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  BY JUSTIN RAY May 28, 2000 -- Follow the pre-flight preparations and mission of space shuttle Atlantis to repair the International Space Station. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2000 The main concern right now is weather conditions in Florida. The forecast is currently calling for crosswinds gusting to 15 knots, or three knots above the 12-knot limit. In addition, rain and thunderstorms in advance of an approaching cold front are possible around KSC overnight. The first full weather briefing of the evening is expected just over an hour from now. Looking ahead, the deorbit preparation timeline starts at 9:13 p.m. EDT. The space shuttle's payload bay doors will be closed at 10:33 p.m. EDT and the spacecraft's radiators will no longer provide cooling once they are closed. Mission Control will give a "go" or "no go" call for transition to the software phase known as "Ops 3" at 10:45 p.m., shifting the onboard computers' attention to deorbit and entry tasks. The astronauts start getting into their launch and entry suits at 11:49 p.m., climb into their seats at 12:13 a.m., perform a gimbal check of the Orbital Maneuvering System engines at 12:35 a.m. and pre-start the auxiliary power units to generate hydraulic power for the aerodynamic surfaces at 12:39 a.m. Approval for the deorbit burn, weather permitting, would be made at 12:58 a.m., followed by maneuvering the shuttle to the proper burn attitude. Firing the OMS engines would occur at 1:13 a.m. EDT for the first landing opportunity, slowing the forward speed and dropping the spacecraft from orbit. Touchdown is planned for 2:20 a.m. EDT Monday at the Kennedy Space Center. A second opportunity for landing occurs one orbit later with a deorbit burn at 2:50 a.m. and a landing at KSC at 3:56 a.m. EDT.
2015 GMT (4:15 p.m. EDT) The weather at the Kennedy Space Center landing site, however, is threatening to delay the planned 2:20 a.m. EDT (0620 GMT) touchdown. The forecast is currently calling for crosswinds above the 12-knot limit. Rainshowers associated with an approaching cold front also will be watched closely. A backup landing opportunity will be available one orbit later with touchdown at 3:56 a.m. EDT (0756 GMT). If weather prevents landing for both orbits, NASA will keep Atlantis in space until Tuesday. The alternate landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California is not being activated for Monday or Tuesday. Later today the astronauts will complete some housekeeping chores and have lunch before beginning the deorbit preparation checklist just after 9 p.m. EDT.
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2000
0200 GMT (10:00 p.m. EDT) With all major mission objectives successfully completed, Atlantis' crew turned its attention to a planned return trip home, with a landing scheduled for 2:20 a.m. EDT (0620 GMT) on Monday at the Kennedy Space Center. Shortly after 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Flight Engineer Jeff Williams successfully test fired Atlantis' steering jets and verified the performance of the various aerosurfaces that will be used during Atlantis' high-speed return to Earth. This checkout of Atlantis' flight control surfaces and systems is a routine activity on the day prior to landing to verify that all required systems are operating as expected. The tests were monitored by Entry flight director John Shannon from Mission Control in Houston. As Halsell, Horowitz and Williams conducted their work from the flight deck, crewmates Mary Ellen Weber, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yury Usachev continued stowing away equipment used over the past nine days on orbit. Throughout the five days of docked operations with the International Space Station, the Spacehab module in Atlantis' payload bay served as a way station for more than 3,000 pounds of material transferred between the two vehicles. As the astronauts prepare for their Memorial Day landing, they will ensure that equipment housed in that module -- and in Atlantis' crew cabin -- is properly stowed and secured in place. Midway through the crew day -- about 12 a.m. EDT -- the astronauts will gather for a final review of entry and landing procedures, and then will continue their stowage activities. Williams and Voss, who conducted a 6 1/2 hour spacewalk earlier in the mission, also will pack up and stow away their spacesuits and associated hardware. Preliminary weather forecasts for Monday morning's landing indicate a slight possibility of rain within 30 miles of the landing site, and cross winds in excess of acceptable limits. The weather forecasts will be refined over the course of the next 24 hours in preparation for landing. For a 2:20 a.m. EDT landing at KSC, Atlantis' orbital maneuvering system engines would be fired in a deorbit burn at 1:13 a.m. EDT. In the event weather precludes a landing on the first opportunity, a second opportunity exists for a landing in Florida on the next orbit, with a deorbit burn at 2:50 a.m. EDT resulting in a 3:56 a.m. EDT landing.
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2000
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2000 Later today the crew will have some time off to rest. Atlantis scheduled to return home early Monday morning at Kennedy Space Center's three-mile long landing strip.
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THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2000
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2000
0001 GMT (8:01 p.m. EDT) The crew's will continue their maintenance work and transfer of supplies to the outpost today, an activities than began yesterday. During the first day, the astronauts moved 870 pounds of supplies and equipment inside the station. That material along with the 326 pounds of equipment attached to the exterior of the station by Jeff Williams and Jim Voss during their space walk means almost 1,200 pounds of gear already have been transferred to the station. A total of 3,381 pounds of equipment and provisions will be transferred to the station before Atlantis undocks. Repair and maintenance work today, NASA says, includes the third of four planned replacements of station batteries. Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev will repeat the procedures they followed yesterday when the first two batteries were replaced. One of the batteries replaced yesterday already has been recharged and been pronounced in excellent condition. The second replacement battery will go through its charging and checkout shortly. All of the battery replacement work is carefully designed so that at least four batteries are always online and available to support station operations. Other maintenance work on schedule today includes the installation of new smoke detectors, and replacement of fire extinguishers that are nearing the end of their design life.
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2000
0520 GMT (1:20 a.m. EDT) Mission specialists Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev installed a new battery, a charge-discharge unit and a current converter controller. The two crewmembers are slated to install a second battery and another charge-discharge unit overnight. Two more batteries, two more chargers and at least one additional controller will be installed Tuesday and Wednesday. No problems have been reported tonight and the air quality and noise levels do not seem to be a concern to the astronauts.
0005 GMT (8:05 p.m. EDT) According to NASA: The first actions by the crew upon entering the station will be to collect air quality samples in Unity and Zarya for comparison with a sample from Atlantis. They also will measure air-circulation velocity and monitor carbon dioxide levels. Upon completion of those tasks, the crew members will break out their tools and rework some of the air ducts in Zarya to improve airflow. They will re-route some ducts, strengthen others, add new acoustic mufflers where required, and they'll swap out the contaminant filter in Zarya and the charcoal filter in Unity. Once they determine that there has been a sufficient improvement in air circulation, the crew members will turn their attention to maintenance issues and cargo transfers. The main task for this evening will be the replacement of two of the batteries on the station. Problems with performance of at least two of Zarya's six "800A" storage batteries led to a decision to replace four batteries during STS-101 docked operations. The third battery will be replaced tomorrow and the fourth on Wednesday. Atlantis' crew will replace the four suspect, 163-pound batteries -- Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 5 -- as well as three of their 34-pound current converters and two of their 10-pound current converter controllers. The batteries on the station collect energy during the daytime portion of the Station's orbit and provide power at night. The replacement of the station batteries is a well choreographed procedure that has been refined during pre-flight training activities in NASA and Russia training facilities. Of the six batteries onboard the station, a minimum of four batteries will always remain online and available to support station systems. In addition to replacing the batteries on the station, other maintenance activities planned during docked operations include replacing three fire extinguishers that have reached the end of their design life, 10 smoke detectors and four cooling fans.
MONDAY, MAY 22, 2000 Today's wakeup call was "Haunted House" by Ray Buchanan since the opening lyrics say "I just moved into a new house today" in honor of the STS-101 crew entering what will be a new home for astronauts and cosmonauts later this year. Commander Jim Halsell and his crew have begun to open the various hatches between the two spacecraft. A total of five different hatches will be opened during the crew's ingress into various parts of the station. The first hatch to be opened will be on Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA-2) which joins the Shuttle's docking mechanism to the Unity module. Next will be the hatch leading to the interior of the Unity node. Third in line will be the PMA-1 hatch at the opposite end of Unity. Next will be the hatch leading into the Zarya control module. The fifth and final hatch to be opened will be the instrumentation cargo compartment in the rear portion of Zarya. The first two individuals to enter the station will be Mission Specialists Yuri Usachev and Susan Helms, who will be getting a sneak preview of their future orbiting home. Usachev, Helms and fellow STS-101 crewmember Jim Voss will become the second expedition crew to inhabit the station.
0833 GMT (4:33 a.m. EDT) NASA officials in Mission Control say all the tasks scheduled during the spacewalk were successfully completed, including installation of a Russian-made telescoping cargo boom to the station's exterior, replacement of a failed U.S. communications antenna assembly, attaching more handrails to the station's hull and latching down a wobbly American-built cargo crane. This marked the 85th spacewalk in U.S. history and the fifth dedicated to assembly of the International Space Station. To date, shuttle astronauts have performed over 300 hours of EVAs. The duration of the four previous station assembly spacewalks is 29 hours, 17 minutes, three of which were conducted on STS-88 in December 1998 and one on STS-96 a year ago. The seven shuttle Atlantis astronauts will begin an eight-hour sleep period just before 9 a.m. EDT today. Tonight, the crew will enter the space station for the first time, beginning several days of maintenance work and delivery of a ton of supplies and equipment for future outpost residents.
0740 GMT (3:40 a.m. EDT) The two were asked, and completed, a slight twist of the U.S. cargo crane mounted to the side of the International Space Station at the request of the Russians. The concern was the crane could block the station's communications antennas. The tools and equipment used this morning are being stowed, the faulty U.S. communications assembly has been returned to the airlock for ferry back to Earth and the astronauts should conclude the spacewalk in the next 45 minutes or so.
0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT) Everything has been proceeding smoothly over 200 miles above Earth and the astronauts are preparing to take some close-out photos of the station before wrapping up the spacewalk -- the only one planned on this 10-day shuttle flight.
0540 GMT (1:40 a.m. EDT) Next up is installation of handrails to the station's hull and a video cable.
0430 GMT (12:30 a.m. EDT) The spacewalk is running about one hour ahead of schedule with no problems reported by the two men. Coming will be replacement of a failed communications antenna assembly on the Unity module's exterior.
0245 GMT (10:45 p.m. EDT) Next up will be installation of the second piece of a Russian cargo crane and its repositioning on the station's hull. The first segment was attached on STS-96.
MONDAY, MAY 22, 2000 Over the next half-hour or so, Williams and Voss will set up work platforms and other equipment they will need tonight. Their first job then will be to firmly latch a wobbly U.S. cargo crane attached to the station's exterior a year ago by other American astronauts. We will update the spacewalk's progress throughout the night.
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2000 Mission specialists Jeff Williams and Jim Voss are slated to conduct the 6 1/2 hour spacewalk. Among their tasks will be to inspect and then secure a U.S.-built cargo crane known as the Orbital replacement unit Transfer Device that originally was installed during a spacewalk on the STS-96 mission in June 1999. They then will complete assembly of a Russian cargo crane -- called Strela -- that began on STS-96. Strela will be placed on the Pressurized Mating Adapter-1 that connects the Unity node to the Zarya control module in the same vicinity as the American crane. Next up will be the replacement one of Unity's two early communication antennas. That antenna has been experiencing some problems. Williams and Voss then will move on to their final EVA task with the installation of eight handrails on the station's exterior. This is part of some get ahead work for two upcoming assembly flights -- STS-92 in late September and STS-97 in January 2001.
