Blue skies greet start of Atlantis countdown. Photo Credit/NASA TV
Stormy weather could be a factor in the approaching lift off of orbiter Atlantis on the final shuttle flight, NASA officials said Tuesday, as the countdown for the 12-day supply mission to the International Space Station was about to get under way.
Lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for Friday at 11:26 a.m., EDT.
On Tuesday, Shuttle Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters placed the prospects of weather that could force a delay at 60 percent because of an easterly wave in the Gulf of Mexico and moist sea breezes on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The factors could bring untimely low clouds, rain and possible thunderstorms to the region before the scheduled lift off. Between 500,000 and 750,000 people are expected to gather on the roadways and beaches of Central Florida to witness the 135th and final shuttle flight.
“I wish I had a better weather brief for you,” Winters, a veteran forecaster, told a morning news briefing.
The outlook improves Saturday and Sunday, and NASA has already said it will pick the best two days between Friday, Saturday and Sunday to stage launch attempts. Throughout the period, forecasters are predicting favorable weather at supporting shuttle emergency runways in Spain, France, California and New Mexico.
Unlike sister orbiters Discovery and Endeavour, Atlantis is not equipped to recharge its electrical systems from solar power at the International Space Station. That makes it unlikely the Atlantis crew can conserve enough power to stretch the flight to a hoped for 13th day unless they lift off on Friday.
By prior agreement, NASA will suspend launch activities after Sunday to allow the U. S. Air Force to launch a Delta IV rocket with a military satellite from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. NASA would re-service the shuttle’s electrical systems to prepare for another round of launch attempts as soon as July 16.
Atlantis commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim flew to Kennedy on Monday.
Aside from some concern for the weather, shuttle preparations were unfolding as planned Tuesday.
“All of our vehicle and ground systems are ready,” said NASA test director Jeremy Graeber. “We’re working no issues at this time.”