POSTPONED ! SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOR & MISSION STS127 TO LIFT-OFF TODAY JULY 12, 2009 AT 7:13 PM

It is official...NO GO FOR LAUNCH TODAY. NASA WILL TRY
6:51:24 PM ON MONDAY.

NO GO FOR LAUNCH AT THE MOMENT DUE TO LIGHTHING IN THE AREA. NASA IS OBSERVING THE SITUATION. KEEP CHECKING BACK HERE FOR UPDATES.













UPDATE:
Launch Team to try Again Monday
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:03:07 PM EDT

Endeavour will be readied for another launch attempt Monday with a launch time at 6:51 p.m.

Poor Weather Scrubs Tonight's Launch Attempt
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:55 PM EDT

"We got the vehicle ready, but the weather didn't cooperate," Launch Director Pete Nickolenko told Endeavour's seven astronauts. Today's launch attempt has been scrubbed.

Runway Weather is Focus of Concern
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:47:36 PM EDT

Weather forecasters are monitoring conditions at Kennedy, but right now a launch would not be allowed because of storms within 20 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Readiness Polls Coming Up
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:27:41 PM EDT

Three major polls to clear the way for the last phase of the countdown will be conducted during this hold. The Mission Management Team will give its final readiness approval during this time and then Launch Director Pete Nickolenko will query the Kennedy launch team, mission control in Houston and the astronauts for their readiness before allowing the countdown to resume. Weather remains the primary concern for this evening's launch.

Countdown Enters Last Planned Hold
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:17:55 PM EDT

T-9 minutes and holding . . . The countdown has paused as planned for the final time before today's scheduled launch of Endeavour. This hold will last about 45 minutes and can be adjusted to set up the best launch time for the shuttle's liftoff to the International Space Station. The launch team will receive weather updates during the hold, since meteorologists are concerned about storms encroaching the areas around the Shuttle Landing Facilty and Launch Pad 39A.

Countdown Proceeding as Weather Raises Concerns
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:13:58 PM EDT

T-13 minutes and counting . . . The launch team is evaluating weather conditions near Launch Pad 39A and the Shuttle Landing Facility after clouds and lightning began building near the locations. The specific concerns are for cumulus clouds and lightning potential closer than 20 miles from the Shuttle Landing Facility. There are also worries that clouds will encroach the 10-mile boundary for the launch pad as well.

Weather Conditions Currently "No-Go"
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:03:07 PM EDT

Forecasters at NASA's Spaceflight Meteorology Group say current conditions violate rules for launching Endeavour because of weather near the Shuttle Landing Facility. The runway would be needed in the unlikely event that Endeavour would have to make an emergency landing back at Kennedy. There is also a seabreeze coming off Florida's west coast that is making the weather more dynamic.

Technicians Close Endeavour's Hatch
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:01:46 PM EDT

The technicians known collectively as the closeout crew have swung the hatch of Endeavour closed for flight. A series of leak checks will be completed before the workers leave the White Room and the launch pad.

After the technicians leave, the hatch can be opened by the astronauts if there's an emergency at the pad.

Ice Formation Draws Attention
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:00:38 PM EDT

The Final Inspection Team found a formation of slushy ice built up on one of the umbilical connections between the launch pad and Endeavour. The ice measured up to four inches at one point, but it has been reducing since then and doesn't appear to pose a threat to launch.The Final Inspection Team found a formation of slushy ice built up on one of the umbilical connections between the launch pad and Endeavour. The ice measured up to four inches at one point, but it has been reducing since then and doesn't appear to pose a threat to launch.

At t minus 9 minutes and holding there are weather problems looming. It the weather clears up launch will go off as Scheduled at 7:13 PM. Check back for pics of the launch if it goes up today. PM.

Endeavour is set to launch the crew of STS-127 and start a 16-day mission that will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.














Room With a View
TV monitors in Firing Room Four at Kennedy's Launch Control Center show Launch Pad 39A with space shuttle Endeavour and the inspection team on the screens.









Runway Weather is Focus of Concern
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:47:36 PM EDT

Weather forecasters are monitoring conditions at Kennedy, but right now a launch would not be allowed because of storms within 20 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Readiness Polls Coming Up
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:27:41 PM EDT

Three major polls to clear the way for the last phase of the countdown will be conducted during this hold. The Mission Management Team will give its final readiness approval during this time and then Launch Director Pete Nickolenko will query the Kennedy launch team, mission control in Houston and the astronauts for their readiness before allowing the countdown to resume. Weather remains the primary concern for this evening's launch.

Countdown Enters Last Planned Hold
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:17:55 PM EDT

T-9 minutes and holding . . . The countdown has paused as planned for the final time before today's scheduled launch of Endeavour. This hold will last about 45 minutes and can be adjusted to set up the best launch time for the shuttle's liftoff to the International Space Station. The launch team will receive weather updates during the hold, since meteorologists are concerned about storms encroaching the areas around the Shuttle Landing Facilty and Launch Pad 39A.