1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT) The seven astronauts went to sleep at 9:11 a.m. EDT this morning and will be awaken at 5:11 p.m. EDT for a fourth day in space, a day devoted to the spacewalk. Voss and Williams are planned to begin donning their gear and suits at 7:11 p.m. EDT, leading to a predicted exit from Atlantis' airlock hatch at 10:31 p.m. EDT During the spacewalk, Williams' suit will be distinguishable from Voss' suit by red stripes around the legs. The astronauts are scheduled to conclude the spacewalk at 5:01 a.m. EDT Monday.
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SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2000 As with all such rendezvous, Atlantis will begin the final approach from a distance of about eight nautical miles behind the target. It will first fly beneath the station, then loop up directly in front and continue on until it is poised directly above the outpost. From there, commander James Halsell will manually guide the shuttle down to docking while the two spacecraft are within view of a Russian ground station.
1727 GMT (1:27 p.m. EDT)
0100 GMT (9:00 p.m. EDT) The seven astronauts were awakened Friday evening to begin their first full day in space. Mission Control played the song "Free Fallin'" to wake up the crew at 7:11 p.m. EDT (2311 GMT), concluding an eight-hour sleep period. Commander Jim Halsell, Pilot Scott Horowitz and Mission Specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev will spend much of the day checking out Atlantis' systems and spacewalking equipment, while continuing to slowly close in on the station through a series of calculated rendezvous maneuvers. Just after the crew woke up, the shuttle was reported to be in an orbit 199 by 98 statue miles above the Earth, 2,700 miles behind the station and closing at a rate of 546 miles ever 90-minute orbit. Atlantis' orbit will be raised and the closing rate decreased during the next day. The crew will examine and prepare the tools needed during the rendezvous and docking while conducting routine test of the spacesuits that will be used by Williams and Voss during the planned spacewalk Sunday night. Also on tap is a test of Atlantis' 50-foot long robotic arm by Halsell and Weber. The arm will be checked out during a video survey of the payload bay, ensuring the arm is functioning properly to support the spacewalk.
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2000 In space currently, Atlantis' payload bay doors have been swung open and Mission Control has given the crew a "go" for on-orbit operations.
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1055 GMT (6:55 a.m. EDT) Watch a QuickTime video clip of Atlantis' sunrise launch.
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1010:39 GMT (6:10:39 a.m. EDT) In the next few seconds the solid rocket booster hydraulic power units will be started and the orbiter's body flap and speed brake will be moved to their launch positions. The main engine ignition will begin at T-minus 6.6 seconds.
1010:10 GMT (6:10:10 a.m. EDT) Shortly the external tank strut heaters will be turned off; Atlantis will transition to internal power and the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen outboard fill and drain valves will be closed.
1008:40 GMT (6:07:40 a.m. EDT) In the next few seconds the gaseous oxygen vent hood will be removed from the top of the external tank. Verification that the swing arm is fully retracted will be made by the ground launch sequencer at the T-37 second mark. Coming up on T-minus 2 minutes. The astronauts will be instructed to close and lock the visors on their launch and entry helmets. At T-minus 1 minute, 57 seconds the replenishment of the flight load of liquid hydrogen in the external tank will be terminated and tank pressurization will begin.
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1006:10 GMT (6:06:10 a.m. EDT) Over the course of the next minute, the orbiter's heaters will be configured for launch by commander Jim Halsell, the fuel valve heaters on the main engines will be turned off in preparation for engine ignition at T-6.6 seconds and the external tank and solid rocket booster safe and arm devices will be armed.
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1003:10 GMT (6:03:10 a.m. EDT) The launch of STS-101 will mark the 98th flight in the space shuttle program since 1981, the 73nd since return-to-flight after Challenger, the 21st for Atlantis and the second shuttle flight of 2000.
1002:10 GMT (6:02:10 a.m. EDT) The Eastern Range reports all its radars are now back up.
0958 GMT (5:58 a.m. EDT) Once the countdown picks up, the Ground Launch Sequencer will be initiated. The master computer program is located in a console in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center. The GLS is the master of events through liftoff. During the last 9 minutes of the countdown, the computer will monitor as many as a thousand different systems and measurements to ensure that they do not fall out of any pre-determine red-line limits. At T-minus 31 seconds, the GLS will hand off to the onboard computers of Atlantis to complete their own automatic sequence of events through the final half minute of the countdown.
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0907 GMT (5:07 a.m. EDT) Atlantis' onboard computers are now transitioning to the Major Mode-101 program, the primary ascent software. Also, engineers are dumping the Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) onboard computers. The data that is dumped from each of PASS computers is compared to verify that the proper software is loaded aboard for launch. In about one minute, the astronauts will configure the backup computer to MM-101 and the test team will verify backup flight control system (BFS) computer is tracking the PASS computer systems.
0857 GMT (4:57 a.m. EDT) During this built-in hold, all computer programs in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be verified to ensure that the proper programs are available for the countdown; the landing convoy status will be verified and the landing sites will be checked to support an abort landing during launch today; the Inertial Measurement Unit preflight alignment will be verified completed; and preparations are made to transition the orbiter onboard computers to Major Mode 101 upon coming out of the hold. This configures the computer memory to a terminal countdown configuration.
0850 GMT (4:50 a.m. EDT) Also, commander Jim Halsell has pressurized the gaseous nitrogen system for Atlantis' Orbital Maneuvering System engines, and pilot Scott Horowitz has activated the gaseous nitrogen supply for the orbiter's Auxiliary Power Units' water boilers.
0840 GMT (4:40 a.m. EDT) The ships sailed from Port Canaveral on Thursday. They are currently in position about 7 1/2 miles from the predicted impact area performing an electronic search of the area to ensure it is cleared of all shipping traffic. Follow the boosters' parachuted descent and splashdown in the Atlantic, the recovery teams will configure the SRBs for tow back to Port Canaveral, with arrival expected this weekend. Also the Range Safety countdown hold tests have been completed. The countdown is continuing toward this morning's planned 6:11:10 a.m. EDT (1011:10 GMT) launch.
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0815 GMT (4:15 a.m. EDT) Also the pre-flight alignment of Atlantis' Inertial Measurement Units is now beginning, and will be completed by the T-minus 20 minute mark. The IMUs were calibrated over the past few hours of the countdown. The three units are used by the onboard navigation systems to determine the position of the orbiter in flight. Also in the countdown, the booster test conductor will verify the chamber pressure in the twin solid rocket motors. Sensors measure pressure in the thrust chambers at nozzles of the boosters. The data tells onboard computers when the boosters have consumed their solid-fuel propellant and should be separated in-flight. Launch remains targeted for 6:11:10 a.m. EDT (1011:10 GMT) this morning from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
0803 GMT (4:03 a.m. EDT) Meanwhile, initialization of the ground launch sequencer has been completed. The GLS is the master computer program that will control the final nine minutes of the countdown to launch.
0754 GMT (3:54 a.m. EDT) See our photo gallery from this morning.
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0727 GMT (3:27 a.m. EDT) You can read Williams' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
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0715 GMT (3:15 a.m. EDT) You can read Helms' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
0714 GMT (3:14 a.m. EDT) Be sure to watch our video clip of the astronauts leaving their quarters this morning. [QuickTime file]
0710 GMT (3:10 a.m. EDT) You can read Weber's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
0703 GMT (3:03 a.m. EDT) You can read Voss' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
0659 GMT (2:59 a.m. EDT) You can read Horowitz's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
0651 GMT (2:51 a.m. EDT) You can read Usachev's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
0649 GMT (2:49 a.m. EDT) You can read Halsell's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
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0624 GMT (2:24 a.m. EDT) The convoy will stop at the Launch Control Center for the NASA management and chief NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt to exit the Astrovan. The managers will take their positions in Firing Room 1 while Precourt heads over to the Shuttle Landing Facility to begin weather reconnaissance flights in a T-38 jet. Later he will switch to the modified Gulfstream jet, which is known as the Shuttle Training Aircraft because its flying characteristics are very similar to the space shuttle.
0617 GMT (2:17 a.m. EDT) The astronauts are expected to depart their quarters for the launch pad in about five minutes.
0557 GMT (1:57 a.m. EDT) A weather briefing from the Spaceflight Meteorology Group based at Mission Control has just completed and conditions are reported favorable here at Kennedy Space Center and abort landing sites in California, New Mexico, Africa and Spain. Launch of Atlantis remains scheduled for 6:12 a.m. EDT this morning.
0520 GMT (1:20 a.m. EDT) Following tanking procedures, a team called the Final Inspection Team was dispatched to the pad to check the vehicle one last time prior to liftoff. Currently, the six-person team, comprised of five engineers and one safety official, is performing the inspections at pad 39A. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, they will have walked up and down the entire 380-foot fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform. The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle that could break-off during ignition and damage the spacecraft. The team, which is headed by Greg Katnik of the Kennedy Space Center, is also looking for any loose debris that could possibly fly up and strike the launch vehicle. And the third item of interest to the team is the thermal integrity of the external tank foam insulation. The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the vehicle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. One teammember is also responsible for photo documentation. Each member of the Final Inspection Team is in constant contact with NASA Test Director Steve Altemus in Firing Room 1. The team wears the highly visible day-glo-orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air. Following the Final Inspection Team's activities, Greg Katnik will meet with NASA Launch Director Dave King, the Mission Management Team, and engineering directors in the launch control center. Katnik will give the managers a full and detailed report on the team's inspections and findings at the pad 39A. A full inspection of the vehicle and pad was performed yesterday and the external tank received a thorough check prior to fueling. An inspection of the launch pad and beach will be made following launch today. That inspection will be to look for anything unusual, particularly anything that could have fallen off of the vehicle during the first few seconds of flight. Later there will be a meeting to review high-speed videotape and film of the launch and early ascent to determine if there was any damage to the vehicle.
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0110 GMT (9:10 p.m. EDT) NASA officials say they are not working any technical problems and the weather looks favorable for launch at 6:12 a.m. EDT (1012 GMT), the opening of a five-minute window. The seven astronauts were awakened to begin their launch day activities at 4:45 p.m. EDT. Commander Jim Halsell, pilot Scott Horowitz and mission specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev had breakfast a half-hour later. The crewmembers are on their sleep and work schedule for the 10-day mission, which includes being awake in the overnight hours U.S. time and sleeping during the day. The traditional pre-launch astronaut photo opportunity in the Crew Quarters' Dining Room will occur at 1:12 a.m. EDT and be carried live on NASA TV. The crew then will begin suiting up. Their departure for the launch pad is scheduled for 2:22 a.m. EDT. Throughout the morning on Thursday, functional checks of Atlantis' star tracker were completed, the three Inertial Measurement Units were activated, along with the shuttle's communications systems. The rotating service structure at pad 39A was rolled back from the shuttle, arriving in its park position for launch just after 1 p.m. EDT. The countdown clocks resumed ticking from the T-minus 11 hour hold at 2:19 p.m. EDT, and the shuttle's three electricity-producing fuel cells were turned on. The launch pad was cleared of all non-essential personnel at about 4:30 p.m. EDT as the drama began building toward liftoff. The count entered a two-hour planned hold at the T-minus 6 hour mark at 7:19 p.m. EDT. During this time, the launch team is in the process of verifing there are no problems violating launch commit criteria rules, and the pad was cleared of all workers. The Mission Management Team convened its standard "pre-tanking" meeting at 8:30 p.m. EDT to review the health of the shuttle and the latest weather forecast. With no significant concerns, officials instructed the launch team to begin fueling Atlantis for launch. The fueling process, or "tanking", starts by allowing a small amount of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to flow from their respective launch pad storage tanks into the propellant lines. This "chilldown" thermally conditions the lines for the fueling operation. The actual fueling activity will take three hours to complete as 528,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are pumped from the storage tanks into Atlantis' bullet-shaped external tank.
