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STS-119: The programs
In advance of shuttle Discovery's STS-119 mission to the station, managers from both programs discuss the flight.
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STS-119: The mission
A detailed preview of Discovery's mission to deliver and activate the space station's final power truss is provided in this briefing.
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STS-119: Spacewalks
Four spacewalks are planned during Discovery's STS-119 mission to the station.
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STS-119: The Crew
The Discovery astronauts, led by commander Lee Archambault, meet the press in the traditional pre-flight news conference.
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Weather concerns delay shuttle Discovery's landing
BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION
Posted: March 28, 2009
The Discovery astronauts were told to delay re-entry for one orbit in hopes blustery winds and low clouds at the Kennedy Space Center might abate enough to permit a landing around 3:14 p.m., the crew's second and final opportunity to come home today.
Entry Flight Director Richard Jones at the Johnson Space Center in Houston made the decision just after 12:10 p.m.
"OK, Discovery, Houston, here's the picture on the weather," radioed astronaut George Zamka radioed from Houston. "Things are still somewhat variable, but a trend we saw that we weren't comfortable with was a layer at 3,000 feet, bottoms at roughly 2,700 up to about 4,000, that were moving east from the west into the area of the field. We just didn't like that.<
"Also, the winds have been variable and exceeding the crosswind limits. We think both those things have a good chance of looking better for our second opportunity today.
"Discovery copies," replied shuttle skipper Lee Archambault
Assuming the weather cooperates, here's the timeline for the crew's second and final landing opportunity today:
EDT...........EVENT
02:08:44 PM...Deorbit rocket firing (dT: 3:01; dV: 231 mph)
02:11:45 PM...Deorbit burn complete
02:42:21 PM...Entry interface (range to KSC: 5,023 miles)
02:47:21 PM...1st roll command to right
02:56:36 PM...1st right-to-left roll reversal
03:03:00 PM...C-band radar acquisition
03:07:24 PM...Velocity less than mach 2.5
03:09:37 PM...Velocity less than mach 1
03:10:23 PM...Shuttle banks to line up on runway 15
03:13:59 PM...Landing
Discovery has enough on-board supplies to remain in orbit until Tuesday. As a result, NASA is not staffing any backup landing sites today or Sunday. If the shuttle is still in orbit Monday, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., will be activated and Archambault will bring the shuttle down on one coast or the other.
Additional coverage for subscribers:
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FLIGHT DAY 13 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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PRE-LANDING MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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EDUCATIONAL EVENT WITH SCHOOL IN HAWAII PLAY
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PRE-LANDING TESTS OF SHUTTLE'S FLIGHT CONTROLS PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 12 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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THURSDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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NARRATED ANIMATION OF LATE INSPECTIONS PLAY
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LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY
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LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY
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LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY
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RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY
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RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY
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RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY
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SOYUZ ROCKET LAUNCHES EXPEDITION 19 PLAY
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FULL EXPERIENCE FROM LIFTOFF TO ORBIT PLAY
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THREE CAMERA REPLAYS OF THE SOYUZ LAUNCH PLAY
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NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF CREW'S LAUNCH PREPS PLAY
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CROWD WELCOMES CREW AT BAIKONUR PAD PLAY
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CREW DEPARTS SITE 254 FOR LAUNCH PAD PLAY
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VIPS MEET THE CREW ON LAUNCH MORNING PLAY
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CREW MEMBERS DON THEIR SOKOL SPACESUITS PLAY
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LAUNCH MORNING TRADITIONS AT CREW QUARTERS PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 11 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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WEDNESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE OF FLYING AROUND THE SPACE STATION PLAY
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STUNNING VIEWS OF SPACE STATION FROM FLYAROUND PLAY
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FOOTAGE OF SHUTTLE DISCOVERY AFTER UNDOCKING PLAY
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SHUTTLE DISCOVERY UNDOCKS FROM SPACE STATION PLAY
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HATCHWAY CLOSED BETWEEN TWO SPACECRAFT PLAY
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FAREWELL CEREMONY BETWEEN THE TWO CREWS PLAY
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PREVIEW ANIMATION OF UNDOCKING AN FLYAROUND PLAY
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SOYUZ MOVED TO LAUNCH PAD FOR EXPEDITION 19 PLAY
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ROCKET HOISTED VERTICALLY ONTO LAUNCH PAD PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH ISS DEPUTY PROGRAM MANAGER PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH FORMER ISS COMMANDER PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 10 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLS THE SPACE STATION PLAY
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JOINT CREW IN-FLIGHT NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
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TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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MONDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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SPACEWALKER RICK ARNOLD WORKS ON STATION ARM PLAY
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SPACEWALKER JOE ACABA MOVES RAIL CART PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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SUNDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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NEWS MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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SATURDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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WALKTHROUGH OF SPACEWALK NO. 2 PLAN PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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FRIDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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NEWS MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH CREW PLAY
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SECOND SOLAR WING FULLY DEPLOYED PLAY
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SECOND SOLAR WING DEPLOYED HALF-WAY PLAY
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FIRST SOLAR WING FULLY DEPLOYED PLAY
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FIRST SOLAR WING DEPLOYED HALF-WAY PLAY
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NARRATED ANIMATION OF SOLAR ARRAY DEPLOYMENT PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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THURSDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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SPACEWALKER STEVE SWANSON RELEASES LOCKS PLAY
