Author Topic: LIVE: STS-121: July 4th Launch / Flight Day 1 (Read 190503 times)

rdale · « **on:** 07/04/2006 05:21 am »

Weather is looking VERY good at launch time, especially based on the great conditions found Monday. One of the computers still has a nice area of rain developing, but it's the same one that said KSC would be wet and stormy all Monday as well so I have to push that one aside. Most other data brings in a little tropical low pressure system after 5pm with some showers but other than an isolated pop-up during the heat of the day - show dry weather prevailing.

Low level winds are out of the N/NE at about 15 kts with upper level winds out of the north at 30-40kts. There is some moisture down near the surface but plenty of dry air over top which also should keep things on the quiet side.

However the "wet" computer model is completely different. Winds out of the east around 5kts until 30000ft where they become northeast at 15kts through 60000ft. Much more moisture through the entire atmosphere. Even then it's not terribly wet...

So I'm feeling pretty good about launch weather. NWS has 30-40% chance of showers but they also feel enough dry air should be in place to keep things under control. If they don't launch - it will be a while because there is PLENTY of moisture ready to move in which should hold through the weekend.

HKS · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/04/2006 08:27 am »

Ok!
Let's hope there is no technical issues iday!

psloss · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/04/2006 08:27 am »

The dry air does appear to help and it showed up at a good time yesterday...hopefully everyone and everything is ready today...NASA TV coverage should begin in a few minutes at 4:15 am Eastern.

dutch courage · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/04/2006 08:29 am »

Quote

HKS - 4/7/2006 10:14 AM

Ok!
Let's hope there is no technical issues iday!

You mean no NEW technical issues

psloss · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/04/2006 08:30 am »

NASA TV coverage has started and George Diller reports that tanking preparations are on schedule.

psloss · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/04/2006 08:31 am »

Tanking should begin in about 30 minutes and the forecast now shows only 20% chance of weather prohibiting launch.

psloss · « **Reply #6 on:** 07/04/2006 08:48 am »

The NASA test director (NTD) gave a go to begin the tanking process, which should begin in the next few minutes.

Stardust9906 · « **Reply #7 on:** 07/04/2006 09:06 am »

The Liquid Hydrogen is now in slow fill mode.

dutch courage · « **Reply #8 on:** 07/04/2006 09:07 am »

Chill down of the lines is complete. Started tanking the liquid hydrogen.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 07/04/2006 09:10 am »

Quote

rdale - 4/7/2006 6:08 AM

Weather is looking VERY good at launch time, especially based on the great conditions found Monday. One of the computers still has a nice area of rain developing, but it's the same one that said KSC would be wet and stormy all Monday as well so I have to push that one aside. Most other data brings in a little tropical low pressure system after 5pm with some showers but other than an isolated pop-up during the heat of the day - show dry weather prevailing.

Low level winds are out of the N/NE at about 15 kts with upper level winds out of the north at 30-40kts. There is some moisture down near the surface but plenty of dry air over top which also should keep things on the quiet side.

However the "wet" computer model is completely different. Winds out of the east around 5kts until 30000ft where they become northeast at 15kts through 60000ft. Much more moisture through the entire atmosphere. Even then it's not terribly wet...

So I'm feeling pretty good about launch weather. NWS has 30-40% chance of showers but they also feel enough dry air should be in place to keep things under control. If they don't launch - it will be a while because there is PLENTY of moisture ready to move in which should hold through the weekend.

Morning. Well this seems like our best chance so far for getting her off the ground.

Let's hope the prepress behaves.

DaveS · « **Reply #10 on:** 07/04/2006 09:30 am »

Close-up of the area where foam was lost yesterday: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/chan4large.jpg

dutch courage · « **Reply #11 on:** 07/04/2006 09:37 am »

From the top down the foam loss is bearly visable.

They did not have this view at the press conference.

psloss · « **Reply #12 on:** 07/04/2006 09:38 am »

From that vantage point, it could do with some better lighting -- perhaps after sunrise.

psloss · « **Reply #13 on:** 07/04/2006 09:42 am »

Latest report: both sides of ET loading are now in fast fill, and the ECO sensors and orbiter aft compartment concentrations look good.

Jester · « **Reply #14 on:** 07/04/2006 09:42 am »

weather looks ok....hope it stays that way....

Svetoslav · « **Reply #15 on:** 07/04/2006 09:46 am »

It seems that LOX filling has started

psloss · « **Reply #16 on:** 07/04/2006 09:53 am »

Quote

Jester - 4/7/2006 5:29 AM

weather looks ok....hope it stays that way....

As long as the dry air hangs around, that helps; this area of dry air dropped down over Florida yesterday morning:

eeergo · « **Reply #17 on:** 07/04/2006 10:08 am »

Engine venting is already quite visible...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 07/04/2006 10:10 am »

MAF (ET people) are in and happy with loading so far. No issues.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 07/04/2006 10:28 am »

Getting some good updates today

"So far the ECOs and 5% sensors are behaving well. Both tanks are currently in Fast Fill, LH2 at about 75% and LOX at about 38%. No issues so far (fingers crossed!)."