News From Space!

A special team of ground personnel have deployed to the launchpad to check out a system on the Mobile Launch Platform. Also, a small bat (a small furry flying mammal, not the baseball kind!) has decided to "hang out" on the External Tank. He's in for a wild ride!  NASA reports:

Red Team Checks Pressure Valve - No Impact on Launch Attempt

Image: Kennedy's "Red Team" is sent to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to check out a helium pressure drop. Photo credit: NASA TV
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A "red team" has been dispatched to the launch pad to adjust a pressurization valve on the mobile launcher platform, or MLP. The team of technicians and safety personnel are accessing a panel inside the MLP to increase the pressure of helium that feeds to a "gap" area between the external tank and shuttle. This area where liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen lines run from the tank to the shuttle, is purged with helium to prevent the formation of ice and the accumulation of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. Helium does not freeze in the presence of super-cold hydrogen.

The helium level was on the lower side of acceptable limits, and the red team will adjust the pressure to create the proper margin.

This issue will not interfere with today's launch attempt.

Image: Space shuttle Discovery stands tall on NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A awaiting liftoff. Photo credit: NASA TV
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Live webcast from KSC and SpaceVidcast. Preflight pics are up at the JSC Gallery and Orlando Sentinel. More preflight pics and video at KSC. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.