SPACES SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Launch of THE SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR.FEBRUARY 8, 2010. From Nasa's Launch Blog.
An Awesome Night Launch. Launch info below pictures.






Endeavour Safely in Orbit
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:34:38 AM EST

Space shuttle Endeavour reached space this morning after a flawless liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch begins a chase by the shuttle to catch up to the International Space Station and deliver the newest module to the orbital complex, the Tranquility node. Endeavour's six astronauts are scheduled to spend the next 13 days in space flying the shuttle and working on the station. They will perform three spacewalks during that time to install Tranquility and the cupola with its seven windows and one-of-a-kind perspective on Earth.

This also wraps up the NASA Launch Blog for STS-130, but we'll be back in 13 days to follow the landing of Endeavour. Keep track of the mission at NASA's Web site. It will have videos and photos from the daily activities from the work in space, not to mention more coverage of today's spectacular launch.

See you for landing!

ET Sep!
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:23:39 AM EST

The external fuel tank has separated from Endeavour and the spacecraft is flying on its own now on its way to the International Space Station.

MECO!
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:22:47 AM EST

Endeavour shut down its three main engines on time after a flawless climb into orbit. Next up, jettisoning the external fuel tank that caried the propellants for the three main engines.

"Negative Return"
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:19:16 AM EST

With all systems working well, Endeavour is flying at 6,000 mph and gaining speed. It is going too fast and has gone too far to return to KSC if there were an emergency. All systems go.

SRB Burnout and Separation
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:17:50 AM EST

The fuel inside the solid rocket boosters are exhausted and the SRBs have separated from the stack, leaving Endeavour's three liquid-fueled main engines to power it the rest of the way into space.

Roll Program
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:15:10 AM EST

Endeavour has rolled into its familiar position with the orbiter below the external tank for the climb into space. The orientation reduces aerodynamic loads on the shuttle during the ascent. The shuttle is quickly picking up speed and altitude as it speeds away from the Florida launch site. All systems working fine.

LIFTOFF!
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:14:27 AM EST


Endeavour has cleared the tower!

Main Engines Roar!
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:14:08 AM EST

T-6 seconds and counting . . . Endeavour's three main engines are firing and building up pressure.

Endeavour's Computers in Charge Now
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:13:45 AM EST

T-31 seconds and counting . . . Endeavour's five general purpose computers have taken over the countdown control from the ground-based launch processing system. Endeavour's GPCs are loaded with software that automatically moves through the last moments of the countdown.

GOX Arm retracts
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:11:54 AM EST

T-2:30 and counting. . . The gaseous oxygen, abbreviated as "GOX," vent arm is swiveling away from Endeavour's external tank. The "beanie cap" at the end of the arm captures evaporating liquid oxygen during the countdown and funnels it away from the shuttle stack.

APU start
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:09:38 AM EST

T-5 minutes and counting . . . The three auxiliary power units in Endeavour are up and running. They generate the hydraulic power needed to swivel Endeavour's three main engines during launch. The hydraulic system also moves the shuttle's aero surfaces, which are the rudder and elevons that steer the shuttle when it is in the atmosphere.

Orbiter Access Arm Moves Back from Orbiter
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:07:01 AM EST

T-7 minutes and counting . . . The orbiter access arm is swinging away from the shuttle's hatch in preparation for launch. If an emergency develops, the arm can swing back into place within seconds and the astronauts can leave the shuttle.

Countdown Resumes – Nine minutes to Launch!
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:05:13 AM EST

T-9 minutes and counting . . . Endeavour is ready, the weather is “green” and the astronauts are eager to head into space. This is the final phase of today's run to launch and the launch pad and shuttle will make steady moves in the next nine minutes to set up for liftoff. The orbiter access arm will move out of the way shortly. The shuttle's auxiliary power units, which provide energy for Endeavour's hydraulic systems during launch, will activate at the T-5 minute point. Then the gaseous oxygen vent arm, which holds the "beanie cap," will move from the top of the tank.

