Shuttle Discovery (STS-133) launch

[Gary]

Shuttle Discovery (STS-133) due to launch today 04/11/2010

This is Discovery's 39th and last scheduled launch Launch expected 19:29GMT. Only 20% chance of launch today The Launch window closes on the 7th November. Next chance for launch would be on or after 23rd November.

STS-133 Mission Info

Live coverage of the launch NASA TV There’s normally a delay with this feed

Scanner frequencies. Comms might be heard over the UK 15-20 mins after launch
259.7 primary
296.8 secondary

One scheduled launches after this.
Endeavour STS-134 - 27th February 2011

Plus another possible launch
Atlantis STS-135 - 28th June 2011

Discovery final resting place is due to be Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Centre.

[StuBie]

I thought I read on NASA's Twitter that they were delaying to allow more time for the repairs to take place? This was a few days ago so the situation might have changed since.

[Gary]

I thought I read on NASA's Twitter that they were delaying to allow more time for the repairs to take place? This was a few days ago so the situation might have changed since.

They've sorted that problem Tuesday/Wednesday. NASA Mission Management Team gave the go for launch last night.

Launch now postponed till Friday at 19.04 PM GMT due to weather.

[WAP]

I thought I read on NASA's Twitter that they were delaying to allow more time for the repairs to take place? This was a few days ago so the situation might have changed since.

They've sorted that problem Tuesday/Wednesday. NASA Mission Management Team gave the go for launch last night.

Launch now postponed till Friday at 19.04 PM due to weather.

Thanks Gary, is that UK time you are stating? Also does anybody know if it will be visable from the UK?

[Gary]

Sorry forgot to state that Yep it is GMT time. Discovery is going to ISS so should be visible if the weather is clear

[WAP]

thanks mate, i was just thinking that as its Bonfire night tomorrow night and at that time lots of people will be out looking up to the sky.
just looked at the sighting site and it looks like it has not been updated as it says its already up. Is there a link to its launch path anywhere?

possible sightings:
http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/s ... on=England" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gary]

The CBS Space website used to carry launch trajectory maps, will have a look see if they still do http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/spa ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WAP]

found it in the SATCOM section on here: http://home.telfort.nl/mysteryship/spac ... ts133.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gary]

NASA has published a few more times for possible launches over the weekend

Friday @ 19:04 pm GMT: 60% chance of launch

Saturday @ 18:41 pm GMT: 40% chance of launch

Sunday @ 18:15 pm GMT: 70% chance of launch

Monday @ 17:52 pm GMT: 90% chance of launch*

*Discovery's current launch window closes Sunday due to temperature constraints after the shuttle is docked to the International Space Station. Flight controllers are assessing whether the window could be extended another day or so, but that has not yet been decided.

Either way, if Discovery does not get off during the current window, the flight will be delayed to December. The year's final shuttle window opens Dec. 1 and closes Dec. 5.

Info from CBS Space

NASA please any day but Monday I'm off to a concert

[sjnovis]

Many thanks for keeping us updated with this

NASA please any day but Monday I'm off to a concert

I say, any day accept today - I'm off to the Swindon CAMRA beer festival tonight

[Gary]

Many thanks for keeping us updated with this
I say, any day accept today - I'm off to the Swindon CAMRA beer festival tonight

Lucky you I missed the massive Peterborough one this year

Now 70% chance of launch. The Mission Management Team has given a "go" for fuelling the external tank

[Gary]

Launch postponed again A leak has been detected.

NASA are saying Monday is the next earliest launch attempt

[Gary]

Launch now postponed till next window which opens 30th November

Launch time on the 30th would be 9:05 am GMT

[Gary]

Discovery launch now delayed until at least 3rd December at 07:51am GMT (02:51 EST). The launch window closes 6/7th December after that the the next window opens at the end of February

[Gary]

Launch now delayed till at least Dec. 17 at 1:52 AM. GMT. Increasingly likely Discovery won't launch till February

[Gary]

Discovery (STS-133) delayed till February . Endeavour (STS-134) will be delayed till at least April.

[Gary]

Another update

Discovery (STS-133) delayed till at least mid to late February due to the on going work fixing the external tank. NASA will discuss potential launch dates next Thursday

[Gary]

NASA updated the launch schedule for the remaining shuttle today

Discovery (STS-133) February 24th at 21.50pm GMT (4:50 p.m. EST)

Endeavour (STS-134) April 18th at 00.48BST or (April 17th 7:48 p.m. EDT US time)

Plus another possible launch
Atlantis STS-135 - 28th June 2011

[Gary]

The mission has now got another problem. Mission Specialist Tim Kopra, who was to be lead astronaut on the the EVA's (spacewalks) is now reported to have broken his hip in a bicycle crash Casting doubt on the targeted launch date of 24th February

Discovery Mission Specialist Injured, But OK
Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:48:56 AM GMT

STS-133 Mission Specialist Tim Kopra was injured Saturday in a bicycle accident, but his injuries are not life threatening. However, there could be an impact to his duties for shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. That possibility still is being evaluated.

Further details of his injury are not being released at this time due to concerns for his medical privacy.

Meantime, technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are working through the weekend on making strengthening modifications on Discovery's external fuel tank stringers.
Discovery and its six astronauts are targeted to launch Feb. 24.

Info from NASA

More info here Spaceflight now

[Gary]

Yet another update 31/01

Discovery to be rolled back to the launch pad today (Monday) after being returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building just before Christmas. NASA still targeting launch for February 24 at 2150 GMT (1650 EST)