The following STS-106 countdown summary assumes a launch at 8:45 a.m.
on Sept. 8. The timeline has been corrected to reflect NASA's plan to
target the opening of Atlantis's theoretical launch window at 8:40 a.m.
An adjustable 40-minute hold in the countdown at the T-minus nine-minute
mark will be extended five minutes to set up a launch at 8:45 a.m. The
actual launch time will change slightly based on final radar tracking
of the space station. This countdown table will be updated as warranted.
| L-4: Sept. 4, 2000 (Labor Day) |
|
| 06:00 p.m. |
Crew departs Houston |
| 09:00 p.m. |
Crew arrives at the Kennedy Space Center |
| 09:10 p.m. |
Crew greets reporters, departs for crew quarters |
| 09:30 p.m. |
Wilcutt, Altman take unsuited flights in STA jet trainers |
|
| |
|
| L-3: Sept. 5, 2000 |
|
| 12:00 a.m. |
Crew reviews flight data file |
| 07:00 a.m. |
The crew enjoys T-38 jet trainer flights |
| 09:00 a.m. |
Countdown status briefing on NASA TV |
| 09:00 a.m. |
The astronauts, NASA Administrator Goldin, videoconference |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Firing room call to stations |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Countdown begins; crew goes to sleep |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Instrumentation verification begins |
| 07:00 p.m. |
Crew wakeup |
| 07:00 p.m. |
Begin preparations for loading fuel cell reactants |
| 09:15 a.m. |
Wilcutt, Altman conduct suited STA training flight |
|
| |
|
| L-2: Sept. 6, 2000 |
|
| 03:00 a.m. |
Fuel cell reactant preparations complete |
| 03:00 a.m. |
Begin four-hour built-in hold at T-minus 27 hours |
| 04:00 a.m. |
Shuttle vehicle pyro initiator resistance test |
| 05:00 a.m. |
Resistance test complete |
| 05:00 a.m. |
Crew undergoes medical exams |
| 06:00 a.m. |
Astronauts review flight data file |
| 07:00 a.m. |
End four-hour built-in hold; T-minus 27 hours and counting |
| 07:00 a.m. |
Begin fuel cell reactant loading |
| 08:00 a.m. |
Orbiter/payload systems and weather briefing for crew |
| 09:00 a.m. |
Countdown status briefing on NASA TV |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Space station overview briefing on NASA TV |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Crew sleep begins |
| 03:00 p.m. |
Fuel cell reactant loading complete |
| 03:00 p.m. |
Begin four-hour built-in hold at T-minus 19 hours |
| 04:00 p.m. |
Launch readiness news conference on NASA TV |
| 07:00 p.m. |
End four-hour built-in hold; T-minus 19 hours and counting |
| 07:00 p.m. |
Begin main engine final preparations; secure tail service mast |
| 07:30 p.m. |
Crew wakeup |
|
| |
|
| L-1: Sept. 7, 2000 |
|
| 03:00 a.m. |
Main engine preps complete |
| 03:00 a.m. |
Begin a 13-hour 50-minute built-in hold at T-minus 11 hours |
| 07:00 a.m. |
Shuttle communications system activation |
| 07:30 a.m. |
Astronauts visit launch pad |
| 09:00 a.m. |
Countdown status briefing on NASA TV |
| 10:30 a.m. |
The astronauts greet family buses at the launch pad |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Crew sleep begins |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Retract rotating service structure (RSS) |
| 03:00 p.m. |
Begin ascent switch list review and configuration |
| 04:50 p.m. |
End 13-hour 50-minute built-in hold; T-minus 11 hours... |
| 04:50 p.m. |
Begin final fueling preparations |
| 07:20 p.m. |
Clear launch pad of non-essential personnel |
| 07:30 p.m. |
Crew wakeup |
| 09:50 p.m. |
Begin two-hour built-in hold at T-minus six hours |
| 11:50 p.m. |
End two-hour built-in hold; T-minus six hours and counting |
| 11:50 p.m. |
Begin shuttle fueling |
|
| |
|
| Launch Day: Sept. 8, 2000 |
|
| 02:50 a.m. |
Begin two-hour built-in hold at T-minus three hours |
| 03:30 a.m. |
NASA live television coverage begins |
| 03:50 a.m. |
Astronaut snack/photo opportunity |
| 04:20 a.m. |
Crew weather briefing; begin donning flight equipment |
| 04:50 a.m. |
End two-hour built-in hold; T-minus three hours... |
| 05:00 a.m. |
Crew departs for launch pad |
| 05:30 a.m. |
Crew arrives at launch pad white room |
| 06:45 a.m. |
Shuttle hatch closed and latched |
| 07:30 a.m. |
Begin a 10-minute hold at T-minus 20 minutes |
| 07:40 a.m. |
End 10-minute hold; T-minus 20 minutes and counting |
| 07:51 a.m. |
Begin final 45-minute hold at T-minus nine minutes |
| 08:36 a.m. |
Resume countdown |
| 08:40 a.m. |
Hydraulic power system (APU) activation |
| 08:45 a.m. |
Launch |