"We'll see you in a couple weeks, it's time to go fly," Zamka radioed to Launch Director Mike Leinbach just before the countdown resumed.

Throughout the run up, the launch team keeps steady eyes on their instruments for any anomaly that could prompt a hold.

The three liquid-fueled main engines will fire to life six seconds before liftoff and build up pressure before the solid rocket boosters are lit at T-0.

"Go for Launch"
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:04:15 AM EST

"Wish you good luck and Godspeed," Launch Director Mike Leinbach radioed to Endeavour as the shuttle and its crew were cleared to launch this morning at 4:14 a.m.

Windows on the World
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:53:36 AM EST

You've heard how great those revolving restaurants atop skyscrapers are. Well, the space station doesn't offer a revolving restaurant, but it will offer astronauts a place to watch the Earth while it revolves beneath them. The great view is the courtesy of the cupola Endeavour is taking into space with the Tranquility node. The cupola is attached to end of the Tranquility node for launch, but will be moved to an Earth-facing port on Tranquility on the eighth day of the mission.

Since the cupola projects out from the station a bit, a crew member perched inside it will have a complete all-around view. It's kind of like standing up to look out of a sunroof at the city instead of just looking through the rolled-up passenger window. The cupola is completely pressurized, which means astronauts don't have to don spacesuits to work in it. In addition to its role as a premier lookout point, the cupola will be equipped with a robotics workstation for control of the station's main robotic arm and Dextre, a smaller robotic hand of sorts that works in concert with the arm. The windows are clear enough to be used for observation cameras. No word on plans to serve meals inside the cupola.

Flight Controllers Change TAL Preference
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:48:41 AM EST

Endeavour Commander George Zamka has been told to select the emergency airfield in Zaragoza, Spain, as the primary transoceanic abort landing site in the unlikely event of an emergency early in launch. There are three sites in Spain and France to choose from and launch rules call for one of them to have acceptable weather conditions.

The weather at Kennedy remains "go" for launch.

TAL Weather "No-Go"
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:40:21 AM EST

Weather at Kennedy Space Center has improved and currently is go for launch and for a return to launch site abort, should that be necessary.

However, all three transoceanic abort landing sites are "no-go" for low cloud ceilings and rain showers within 20 nautical miles. The Spaceflight Meteorology Group at Johnson Space Center in Houston will continue to assess the TAL weather.

ISS Awaits Tranquility
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:30:25 AM EST

The Tranquility node tucked inside Endeavour’s cargo bay will be put to quick use after it is connected to the International Space Station. The cylindrical module has been outfitted to host experiments and equipment racks. The module is about 23 feet long and just under 15 feet in diameter. Inside Tranquility, an extensive network of cables and other fittings allows machinery to run effectively inside the station to help support six people living on orbit. Some of the machinery destined for Tranquility includes a water recycling system and a treadmill called "COLBERT," which was named for comedian Stephen Colbert.

And, just to reiterate, the weather conditions here at Kennedy are acceptable for launch. There is still concern for low clouds, but Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters said the conditions "look promising" for Endeavour to take to space at 4:14 a.m.

Weather Green on Ceiling Rule
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:27:04 AM EST

Weather conditions have gone "green" or "go" for launch. Teams are not working any technical issues.

Countdown in Final Hold
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:24:18 AM EST

The countdown has begun its last built-in hold at the T-9 minute mark. The pause is planned to last about 45 minutes and set up Endeavour and the launch team for the last run through to launch at 4:14 a.m. Launch and flight control teams will conduct a series of polls during the hold to clear the shuttle for liftoff.

Count Resumes on Schedule
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:10:24 AM EST

T-20 minutes and counting . . . Controllers are not working any issues as the countdown clocks resume. The count will pause again at T-9 minutes for the last of the built-in holds. Crews continue working toward an on-time launch at 4:14 a.m.

Countdown Enters Planned Hold
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:59:28 AM EST

The countdown clocks paused at T-20 minutes this morning during a planned hold that will last 10 minutes. Everything remains on schedule for a liftoff at 4:14 a.m. for space shuttle Endeavour and its crew of six astronauts.

