19:58 GMT (2:58 pm EST): The Shuttle will fire its Orbital Maneuvering System several times over the next hours to circularize the orbit and rendezvous with the International Space Station.
19:53 GMT (2:53 pm EST): Main Engine Cut-Off or MECO. The Shuttle used all the fuel in the External Tank and shut down its three main engines. The main tank is jettisoned and photographed to check for missing foam.
19:47 GMT (2:47 pm EST): Jettison of the solid rocket boosters. The Shuttle reached 48 kilometers altitude.
19:46 GMT (2:46 pm EST): The Shuttle reached Max-Q, the maximum dynamic pressure in about 10 kilometers altitude. The main engines are therefore throttled back to 75%.
19:45 GMT (2:45 pm EST): We have lift-off of Shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-122 to the International Space Station carrying Columbus.
19:44 GMT (2:44 pm EST): One minute until launch. Power is switched to internal. The main engines will fire at T-6.6 seconds. After nominal operation is confirmed the two solid rocket boosters are ignited.
19:43 GMT (2:43 pm EST): T-2 and counting. The crew closed their helmets.
19:42 GMT (2:42 pm EST): The fuel tap-off arm is retracted.
19:40 GMT (2:40 pm EST): T-5 and counting. Auxiliary power units are started and all looks good for launch. The range safety devices are armed.
19:38 GMT (2:38 pm EST): The orbiter access arm is retracted.
19:36 GMT (2:36 pm EST): T-9 and counting. The Shuttle entered the final phase before launch. The control is given to the automatic ground launch sequencer for the launch at 19:45 GMT.
19:32 GMT (2:32 pm EST): All systems are go for launch. 4 minutes remaining in the hold. The weather is good for launch.
19:25 GMT (2:25 pm EST): All Transatlantic Abort Landing (TAL) sites are available in case an abort would be necessary.
18:51 GMT (1:51 pm EST): T-9 and holding. We reached the final hold. This hold gives the Launch Director the chance to get the go/no-go decisions of the launch team and to target the launch for the available launch window.
18:40 GMT (1:40 pm EST): T-20 and counting. The Shuttle’s computers are switched to flight configuration. The cabin is being pressurized.
18:31 GMT (1:31 pm EST): T-20 and holding. This build-in hold enables the Shuttle Test Director for final briefings. The final preflight data is submitted to the crew and the Shuttle’s main computers.
17:50 GMT (12:50 pm EST): The hatch of Atlantis is now closed.
16:21 GMT (11:21 am EST): The crew of the Atlantis arrived at the launch pad and prepares to enter the Shuttle.
16:00 GMT (11:00 am EST): The clock is counting at T-3 hours. The crew is dressed and will drive to the launch pad shortly. The weather currently looks good for launch.
14:54 GMT (9:54 am EST): T-3 hours and holding. The countdown is currently in a built-in hold so that any tasks can be done that fell behind schedule. At the moment there are no technical issues against launch, the weather situation is monitored as morning rises in Florida. The countdown will be resumed in a bit over an hour.
9:29 GMT (4:29 am EST): The External Tank is being fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The tank supplies the Shuttle’s three main engines during its ascent.
8:51 GMT (3:51 am EST): The fuel cells of the Shuttle are activated and all not necessary people will leave the launch pad area.
February 7, 2008
February 6, 2008: The Space Shuttle Atlantis stands ready for launch tomorrow on Pad 39A. We will provide you with live coverage of all upcoming events. The launch is planned for 19:45 GMT (2:45 pm EST).
Space shuttle Atlantis’ upcoming 11-day mission will deliver a key component to continue construction of the International Space Station. During the first of three spacewalks, a laboratory module, known as Columbus, will be installed. The following day, astronauts will enter the European Space Agency’s module for the first time, expanding the research facilities of the station and providing crew members and scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments.
Joining Commander Frick on STS-122 will be pilot Alan Poindexter and mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel and Leopold Eyharts. Eyharts will replace current station crew member Dan Tani, who has lived on the outpost since October.
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