[curiousuburb]

Countdown underway for the final scheduled night launch of the Shuttle program.

Originally Posted by Spaceflightnow If all goes well, Endeavour will blast off on the first of a final five shuttle missions planned for 2010 at 4:39:47 a.m. EST (0939 GMT) Sunday, February 7th. Forecasters are predicting a 70 percent chance of good weather with the only concern being a chance of high winds out of the north that could cause problems.

Space Coast denizens (or sailors) are encouraged to look up (weather permitting) and take photos.


Viewing Map: Weather permitting, a night launch of the space shuttle is typically visible from much of the East Coast. The most dramatic view is from inside the yellow circle. But within the red circle, skywatchers may see very bright, pulsating, fast-moving object that resembles the brightest stars in the sky from 3 to 8 minutes after launch. For viewers near the edges of the circles, however, the shuttle will hug the horizon, so an unobstructed view is needed. Credit: SPACE.com/Starry Night Software

Orbital passes are also highly visible in North America and Europe for the next week. Punch in your location for details.
NASA TV will show installation and spacewalks. NASA is now doing live webcam from ISS too.

More details here, here, or via the image above

Go Endeavour!

[Moogs]

Orbital passes FTW. Not sure I've ever seen the shuttle go by. I have seen the ISS I think... long time ago.

[jdcfsu]

Once again, I'm going to be on NASA property for the launch -- hopefully this one actually goes. We'll be seven miles away, directly across from the pad. This is the closest the 'public' can get without press credentials. To put it into perspective, the press bleachers and launch control is five miles away.

NASA is giving an 80% go for Sunday morning based on weather, so it should be a pretty nice morning.

[Ebby]

I tried to make a trip to Florida to see this one but had to delay it. I'll go in march hopefully.

[jdcfsu]

Go for tanking! It began a few minutes ago. I was a little worried about winds as we've had a pretty windy day here today, but all is good so far. Still an 80% favorable launch condition for tonight... er tomorrow morning. I can't wait!

[Capella]

I slept from 4 till 8 so I can stay up until it launches. I am hoping I don't go curl up and go back to sleep, because I really want to see this. I'm a little disappointed I'm not gonna get to see it anywhere other than my driveway- it is the last night launch- but at least I'm in Florida and not missing it, you know? Not to drag in the stuff from the other thread overmuch, but I will miss this level of excitement when there are no more shuttle launches. I know NASA does other launches, but they get less hyped.

[jdcfsu]

Originally Posted by Capella Not to drag in the stuff from the other thread overmuch, but I will miss this level of excitement when there are no more shuttle launches. I know NASA does other launches, but they get less hyped.

Watching an Ares IV launch just isn't the same as the shuttle. I'm really excited. I've taken one nap this afternoon and will probably try for another one after awhile before we leave at 230. I can't wait to see the sky light up!

[NosferaDrew]

Weather isn't looking good, but if anyone is still up you can watch a 1200kbps stream here.

[Capella]

Gonna cave and go to bed. As of 3:48 on the mission page, it says weather is a no go. While it's possible it might be a go, when I went on my driveway, the sky is totally, totally covered in clouds. Even if it launches, at this rate, I'm not gonna see anything. It sucks, but what can you do?

[CitizenTony]

Originally Posted by Moogs Orbital passes FTW. Not sure I've ever seen the shuttle go by. I have seen the ISS I think... long time ago.

When I lived in Houston my neighbor worked at NASA. She used to drag me out every time a Shuttle went by. I remember watching a night landing and some other cool things. Years later I remember watching Columbia as it broke up above me.

The other day I found a home video someone had on YouTube, but evidently never showed to the news, of the Challenger explosion. I can still remember sitting in Kindergarten or 1st grade watching that live. It was a huge deal that everyone was looking forward to. The silence after it blew up is something I'll never forget.

I have so many memories of Shuttle missions. I'm really going to miss them. It depresses me that we're headed the direction we are.

