NASA are attempting to launch Shuttle Discovery for the second time in the current STS-116 launch window, with hopes raised after the potential of a weather violation was reduced to 30 percent no go.
Countdown preparations are currently behind schedule, but now that tanking is proceeding without issue, Discovery should still be able to make the first night launch since the loss of Columbia.
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Key Events
NEWSFLASHES: DELAY IN RSS ROLLBACK WAS DUE TO HUMAN ERROR AND EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS.
GO FOR TANKING, with re-evalution later.
IF GO FOR TANKING, IT WILL BE THE SHORTEST LOX REPLENISH SINCE STS-97.
GO FOR TANKING AFTER EVALUATION. TANKING ON BOTH TANKS IN PROGRESS.
ECO SENSORS PASSED SIM TEST. BOTH TANKS IN FAST FILL. NOW COMPLETE.
NO MAJOR ISSUES IN WORK. CROSSWINDS STILL FORECAST NO GO OVER SLF FOR RTLS ABORT AT T-0.
FORECAST NOW MOVING TO FAVORABLE. ONLY 30 PERCENT NO GO NOW.
ALL UPDATES NOW MOVED TO UPDATE THREAD. GOD SPEED DISCOVERY.
Article:
Today’s attempt follows Thursday night’s scrub before coming out of the T-5 minute hold. Information that followed after the scrub noted that the cancellation was more related to a delay in the relaying of information from the weather officer – before the window ran out on the attempt.
Given the countdown operations being behind schedule, there are some notes of concern that the External Tank won’t be able to stay in stable replenishment of the propellants in the tank long enough for the propellant to be ‘dense enough.’
Following 90 minutes of replenishment, this is now deemed as within flight experience.
‘With just under two additional hours, the LOX density will be well within flight experience and not a problem for the Block-II SSMEs,’ noted a source ‘We’re predicting a slightly lower than average density, but again – within flight experience.’
‘The max noted at LD25 was 17,400 PPM – the LCC limit is 44,000 ppm. Another leak detector in the area, LD23, saw an increase in GH2 concentration – up to 12,000 ppm. Same LCC limit applies there.’
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