Closeout Crew Leaves White Room
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:55:12 AM EST

The seven members of the closeout crew have secured the astronauts inside Endeavour, closed the hatch and secured the White Room at Launch Pad 39A. They are now making their way away from the pad area, leaving only the six crew members of STS-130 at the pad.

At T-24 minutes and counting, the weather conditions are still the prime concern. Chances remain at 60 percent for acceptable conditions at launch time, which is still scheduled for 4:14 a.m. Astronaut Chris Ferguson will be taking a look at the clouds in the area from inside the Shuttle Training Aircraft. He will radio his observations to help the controllers refine their expectations and forecasts.

Those Pesky Orbital Mechanics
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:46:28 AM EST

"Orbital mechanics" may sound like an intergalactic band of spacecraft repairmen who show up at the airlock to fix the satellite TV, but that's not the case. Instead, "orbital mechanics" are the rules that dictate how spacecraft will behave in the unforgiving realm of space. To say it runs opposite of expectations can be an understatement. For example, if you want to speed up your orbit around Earth, you actually would fire your thrusters backward so you would move closer to the planet and therefore go faster. It gets as complicated as you want from there, but we'll let you sort that out for yourselves. In the meantime, here's the part of orbital mechanics that matter most to us on launch day:

As you may know, the launch window for a shuttle heading to the International Space Station is exceedingly precise -- only 10 minutes from open to close. Although 10 minutes sounds like a short amount of time, the preferred launch time actually is only a one-minute period when Launch Pad 39A moves into perfect alignment with the station's orbital path. The launch team prefers that time because it saves the shuttle's fuel. A miss of a minute or even 10 minutes would mean the engines would have to run through more propellants. It can be done, but launch controllers don't like to try. The window is limited to 10 minutes because longer than that and the shuttle would not have enough fuel to track down the station, which is moving over Earth at about 17,500 mph.

Endeavour’s Side Hatch Closed for Launch
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:18:42 AM EST

The closeout crew has swung the side hatch on Endeavour shut and locked the mechanism into launch configuration. The astronauts inside can get out on their own in an emergency, and practice that procedure repeatedly although it is not likely to be needed. The closeout crew will soon leave the launch pad after securing the White Room for launch.

Comm Checks Complete
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:05:30 AM EST

The astronauts inside Endeavour ran through their communications checks smoothly this morning as the countdown moves on toward a 4:14 a.m. liftoff. The launch process is moving ahead smoothly on the technical side and controllers are not working any issues. Weather, however, remains the only worry and the conditions are currently "no-go" for low clouds, though that condition is expected to be temporary.

Strap-in a Careful Dance for Techs, too
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:56:18 AM EST

While the astronauts juggle themselves into seats that put their feet above their heads for liftoff, the technicians face challenges, too. The reason is that with the shuttle standing on its tail in launch position, the technicians are standing on walls and supports instead of the floor while they move the astronauts into position in their seats. They want to make sure they don’t step on any critical switches, among other concerns. As they leave the shuttle, the techs carefully remove the equipment they brought in with them during the work and each piece is accounted for as it is removed.

Weather Goes "Red" Again
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:46:44 AM EST

As expected, the weather conditions again slipped past acceptable criteria and weather officers have called the range "red" or "no-go" at the moment. It is expected to be temporary and the offending clouds are expected to be out of the area or within acceptable criteria in about 45 minutes.

Robinson is Last Aboard Endeavour
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:44:32 AM EST

Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson is the last of the six astronauts to take his place inside Endeavour. Robinson will sit on the flight deck behind the commander and pilot. He will serve as the flight engineer during launch and landing. Sometimes, though, even astronauts can forget something before a big trip. Robinson left behind a flight data file, but not to worry, it is being rushed out to him at the launch pad. He is the most experienced astronaut on this mission, having flown three times before, including during the STS-114 Return-to-Flight. Robinson is also lead guitarist for the astronaut band “Max-Q” and goes by the nickname “Stevie Ray.”