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2000 At launch pad 39A, the rotating service structure will be rolled away from Atlantis in the next hour and fueling operations should start tonight just before 9 p.m. EDT. We will have extensive live reports on this page throughout the night during the final hours of the countdown and Atlantis' climb to orbit.
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2000 Wednesday will be the last try for Lockheed Martin to get the Atlas 3A airborne this week. After Wednesday, whether the rocket is launched or not, the Range will be reconfigured for the space shuttle. Once Atlantis goes or uses up its three tries, then Atlas could be rescheduled. The initial launch attempt of the Atlas 3A rocket was scrapped on Monday evening due to a faulty Range tracking radar in Bermuda. Engineers traced that problem to an input/output card in the system, which was successfully replaced earlier today.
MONDAY, MAY 15, 2000 There are no major problems being addressed by NASA and forecasters are predicting a 90 percent chance of good weather Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Florida. And forecasters with the Spaceflight Meteorology Group at the Johnson Space Center in Houston say good conditions also are expected at the shuttle's emergency runways in Spain and Africa. Atlantis was grounded April 24 and 25 by high winds in Florida and again on April 26 by high winds and rain at the overseas landing sites. "Here we are again, ready to pick up the launch count," NASA test director Steve Altemus told reporters this morning. "The vehicle is in great shape." Work at launch pad 39A continues on schedule. The aft engine compartment has been closed for flight and preparations are proceeding to begin loading the shuttle's three onboard fuel cells with cryogenic reactants at about 5:30 a.m. EDT tomorrow. Weather forecasters are currently predicting only a 10 percent chance of weather violating launch constraints on Thursday. The only concern is for possible ground fog. The launch time forecast calls for a few clouds at 3,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, a temperature of 71 degrees F, humidity of 93 percent and winds from the south at 8 knots peaking to 12 knots. The seven Atlantis astronauts arrived at Kennedy Space Center last night to begin final pre-flight preparations.
MONDAY, MAY 15, 2000 Launch crews are not reporting any technical problems and the weather is looking good for Thursday's liftoff at approximately 6:38 a.m. EDT (1038 GMT).
0315 GMT (11:15 p.m. EDT) Countdown clocks will begin ticking Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. EDT for Thursday's scheduled sunrise liftoff.
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2000 The seven international astronauts are due to arrive at KSC tonight to begin final pre-launch preparations. They returned to their home base at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, after the last attempt was scrubbed in late April. The crew is expected at about 11:30 p.m. EDT tonight (0330 GMT Monday). Meanwhile, the three-day shuttle countdown is slated to start at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT) Monday in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center. Thursday's liftoff is targeted to occur at about 6:38 a.m. EDT (1038 GMT). However, that time will be refined to the exact second about 90 minutes prior to launch based upon the latest radar tracking of the International Space Station's orbit. Given an on-time launch Thursday, Atlantis should reach the station early Sunday with docking expected around 12:32 a.m. EDT (0432 GMT). The mission's one spacewalk will follow late Sunday night and into Monday morning. After several days of repairs and delivery of supplies to the station, the astronauts will undock on May 26 at 5:32 p.m. EDT (2132 GMT). Landing at Kennedy Space Center is currently scheduled for 2:18 a.m. EDT (0618 GMT) on May 29.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2000 The Kennedy Space Center today issued the following report on the current status of Atlantis:
1519 GMT (11:19 a.m. EDT) The shuttle's mission will now slip to May 18, the first available launch slot from Cape Canaveral. Tracking and safety equipment, operated by the U.S. Air Force, is fully booked until then. A launch on the 18th would occur at about 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 GMT). Space station managers have decided not to perform a maneuver this weekend to refine the station's orbit. They will continue to evaluate the need for a thruster firing to line up the station for daily launch opportunities for Atlantis and to boost the craft's altitude.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2000
0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT) NASA officials say a decision must be made today in order to have the shuttle ready to lift off as soon as next week. The agency is considering taking the scheduled launch slot of the GOES-L weather satellite next Wednesday for use by Atlantis. GOES-L is being launched by NASA aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2A rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. See our update below for more on the busy Range at the Cape and read our earlier story with more details. Meanhile, the shuttle launch team has completed work to offload Atlantis' external tank. This week, tankers filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will deliver the commodities to KSC in order to replenish the storage spheres at launch pad 39A. Today, crew module destow operations are underway and no SPACEHAB access is required. Managers expect minimal work on the shuttle. The seven astronauts have returned to Houston, Texas, and remain in quarantine while launch options are being reviewed.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2000 Lockheed Martin, which builds and launches the Atlas rocket, is strongly arguing against moving the GOES mission from May 3, saying it would badly disrupt its launch schedule, according to NASA and industry sources. NASA's shuttle program is desperately seeking a new launch date after Atlantis' space station repair mission was delayed three times this week by bad weather. But the next open date is not until May 18. If NASA ordered a delay for GOES, Lockheed Martin might proceed with its next Atlas mission on May 15, the high-profile, inaugural launch of its new Atlas 3 rocket, with the Eutelsat W4 communications satellite aboard. That would force the GOES satellite to be removed from its rocket on launch pad 36A, so it would be out of harm's way during the liftoff of the Atlas 3 from neighboring pad 36B. That would delay the launch of GOES well into late-May and also would push back the next mission from pad 36A, the launch of a NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. Sources said, Lockheed Martin wants to keep the Atlas 3 mission, which is for a commercial customer, on track to defuse competitors' claims that the U.S. launch industry is hostage to the demands of NASA and military users, which share the nation's spaceports. The final decision on which mission flies first will probably lie with NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin and might not be made until tomorrow morning.
0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2000 NASA officials will meet tomorrow morning to review the options available to the space agency in rescheduling Atlantis' space station repair mission. The main stumbling block is the Air Force-controlled Range, which is booked with other launches and tests over the next couple of weeks at nearby Cape Canaveral. The Range provides safety, tracking and communications relay services to all Florida launches, and needs 24 hours between events to reconfigure its systems. The Range logjam begins tomorrow when an Air Force Titan 4B rocket undergoes its Combined Systems Test -- a mission dress rehearsal. The reconfiguration day will be Friday with classified operations scheduled over the weekend. Another undisclosed test is planned on Monday. Tuesday will be spent reconfiguring in preparation for the predawn launch Wednesday of a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2A rocket carrying the GOES-L weather satellite for NASA and NOAA. A backup launch date is available on Wednesday, May 4. The next notable event on the Range is planned on May 8 when the Titan rocket launch is slated, and a backup date of the 9th. The oft-delayed launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying an Air Force Global Positioning System satellite is now officially scheduled for May 10, with a backup date of the 11th. Then the inaugural Atlas 3A rocket is slated for liftoff on May 15. Air Force spokesman Ken Warren said the range conducts an average of 160 operations per year, less than 30 of which are space launches. The end result: NASA faces waiting until May 18 before having an open date on the Range. However, there is some potential officials within the agency could decide to bump the GOES-L launch on May 3, which is a NASA mission, in order to allow Atlantis to fly sooner. The situation is fluid and things can change easily, including delays in any of the May launches or tests that could open up an opportunity for Atlantis to fly.
1954 GMT (3:54 p.m. EDT) A liftoff on May 3 might be possible if the launch of a NASA GOES weather satellite is bumped to a later date. A launch on that day could require a "phasing burn" by the Zarya module to bring the station in line for a rendezvous.
1920 GMT (3:20 p.m. EDT) When the next attempt to launch Atlantis will be made is not yet known. There are several tests and launches scheduled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station that will likely prevent Atlantis from trying again for about a week at least.
1919 GMT (3:19 p.m. EDT)
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1918 GMT (3:18 p.m. EDT)
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1911 GMT (3:11 p.m. EDT)
1908 GMT (3:08 p.m. EDT)
1900 GMT (3:00 p.m. EDT) Countdown clocks continue holding at T-minus 9 minutes. Today's launch window opens at 3:29:13 p.m. EDT (1929:13 GMT) and extends to 3:34:08 p.m. EDT (1934:08 GMT).
1857 GMT (2:57 p.m. EDT)
1844 GMT (2:44 p.m. EDT) NASA has scrubbed only four space shuttle launches in the 19-year history of the program due to bad weather at the Trans-Oceanic Abort Landing Sites: January 7, 1986 for STS-61C; January 24, 1986 for STS-51L; June 20, 1993 for STS-57 and November 11, 1995 for STS-74. This is the only problem standing in the way of today's launch attempt.
1837 GMT (2:37 p.m. EDT)
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1829 GMT (2:29 p.m. EDT)
1824 GMT (2:24 p.m. EDT) Atlantis' onboard computers are now transitioning to the Major Mode-101 program, the primary ascent software. Also, engineers are dumping the Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) onboard computers. The data that is dumped from each of PASS computers is compared to verify that the proper software is loaded aboard for launch. In about one minute, the astronauts will configure the backup computer to MM-101 and the test team will verify backup flight control system (BFS) computer is tracking the PASS computer systems.
1814 GMT (2:14 p.m. EDT) During this built-in hold, all computer programs in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be verified to ensure that the proper programs are available for the countdown; the landing convoy status will be verified and the landing sites will be checked to support an abort landing during launch today; the Inertial Measurement Unit preflight alignment will be verified completed; and preparations are made to transition the orbiter onboard computers to Major Mode 101 upon coming out of the hold. This configures the computer memory to a terminal countdown configuration.
1808 GMT (2:08 p.m. EDT) Also, commander Jim Halsell has pressurized the gaseous nitrogen system for Atlantis' Orbital Maneuvering System engines, and pilot Scott Horowitz has activated the gaseous nitrogen supply for the orbiter's Auxiliary Power Units' water boilers.
1759 GMT (1:59 p.m. EDT)
1750 GMT (1:50 p.m. EDT) Meanwhile, NASA launch commentator George Diller says all three emergency landing sites across the Atlantic Ocean are currently "no-go" due to bad weather. One site must have acceptable weather for NASA to clear Atlantis for launch today.
1740 GMT (1:40 p.m. EDT) The ships sailed from Port Canaveral on Sunday. In about one hour, they will be verified in position about 7 1/2 miles from the predicted impact area. Later they will perform an electronic search of the area to ensure it is cleared of all shipping traffic. Follow the boosters' parachuted descent and splashdown in the Atlantic, the recovery teams will configure the SRBs for tow back to Port Canaveral, with arrival expected on Saturday morning. Also the Range Safety countdown hold tests have been completed. There are no technical problems today but NASA is watching bad weather at abort landing sites in Spain and Africa. The current target launch time is 3:29:13 p.m. EDT (1929:13 GMT), the opening of a 5-minute, 3-second window today.
1731 GMT (1:31 p.m. EDT) Also the pre-flight alignment of Atlantis' Inertial Measurement Units is now beginning, and will be completed by the T-minus 20 minute mark. The IMUs were calibrated over the past few hours of the countdown. The three units are used by the onboard navigation systems to determine the position of the orbiter in flight. Also in the countdown, the booster test conductor will verify the chamber pressure in the twin solid rocket motors. Sensors measure pressure in the thrust chambers at nozzles of the boosters. The data tells onboard computers when the boosters have consumed their solid-fuel propellant and should be separated in-flight.
1718 GMT (1:18 p.m. EDT)
1700 GMT (1:00 p.m. EDT) Meanwhile, initialization of the ground launch sequencer has been completed. The GLS is the master computer program that will control the final nine minutes of the countdown to launch. NASA continues to watch the abort landing sites in Spain and Africa. However, officials remain hopeful one site will be acceptable by the planned 3:27 p.m. EDT (1927 GMT) launch time.
