LAUNCH POSTPONED ONE WEEK

Mission managers set a new launch date of no earlier than Feb. 19, 2009 for the STS-119 mission.

For more information on the decision of the Flight Readiness Review, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/.

Like you, we had hoped for a smooth launch experience, and had many reasons to expect one, but such is the nature of space travel! Tonight's decision will not only bring more tests of Shuttle parts -- Flow Control Valves, to be exact -- but also tests of our flexibility and our stamina as followers and supporters of this awesome mission. Are you up for the adventure? We hope so!

We hope that you will stay with your plans to join us in Florida -- one week later! -- to celebrate the moment when Discovery does lift-off into space -- now targeted for the morning of Thursday, February 19th. Keep your plans, too, to join us at our afternoon-before-launch Antonelli Reception! We will begin working with Kennedy Space Center in the morning to slip our event one week, along with the launch.

Be sure to keep tabs on NASA's websites for STS-119 mission updates and launch guest assistance (see links in sidebar and below):

https://fcod-web.jsc.nasa.gov/guestlist/(S(srlckdvywpqcmsajdjo0c2jv))/valid.aspx

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts119/index.html

And, check back here on our blog for our personal updates as we shift gears for another week of "pre-flight preparations" here in Houston.