1:33 GMT (8:33 pm EST): The first burn of the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) brought Endeavour into a 227 x 156 km orbit.
1:08 GMT (8:08 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.
1:03 GMT (8:03 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.
0:57 GMT (7:57 pm EST): Jettison of the solid rocket boosters. The Shuttle reached 48 kilometers altitude. Due to the heavy payload the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) is used in parallel to the main engines.
0:56 GMT (7:56 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%.
0:55 GMT (7:55 pm EST): We have lift-off of Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-126 to the International Space Station.
0:54 GMT (7:54 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.
0:53 GMT (7:53 pm EST): T-2 and counting. The crew closed their helmets.
0:52 GMT (7:52 pm EST): The fuel tap-off arm is being retracted.
0:50 GMT (7:50 pm EST): T-5 and counting. Auxiliary power units are started and all looks good for launch. The range safety devices are armed.
0:48 GMT (7:48 pm EST): The orbiter access arm is being retracted.
0:46 GMT (7:46 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 0:55 GMT.
0:42 GMT (7:42 pm EST): All systems are go for launch. 4 minutes remaining in the hold. The weather is good for launch.
0:01 GMT (7:01 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.
November 15, 2008
23:50 GMT (6:50 pm EST): T-20 and counting. The Shuttle’s computers are switched to flight configuration. The cabin is being pressurized.
23:41 GMT (6:41 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.
22:57 GMT (5:57 pm EST): Endeavour’s access hatch is now closed.
22:47 GMT (5:47 pm EST): While the crew is doing various tasks like comm checks, the launch pad closeout crew now leaves the Shuttle and prepares for hatch closure.
21:31 GMT (4:31 pm EST): The crew of the Endeavour arrived at the launch pad and prepares to enter the Shuttle.
21:00 GMT (4:00 pm EST): The clock is counting at T-3 hours. The crew is dressed and will drive to the launch pad shortly.
19:30 GMT (2:30 pm 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 good for launch. The countdown will be resumed in a bit over an hour.
14:19 GMT (9:19 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.
November 14, 2008: The Space Shuttle Endeavour stands ready for launch tomorrow on Pad 39A. The launch is planned for November 15, 0:55 GMT (7:55 pm EST).
Space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-126 flight will feature important repair work and prepare the International Space Station to house six crew members for long-duration missions. The 15-day flight with its four planned spacewalks will primarily focus on servicing the station’s two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun. (The starboard SARJ has had limited use since September 2007.) Endeavour will carry about 32,000 pounds, which will include supplies and equipment necessary to double the crew size from three to six members in spring 2009.
The new station cargo includes additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet and a resistance exercise device. The shuttle also will deliver a new crew member and bring back another after more than five months aboard the station.
The flight is commanded by Navy Captain Chris Ferguson with Air Force Colonel Eric Boe serving as Pilot. The crew also includes Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Navy Captain Steve Bowen, Navy Captain Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Army Lt. Colonel Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus will replace current station crew member Greg Chamitoff, who has lived on the outpost since STS-124.
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