Countdown Enters Final Built-in Hold

Launch preparations are continuing tonight for the planned liftoff of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission while meteorologists study current weather trends at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch is scheduled for 1:36 a.m. EDT, but the weather conditions are currently not acceptable for launch. Weather teams in Florida and at mission control in Houston are watching the situation for signs of improvement. The countdown is in its last planned hold at the T-9 minute mark. The launch, mission control, and preflight mission management teams will conduct flight readiness polls to clear the shuttle for launch before the countdown resumes. No technical issues have developed during the countdown tonight and this morning.