KSC’s Own Astronaut, Hire, Climbs Inside Endeavour
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:30:03 AM EST

Kathryn Hire was familiar around Kennedy Space Center long before she became an astronaut. Before joining the astronaut corps, Hire worked here as a shuttle engineer for five years. For STS-130, she will sit on the flight deck behind Pilot Terry Virts. In orbit, she will work with Virts during robotic arm operations for the shuttle. Her previous shuttle flight was aboard STS-90 in 1998, when she helped conduct experiments in space as part of the Neurolab mission. That mission saw the crew work inside a lab module that was bolted inside the shuttle’s cargo bay.

Patrick in Place on Lower Level of Endeavour
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:22:26 AM EST

Astronaut Nicholas Patrick got into his middeck seat quickly this morning as the strap-in process for the crew continues smoothly aboard Endeavour. Patrick is the second spacewalker for the mission’s three spacewalks. He and Behnken will remove covers, connect cables and fittings and do other work on the outside of the Tranquility node as it is put into place and opened for business aboard the space station. Patrick has flown once before, but these spacewalks will be his first.

Pilot Virts is Aboard
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:12:15 AM EST

Terry Virts is the only member of the STS-130 crew who has not flown in space before. He is climbing into the pilot's seat, which has the same controls as the commander's station. As with all astronauts, he enjoyed an accomplished career before joining the astronaut corps. Since joining NASA and going through initial training, Virts has taken on numerous technical assignments including working as the capcom during several shuttle missions. The capcom is the astronaut who works in mission control communicating with the crew on orbit.

Next In - Bob Behnken
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:03:34 AM EST

Mission Specialist Robert Behnken is getting into his seat on the lower level of Endeavour’s crew cabin as Zamka continues getting set up on the flight deck. The astronauts stagger their entry between upper and lower levels because the crew cabin can grow cramped rather quickly with astronauts and their bulky pressure suits moving around. In space, the lack of gravity opens up a lot more room for the astronauts, of course. Behnken will be the lead spacewalker for all three of the STS-130 spacewalks, or EVAs, short for extravehicular activity.

Zamka Climbs Inside Endeavour
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:57:17 AM EST

STS-130 Commander George Zamka is once again getting up into his seat at the controls of Endeavour. He is sitting in the left-hand seat at the front of the flight deck where he has access to numerous switches and the control stick for the shuttle. The last time he went into space, he sat in the pilot’s station opposite the commander. That was during STS-120 and his commander during that flight was Pam Melroy. That flight was also the last time a shuttle carried a node to the International Space Station. This flight is also carrying a node, this one named Tranquility.

Astronauts at Launch Pad 39A
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:43:06 AM EST

The crew members of STS-130 are out of the Astrovan and walking around the base of Launch Pad 39A. Soon they will step into the elevator that will take them up to the 195-foot level of the fixed service structure. They will turn left out of the elevator and take turns crossing over the bridge to the White Room and Endeavour’s hatch. There is not enough room in the White Room for the whole crew to stand in there at the same time, let alone the crew and the technicians who are helping them.

Endeavour Crew Headed to Launch Pad
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:27:28 AM EST

Riding inside the Astrovan, the six astronauts of STS-130 are on their way to Launch Pad 39A and a waiting space shuttle Endeavour. The astronauts took the traditional stroll out of the Operations and Checkout Building moments ago where they were cheered on by space workers, media and others. It will take about 25 minutes to drive from the Operations and Checkout Building in Kennedy’s Industrial Area to the launch pad.

Countdown Resumes at T-3 hours
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:19:16 AM EST

The clocks are moving backward again this morning as all launch preparations continue on pace for a liftoff at 4:14 a.m. The work is centered mainly on three locations at Kennedy: At the Operations and Checkout Building, the astronauts are in their launch-and-entry suits and will head to the launch pad soon. At Launch Pad 39A, technicians are readying Endeavour’s crew cabin for the astronauts. And here at the Launch Control Center, the launch team is carefully going through its checklists and procedures leading up to liftoff.