Home video of Challenger

[CitizenTony]

Originally Posted by Capella Gonna cave and go to bed. As of 3:48 on the mission page, it says weather is a no go. While it's possible it might be a go, when I went on my driveway, the sky is totally, totally covered in clouds. Even if it launches, at this rate, I'm not gonna see anything. It sucks, but what can you do?

They're green for launch as of now.

Shuttle weather officer says we are "green" for launch at this time. A little more than 20 minutes remaining in the T-9 minute hold.

Edit:

Or not:

Shuttle weather officer says we now are "red" for launch due to the low cloud ceiling.

[Ebby]

BUMMER! scrubbed for 24 hours. better luck next time

[jdcfsu]

I'm now 0 for 2 watching launches from NASA property.

[Ebby]

From NASA property? lucky!

[PKIDelirium]

Damnit. Off to bed I go...

[turtle]

Glad I went to bed last night now. Maybe I'll stay up tonight though since I'm off work tomorrow.

[PKIDelirium]

Successful liftoff! Just passed the two engine Zaragoza TAL call.

[jdcfsu]

...and I missed it. My NASA friend didn't want to chance a scrub on a work day.

Oh well, probably for the best so that I keep my job.

[Capella]

Stayed up to check it out. Trees in the way blocked most of the big plume from liftoff, but I got a great view of a really bright streaking dot moving among the stars. I'm soooooo tired right now, but it was lovely.

[curiousuburb]

Tranquility installed.

The new Tranquility module became part of the International Space Station at 1:20 a.m. EST, giving the orbiting outpost a new utility room and gym with a grand window on the world.

And although it's now offline again as they're back in the airlock, it looks like Spaceflightnow is testing a live spacewalk stream for iPhone.

They're scheduled to move the Cupola to an Earth-facing port during subsequent spacewalks.

[curiousuburb]

Nice View to look forward to... Cupola installed.

The International Space Station’s new viewport is facing the Earth now, ready to provide a panoramic view of the planet below and approaching cargo ships. Relocation of the cupola from the Tranquility node’s forward port to its new location was completed at 1:31 a.m. EST. Space shuttle Endeavour Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire and Pilot Terry Virts moved the cupola, operating the station’s Canadarm2 from controls in the U.S. laboratory, Destiny. Station Commander Jeff Williams operated the latches and bolts that released the cupola from its launch location and then secured it to its new home. There was a minor delay in releasing the cupola. The bolts attaching it to its launch position on Tranquility had been torqued in Earth’s gravity and were a little tighter than expected. Flight controllers slightly increased the torque to release the bolts, resolving the problem. The cupola’s attachment to the Earth-facing port went smoothly. Outfitting of the cupola, including preparations for filling water lines and for installation of a robotics workstation there, continued. Crew members are expected to get their first look out the cupola windows after Tuesday’s third and final scheduled spacewalk of Endeavour’s stay at the station.

NASA TV is rerunning some onboard ISS video documenting the installation.

[NosferaDrew]

Great picture of the launch from the Astronomy Picture of the Day

[turtle]

That is just awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[curiousuburb]

Peeping Major Tom!

[Capella]

The window reminds me of the Imperial logo a little. Anyone else?

[jdcfsu]

Local news said the astronauts cried when the windows were opened because the view was so spectacular.

[curiousuburb]

Originally Posted by Capella The window reminds me of the Imperial logo a little. Anyone else?

That's no moon, it's a space station!

[709]

Originally Posted by Capella The window reminds me of the Imperial logo a little. Anyone else?

Hilarious that you made a SW reference, because the instant I saw it I was like "They're coming in too fast!!!" & "Don't get cocky, kid."

[edit]: Why in the hell can't I find an image of Luke in the Falcon's gunner seat?

[curiousuburb]

8 panes instead of 7, but quite similar.

[jdcfsu]

Originally Posted by Curiousuburb 8 panes instead of 7, but quite similar.

What's that they say about good design?

Oh wait, wrong thread.