Atlantis Gets a "Go" for Tanking

The Space Shuttle Program Mission Management Team met at 4:30 a.m. EST and gave a “go” to begin loading shuttle Atlantis’ external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

There now is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for launch. The primary concern is for low cloud ceilings. All three Transatlantic Abort Landing sites are “go.”

As the sun sets behind Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rotating service structure has been moved away from space shuttle Atlantis. Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

Launch is targeted for 2:28 p.m. NASA Television will provide live commentary of external tank loading beginning at 5 a.m. and launch commentary and blog will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Space Shuttle Mission: STS-129

The STS-129 mission will be commanded by Charles O. Hobaugh and piloted by Barry E. Wilmore. Mission Specialists are Robert L. Satcher Jr., Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik and Leland Melvin. Wilmore, Satcher and Bresnik will be making their first trips to space.

Atlantis and its crew will deliver two control moment gyroscopes, equipment and EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 and 2 to the International Space Station. The mission will feature three spacewalks.

The mission also will return station crew member Nicole Stott to Earth and is slated to be the final space shuttle crew rotation flight.