Forecasters Getting More Comfortable with Weather Outlook
Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:05:15 AM EST

Forecasters are cautiously optimistic about weather for Monday’s 4:14 a.m. EST launch of space shuttle Endeavour. Earlier, conditions at the launch pad were “red,” but those clouds have dissipated. Currently, launch weather is "green," or “go” for all weather constraints.

The main concern is that clouds off the east coast of Florida could migrate back toward Kennedy Space Center and create a low ceiling. The atmosphere is more stable than during Sunday morning’s launch attempt when an expansive low cloud deck forced a scrub. There are more holes in the cloud deck tonight, and weather remains 60 percent “go.” Astronaut Chris Ferguson will fly weather reconnaissance flights to aid forecasters in determining whether the clouds pose a threat.

The trans oceanic abort landing site at Istres, France, is forecast to be “go” should it be required.

Time to Suit Up for Launch
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:57:39 PM EST

STS-130 Commander George Zamka and his crew are getting into their orange partial pressure suits before heading out to a waiting Endeavour at Launch Pad 39A. They are getting dressed in the Operations and Checkout Building here at Kennedy with a team of capable technicians helping them out along the way to make sure all the connections are correct. The process includes leak checks to make sure everyone’s pressure suits are working properly.

The pressure suits have two layers. The first is a liquid-cooled garment that looks a lot like the waffle-pattern of thermal underwear sewn with lines that carry chilled liquid to keep the astronaut cool inside. The second, or outer shell, is the instantly recognizable orange part of the suit. Boots, gloves and white helmets complete the launch ensemble.

The astronauts have already put on these suits or training versions of them many times in training. For Zamka and Pilot Terry Virts, the suits have even been worn while practicing landings inside the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

Weather Briefing for Crew
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:44:33 PM EST

The commander, pilot and flight engineer for Endeavour are getting a detailed look at the expected weather conditions as the countdown moves toward a scheduled liftoff at 4:14 a.m. There aren't any surprises, but the forecasters' attention remains focused on the chances of a low blanket of clouds at launch time. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters is keeping the odds of successful conditions at 60 percent. The launch weather is currently "green" or "go."

The briefing for Zamka's crew will also detail expectations for what are known as the "TAL sites," which is short for transoceanic abort landing sites. There are three landing fields in France and Spain that NASA can choose from in the unlikely event Endeavour experiences an emergency during launch that calls for the shuttle to touch down on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Tonight's Shuttle Crew
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:33:42 PM EST

Veteran astronaut George Zamka leads the six-member crew of Endeavour on this 13-day flight to the International Space Station. He flew previously on STS-120 in 2007. Terry Virts, the mission's lone rookie, is flying as pilot. The mission specialists are Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick.

Their focus during the mission is to attach the Tranquility node and cupola to the International Space Station. The crew will work together with the crew members living on the station throughout Endeavour's time at the orbiting laboratory. We'll hit on some of the details about both Tranquility and the cupola as the countdown unfolds.

Launch Control, Flight Control Teams at the Ready
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:27:00 PM EST

Two groups of controllers are at their stations tonight to launch Endeavour on STS-130. Here at Kennedy, launch controllers work out of firing rooms at the Launch Control Center about three miles from Launch Pad 39A. They handle the shuttle countdown, make sure Endeavour is fueled and get the astronauts on board the spacecraft smoothly. There are about 200 controllers in the firing rooms for a launch, each responsible for a system or subsystem. The launch director, Mike Leinbach, is at the top of the food chain for the launch team.

In Houston, a separate team of about 20 flight controllers have converged at the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center. They mainly play a supporting role until liftoff. The flight control team has responsibility for the mission once the shuttle clears the launch tower. Both teams are in constant contact with each other throughout the run up to launch. The flight director oversees the mission once the shuttle leaves the launch pad.

NASA's control center for the International Space Station also is based at Johnson. It takes about a dozen controllers to oversee the station's operations around-the-clock.

Ready for Some Football Facts?
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:14:29 PM EST

In case you didn’t know, the Super Bowl was played Sunday. Won’t spoil the outcome for you (yet), but we can tell you the coin that was flipped by former running back Emmitt Smith at the start of the game went down to Miami after a ride in orbit. The crew of STS-129 took the commemorative item with them to the International Space Station and turned it over to the NFL afterward.

