Launch time is 7:43 p.m.
Preflight pics are up at the JSC Gallery. More preflight pics and video at KSC. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV
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