 Return
to Flight countdown has begun
NASA has begun the countdown for the second Return to Flight launch attempt
of Space Shuttle Discovery at noon EDT, July 23, 70 hours before the targeted
liftoff.
On mission STS-114 Discovery's seven-member crew will test new equipment
and procedures to increase the safety of the Space Shuttle and deliver
supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch team will conduct the countdown
from Firing Room 3 of the Launch Control Center. The countdown includes
nearly 28 hours of built-in hold time, leading to a preferred launch time
at about 10:39 a.m. EDT July 26. The launch opportunity lasts for about
five minutes.
This mission is the 114th Shuttle flight and 17th U.S. flight to the
Station. The 12-day mission has a planned KSC landing at approximately
5:46 a.m. EDT, Aug. 7.
For detailed information about NASA's Return to Flight visit: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight
COUNTDOWN MILESTONES
(ALL TIMES EDT & SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Launch-3 Days (Saturday, July 23): Countdown begins
at the T-43 hours (12:20 p.m.)
Launch-2 Days (Sunday, July 24)
Complete preparation to load power-reactant storage and distribution system
(3 a.m.); activate and test navigational systems; flight deck preliminary
inspections complete
(4 a.m.).
Enter first built-in hold at T-27 hours for four hours (4 a.m.).
Resume countdown (8 a.m.); begin operations to load cryogenic reactants
into Discovery's fuel cell storage tanks (9:30 p.m.).
Enter 4-hour built-in hold at T-19 hours (4 p.m.).
Resume countdown (8 p.m.).
Launch-1 Day (Monday, July 25)
Pad sound suppression system water tank filling complete (12 a.m.).
Enter planned hold at T-11 hours for 13 hours, 44 minutes (4 a.m.); begin
star tracker functional checks (4:50 a.m.); move Rotating Service Structure
to the park position (1 p.m.)
Resume countdown at T-11 hours (6:44 p.m.)
Enter planned two-hour built-in hold at T-6 hours (10:44 p.m.)
Launch Day (Tuesday, July 26)
Verification of launch commit criteria prior to cryogenic loading of External
Tank (ET).
Resume countdown (12:44 a.m.); load ET with 500,000 gallons of cryogenic
propellants (about 12:54 a.m.-3:54 a.m.); final Inspection Team to launch
pad.
Enter planned 3-hour built-in hold at T-3 hours (3:44 a.m.); perform inertial
measurement unit preflight calibration; align Merritt Island Launch Area
tracking antennas.
Resume countdown at T-3 hours (6:44 a.m.); crew departs Operations and
Checkout Building for the pad (6:49 a.m.); crew entry into orbiter (approx.
7:19 a.m.); begin to close Discovery's crew hatch (about 8:24 a.m.).
Enter planned 10-minute hold at T-20 minutes (9:24 a.m.); NASA Test Director
conducts final launch team briefings; inertial measurement unit preflight
alignments
Resume countdown at T-20 minutes (9:34 a.m.); transition the Orbiter's
onboard computers to launch configuration; backup flight system to launch
configuration.
Enter estimated 40-minute hold at T-9 minutes (9:45 a.m.); launch director,
Mission Management Team and NASA test director conduct final polls for
go/no-go to launch.
Resume countdown at T-9 minutes (about 10:25 a.m.); start automatic ground
launch sequencer (T-9:00 minutes); retract orbiter crew access arm (T-7:30);
ignition of three Shuttle main engines (T-6.6 seconds); Solid Rocket Booster
ignition and liftoff (T-0)
STS-114 CREW & LAUNCH DAY ACTIVITIES
(TV events (#)-times may vary)
Commander Eileen Collins; pilot James Kelly; payload commander Soichi
Noguchi; mission specialists Stephen Robinson, Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence,
Charles Camarda
12:30 a.m. Crew wake up
#5 a.m. Crew photo
#6:20 a.m. Suit up
6:30 a.m. Weather briefing
#6:49 a.m. Walkout
#7:19 a.m. Arrive at pad
#8:34 a.m. Close hatch
For NASA TV schedules, viewing and information on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
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