Live Launch Countdown Coverage

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/l...unch-vlcc.html

All times are in EDT unless otherwise stated.

The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated
July 26, 2005 at 4:45 a.m. EDT.

Review our archived coverage of Discovery's first launch attempt July
13, 2005.

5:36 a.m. - NAVAIDS activation has been completed.

5:24 a.m. - No issues are in work, and the launch countdown is
proceeding on schedule. The flight crew is receiving their weather
briefing before suiting up. We are still in the T-3 hour built-in hold.

5:22 a.m. - We are go for NAVAIDS activation.

5:21 a.m. - The Final Inspection Team has reached the 135 foot level,
where they'll stay for approximately 10 minutes.

5:05 p.m. - The Final Inspection Team (also known as the Ice Team) has
arrived at the 195 foot level without observing any issues so far. The
team is composed of seven NASA and contractor members who carry
binoculars and a telescope to get a better look at hard-to-see areas.
The team objective is to assess the integrity of the thermal insulation
on the External Tank. They also look for ice and frost formations on
the tank, measure temperatures on various parts of the vehicle and
assess debris concerns on the vehicle and pad that could impact launch
or flight safety.

Did you know?
The 154-foot-tall External Tank will actually shrink by six inches once
the cryogenic propellants are loaded aboard.

4:59 a.m. - In the crew dining room in the Astronaut Crew Quarters, the
STS-114 crew is having the traditional cake, which is decorated with
the mission's insignia. This morning they are all wearing very colorful
flowered Hawaiian shirts, and Mission Specialist Steve Robinson is
playing his guitar. After they finish their cake, they will suit up and
receive a weather briefing.

Did you know?
Mission STS-114 will be Discovery's 31st flight.

4:45 a.m. - T-3 hours and holding. Good morning, and welcome to the
Virtual Launch Control Center. Space Shuttle Discovery is poised for
launch at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, and so far the
countdown is proceeding smoothly toward a liftoff later this morning at
10:39 a.m. EDT.

Fueling of the massive orange External Tank began at 12:48 a.m. with
the chilldown thermal conditioning of the propellant lines in
preparation for the pumping of 500,000 gallons of super-cold
propellants. Tanking began at 1 a.m. and entered stable replenish at
3:39 a.m. EDT.

The engine cut-off (ECO) sensors in the External Tank were tested from
wet to dry state during the tanking process, and are performing as
expected.

At this time the Final Inspection Team, also known as the ice team, is
conducting its three hour inspection of the launch pad.

Another big concern for today -- the weather -- is looking more
promising. We're now up to an 80% probability of favorable weather at
launch time.

With the Rotating Service Structure rolled away and tanking completed,
Space Shuttle Discovery shines at the brightly lit launch pad, awaiting
the start of its 12-day mission to the International Space Station.

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