04.29.11

Scrubbed Until At Least Monday

Posted in Astronomy, Space Shuttle at 4:29 pm by Rebekah

Ok, so now the news is launch no earlier than 2:33 pm EDT on Monday. HOWEVER, they have to check out and test the APU over the weekend and we won’t know if we can launch Monday until Saturday afternoon or more likely Sunday. If it doesn’t launch then, it could launch Tuesday or Wednesday…and then the next time they would try is actually as soon as May 9 or 10. I can stay here through a potential Tuesday launch, but will have to leave on Wednesday. Still hoping Monday (or Tuesday) will work out!

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SCRUB

Posted in Astronomy, Space Shuttle at 11:37 am by Rebekah

We watched the astrovan go to the VAB, then it turned around and left, rather than going towards the launch pad.

It is scrubbed for at least 48 hours, due to a heating issue. I will be able to stick around for this launch window (through Tuesday), but we’re not sure yet if we’ll be able to come back (NASA is only required to accommodate us for a 24 hour delay, I believe). We MAY be able to go out to the launch pad, though (couldn’t last night because of the delay, see previous post).

More news to come later!

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Endeavour Flag Is Flying

Posted in Astronomy, Space Shuttle at 8:54 am by Rebekah

So far it looks like Endeavour is go for launch! There’s still a slight chance of a postponement due to weather, but still hoping for the best!

We didn’t get to see the retraction of the RSS last night, as it was too stormy and kept getting postponed…and then our bus drivers (who would take us to view it near the pad) went home.

This was a VERY welcome and exciting sight this morning:

Here’s the view this morning, with Endeavour’s flag flying!

By the way, the countdown clock goes through several countdowns and holds, so this was not taken three and a half hours before launch. 🙂

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04.28.11

Shelf Cloud over VAB

Posted in Astronomy, Space Shuttle at 6:39 pm by Rebekah

WOW what an INCREDIBLE day it has been! I have much to say and many pictures to go through, but here is a great shot of a beautiful shelf cloud near the VAB just a bit ago…we had a strong thunderstorm with quite a bit of lightning move through, so the retraction of the Rotating Service Structure was delayed until 8:30…hopefully no later. So far the launch is still a go, but there is a chance for storms. Let’s hope they aren’t until later in the day…or they move through earlier and cause no problem!

Click to enlarge a bit more.