Universe Today — Space and astronomy news

Counting down to the Last Shuttle; Stormy climatic conditions projected
by Ken Kremer on July 6,Tiffany And Co, 2011

The countdown to NASA’s one hundred and thirty fifth and last shuttle launch commenced these days (July five) without technical troubles blocking liftoff at this time. But upwards of 750,Underwear for Men Fully Briefed,000 spectators may possibly be disappointed because the climatic conditions on kick off day, July eight, is looking decidedly dicey. Storm climate and stormy seas lie ahead for NASA.
At today’s press briefing,Tiffany Wedding, Shuttle Climate Officer Kathy Winters projected the chance of favorable climatic conditions is just 40% for Friday’s eleven.26 a.m. liftoff of Atlantis due to the probable danger of rain with the Kennedy Room Center.
The twelve day STS-135 mission will loft about 9500 kilos of materials and equipment that NASA shuttle professionals state are absolutely “mandatory” so that you can preserve the International Space Station running at entire capability for that following 12 months.
“I wish I had a better weather briefing for you, but it does look like we are going to have some weather, at least potential for climate, in the area at start time,Tiffany Co,” said Winters. “Right now,Tiffany Earings, we’re going with a 60 percent chance of KSC climatic conditions prohibiting kick off due to your potential for showers and isolated thunderstorms in the area.”
In the event of a one day delay to Saturday, the chances for favorable climatic conditions increases considerably to 60%. For a two day delay to July 10, the chances of acceptable climate climbs to 70%.
After July 10, the liftoff of the STS-135 mission would have to be delayed to July 16 simply because NASA would be forced to stand down shuttle kick off operations so that you can allow the Air Force to start a military navigation satellite on July 14 from Cape Canaveral. That is unless the Air Force relents – out of consideration to the three quarters of a million folks expected to jam the Florida area coast beaches,Tiffany Silver, highways and hotels – and offers NASA the opportunity to kick off Atlantis for several days starting on July 11.
Space fans need to be patient and plan for undesired contingencies just like NASA by packing extra provisions like food, water and clothing and also should consider extended accommodations.
Clocks begin ticking backwards these days at 1p.m.EDT with the T Minus 43 hour mark towards the last blastoff of Room Shuttle Atlantis.
NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber said at today’s briefing that Atlantis is ready to fly.
“Our teams here with the Kennedy Space Middle and all the NASA centers across the country have been working for over a yr to prepare Atlantis, the external tank our solid rocket boosters, the payload and all of our ground systems for the STS-135 mission,” Graeber stated. “All of our vehicle and ground systems are ready, the STS-135 crew, Atlantis and the launch team are all ready to proceed and we’re looking forward to a spectacular start on Friday morning.”
STS-135 payload manager Joe Delai said the payloads and the Raffaello cargo carrier module are ready to go as well. “The primary objective of Atlantis is to resupply the ISS for one 12 months. About 9500 pounds are going up. This is the largest payload in terms of volume.”
Delai said that Raffaello was specially modified to increase its cargo carrying capacity by several hundred pounds.
The STS-135 mission that will bring NASA’s 30 12 months long shuttle program to a definite close and simultaneously terminate the US capability to kick off humans to space for at least several years.
0 comments