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NASA News Briefs and Releases BBSNews 2006 Compiled by Kandy Ringer |
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| With the tracks of the crawler transporter visible in the foreground, Space Shuttle Atlantis is in position at Launch Pad 39B for lift off of mission STS-115 to the International Space Station.
Image Courtesy: NASA/Troy Cryder |
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For the images shown above in a larger size, see Atlantis Poised at the Pad.
More NASA images are available in BBSNews NASA Photos. |
NASA via BBSNews - 2006-09-05 -- At Launch Pad 39B, preparations for Wednesday's launch are under way. The external tank camera functional test is complete. Rain covers have been installed on the reaction control system thrusters, and all engine covers have been removed for launch. Workers continue stowing flight crew items in the orbiter crew module. The orbiter communications systems have been powered up for flight. The launch pad rotating service structure, which protects the shuttle prior to launch, will be rolled away from the shuttle today.
- Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) - P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
- Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
- Location: Launch Pad 39B
- Launch Date: Sept. 6, 2006, 12:29 p.m. EDT
- Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
- Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Weather officials are predicting favorable conditions for Wednesday's launch attempt, with a 30-percent chance of weather prohibiting the launch. A low-pressure area may develop over Central Florida on Wednesday, increasing the potential for moisture in the atmosphere. However, the early launch time is expected to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. The primary concerns for launch are cumulus clouds within 10 nautical miles of the launch pad and isolated showers within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.