STS-130 - New launch date 7th Feb 2010

Hi!

As a first time space shuttle launch enthusiast from Australia, I am
wondering if there is usually more than one or more changes to the actual
launch date for the shuttles?

Originally STS-130 was scheduled for Feb 4th - now Feb 7th......is it likely
to change again?

I have allowed a 3 day buffer in my holiday dates to cater for some changes,
but this puts me right on the limit....

Any ideas/comments appreciated!

CHEERS!!!

Ian

On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:07:55 +1000, "eyebee"
wrote:

Hi!

As a first time space shuttle launch enthusiast from Australia, I am
wondering if there is usually more than one or more changes to the actual
launch date for the shuttles?

Some missions go smoothly all the way to launch. Others seem to have
delay after delay. Good luck! Of this year's five launches, two went
on time (STS-125 and STS-129) and the other three (STS-119, STS-127
and STS-128), well.., didn't even come close.

Originally STS-130 was scheduled for Feb 4th - now Feb 7th......is it likely
to change again?

I think the delay this time (from 4th to 7th) was because an Atlas V
with the Solar Dynamics Observatory was already on the Cape Canaveral
launch range schedule for that date. The Cape needs 24 hours between
launches, and each launch on the schedule gets a two-day reservation
to allow for small technical or weather delays. NASA's launch dates
are based on when the Shuttle will be ready (Feb 4th), they don't
reserve a date on the launch range until they get closer to launch,
and this time the Atlas with SDO already had that date, so allowing
for 2 attempts for Atlas/SDO and the 24-hour turnaround on the range,
that takes us to Feb 7. The same thing happened to push back
November's STS-129 a few days (although several weeks in advance.)

Brian

"Brian Thorn" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:07:55 +1000, "eyebee"
wrote:

Hi!

As a first time space shuttle launch enthusiast from Australia, I am
wondering if there is usually more than one or more changes to the actual
launch date for the shuttles?

Some missions go smoothly all the way to launch. Others seem to have
delay after delay. Good luck! Of this year's five launches, two went
on time (STS-125 and STS-129) and the other three (STS-119, STS-127
and STS-128), well.., didn't even come close.

Originally STS-130 was scheduled for Feb 4th - now Feb 7th......is it
likely
to change again?

I think the delay this time (from 4th to 7th) was because an Atlas V
with the Solar Dynamics Observatory was already on the Cape Canaveral
launch range schedule for that date. The Cape needs 24 hours between
launches, and each launch on the schedule gets a two-day reservation
to allow for small technical or weather delays. NASA's launch dates
are based on when the Shuttle will be ready (Feb 4th), they don't
reserve a date on the launch range until they get closer to launch,
and this time the Atlas with SDO already had that date, so allowing
for 2 attempts for Atlas/SDO and the 24-hour turnaround on the range,
that takes us to Feb 7. The same thing happened to push back
November's STS-129 a few days (although several weeks in advance.)

Brian



Thanks for that!

I had noticed the original dates for the Atlas V and the shuttle were only 1
day apart, and it seemed a bit strange being so close (ie. no room for
error/delay)

Here's hoping (for me at least) that there's no further date changes....I
fly out of Florida back to LAX on the 7th at around 6pm, so it's VERY close
as it is! (have to get to MCO only hours after scheduled launch)

Well - should get to see the Atlas V take off at the very least.......

CHEERS!!!

Ian.