1649 GMT (12:49 p.m. EDT)
1634 GMT (12:34 p.m. EDT) You can read Williams' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1630 GMT (12:30 p.m. EDT) You can read Helms' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1621 GMT (12:21 p.m. EDT) You can read Weber's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1618 GMT (12:18 p.m. EDT) You can read Voss' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1611 GMT (12:11 p.m. EDT) You can read Horowitz's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1605 GMT (12:05 p.m. EDT) You can read Usachev's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1603 GMT (12:03 p.m. EDT) You can read Halsell's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1558 GMT (11:58 a.m. EDT)
1555 GMT (11:55 a.m. EDT)
1541 GMT (11:41 a.m. EDT) The convoy will stop at the Launch Control Center for the NASA management and chief NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt to exit the Astrovan. The managers will take their positions in Firing Room 1 while Precourt heads over to the Shuttle Landing Facility to begin weather reconnaissance flights in a T-38 jet. Later he will switch to the modified Gulfstream jet, which is known as the Shuttle Training Aircraft because its flying characteristics are very similar to the space shuttle. Precourt's observations will be critical today as NASA watches the crosswinds at the runway.
1534 GMT (11:34 a.m. EDT) The astronauts are expected to depart their quarters for the launch pad in about five minutes.
1526 GMT (11:26 a.m. EDT)
1516 GMT (11:16 a.m. EDT) The weather in the United States looks promising, unlike the past two days when crosswinds here in Florida scrubbed the launch. But the real concern today will be the emergency sites in Spain and Africa where all three locations are forecasted to have problems at the planned 3:27 p.m. EDT (1927 GMT) launch time. At Zaragoza in Spain, the forecast calls for showers within 20 nautical miles and broken clouds at 4,000 feet, both of which are constraints. In Moron, Spain, the problems are showers and thunderstorms wihin 20 miles and broken clouds at 3,000 feet. The best hope today is Ben Guerir, Morocco, where is it currently clear. However, a weather system is closing in and the forecast for launch time this afternoon is unfavorable with the chance of broken clouds at 3,000 feet. The astronauts are finishing suiting up and will depart for the launch pad in about 20 minutes. The crew has asked to be kept updated on the wind situation once they are onboard Atlantis this afternoon.
1430 GMT (10:30 a.m. EDT) The crew was awakened at 2:15 a.m. EDT (0615 GMT) today. They had breakfast about a half-hour later and lunch about an hour ago. The astronauts will receive a weather briefing at 10:47 a.m. and begin suiting up at 10:57 a.m. EDT. Departure from the Crew Quarters for pad 39A is scheduled for 11:44 a.m. EDT (1544 GMT). In the countdown, the Range Safety's solid rocket booster hold-fire checks have been completed. Also, the Final Inspection Team has completed its work on the Mobile Launcher Platform with no problems found. They are now headed for the Fixed Service Structure to continue inspections of the shuttle and pad for ice and debris.
1412 GMT (10:12 a.m. EDT) Also, data from the high-altitude weather balloons are showing winds aloft to be acceptable for launch today at 3:27 p.m. EDT.
1403 GMT (10:03 a.m. EDT)
1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT) Following tanking procedures, a team called the Final Inspection Team was dispatched to the pad to check the vehicle one last time prior to liftoff. Currently, the six-person team, comprised of five engineers and one safety official, is performing the inspections at pad 39A. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, they will have walked up and down the entire 380-foot fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform. The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle that could break-off during ignition and damage the spacecraft. The team, which is headed by Greg Katnik of the Kennedy Space Center, is also looking for any loose debris that could possibly fly up and strike the launch vehicle. And the third item of interest to the team is the thermal integrity of the external tank foam insulation. The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the vehicle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. One teammember is also responsible for photo documentation. Each member of the Final Inspection Team is in constant contact with NASA Test Director Steve Altemus in Firing Room 1. The team wears the highly visible day-glo-orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air. Following the Final Inspection Team's activities, Greg Katnik will meet with NASA Launch Director Dave King, the Mission Management Team, and engineering directors in the launch control center. Katnik will give the managers a full and detailed report on the team's inspections and findings at the pad 39A. A full inspection of the vehicle and pad was performed on Sunday and the external tank received a thorough check prior to fueling. An inspection of the launch pad and beach will be made following launch today. That inspection will be to look for anything unusual, particularly anything that could have fallen off of the vehicle during the first few seconds of flight. Later there will be a meeting to review high-speed videotape and film of the launch and early ascent to determine if there was any damage to the vehicle.
1354 GMT (9:54 a.m. EDT)
1345 GMT (9:45 a.m. EDT) The problems at Ben Guerir are low clouds and high crosswinds and the Spanish sites both are reporting lightning and a low deck of broken clouds. NASA astronauts are flying aircraft at the sites for weather reconnaissance, providing their opinions to Mission Control in Houston where the final decision will be made concerning abort landing site weather.
1334 GMT (9:34 a.m. EDT) Fueling of space shuttle Atlantis has been completed. Loading of the external tank with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen wrapped up at 9:11 a.m. EDT. The tank will be replenished through the remainder of the countdown to replace the super-cold cryogenics that naturally boil away. With tanking now complete, three teams have been dispatched to launch pad 39A. The Final Inspection Team and Orbiter Closeout Crew have arrived to begin their work now that fueling has finished. The inspection team will check the shuttle and launch pad for any ice or debris following fueling. The closeout crew will ready Atlantis' crew module for the astronauts' arrival. Meanwhile, a special "Red Team" has been sent to the pad to attempt repairing faulty electronics on one of two heaters that supply warm air to the gaseous oxygen vent hood. The hood, or "beanie cap", covers the top of the external tank to direct away the gaseous oxygen vapors from the tank. The heat is necessary to keep the tank's vents clear of ice. The backup heater is currently working and would allow the countdown to continue. However, if the backup fails too and there neither heaters are working, NASA would have to scrub the launch. The "Red Team" will try to restore redundancy.
1200 GMT (8:00 a.m. EDT) The weather forecast at Kennedy Space Center for today's 3:27 p.m. EDT (1927 GMT) launch time calls for a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions with some scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, northwest winds at 14 gusting to 20 knots and a temperature at 76 degrees F. The only slight concern is a chance of low cloud ceilings. Winds at the Shuttle Landing Facility are forecast to be northwesterly at 12 gusting to 18 knots, blowing right down the runway and not causing a crosswind today.
1027 GMT (6:27 a.m. EDT) The three-hour process to fill space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank with 528,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen got underway at about 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT).
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2000 NASA plans a management meeting at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT) tomorrow to review the weather forecast and health of shuttle before allowing the launch team to fuel the craft. The present weather forecast indicates a 90 percent chance of good conditions at Kennedy Space Center for launch. The winds at the Shuttle Landing Facility are expected to shift more northwesterly, blowing right down the runway and not causing a crosswind problem. But all three abort landing sites across the Atlantic Ocean will have some weather concerns. NASA officials, however, will remain hopeful one of the sites will be acceptable. Watch a video clip of NASA Launch Director Dave King announcing today's scrub.
1845 GMT (2:45 p.m. EDT) The launch window tomorrow will extend from 3:26:50 to 3:31:50 p.m. EDT (1926:50-1931:50 GMT). The times will be refined, however, through the final hours of the countdown based upon tracking of the International Space Station.
1827 GMT (2:27 p.m. EDT)
1817 GMT (2:17 p.m. EDT) Officials are planning for another try on Wednesday when the weather is expected to be greatly improved. There is a 90 percent chance of acceptable conditions at Kennedy Space Center. The launch window will extend from 3:26 to 3:31 p.m. EDT (1926-1931 GMT). Wednesday's launch attempt will be unprecedented in the 19-year space shuttle program. It will mark the third consecutive day that NASA tried to launch a shuttle. Never before have attempts been made on three straight days.
1751 GMT (1:51 p.m. EDT) The pre-flight alignment of Atlantis' Inertial Measurement Units is now beginning, and will be completed by the T-minus 20 minute mark. The IMUs were calibrated over the past few hours of the countdown. The three units are used by the onboard navigation systems to determine the position of the orbiter in flight. Also in the countdown, the booster test conductor will verify the chamber pressure in the twin solid rocket motors. Sensors measure pressure in the thrust chambers at nozzles of the boosters. The data tells onboard computers when the boosters have consumed their solid-fuel propellant and should be separated in-flight.
1735 GMT (1:35 p.m. EDT)
1731 GMT (1:31 p.m. EDT)
1730 GMT (1:30 p.m. EDT) In the countdown, controllers are preparing to upload the latest guidance programs to deal with high-altitude winds Atlantis would encounter during launch today.
1727 GMT (1:27 p.m. EDT)
1717 GMT (1:17 p.m. EDT) Meanwhile, initialization of the ground launch sequencer has been completed. The GLS is the master computer program that will control the final nine minutes of the countdown to launch. Aboard Atlantis the astronauts are conducting air-to-ground voice communications checks. Watch our video clip of the astronauts leaving their quarters a little earlier today.
1702 GMT (1:02 p.m. EDT) You can read Williams' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1700 GMT (1:00 p.m. EDT) You can read Helms' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1658 GMT (12:58 p.m. EDT)
1648 GMT (12:48 p.m. EDT) You can read Weber's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1645 GMT (12:45 p.m. EDT) You can read Voss' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1638 GMT (12:38 p.m. EDT) You can read Horowitz's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1633 GMT (12:33 p.m. EDT) You can read Usachev's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1631 GMT (12:31 p.m. EDT) You can read Halsell's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1623 GMT (12:23 p.m. EDT)
1620 GMT (12:20 p.m. EDT)
1606 GMT (12:06 p.m. EDT) The convoy will stop at the Launch Control Center for the NASA management and chief NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt to exit the Astrovan. The managers will take their positions in Firing Room 1 while Precourt heads over to the Shuttle Landing Facility to begin weather reconnaissance flights in a T-38 jet. Later he will switch to the modified Gulfstream jet, which is known as the Shuttle Training Aircraft because its flying characteristics are very similar to the space shuttle. Precourt's observations will be critical today as NASA watches the crosswinds at the runway.
1601 GMT (12:01 p.m. EDT) The astronauts are expected to depart their quarters for the launch pad in about five minutes.
1541 GMT (11:41 a.m. EDT) The only site with problems is here in Florida where -- just like yesterday -- crosswinds are a major threat to the launch attempt. The forecast is currently indicating westerly winds 22 to 25 knots. Looking towards Wednesday, the winds are predicted to shift to the northwest -- or right down the runway -- at 12 to 18 knots. That would be acceptable. The astronauts are finishing suiting up and will depart for the launch pad in about 20 minutes. The crew has asked to be kept updated on the wind situation once they are onboard Atlantis this afternoon.