Countdown Proceeding as Weather Raises Concerns
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:13:58 PM EDT

T-13 minutes and counting . . . The launch team is evaluating weather conditions near Launch Pad 39A and the Shuttle Landing Facility after clouds and lightning began building near the locations. The specific concerns are for cumulus clouds and lightning potential closer than 20 miles from the Shuttle Landing Facility. There are also worries that clouds will encroach the 10-mile boundary for the launch pad as well.

Weather Conditions Currently "No-Go"
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:03:07 PM EDT

Forecasters at NASA's Spaceflight Meteorology Group say current conditions violate rules for launching Endeavour because of weather near the Shuttle Landing Facility. The runway would be needed in the unlikely event that Endeavour would have to make an emergency landing back at Kennedy. There is also a seabreeze coming off Florida's west coast that is making the weather more dynamic.

Technicians Close Endeavour's Hatch
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:01:46 PM EDT

The technicians known collectively as the closeout crew have swung the hatch of Endeavour closed for flight. A series of leak checks will be completed before the workers leave the White Room and the launch pad.

After the technicians leave, the hatch can be opened by the astronauts if there's an emergency at the pad.

Ice Formation Draws Attention
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:00:38 PM EDT

The Final Inspection Team found a formation of slushy ice built up on one of the umbilical connections between the launch pad and Endeavour. The ice measured up to four inches at one point, but it has been reducing since then and doesn't appear to pose a threat to launch.The Final Inspection Team found a formation of slushy ice built up on one of the umbilical connections between the launch pad and Endeavour. The ice measured up to four inches at one point, but it has been reducing since then and doesn't appear to pose a threat to launch.


Crew All Aboard; Hatch Closed for Flight
The seven astronauts set to carry out the STS-127 mission are all aboard space shuttle Endeavour, awaiting launch at 7:13 p.m. EDT. The launch countdown continues on schedule this afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Endeavour's crew module hatch has been closed and locked and the closeout crew is preparing to leave the White Room at Launch Pad 39A.

The 16-day mission will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Astronauts will attach a platform to the outside of the Japanese module that will allow experiments to be exposed to space.

The STS-127 crew members are Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Dave Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Tom Marshburn, Tim Kopra and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Kopra will join the space station crew and replace Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata. Wakata will return to Earth on Endeavour to conclude a three-month stay at the station.

Radio Checks Under Way
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:48:49 PM EDT

The astronauts are taking turns making sure their communications systems work. They follow a routine so that each crew member’s microphone and headset is tested in short conversations with the launch team here at Kennedy and mission control in Houston. Everything is working fine.

The weather continues to look good for launch time as we get within 2 1/2 hours from launch at 7:13 p.m.

With Payette Aboard, Crew is in Place
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:43:19 PM EDT

As flight engineer, Julie Payette will sit on the flight deck in a seat behind and between Polansky and Hurley for launch and landing. She will call important milestones to the crew as they launch into orbit and perform other tasks critical during ascent.

Payette is a Canadian astronaut who has flown once before. When she reaches orbit, it will be the first time two Canadians have been in space at the same time. The other Canadian in orbit is Robert Thirsk, currently a resident on the International Space Station.

Aside from her space interests, Payette is an accomplished singer and pianist. She even sang with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Wolf on Board Endeavour
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:32:26 PM EDT

Astronaut Dave Wolf has crawled into the shuttle and is working himself into the middle seat on the lower level of the crew compartment. While Wolf may not have the best view during launch, he will get some of the greatest views of the entire mission during the three spacewalks he is set to lead. He has made four spacewalks during his previous flights, including an emergency spacewalk on the Russian space station Mir. He has spent 23 hours walking in space during his career.

You could also call him Dr. Wolf, since he is a medical doctor. His medical expertise was first put to use for NASA in designing an echocardiograph that would work in space to study the human cardiovascular system. One of Wolf’s hobbies is flying aerobatic competitions in his own experimental biplane.

SEALs Can Fly, Too
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:19:02 PM EDT

If Christopher Cassidy didn’t exist, Hollywood would invent him. Before joining NASA, Cassidy served 10 years in the U.S Navy’s elite SEAL teams. The special operations teams get their name because they operate in the sea, air and on land. Many know of the SEALs because of the infamous “Hell Week” training that works SEAL candidates day and night with almost no rest. Cassidy’s missions took him into the Afghanistan region two weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. He also paddled a kayak 180 miles from Norfolk, Va., to Washington, D.C., to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Cassidy is the second NASA astronaut to come from the SEAL ranks. The first was Bill Shepherd, first commander of the International Space Station. Cassidy will sit on the flight deck behind Pilot Doug Hurley for launch, and will make three spacewalks during the mission.

