SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOR STS127 MISSION TO LIFT OFF TODAY @ 5:40 AM~6-17-2009

Launch is scrubbed @ 1:55 am for todays launch that was set for 5:40 AM . Sorry folks. Guess it will be a few weeks now until it goes. Better safe than sorry ! Scroll to the bottom and read the lastest info.

Endeavour Liftoff Scrubbed; Briefing is Planned
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:20:57 AM EDT

Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 launch today was officially scrubbed at 1:55 a.m. EDT when the same type of gaseous hydrogen leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate occurred. This is the same location where a similar leak resulted in a launch scrub on June 13. Vent valve troubleshooting took place for about an hour before it became clear the problem could not be solved.

Endeavour's next launch attempt for its STS-127 mission is targeted for July 11 at 7:39 p.m. EDT.

There will be a briefing on NASA TV no earlier than 3:30 a.m. EDT with Deputy Space Shuttle Program Manager LeRoy Cain and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. Watch it live at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
Endeavour, STS-127 Astronauts Await Early-Morning Liftoff












AFTER A DELAY FROM SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2009, NASA WILL TRY TO LAUNCH TODAY JUNE 17th AT 5:40 AM. There has already been a delay due to lightining in the area and they got off to a late start of fueling the shuttle.

At the moment 1:00 AM THEY WERE FUELING AND THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD THE OTHER DAY HAS OCCURED. THERE IS A HIGHER THAN NORMAL LEAK OF HYDROGEN AT THE FUELING AREA. They stopped fueling and they are recycling it in hope that they can start back fueling the shuttle for launch. They have recyled once again and the problem when leakage is not as much as it was earlier so they are going to start back the fueling and check the leak again after they recyle one more time. There are 27 minutes left in the 3 hour hold.

Endeavour Fueling Update
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:02:22 AM EDT

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers are working to troubleshoot a liquid hydrogen leak that's been detected during filling of space shuttle Endeavour's external fuel tank. The flow of liquid hydrogen into the tank has been restarted in order to raise the liquid level, allowing launch controllers to cycle the vent valve in an effort to solve the problem.
Endeavour Fuel Leak Troubleshooting Continues
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:32:23 AM EDT

The three-hour fueling operation began at 11:04 p.m. EDT after a weather delay. The launch countdown currently is holding at T-3 hours, which will last until 1:45 a.m. EDT. Launch still is scheduled for 5:40 a.m. EDT.

Below is the explanation of what happened on Saturday....
NASA Postpones Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour
06.13.09 - NASA postponed space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station on Saturday because of a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system outside the shuttle’s external fuel tank.
Repair at the Pad
On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers prepare to remove the 7-inch quick disconnect and flight seal from the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate on space shuttle Endeavour's external fuel tank. A leak of hydrogen at the location during tanking for the STS-127 mission caused the mission to be scrubbed at 12:26 a.m. on June 13.













If todays launch goes as scheduled this is some info about what they will be doing this week.

Launch and Landing Mission: STS-127
Orbiter: Endeavour
Primary Payload: Kibo Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility, Kibo Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section
Launch Date: June 17
Launch Time: 5:40 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39A
Mission Duration: 16 days
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles























Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 launch is scheduled for 5:40 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 17. The flight's seven astronauts are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they will board Endeavour overnight before setting off on their mission to the International Space Station.

The 16-day mission will feature five spacewalks as the crews of Endeavour and the International Space Station work to install the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility and Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section on the orbiting outpost.

All times listed in EDT

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Tuesday Launch Day Highlights

11:15 p.m. Countdown enters a 2-hour, 30-minute built-in hold at the T-3 hour mark
11:30 p.m. Ascent Team of flight controllers on duty for its shift in Mission Control, Houston