1539 GMT (11:39 a.m. EDT)
1515 GMT (11:15 a.m. EDT) Following yesterday's scrub, countdown clocks were recycled from the T-minus 9 minute point to T-minus 11 hours. After the astronauts left the shuttle, the external fuel tank was drained of its half-million gallons of liquid oxygen and liuqid hydrogen. The countdown resumed from T-minus 11 hours at 11:51 p.m. EDT. The rotating service structure stayed in the park position away from Atlantis overnight. A short time ago, the Range's solid rocket booster hold-fire checks were reported completed. The hold-fire feature allows the Range to stop Atlantis' twin solid rocket boosters from igniting if a safety concern comes up in the last seconds of the countdown. Strong crosswinds at Kennedy Space Center are the only major concern for today's scheduled 3:52 p.m. EDT (1952 GMT) launch. Crosswinds are currently gusting in excess of 20 knots, above the maximum 17-knot limit NASA would allow. Weather forecasters are giving only a 20 percent chance the winds will improve by launch time. The hope is a low-pressure system located east of Cape Canaveral could turn the winds from the current west-southwesterly direction to a more northwesterly, easing the crosswind component of the winds. Overall, the forecast calls for partly cloud skies, a temperature of 88 degrees and humidity of 50 percent. The chance of thunderstorms has decreased. A weather front passes through the Kennedy Space Center area earlier this morning bringing some rain. But it is now south of the Cape.
1454 GMT (10:54 a.m. EDT)
1445 GMT (10:45 a.m. EDT) Following tanking procedures, a team called the Final Inspection Team was dispatched to the pad to check the vehicle one last time prior to liftoff. Currently, the six-person team, comprised of five engineers and one safety official, is performing the inspections at pad 39A. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, they will have walked up and down the entire 380-foot fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform. The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle that could break-off during ignition and damage the spacecraft. The team, which is headed by Greg Katnik of the Kennedy Space Center, is also looking for any loose debris that could possibly fly up and strike the launch vehicle. And the third item of interest to the team is the thermal integrity of the external tank foam insulation. The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the vehicle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. One teammember is also responsible for photo documentation. Each member of the Final Inspection Team is in constant contact with NASA Test Director Steve Altemus in Firing Room 1. The team wears the highly visible day-glo-orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air. Following the Final Inspection Team's activities, Greg Katnik will meet with NASA Launch Director Dave King, the Mission Management Team, and engineering directors in the launch control center. Katnik will give the managers a full and detailed report on the team's inspections and findings at the pad 39A. A full inspection of the vehicle and pad was performed on Sunday and the external tank received a thorough check prior to fueling. An inspection of the launch pad and beach will be made following launch today. That inspection will be to look for anything unusual, particularly anything that could have fallen off of the vehicle during the first few seconds of flight. Later there will be a meeting to review high-speed videotape and film of the launch and early ascent to determine if there was any damage to the vehicle.
1412 GMT (10:12 a.m. EDT)
1400 GMT (10:00 a.m. EDT)
1344 GMT (9:44 a.m. EDT) NASA's countdown is proceeding toward today's five-minute launch window that opens at 3:52:32 p.m. EDT (1952:32 GMT). The time, however, will be refined over the next few hours based upon the latest radar tracking of the International Space Station, which Atlantis will dock with on Friday morning. The weather forecast is calling for just a 20 percent chance Atlantis will fly today. Strong crosswinds blowing across the emergency shuttle landing strip here at Kennedy Space Center is the primary concern. But NASA is hoping the wind direction will shift from an west-southwest to a more northwesterly direction. That would reduce the actual crosswind at the runway.
1338 GMT (9:38 a.m. EDT)
1205 GMT (8:05 a.m. EDT) Currently at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A rain is falling on this cloudy, windy Central Florida morning. The space agency is pressing ahead with plans to have Atlantis ready for liftoff if weather conditions permit. However, there is an 80 percent chance high crosswinds and thunderstorms will keep Atlantis on Earth for at least another day.
1040 GMT (6:40 a.m. EDT) Meteorologists are predicting only a 1-in-5 chance of the shuttle making it off the launch pad today because of strong winds and the chance of thunderstorms. Shuttle managers were told this morning to expect winds of 18 knots with gusts a high as 28 knots. Yesterday's launch attempt was called off because of high crosswinds at the shuttle landing facility. A launch today would result in a docking with the International Space Station on Friday. The seven Atlantis astronauts were awakened at 2:45 a.m. EDT today. They are presently on the sleep and work schedule for their 11-day mission. At about 11:27 a.m. EDT, the crew will begin suiting up in preparation to leave for the launch pad at 12:05 p.m. EDT.
2114 GMT (5:14 p.m. EDT) Looking ahead, the shuttle launch team in Firing Room 1 will drain Atlantis' external fuel tank over the next couple of hours. The shuttle and ground systems will be safed and prepared for another launch attempt tomorrow. The next major milestone will occur at 5:45 a.m. EDT (0945 GMT) on Tuesday when the Mission Management Team meets to review the weather forecast and status of the vehicle. Officials will decide at that time whether to try for liftoff on Tuesday at 3:52:21 p.m. EDT (1952:21 GMT), the opening of a five-minute window. The current weather forecast, however, predicts an 80 percent chance crosswinds will be unacceptable once again. A launch on Tuesday means Atlantis would take a longer trek to the International Space Station, requiring a Flight Day 4 docking instead of today's planned Flight Day 3 link up. A Flight Day 4 arrival at the outpost would cause NASA to extend the shuttle mission one extra day -- to a total duration of 11 days -- to ensure all the planned tasks are completed during the time docked at the station. Given a liftoff at 3:52 p.m. EDT tomorrow, docking would occur at 9:47 a.m. EDT on Friday, with undocking on May 4 at 3:02 a.m. EDT and landing at Kennedy Space Center on May 6 at 11:53 a.m. EDT. The mission duration would be 10 days, 20 hours and one-minute.
2105 GMT (5:05 p.m. EDT)
2046 GMT (4:46 p.m. EDT) Watch our movie of the scrub being announced today.
2014 GMT (4:14 p.m. EDT) NASA's routine pre-fueling meeting at 5:45 a.m. EDT will receive another weather update. If there are no hopes of winds being acceptable, the space agency could decide to call off the attempt at that time before fueling the shuttle.
2005 GMT (4:05 p.m. EDT) Chief NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt flying in the Shuttle Training Aircraft at the runway reported the crosswinds were not a problem for him during landing. However, the space agency's rules state the shuttle cannot be landed in crosswinds above 17 knots. The launch team has been told to prepare for another attempt on Tuesday to get Atlantis into space. But the weather forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of not launching due to thunderstorms and crosswinds at Kennedy Space Center. Tomorrow's five-minute launch window opens at 3:52 p.m. EDT (1952 GMT).
2002 GMT (4:02 p.m. EDT)
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1953 GMT (3:53 p.m. EDT) The launch window for STS-101 is geared such that Atlantis can rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station on Wednesday morning, given a liftoff today.
1946 GMT (3:46 p.m. EDT) Today's launch window extends from 4:17:17 to 4:22:19 p.m. EDT.
1935 GMT (3:35 p.m. EDT) The final launch window update has been issued based on radar tracking of the International Space Station. The window opens at 4:17:17 p.m. EDT and closes at 4:22:19 p.m. EDT (2017:17-2022:19 GMT). Countdown clocks continue holding at T-minus 9 minutes. The count is slated to resume at 4:08:17 p.m. EDT.
1928 GMT (3:28 p.m. EDT) The crosswind limit is 15 knots, but Precourt could approve the winds up to 17 knots if he thinks the conditions are safe. However, winds above 17 knots are completely unacceptable, NASA commentator George Diller says, which is currently the case.
1923 GMT (3:23 p.m. EDT)
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1918 GMT (3:18 p.m. EDT)
1916 GMT (3:16 p.m. EDT)
1915 GMT (3:15 p.m. EDT)
1912 GMT (3:12 p.m. EDT) Atlantis' onboard computers are now transitioning to the Major Mode-101 program, the primary ascent software. Also, engineers are dumping the Primary Avionics Software System (PASS) onboard computers. The data that is dumped from each of PASS computers is compared to verify that the proper software is loaded aboard for launch. In about one minute, the astronauts will configure the backup computer to MM-101 and the test team will verify backup flight control system (BFS) computer is tracking the PASS computer systems. At the launch pad 39A, the Orbiter Closeout Crew has departed. Only the seven astronauts are at the seaside pad.
1902 GMT (3:02 p.m. EDT) During this built-in hold, all computer programs in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be verified to ensure that the proper programs are available for the countdown; the landing convoy status will be verified and the landing sites will be checked to support an abort landing during launch today; the Inertial Measurement Unit preflight alignment will be verified completed; and preparations are made to transition the orbiter onboard computers to Major Mode 101 upon coming out of the hold. This configures the computer memory to a terminal countdown configuration.
1852 GMT (2:52 p.m. EDT) Also, commander Jim Halsell has pressurized the gaseous nitrogen system for Atlantis' Orbital Maneuvering System engines, and pilot Scott Horowitz has activated the gaseous nitrogen supply for the orbiter's Auxiliary Power Units' water boilers. Earlier, the Eastern Test Range shuttle range safety system terminal count closed-loop test was performed.
1843 GMT (2:43 p.m. EDT) The Orbiter Closeout Crew reports Atlantis' hatch is closed and locked for flight and the White Room next to the crew module will now been prepared for launch.
1842 GMT (2:42 p.m. EDT)
1840 GMT (2:40 p.m. EDT) Also, the main line activation of the Ground Launch Sequencer has been completed. The GLS is the master computer program that runs the last nine minutes of the countdown. The massive doors on Kennedy Space Center's 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building have been closed for launch.
1834 GMT (2:34 p.m. EDT) The one hope at this point is the wind direction could shift more towards the south. That would lower the crosswind component, potentially allowing to launch as planned at 4:17:17 p.m. EDT today.
1831 GMT (2:31 p.m. EDT)
1827 GMT (2:27 p.m. EDT) The ships sailed from Port Canaveral yesterday. In about one hour, they will be verified in position about 7 1/2 miles from the predicted impact area. Later they will perform an electronic search of the area to ensure it is cleared of all shipping traffic. Follow the boosters' parachuted descent and splashdown in the Atlantic, the recovery teams will configure the SRBs for tow back to Port Canaveral, with arrival expected on Thursday morning.
1822 GMT (2:22 p.m. EDT) The pre-flight alignment of Atlantis' Inertial Measurement Units is now beginning, and will be completed by the T-minus 20 minute mark. The IMUs were calibrated over the past few hours of the countdown. The three units are used by the onboard navigation systems to determine the position of the orbiter in flight. Also in the countdown, the booster test conductor will verify the chamber pressure in the twin solid rocket motors. Sensors measure pressure in the thrust chambers at nozzles of the boosters. The data tells onboard computers when the boosters have consumed their solid-fuel propellant and should be separated in-flight. Initialization of the ground launch sequencer has been completed. The GLS is the master computer program that will control the final nine minutes of the countdown to launch.
1802 GMT (2:02 p.m. EDT) We have posted a video clip of the astronauts departing their quarters for the launch pad earlier today.
1757 GMT (1:57 p.m. EDT) Meanwhile, officials are closely watching gusty crosswinds at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Winds are currently at 15 gusting to 22 knots with an 18-knot crosswind. The crosswind limit is 15 knots. The runway weather conditions have to be acceptable for Atlantis to be cleared for launch in case the shuttle has to make an emergency landing. The weather forecast for Tuesday is even worse with thunderstorms and crosswinds the main threats. Tomorrow's launch time is predicted to be about 3:52:20 p.m. EDT (1952:20 GMT). Weather is expected to be improved for Wednesday, which would have a planned launch time of 3:27 p.m. EDT (1927 GMT).
1730 GMT (1:30 p.m. EDT) You can read Williams' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report. In the countdown, the final pre-launch calibration of the shuttle's three Inertial Measurement Units is starting. The IMUs are Atlantis' critical navigation units used the mission. Launch remains scheduled for 2015 GMT (4:15 p.m. EDT), weather permitting.
