Jun 30 2006

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Shuttle launch: 12:49 p.m. Pacific

Posted at 3:16 pm in NASA

Image of STS121 and crew

The Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-121, is scheduled for launch from Kennedy Space Center at 12:49 p.m. Pacific time Saturday. The weather may not cooperate, so the launch may be delayed (and I imagine NASA is jittery about launch too, and will delay it if a fly lands on someone’s console at Mission Control). I’m sure all the major news outlets will cover the launch, especially given controversy over to launch in the first place. If there is a delay, check NASA Shuttle page for more information.

3 Responses to “Shuttle launch: 12:49 p.m. Pacific”

  1. # Melusineon 30 Jun 2006 at 5:32 pm

    You know, I think you’re being a wee bit Pacific-centrist with the launch time. ;-)

    >>>Launch remains scheduled for Saturday, July 1, at 3:49 p.m. EDT!

    Today in the Houston Chronicle, William Readdy, former shuttle astronaut, wrote that, well, they’re ready:

    There has been much hand-wringing surrounding the review.

    The promise of “better later” is always tempting, but despite the best of intentions, a better fix “right around the corner” seldom turns out to be possible either. Those arguments were made, details were dissected and all viewpoints were heard.

    In this case, the ascent environment is so complex that another wind tunnel test or more computer simulations won’t improve our understanding or validate the improvements already incorporated — only flight test in real world conditions will — just as when test pilot and shuttle commander Eileen Collins and her crew flew Discovery last July, one flight test is worth far more than a thousand expert opinions.

    When the dust had settled at the end of two days, the flight readiness review was completed and NASA gave a “go” to proceed. Most will acknowledge, although it wasn’t pretty to watch — sausage-making never is — the right decision was made.
    Review done, dissension noted: Shuttle is ready.

  2. # AitchJayon 01 Jul 2006 at 12:12 am

    Good luck to them! After all the wrangling and indecision, I hope it goes well.

  3. # Mark Martinon 01 Jul 2006 at 7:20 am

    “You know, I think you’re being a wee bit Pacific-centrist with the launch time.”

    That’s ’cause he’s a pacifist. :)

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