Wednesday Launch Day Highlights
12:30 a.m. Live launch coverage begins on NASA TV and Launch Blog
1:45 a.m. Countdown resumes at T-3 hours
1:50 a.m. Endeavour astronauts depart crew quarters for Launch Pad 39A
2:04 a.m. Fueling enters stable replenish
2:20 a.m. Astronauts arrive at the launch pad and begin to board Endeavour
3:35 a.m. Endeavour hatch is closed and latched for launch
4:25 a.m. Countdown enters a 10-minute planned hold at the T-20 minute mark
4:35 a.m. Countdown resumes at the T-20 minute mark
4:46 a.m. Countdown enters a 40-minute planned hold at the T-9 minute mark, during which the Mission Management Team and Launch Control team will conduct polls to give a final "go" decision for launch
5:31 a.m. Countdown resumes at the T-9 minute mark
5:35 a.m. Auxiliary Power Units start at the T-5 minute mark
5:40 a.m. Endeavour launches on the STS-127 mission
5:49 a.m. Main Engine Cut Off (MECO)






Follow Updates on NASA.gov
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:12:16 AM EDT


The NASA Launch Blog is closing down for the morning following the decision to scrub today's launch attempt. NASA's Web site will continue to update the status of the mission. Thanks for joining us!


Launch Attempt Scrubbed
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:57:07 AM EDT


Launch Director Pete Nickolenko has called off today's launch attempt of the STS-127 mission.


Countdown Activities Continue
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:53:25 AM EDT


The crew of space shuttle Endeavour has received a detailed weather briefing this morning and other launch preparations are moving along. These will continue while engineers troubleshoot the leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate.


Countdown Resumes at T-3 hours
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:53:01 AM EDT


The countdown has resumed at the T-3 hour mark while troubleshooting continues on the hydrogen leak in the area of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate.


Fueling Reaches 98 percent Level
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:52:00 AM EDT


The fuel loading stopped when the hydrogen tank reached the 98 percent level. Engineers continue to analyze the leak by opening the vent valve that lets evaporating hydrogen leave the tank and be carried away from the shuttle safely.


Fueling Stopped at 1:02 a.m.
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:35:28 AM EDT


The loading of hydrogen fuel into the external tank has been stopped for evaluation of a leak in the area of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate.


Fuel Flow Stopped Again
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:30:23 AM EDT


Launch controllers have stopped the loading of hydrogen fuel into the external tank again. Engineers are monitoring a leak of hydrogen in the area of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate, which is part of the system that funnels gaseous hydrogen away from the shuttle during countdown.


Fueling to Begin Again
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:18:45 AM EDT


Launch controllers are going to begin loading the external tank with more liquid hydrogen fuel to help them troubleshoot the leak they have been monitoring.


Engineers to Recycle Vent Valve
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:11:40 AM EDT


The engineers on the launch team are cycling the vent valve to see if it cures the hydrogen leak that they have been monitoring.


Controllers Monitoring Leak at GUCP
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:59:53 AM EDT


The launch team here at Kennedy is monitoring a leak in the area of the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate, which is the connecting point between the external tank and the launch tower. A leak developed at the GUCP during the previous external tank filling operation Saturday morning.


Launch Team Preparing Expedited Schedule
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:40:40 AM EDT


After dealing with a weather delay of almost three hours, the launch team here at Kennedy is speeding up some of its processes to make up the time and still make the liftoff time of 5:40 a.m. Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said the team will not take shortcuts relating to safety.


Launch Morning at Kennedy!
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:33:21 AM EDT


Good morning and welcome to the NASA Launch Blog. We are coming to you from Firing Room 3 inside the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About three miles away, space shuttle Endeavour stands bathed in spotlights on Launch Pad 39A.

Launch activities are continuing after thunderstorms over Kennedy earlier delayed the loading of the external tank. At 11:04 p.m., the launch team here began filling the tank with the super-cold propellants Endeavour will use to power its three main engines during its climb to orbit. It will be fully loaded at 2:04 a.m. The pumps will go into “stable replenish” mode then, which means they will put in just enough propellants to replace the amount that evaporates during the countdown.

Tanking takes about three hours. The original schedule called for the tanking to begin at 8:15 p.m., but the launch team is confident they can make up the time and launch Endeavour on schedule at 5:40 a.m.


Join us at 12:30 a.m.
Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:12 AM EDT


We are going to begin coverage of the launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Endeavour is to deliver the final piece of Japan's "Kibo" laboratory to the International Space Station. Seven astronauts will fly the mission, including four who have not gone into space before. NASA's coverage on the Web will include photos and videos along with detailed minute-by-minute updates as the countdown progresses.