Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Shuttle Countdown Well Underway


Mission: STS-115 -
19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean, Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way.
The launch countdown began on Sunday at 8 a.m. The pressurization of
the orbital maneuvering system, the reaction control system and the
main propulsion system is complete. The aft confidence test is
complete. This test involves power-up and testing of all aft systems,
such as the main propulsion system circuits. The power reactant
storage and distribution system fuel loading is complete.

Weather officials are predicting favorable conditions for Wednesday's
launch attempt, with a 20 percent chance of weather prohibiting the
launch. Dryer conditions are expected to arrive on Wednesday, and the
early launch time should avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. The
primary concerns for launch are cumulus clouds within 10 nautical
miles of the launch pad, and isolated showers within 20 nautical
miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.


(KSC Public Affairs Office)