1719 GMT (1:19 p.m. EDT) You can read Helms' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1714 GMT (1:14 p.m. EDT) You can read Weber's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1711 GMT (1:11 p.m. EDT) You can read Voss' biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1703 GMT (1:03 p.m. EDT) You can read Horowitz's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report. Meanwhile, meteorolgists report the weather forecast is worsening for this afternoon. Previously, the forecast called for a 90 percent chance of good conditions. Currently, the crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing Facility emergency runway here at Kennedy Space Center are out of limits.
1656 GMT (12:56 p.m. EDT) You can read Usachev's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1651 GMT (12:51 p.m. EDT) You can read Halsell's biography and watch a video interview in our Crew Report.
1646 GMT (12:46 p.m. EDT)
1643 GMT (12:43 p.m. EDT)
1629 GMT (12:29 p.m. EDT) The convoy will stop at the Launch Control Center for the NASA management and chief NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt to exit the Astrovan. The managers will take their positions in Firing Room 1 while Precourt heads over to the Shuttle Landing Facility to begin weather reconnaissance flights in a T-38 jet. Later he will switch to the modified Gulfstream jet, which is known as the Shuttle Training Aircraft because its flying characteristics are very similar to the space shuttle.
1622 GMT (12:22 p.m. EDT) The astronauts are expected to depart their quarters for the launch pad in about five minutes.
1600 GMT (12:00 p.m. EDT) Also completed is the Final Inspection Team's work at the pad. There were no immediate reports of ice or debris found. The team will give a detailed report to launch management a little later. In the Crew Quarters the astronauts are now suiting up.
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1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT) The launch team in Firing Room 1 have just been told to not touch their keyboards or issue any commands through the Launch Processing System since this card replacement is an electrical action. Meanwhile, officials have decided no action needs to be taken after a minor glitch was noted with the hazardous gas detection system. This system "sniffs" out gases in Atlantis' aft engine compartment and other parts of the shuttle.
1455 GMT (10:55 a.m. EDT) Following tanking procedures, a team called the Final Inspection Team was dispatched to the pad to check the vehicle one last time prior to liftoff. Currently, the six-person team, comprised of five engineers and one safety official, is performing the inspections at pad 39A. At the conclusion of their two-hour tour-of-duty, they will have walked up and down the entire 380-foot fixed service structure and mobile launcher platform. The team is on the lookout for any abnormal ice or frost build-up on the vehicle that could break-off during ignition and damage the spacecraft. The team, which is headed by Greg Katnik of the Kennedy Space Center, is also looking for any loose debris that could possibly fly up and strike the launch vehicle. And the third item of interest to the team is the thermal integrity of the external tank foam insulation. The team uses a portable infrared scanner that gathers temperature measurements on the surface area of the vehicle and can spot leaks. The scanner will be used to obtain temperature data on the external tank, solid rocket boosters, space shuttle orbiter, main engines and launch pad structures. The scanner can also spot leaks of the cryogenic propellants, and due to its ability to detect distinct temperature differences, can spot any dangerous hydrogen fuel that is burning. One teammember is also responsible for photo documentation. Each member of the Final Inspection Team is in constant contact with NASA Test Director Steve Altemus in Firing Room 1. The team wears the highly visible day-glo-orange coveralls that are anti-static and flame resistant. Each member also has a self-contained emergency breathing unit that holds about 10 minutes of air. Following the Final Inspection Team's activities, Greg Katnik will meet with NASA Launch Director Dave King, the Mission Management Team, and engineering directors in the launch control center. Katnik will give the managers a full and detailed report on the team's inspections and findings at the pad 39A. A full inspection of the vehicle and pad was performed on Sunday and the external tank received a thorough check prior to fueling. An inspection of the launch pad and beach will be made following launch today. That inspection will be to look for anything unusual, particularly anything that could have fallen off of the vehicle during the first few seconds of flight. Later there will be a meeting to review high-speed videotape and film of the launch and early ascent to determine if there was any damage to the vehicle.
1446 GMT (10:46 a.m. EDT) Weather forecasters indicate a 90 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time today. The forecast calls for few clouds at 4,000 feet and broken clouds at 25,000 feet, visibility at 7 miles, winds out of the south at 12 gusting to 18 knots and temperature at 85 degrees F. Along with a slight chance of thunderstorms and thick clouds, officials will monitor wind conditions at the Shuttle Landing Facility.
1441 GMT (10:41 a.m. EDT) Meanwhile, engineers are putting together a plan that will call on a "red crew" to be sent to the launch pad to remove and replace a faulty electronics card. This card is located in an electronics module located at the base of the launch pad, and is giving a false indication that the gaseous oxygen vent hood is retracted when it actually is still extended over the top of Atlantis' external fuel tank. It is expected that the repair team will spend less than hour in pad and need about 10 minutes to pull out the old card and install the new one. "This should not be a showstopper for launch this afternoon," NASA launch commentator George Diller says.
1424 GMT (10:24 a.m. EDT) This arm extends from the Fixed Service Structure to the top of the external fuel tank and has the "beanie cap" on the end to cover the tank's nose. The cap, or hood, allows for liquid oxygen vapors to vent away and ensure ice does not form on the tank's tip. At T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds in the countdown, the hood is lifted up and the arm is swung back into the launch position. The problem concerning engineers is if the backup card were to fail, the arm could be retracted with the hood still covering the tank's top. Troubleshooting and analysis will continue as the countdown proceeds towards today's planned 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) launch. There are no other problems to report and the weather still looks favorable.
1422 GMT (10:22 a.m. EDT) It is beautiful morning at Kennedy Space Center. Skies are clear and the forecast is very promising for an on-time liftoff today at 2015 GMT (4:15 p.m. EDT), the opening of a five-minute launch window.
1402 GMT (10:02 a.m. EDT)
1257 GMT (8:57 a.m. EDT) Air Force weather forecasters say near-perfect conditions should allow the shuttle to launch inside its short five-minute window today. There is a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather. The astronauts are scheduled to sit down for lunch at this time. They were awakened at 3:15 a.m. EDT this morning in the Kennedy Space Center Crew Quarters at the Operations & Checkout Building. The crew is slated to begin suiting up at 11:57 a.m. and depart for the launch pad 30 minutes later.
1110 GMT (7:10 a.m. EDT) NASA officials say they are not working any technical problems and the weather looks favourable for launch at 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT).
0422 GMT (12:22 a.m. EDT) Over the past several hours, functional checks of Atlantis' star tracker were completed, the three Inertial Measurement Units were activated, along with the shuttle's communications systems. The rotating service structure at pad 39A was rolled back from the shuttle at sunset, arriving in its park position for launch just after 8:30 p.m. EDT. Check out our time-lapsed movie of the sun setting at the launch pad and the service structure being retracted last night. With the countdown clocks now ticking again, the shuttle's three electricity-producing fuel cells will be turned on in just over an hour. The launch pad will be cleared of all non-essential personnel at about 2 a.m. EDT as the drama begins to built toward liftoff. The countdown will enter a two-hour planned hold at the T-minus 6 hour mark at 5:22 a.m. EDT. During this time, the launch team will verify there are no problems violating launch commit criteria rules, and the pad will be cleared of all workers. The Mission Management Team will convene its standard "pre-tanking" meeting at about 6:15 a.m. EDT to review the health of the shuttle and the latest weather forecast. If there are no significant concerns, officials will instruct the launch team to begin fueling Atlantis for launch. The fueling process, or "tanking", starts by allowing a small amount of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to flow from their respective launch pad storage tanks into the propellant lines. This "chilldown" thermally conditions the lines for the fueling operation. The actual fueling activity will take three hours to complete as 528,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are pumped from the storage tanks into Atlantis' bullet-shaped external tank. Tanking should get underway by 7:22 a.m. EDT, if not slightly earlier. The seven astronauts, meanwhile, will be awakened to begin their launch day activities at 3:15 a.m. EDT. Commander Jim Halsell, pilot Scott Horowitz and mission specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev will have breakfast a half-hour later. Since the crewmembers are on their sleep and work schedule for the 10-day mission, lunch is planned for 9 a.m. The traditional pre-launch astronaut photo opportunity in the Crew Quarters' Dining Room will occur at 11:17 a.m. EDT and be carried live on NASA TV. The crew then will begin suiting up. Their departure for the launch pad is scheduled for 12:27 p.m. EDT. Our next update will come at the start of tanking. We will provide comprehensive live coverage on this page throughout the final hours of the countdown and the entire 10-day flight of Atlantis to repair the International Space Station.
0010 GMT (8:10 p.m. EDT) At launch pad 39A, the cocoon-like rotating service structure is currently being rolled away from Atlantis. The 40-minute retraction began on schedule tonight at 8 p.m. EDT. The RSS provides the primary access and weather protection for the shuttle during its stay at the seaside launch complex. There are no technical issues being reported and the weather forecast remains favorable for tomorrow's planned 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) liftoff of Atlantis to begin a 10-day flight to the International Space Station. Check back for our next update once the countdown resumes for a full preview of activities scheduled overnight, including the astronauts' agenda and work to fuel the shuttle for launch.
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2000 NASA officials reported this past hour that activities remain on schedule at launch pad 39A and no serious technical problems have been uncovered. With the fuel cell loading completed, the shuttle launch team has turned its attention to checking out Atlantis' three main engines. A minor glitch was encountered with a controller on engine No. 2, but that has been resolved. Later today the shuttle's ground communications network will be powered up and checked. Also, closing out the launch pad and vehicle for flight will continue. The cocoon-like rotating service structure at pad 39A is scheduled to be rolled away from Atlantis and into the park-position for launch at about 8 p.m. EDT tonight. Liftoff remains set for about 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) on Monday, the opening of a five-minute window. The exact second in which Atlantis will launch won't be known until about 90 minutes prior to liftoff, once controllers compute the latest orbital tracking data of the International Space Station. Atlantis will spend two days catching up to the outpost before docking on Wednesday at about 10:37 a.m. EDT (1437 GMT). The weather forecast remains unchanged for Monday with a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2000 The standard Launch Minus-2 day review meeting at Kennedy Space Center covered all work performed over the past few weeks and ensured the shuttle, astronauts and other launch-critical elements were ready to support the planned 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) liftoff on Monday. The launch window extends five minutes. A portion of the meeting was taken up by engineers presenting their results of a failure analysis performed on the faulty Power Drive Unit removed from Atlantis two weeks ago. The unit contains six hydraulic motors that control the shuttle's rudder/speed brake on the tail to steer and slow Atlantis during landing. Engineers say a small end cap inside the PDU had worked itself loose over time. That ultimately caused pressures three times higher than normal within the unit when it operated. Although that would have not have risked the astronauts' safety during landing, NASA opted to replace the PDU with one borrowed from sistership Columbia. NASA does not believe this internal PDU problem is a serious safety threat since the displaced part is detectable prior to launch. A fleet-wide examination of other PDUs have revealed a similar problem with a unit installed on Discovery's left inboard elevon. It is being removed for repairs. Meanwhile, at launch pad 39A activities are continuing on or even ahead of schedule. Work to load Atlantis' three fuel cells with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen got underway at about 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT). The cryogenics will be combined to generate electricity and drinking water during the planned 10-day mission in space. Earlier, Atlantis' avionics and electronics were activated without any problems and the shuttle's airlock and aft engine compartment were closed for flight. Also, a test of the Pyrotechnic Initiator Controllers (PICs) that fire explosive bolts at liftoff was completed and the astronauts put on their spacesuits for a fit check. Air Force weather forecasters are still indicating favorable conditions should allow the shuttle to lift off on Monday during the five-minute launch window. There is just a 30 percent chance thunderstorm anvil clouds could halt the launch. Shuttle Launch Weather Officer Ed Priselac says, "An upper level disturbance over the Gulf of Mexico is expected to produce thunderstorms over the eastern Gulf and possibly west Florida. Westerly upper level winds will bring the threat of anvil clouds over eastern Florida and KSC. Surface high pressure will be located to the east of Cape Canaveral." The launch time forecast calls for scattered cumulus clouds at 4,000 feet and broken cirrus clouds at 25,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles or better, easterly winds 10 to 15 knots at the pad, a temperature of 77 degrees and relative humidity of 65 percent. In the solid rocket booster recovery area, located 140 miles east of Jacksonville in the Atlantic Ocean, winds are expected to be from the southeast at 7 to 10 knots, seas running 2-3 feet and a water temperature of 74 degrees.
