The NASA News Conference covering the launch status of STS-119 is currently underway. The Flight Readiness Review Board has decided not to launch Discovery next Friday, Feb 27th, in favor of clarifying the root cause of the flow valve problem before firing the rockets.
A new date will not be announced until at least Wednesday, Feb 25th -- the day the flow valve team has been tasked to submit their plan-to-proceed. The Orbiter Processing Team is five (5) days out from being ready to fly once the go-ahead is given -- which, again, will be no earlier than Wednesday. That puts the launch NET Monday, March 2nd, but every indication from the press conference is that the decision to launch will not be schedule driven. The decision will depend on what work needs to be done, and how much time it will take to accomplish that work.
Additional scheduling issues will affect the forthcoming launch date. Discovery can launch before March 13th or after April 6th, but not in the interim between those dates due to Soyuz scheduling conflict.
So, we will watch and wait and remember how truly remarkable each feat of space flight really is.
Thanks for joining us on this adventure!
Have a great night!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
Hey guys! I know you must be losing your minds! We are not be launched but we are so excited and just want to go, go, go! So I know if we are feeling this way the anxiety must be driving you crazy! (Although ya'll may be doing better than me...you have more peaceful souls than my ADHD self :) Anyway, we are thinking of you!!
Post a Comment