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STARBOARD 6 TRUSS ATTACHED TO THE STATION PLAY
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WALKTHROUGH OF SPACEWALK NO. 1 PLAN PLAY
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OVERVIEW OF THE STARBOARD 6 TRUSS PAYLOAD PLAY
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NARRATED ANIMATION OF TRUSS INSTALLATION PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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WEDNESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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POWER TRUSS HANDED FROM SHUTTLE TO STATION PLAY
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STARBOARD 6 TRUSS HOISTED FROM PAYLOAD BAY PLAY
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PREVIEW ANIMATION OF S6 TRUSS UNBERTHING PLAY
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NARRATED TOUR OF DISCOVERY'S PAYLOAD BAY PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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SHUTTLE CREW WELCOMED ABOARD STATION PLAY
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SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY DOCKS TO SPACE STATION PLAY
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SHUTTLE'S POINT OF VIEW DURING BACKFLIP PLAY
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DISCOVERY PERFORMS 360-DEGREE BACKFLIP PLAY
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PREVIEW ANIMATION OF RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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MONDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
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MONDAY'S MISSION MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY
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PREVIEW ANIMATION OF HEAT SHIELD INSPECTIONS PLAY
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FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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THE FULL STS-119 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: EXTERNAL TANK CAMERA PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-1 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-2 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA CS-6 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: FRONT CAMERA PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: PLAYALINDA BEACH PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: THE VIP VIEWING SITE PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: WEST TOWER PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 009 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 050 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 051 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 054 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 061 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 063 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 070 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: CAMERA 071 PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: UCS-11 TRACKER PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: UCS-23 TRACKER PLAY
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LAUNCH REPLAY: PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE PLAY
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INSIDE MISSION CONTROL DURING LAUNCH PLAY
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PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPENED IN ORBIT PLAY
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SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY BLASTS OFF PLAY
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SHUTTLE'S CREW MODULE HATCH CLOSED FOR FLIGHT PLAY
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MISSION SPECIALIST STEVE SWANSON BOARDS PLAY
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PILOT TONY ANTONELLI BOARDS DISCOVERY PLAY
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COMMANDER LEE ARCHAMBAULT BOARDS PLAY
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CREW DEPARTS QUARTERS FOR LAUNCH PAD PLAY
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ASTRONAUTS DON SPACESUITS FOR LAUNCH PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE OF SUNRISE AT LAUNCH PAD 39A PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE OF HYDROGEN ACCESS ARM RETRACTION PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE OF SATURDAY NIGHT'S GANTRY ROLLBACK PLAY
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SATURDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
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FRIDAY'S SHUTTLE AND WEATHER UPDATE BRIEFING PLAY
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POST-SCRUB NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
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DISCOVERY IN THE PREDAWN DARKESS PLAY | HI-DEF
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WEDNESDAY'S ROLLBACK OF PAD GANTRY PLAY | HI-DEF
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TIME-LAPSE OF PAD GANTRY ROLLING BACK PLAY
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THE PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
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ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE IN FLORIDA FOR LAUNCH PLAY
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POST-ARRIVAL COMMENTS FROM THE CREW PLAY | HI-DEF
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FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW BRIEFING PLAY
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SECOND LAUNCH POSTPONEMENT BRIEFING PLAY
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NARRATED MISSION OVERVIEW MOVIE PLAY
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MEET SHUTTLE DISCOVERY'S ASTRONAUTS PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER LEE ARCHAMBAULT PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH PILOT TONY ANTONELLI PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH MS1 JOE ACABA PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH MS2 STEVE SWANSON PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH MS3 RICKY ARNOLD PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH MS4 JOHN PHILLIPS PLAY
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INTERVIEW WITH MS5 KOICHI WAKATA PLAY
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NASA OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE LAUNCH DELAY PLAY
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SPACE STATION'S VIBRATIONS DURING REBOOST PLAY
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INFORMAL NEWS CONFERENCE AT RUNWAY PLAY
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ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY
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DISCOVERY POSITIONED ATOP PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
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EARLY MORNING ROLLOUT FROM THE VAB PLAY | HI-DEF
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TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF DISCOVERY ARRIVING AT PAD 39A PLAY
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DISCOVERY HOISTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF
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CRANE ROTATES DISCOVERY VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF
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DISCOVERY MOVES TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF
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NOSE WHEEL LANDING GEAR RETRACTED PLAY | HI-DEF
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TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF DISCOVERY GOING VERTICAL PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF ASSEMBLY BUILDING CRANE WORK PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF DISCOVERY'S TRIP TO VAB PLAY
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TIME-LAPSE MOVIE OF PAYLOAD'S MOVE PLAY
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SHUTTLE AND STATION PROGRAM UPDATE PLAY
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STS-119 MISSION OVERVIEW BRIEFING PLAY
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PREVIEW BRIEFING ON MISSION'S SPACEWALKS PLAY
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THE ASTRONAUTS' PRE-FLIGHT NEWS BRIEFING PLAY
MORE:
STS-119 VIDEO COVERAGE
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