But wait, there’s more: This year’s Super Bowl ended less than 12 hours before Endeavour is scheduled to lift off. If Endeavour goes today, it will be the first time a shuttle has launched so close to what is an unofficial American holiday, Super Bowl Sunday. NASA has come close before to launching on Super Bowl Sunday, with the closest attempts coming within four days of pro football’s championship game.
And lastly, the crew of STS-130 did not watch the game before suiting up for launch. The telecast was beamed up to the crew of the space station, though.

Tank Fueling Numbers
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:11:53 PM EST

A quick for-the-record: Endeavour's external fuel tank was loaded with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen beginning at 6:50 p.m. this evening and concluded at 9:54 p.m. The propellants power Endeavour's three main engines during the 8 1/2-minute climb into orbit.

Specialists Working at Launch Pad
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:07:23 PM EST

Two separate teams of technicians and engineers are working at Launch Pad 39A tonight to get everything set up for liftoff. The closeout crew, recognizable by their white coveralls, are inside the White Room where the metal bridge from the fixed service structure meets the hatch on the side of Endeavour. The closeout crew will help the astronauts into the spaceship and get them strapped in. Then the tech will close the hatch and make sure everything is secured before they leave the pad.

Another team called the Final Inspection Team, but perhaps better known as the "Ice Team," has been carefully surveying the outside of Endeavour since the tank was fueled with more than half-a-million gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The chemicals are cold enough that ice can form on the outside of the tank during the countdown. So the inspection team is looking for dangerous chunks of ice that could break off during launch. The Final Inspection Team wears orange coveralls and carries a host of specialized equipment including infrared scanners. They also use simple technologies including binoculars.

While the closeout crew works in the tight spaces of the White Room, the Final Inspection Team moves all over the launch pad structure to get the best look at areas of the shuttle as it stands poised for space.

Good Evening from Kennedy’s Launch Control Center!
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:00:13 PM EST

There is no shortage of activity at Launch pad 39A tonight as NASA’s elite launch teams rev up for the second attempt to launch space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-130 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:14 a.m.
We at NASA’s Launch Blog will bring all the milestones to you as they happen and give you a few bits of background and context along the way. But first things first, and the first thing tonight is the weather.

At the moment, the launch site conditions are “green,” or “go,” and would allow a shuttle launch. But earlier this evening, low clouds have occasionally dipped in past limits, prompting “red” or “no-go” conditions. Officials here expect the conditions to go through red and green cycles throughout the countdown. The Sunday morning try experienced the same conditions and was scrubbed when the low clouds refused to budge as the liftoff time approached. The launch team is hoping for better luck this time.

While they worry about the weather though, Endeavour is not giving them any reason to worry about the spacecraft. There are no technical issues and the previous countdown attempt also saw no technical issues crop up. So the crew and controllers are content that the shuttle is ready for this first mission of 2010.

Launch Teams Ready Endeavour for Monday A.M. Try
Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:50:49 PM EST

The stage is being set for Endeavour's second launch attempt in as many days for the STS-130 mission. NASA's Launch Blog kicks off continuous coverage from here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 11 p.m. and will follow the countdown milestones throughout the following hours. Endeavour is scheduled to lift off at 4:14 a.m. Low clouds at the launch site remain the primary concern for weather watchers, and the chances of acceptable conditions at launch time are put at 60 percent. It was low clouds that scrubbed Sunday morning's try.

Launch:
4:14 a.m. EST - Feb. 8, 2010
Landing:
10:20 p.m. EST - Feb. 21, 2010
Orbiter:
Endeavour
Mission Number:
STS-130
(130th space shuttle flight)
Launch Window:
10 minutes
Launch Pad:
39A
Mission Duration:
13 days, 18 hours, 6 minutes, 24 seconds
Landing Site:
KSC
Inclination/Altitude:
51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload:
32nd station flight (20A), Tranquility Node 3, Cupola