1730 GMT (1:30 p.m. EDT) Liftoff remains scheduled for 4:15 p.m. EDT (2015 GMT) at the opening of a five-minute launch window. The forecast remains favourable with just a 30 percent chance of a weather-related delay. At the launch pad workers have completed closeouts of the aft engine compartment. The countdown is currently in a planned four-hour hold. When the clocks resume ticking work will begin to load cyrogenic reactants for Atlantis' three electricity-generating fuel cells.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2000
1950 GMT (3:50 p.m. EDT) The seven astronauts flew from their homes in Houston in sleek T-38 training jets, touching down on the shuttle landing strip at about 3:35 p.m. EDT (1935 GMT). See our QuickTime movie of the crew's statement to reporters (550k file). "We are incredibly happy to be here at the Kennedy Space Center and getting ready for the space launch on Monday," shuttle commander Jim Halsell said. The countdown clocks are due to start ticking at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) this evening.
1400 GMT (10 a.m. EDT) The ongoing analysis to determine why a 300-pound Power Drive Unit inside the shuttle's tail failed during a test late last month has reached a conclusion, NASA test director Steve Altemus told reporters at a news briefing this morning. He said engineers troubleshooting the problem will present a rationale to clear Atlantis for launch during a standard Mission Management Team meeting on Saturday afternoon at Kennedy Space Center. The faulty PDU was replaced at the launch pad two weeks ago and the new unit has been tested successfully. The unit controls the shuttle's rudder/speed brake aerosurface needed to steer and slow the ship during landing. Shuttle Weather Officer Ed Priselac says the forecast for Monday looks generally favorable. There is a 70 percent chance of good conditions with the only concern being thunderstorm anvil clouds making their way near the Cape from a weather disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. At the planned 4:15 p.m. EDT launch time, the forecast calls for scattered clouds at 4,000 feet and broken at 25,000 feet, 7 miles visibility, east-southeasterly winds 10 gusting to 15 knots and a temperature of 77 degrees. The weather at abort landing sites in California, New Mexico and overseas in Spain and Africa should not be an issue on Monday. Should the launch be delayed until Tuesday, there again will be a 70 percent chance of acceptable weather at Kennedy Space Center. The concern will be possible showers or thunderstorms. But the weather worsens significantly on Wednesday -- expected to be the last date available to launch until mid-May. Forecasters ae calling for thunderstorms around the Cape and give only a 30 percent chance of launching on Wednesday afternoon.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2000 The six Americans astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut are due to touchdown at KSC around 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) after a flight from their training base in Houston. The crew is led by veteran commander Jim Halsell, with pilot Scott Horowitz and mission specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Yuri Usachev. Meanwhile, the shuttle launch team in Firing Room 1 of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center will be preparing to start the STS-101 countdown. Team members will be called to their stations at 6:30 p.m. EDT in advance of picking up the count at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) from the T-minus 43 hour mark. The countdown contains 26 hours and 12 minutes of scheduled hold time leading toward liftoff no earlier than 4:12 p.m. EDT on Monday. NASA, however, plans to shift the launch time to about 4:14:54 p.m. -- the opening of a five-minute window -- in order to save precious propellant during the two-day chase to catch the International Space Station. The extra fuel will be needed to reboost the station's orbit, which has been decreasing at a rate of 1-1.5 miles per week due to excess atmospheric drag caused by heightened solar activity. The exact launch timing will be refined through a last update about 90 minutes prior to liftoff based upon tracking data of ISS' orbit. The 40-minute-long hold at T-minus 9 minutes in the countdown will be extended to synch up with the precise launch time desired. Before officials decided to launch only inside the "preferred" 5-minute window to save fuel, there was a 10-minute period in which Atlantis could have lifted off and still reached the station. That "planar window" extends from 4:12:33 to 4:22:33 p.m. EDT. Check back for our next report after a NASA news briefing at 9 a.m. EDT on Friday.
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2000 Read our complete story for further details.
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2000 We will provide an update on this page tomorrow once NASA announces the results of the test.
0300 GMT (11:00 p.m. EDT) In addition, plans for Sunday's test of an Auxiliary Power Unit have been set. The cocoon-like rotating service structure at launch pad 39A will be retracted from around the shuttle at 4 p.m. EDT with the hotfire test scheduled for no earlier than 8 p.m. EDT. NASA ordered this second APU hotfire after replacing a hose connected to APU No. 1.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2000 NASA said Friday that preliminary tests indicate a successful installation of a 300-pound Power Drive Unit for Atlantis' rudder/speed brake. The replacement work was completed early Thursday morning at Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A. However, the ensure the shuttle's entire hydraulic system is functioning normally, workers will conduct a Frequency Response Test today in which orbiter's aerosurfaces -- rudder/speed brake, wing flaps and body flap -- and the main engine nozzles will be wiggled and maneuvered. The aerosurfaces and engine nozzles must move freely to steer the shuttle. Results of the test won't be available until early next week. It will take that long to verify there are no problems, NASA says. Meanwhile, shuttle technicians have completed work to replace the hydraulic fluid discharge hose on Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) No. 1 and a faulty electronics box in the aft compartment of Atlantis. In addition, managers have decided to replace a gaseous nitrogen quick disconnect on APU No. 2 next week. Shuttle engineers continue to evaluate the two minor "dings" in liquid hydrogen fuel lines inside the shuttle. Preliminary analysis suggests that the lines will be acceptable for flight.
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2000 The space agency ordered the 300-pound PDU replaced at the launch pad during an unprecedented and extraordinary effort after the unit failed a pre-launch test two weeks ago. Check out three QuickTime movies we have posted from the PDU changeout. First, technicians froze the hydraulic lines running to and from the PDU. The faulty unit was then removed by workers in "cherry pickers" 100 feet above the pad. Finally, the replacement PDU was attached to Atlantis. The PDU is a critical item on each space shuttle because it contains six hydraulic motors that drive the rudder/speed brake located on the shuttle's vertical tail stabilizer. Without the PDU operating properly, the rudder/speed brake might not work to steer the shuttle during final approach to the runway, then slow the craft down during landing. A full hydraulic system test in which the nozzles of the shuttle's three main engines and the ship's aerosurfaces will be moved is now scheduled for Saturday. Engineers will study data from the test to ensure Atlantis' hydraulics are indeed working properly for the upcoming launch. Meanwhile, workers Thursday also replaced an electronic control box located in the shuttle's aft compartment. The box amplifies the electrical signal transmitted from a multiplexer/demultiplexer to the orbiter's aerosurfaces. Technicians are also replacing a leaky hydraulic fluid discharge hose on the main pump for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) No. 1. Replacement of the flex hose will require an APU hot fire test on Sunday afternoon. And the latest concern to arise are two "minor" dings on two separate liquid hydrogen fuel lines in the aft compartment. NASA say the dings were previously found and documented but now engineers are double checking to make sure the fuel lines have not been damaged, which could cause a problem during the countdown and launch. Atlantis' payload bay doors were closed for flight late Tuesday and the spacesuits astronauts Jim Voss and Jeff Williams will wear during the mission's spacewalk have been placed into the shuttle and checked. Early work to load the SPACEHAB module aboard Atlantis started Thursday and stowage of other gear for the astronauts begins Monday. "The remaining work schedule still supports an April 24 launch date and managers plan to begin the launch countdown at 7 p.m. on April 21," NASA spokesman Joel Wells said Thursday.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2000 Workers Wednesday evening removed the faulty PDU at Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A. The replacement unit -- taken from sistership Columbia -- was then installed around midnight. The cocoon-like rotating service structure was swung back into position around Atlantis a few hours later once cranes and other equipment used in the operations were moved clear. Today's schedule calls for hydraulic lines to be connected to the new PDU and the lines to be unthawed. The lines were frozen on Wednesday morning to prevent troublesome air from entering the shuttle's hydraulic systems during the PDU swap. A full round of testing is planned through the weekend to ensure the new unit works.
0225 GMT (10:25 p.m. EDT) Under a misty rain, workers began removal of the PDU -- about the size of an office copy machine -- at about 7:45 p.m. EDT (2345 GMT). Crews have now turned their attention to the installation of the new PDU, borrowed from shuttle Columbia. That work is expected to be completed by midnight. The rotating service structure will then be moved back into position around the vehicle. Here is a summary of the plan for Thursday: On Friday, the rudder/speedbrake drive shaft will be connected to the PDU and access panels on the shuttle's tail will be replaced. A Frequency Response Test is planned for Saturday and Sunday to check the new PDU is working properly. See our earlier story for a description of today's operation and a diagram illustrating the position of cranes and work platforms. Also, watch a QuickTime movie of technicians freezing the hydraulic lines running to and from the PDU on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2000 The weather has been lousy through much of this afternoon at Kennedy Space Center, but NASA says the removal and replacement of the Power Drive Unit will go on as scheduled this evening. Special weather protection will be set up around shuttle Atlantis' tail where the faulty PDU is located. Stadium lights also will be used during the 4-to-6 hour replacement job.
2100 GMT (5 p.m. EDT)
1920 GMT (3:20 p.m. EDT) The rotating service structure remains closed around the vehicle as launch pad crews remove work platforms from around the shuttle's tail. The structure must be moved to make room for a crane that will lower the faulty PDU and hoist its replacement into position. Meanwhile, sources are saying the launch date of April 24 is looking increasingly more difficult to meet, with several additional technical problems coming to light in the last few days. A flexible hose on the main hydraulic pump of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) No. 1 sprung a leak during Monday's hot fire test. The hose will have to be replaced and the APU retested. "That tightens an already tight schedule," NASA spokesman Joel Wells said. "The 24th remains our official launch date but there is no pressure on us. We have been told to take our time."
1750 GMT (1:50 p.m. EDT) After earlier delays today, final preparations have started to retract the Rotating Service Structure -- the cocoon-like metal gantry that encloses the shuttle while it sits on the pad. Once the RSS is rolled away, work to remove the faulty Power Drive Unit and install a spare PDU borrowed from shuttle Columbia will start. NASA spokesman Joel Wells said temporary weather protection will be set up to protect the shuttle from the rain forecast for this afternoon.
1425 GMT (10:25 a.m. EDT) Rollback of the Rotating Service Structure is now expected at around 1800 GMT (2 p.m. EDT), according to NASA spokesman Joel Wells. Here is a summary of today's work:
1247 GMT (8:47 a.m. EDT) It now looks like the launch pad rotating service structure will not be moved away from the shuttle until noon EDT (1600 GMT) at the earliest. After the gantry is moved workers will bring cranes and cherry picker work platforms into position for the removal and replacement of the Power Drive Unit. Earlier, the shuttle's cargo bay was closed for flight and the payload bay doors were shut tight. Check this page regularly for further updates on today's repair work.