Marshburn Aboard
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:10:15 PM EDT

Tom Marshburn stepped into Endeavour and is maneuvering into position in his seat on the middeck closest to the hatch. If there is an emergency that calls for the crew to bail out, he will work the hatch and escape pole so the astronauts can get out safely.

Like Dave Wolf, Marshburn is a medical doctor. Marshburn started at NASA as a flight surgeon and worked closely with astronauts as they trained in Star City, Russia, for missions aboard the space station Mir and later the International Space Station.

Marshburn and Christopher Cassidy are part of the astronaut class of 2004.

Hurley Straps in for First Launch
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:02:14 PM EDT

Doug Hurley is a veteran U.S. Marine Corps test pilot, but has never flown in space before. As the STS-127 pilot, he will sit in the right-hand seat of Endeavour, which is set up identically to the commander’s station. He can fly the shuttle from his seat if he has to, which is something shuttle pilots train for routinely leading up to launch.

Kopra Takes His Place on Endeavour
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:54:10 PM EDT

Tim Kopra is getting strapped into the seat farthest away from the hatch on the lower level of Endeavour’s crew compartment. He is making his first flight into space, and it will be longer than usual since he is to live aboard the International Space Station, taking the place of Japan’s Koichi Wakata, who flew to the station as part of the STS-119 crew in March.

Kopra will make the first spacewalk of the STS-127 mission when he joins Dave Wolf to prepare the Exposed Facility before it is moved to the outside of the Kibo laboratory complex on the station.

Polansky Takes Commander's Seat
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:50:14 PM EDT

STS-127 mission Commander Mark Polansky has made his way into Endeavour and pulled himself into the left-hand seat on the flight deck. It’s an awkward transition for each of the astronauts because the shuttle is standing nose-up, so the crew members have to lift their legs above their heads to get into their seats. They have temporary straps to help, and they train extensively to get into place without tripping any of the switches and controls in the cockpit.

Polansky flew fighters in the U.S. Air Force before joining NASA as a research pilot. His call sign is "Roman," a play on his last name, which sounds like that of the Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski.

Polansky first went into space as pilot of STS-98 in 2001. That mission delivered NASA’s Destiny laboratory to the International Space Station. On his second flight, Polansky commanded STS-116 to deliver a truss segment to the station.

Final Inspection Team Leaves Pad
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:49:59 PM EDT

With their intensive inspection routine complete, the final inspection team is leaving Launch Complex 39A. The only people there will be the astronauts and the closeout crew.

Astronauts Reach Launch Pad
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:42:40 PM EDT

The crew members of STS-127 are climbing out of the Astrovan and making their way to the elevator at the launch pad. They will go to the orbiter access arm that reaches out to Endeavour's hatch.

A Space-Age Experiments Platform
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:32:01 PM EDT

Endeavour’s main purpose during STS-127 is to install the last element of Japan’s Kibo laboratory at the International Space Station. It is called the Exposed Facility and it is a 4.1-ton platform with power sources and other equipment to operate experiments that study space from the outside of the station, where astronauts cannot venture except with spacewalking gear. It will be attached to one end of Kibo’s Pressurized Module. A robotic arm on the outside of the lab will let astronauts inside the station move experiments on the platform.

The Kibo complex has taken three shuttle missions to complete.

The shuttle also carries the Experiment Logistics Module – Exposed Section, which is designed to hold experiment and equipment packages that will be placed on the Exposed Facility. The Exposed Section will be mounted on Kibo for a few days, but will return with Endeavour. It is holding two experiments and one piece of equipment for Kibo during this trip.

Astrovan Heads to Launch Pad
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:24:24 PM EDT

The astronauts are on the way to Launch Pad 39A and the waiting Endeavour. The crew of six men and one woman are sitting inside the Astrovan, which is actually a modified Airstream motor home. It has been used to carry shuttle crews since 1984. The vehicle’s interior is rather large for seven people, until you recall that each of those seven is wearing a bulky launch-and-entry suit.

Cheryl Mansfield, one of the Web writers here, penned a story about the Astrovan last summer. Just paste this address into your browser to read it: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/astrovan.html Then make sure to come back to the Launch Blog for the rest of today's countdown.

Countdown Resumes
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:18:20 PM EDT

T-3 hours and counting . . . Launch controllers have restarted the countdown clock on time for a launch at 7:13 p.m.

Astronauts Begin Suiting Up
Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:00:43 PM EDT

The crew of STS-127 is working with a team of expert technicians in the Operations and Checkout Building here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to get into their launch-and-entry suits. The familiar orange attire is a partial pressure suit designed to protect astronauts in case of an emergency during ascent. An inner layer that looks a lot like thermal underwear is woven with thin plastic lines which circulate water to keep the astronaut cool inside the bulky outer layer of the suit.

The suit-up process includes a thorough leak check to make sure the helmet, gloves, boots and connections are all sealed properly. When the astronauts are ready, they’ll head out of the building and get into the Astrovan for a lift to Launch Pad 39A.