During today's update at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Test Director Steve Payne reported that all systems are "go" for launch. Closeouts on space shuttle Discovery are being conducted and testing of the vehicle will continue through Saturday morning.
"Our systems are in good shape, the launch countdown preps are proceeding without much event and we have no new issues to report," Payne said. "The flight crew, vehicle and the launch team are ready to go; we're excited to pick up the launch countdown."
Discovery's launch is on track for 1:36 a.m. EDT Tuesday, and the official countdown for launch begins at 11 tonight.
The STS-128 crew members are on a launch sleep schedule and went to bed at 7 a.m. They'll be awakened at 3 p.m. to start their day and review flight plans. At 9 p.m., Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford will climb into NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft to practice approaches and landings at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility.
Rollback of the rotating service structure that protects the shuttle before launch is planned for 5 a.m. Monday, and fueling of the external tank is scheduled to begin at 4:11 p.m.
Shuttle Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters forecasts a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for liftoff and fueling.
Tune in to the Countdown Status Briefing aired on NASA TV on Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT.
"Our systems are in good shape, the launch countdown preps are proceeding without much event and we have no new issues to report," Payne said. "The flight crew, vehicle and the launch team are ready to go; we're excited to pick up the launch countdown."
Discovery's launch is on track for 1:36 a.m. EDT Tuesday, and the official countdown for launch begins at 11 tonight.
The STS-128 crew members are on a launch sleep schedule and went to bed at 7 a.m. They'll be awakened at 3 p.m. to start their day and review flight plans. At 9 p.m., Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford will climb into NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft to practice approaches and landings at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility.
Rollback of the rotating service structure that protects the shuttle before launch is planned for 5 a.m. Monday, and fueling of the external tank is scheduled to begin at 4:11 p.m.
Shuttle Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters forecasts a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for liftoff and fueling.
Tune in to the Countdown Status Briefing aired on NASA TV on Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT.