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2000 Kennedy Space Center managers will meet early Wednesday morning to take one last look at the replacement plan before clearing the work to begin. Efforts began Monday night when technicians started setting up access equipment at launch pad 39A. On Wednesday at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT), the rotating service structure enclosing the shuttle at the pad will be retracted to allow two cherry-pickers to reach Atlantis' tail. Two cranes will be used to remove the faulty box and hoist its replacement into position. The unit swap is expected later in the day. The PDU replacement will eat up all the extra padding NASA had built into the pre-launch schedule, leaving the space agency with no time to spare before the planned April 24 liftoff date. "We can still make the launch date, but we have no wiggle room," NASA spokesman Joel Wells said. Read our full story for complete details on the replacement and pictures.
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2000 What was decided today, NASA spokesman Joel Wells said, is the PDU must be replaced and the work can be done with the shuttle sitting vertically on the launch pad. Workers at pad 39A tonight will begin setting up scaffolding and other equipment needed for the complex replacement effort. If NASA gives the final okay, the actual replacement will occur on Wednesday. Retesting would take place on Thursday. The space agency remains hopeful Atlantis will be ready for the planned April 24 launch to service the International Space Station.
1735 GMT (1:35 p.m. EDT) Meanwhile, at launch pad 39A the gantry-like rotating service structure has been retracted from around Atlantis today so workers can "hotfire" the shuttle's three Auxiliary Power Units. The test is required before the upcoming launch because all three APUs are new.
0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT) Senior shuttle managers on Friday were still hoping to replace the suspect Power Drive Unit, or PDU, located inside Atlantis' tail at launch pad 39A. But the unprecedented job will require workers to manhandle the 340-pound units with the shuttle sitting vertically at the seaside pad and call upon a new technique to ensure additional harm is not done to the hydraulic system. Read our full story and check the Mission Status Center later today for updates as news develops.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2000 NASA is still hoping to replace the suspect Power Drive Unit in Atlantis' tail at launch pad 39A, allowing the shuttle to lift off as scheduled on April 24. However, if the work can't be completed at the pad, Atlantis will have to be rolled back to its processing hangar for repairs. Such a move would delay the launch several weeks. A spare PDU is being removed from sistership Columbia, which is currently undergoing a major overhaul in Palmdale, Calif. The unit will be shipped to Kennedy Space Center early next week and installation into Atlantis could start on Wednesday, if NASA decides to do the work at the pad. See an illustration of the suspect Power Drive Unit and its location aboard the space shuttle. Earlier today, the seven Atlantis astronauts and the Kennedy Space Center space shuttle launch team successfully completed a practice countdown. The crewmembers suited up and boarded Atlantis for the final three hours of the dress rehearsal, which concluded with a simulated launch abort when the shuttle's three main engines were shut down moments for the pretend liftoff time. The astronauts, lead by commander Jim Halsell, departed KSC this afternoon and returned to Johnson Space Center in Houston to resume final pre-flight training.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2000 Engineers on Wednesday identified an unexplained pressure reading while reviewing data from a hydraulic system test conducted last Tuesday aboard Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A. The information indicated a pressure measurement three times higher than normal in the Power Drive Unit, or PDU, for the shuttle's rudder/speed brake. Read our complete story about this problem and this week's continuing countdown dress rehearsal.
0420 GMT (12:20 a.m. EDT) CBS News' William Harwood reports, according to sources, a test at launch pad 39A on Wednesday revealed a potentially significant problem with the Atlantis' dual-function rudder/speed brake. During a check of the rudder's actuator system, engineers saw pressure readings of some 1,200 pounds per square inch instead of 400 psi as expected. The story went on to quote a senior shuttle engineer as saying the rudder's power drive unit, or PDU, likely will have to be replaced. But it's not yet clear whether the PDU can be replaced at the launch pad with Atlantis in a vertical orientation. If the shuttle must be hauled back to its processing hangar for repairs, launch probably would be delayed two weeks or longer. But that is strictly a worst-case scenario and engineers may, in fact, be able to make repairs - if needed - at the launch pad, the CBS report said. Read the entire story on Harwood's Web site.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000 A 10-minute launch window will be available on April 24 in which Atlantis can liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A. The window extends from 4:12:32 to 4:22:31 p.m. EDT (2012:32-2022:31 GMT) based on the latest projections of the ISS orbit around Earth. Within that 10 minute period, however, is a preferred "performance window" which would give the shuttle the most efficient track to the station for rendezvous and docking about 41 hours into the mission. The "performance window" extends from 4:14:50 to 4:19:50 p.m. EDT. NASA would likely elect to target liftoff at 4:14:50 p.m. as long as there are no weather or technical problems that dictate otherwise. Of course all the above times will change slightly as the launch date nears and the space station's orbit is affected by the Earth's atmosphere. The final update to the launch time will come about 90 minutes before liftoff based on the final computation of the ISS' orbit. NASA will then adjust the length of the countdown's built-in hold at T-minus 9 minutes to synch up with the desired launch time. Also today the seven Atlantis astronauts flew to Kennedy Space Center to begin a practice countdown and complete a final round of emergency launch pad evacuation training. The crew arrived in T-38 jets at about 12:35 p.m. EDT after a flight from their homes near Houston, Texas. The countdown dress rehearsal begins Thursday, and the astronauts will suit up and board Atlantis on Friday for the final three hours of the test. The drill will end at 11 a.m. EDT on Friday with a simulated ignition and shutdown of Atlantis' three main engines. This same test is performed before every shuttle mission to give the astronauts and KSC launch team the chance to rehearse their roles for the real launch day. Atlantis' STS-101 will be the third U.S. visit to the 16-month old International Space Station. NASA ordered this launch in January, splitting the original goals of STS-101 into two missions -- this flight and another in August known as STS-106 -- because of ongoing delays in launching the Russian-built Zvezda service module, the next piece of the station. Instead of waiting until Zvezda was attached to ISS according to the initial plan for STS-101, space agency officials decided to send Atlantis to the station now so astronauts could make repairs and deliver supplies to the fledgling outpost. The laundry list of things the six Americans and one Russian will do includes replacing as many as four of six batteries inside the Russian-built Zarya module, the first piece of ISS launched in November 1998. Other electronics for the module's power system will also be replaced. In addition, astronauts will change out fans, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a power distribution box for the U.S.-built Unity node. One spacewalk is planned to replace a communications antenna assembly mounted outside Unity that has not worked properly, attach the rest of the Russian Strela crane to the station's exterior and reseat a U.S. crane that is not affixed properly. Also a SPACEHAB module is being carried in Atlantis payload bay to haul one-ton of supplies to ISS to be used by future crews.
0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT) The space agency currently has April 24 set as the target launch date. The 10-minute launch window will open at 4:12:25 p.m. EDT (2012:25 GMT) that day. Meanwhile, the seven Atlantis astronauts are slated to fly from their home base at Johnson Space Center in Houston to KSC today for a practice countdown. Arrival is expected around 12:30 p.m. EDT. Known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, the simulation will take the astronauts and shuttle launch team through a mock countdown that ends with a pretend ignition and shutdown of Atlantis' three main engines at 11 a.m. EDT on Friday. The crewmembers will also participate in emergency launch pad evacuation training during the visit. The Atlantis crew is led by veteran commander Jim Halsell, with pilot Scott Horowitz and mission specialists Mary Ellen Weber, Jeff Williams, Jim Voss, Susan Helms and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachev. At launch pad 39A, pre-launch work is continuing smoothly. The shuttle's onboard storage tanks were being filled with hypergolic fuel Tuesday. Oxidizer loading concluded early Tuesday morning. The hypergolics will be used by the steering thruster jets located on the nose and tail of Atlantis once in space. Technicians are also replacing a leaky quick disconnect on Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) No. 3. With three new APUs installed during the orbiter's last maintenance period, the trio will be hotfired on April 10. Atlantis will be making its first flight in about 2 1/2 years on STS-101. The shuttle spent a year in Palmdale, Calif., undergoing a major overhaul and upgrade period, including installation of a new "glass cockpit". STS-101 will be the third American flight to the International Space Station since construction of outpost began in November 1998. This mission's goal is to extend the life of Russian-built Zarya module -- the initial ISS piece -- until the end of 2000. Zarya's "warranty" has expired and NASA is still waiting for next station segment to be launched -- the Russian Zvezda service module -- sometime this summer. Zarya must continue to work and keep the station boosted to a safe altitude until Zvezda arrives. Once attached, Zvezda's engines will be used to raise the station's orbit.
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Snapshot The space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for launch on its mission to the International Space Station.  Meet the crew  Get to know the seven astronauts that will fly aboard shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission in Spaceflight Now's crew report. You can read their biographies and hear the crew decribe the flight in movie clips.Photo gallery In the VAB - Atlantis is hoisted vertically and attached to its fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assmbly Building. A main engine was also replaced. Rollout - The fully assembled shuttle Atlantis is rolled to launch pad 39A. Fixing Atlantis - Workers replace the faulty hydraulic unit aboard Atlantis last week. Pre-launch briefing STS-101 index - See a listing of all our STS-101 stories and coverage. Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch. Launch windows - The predicted windows in which Atlantis could launch over the the next week. Mission timeline - Look ahead with a brief summary of events planned each day during the shuttle flight. Video vault 
The sun sets on launch complex 39A and the rotating service structure is pulled away from the shuttle. One hour is compressed into seconds in this time lapsed video.PLAY (146k, 15sec QuickTime file) 
The seven-member crew of shuttle mission STS-101 speak to reporters after arriving at the Kennedy Space Center.PLAY (550k, 3min QuickTime file) 
Workers remove the faulty Power Drive Unit from space shuttle Atlantis using a heavy-lift crane at launch pad 39A.PLAY (299k, 30sec QuickTime file) 
A replacement Power Drive Unit is installed inside space shuttle Atlantis' tail at launch pad 39A on April 12.PLAY (304k, 35sec QuickTime file) 
Shuttle technicians oversee the freezing of hydraulic lines leading to Atlantis' broken Power Drive Unit on April 12.PLAY (374k, 29sec QuickTime file) 
STS-101 commander Jim Halsell describes Atlantis' rudder speed brake problem to reporters on April 6 at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A.PLAY (181k, 1min, 10sec QuickTime file) 
NASA animation with narration shows Atlantis approaching and docking to the International Space Station and later separating for return to Earth.PLAY (249k, 1min, 04sec QuickTime file) 
STS-101 Lead Flight Director Phil Engelauf describes the goals and objectives of Atlantis' mission to the International Space Station.PLAY (269k, 38sec QuickTime file) Download QuickTime 4 software to view this file. Earlier coverage  Tricky space shuttle repair job plannedToday could be decision day for Atlantis repair effortNASA mulls hydraulic problem on shuttle AtlantisAstronaut injury delays next space shuttle launch to April 24Atlantis attached to external tank and boostersShuttle Atlantis launch rescheduled for April 17More junk seals found in space shuttle main engineAtlantis antenna damagedNext shuttle mission becomes two flights
Explore the Net NASA Human Spaceflight - Space agency Web site dedicated to International Space Station and space shuttle programs. Press kit - Official STS-101 mission press kit. CBS News - Comprehensive coverage of STS-101 by respected journalist William Harwood. SpaceRef - STS-101 space shuttle mission guide. Shuttle Media Reference Guide - Complete in-depth look at space shuttle systems and facilities. Shuttle search SpaceRef search engine will scour five major space shuttle web sites in seconds. 
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