![]() ![]() However, the weather is still being evaluated and a final "go" to perform the braking rocket firing to drop from orbit has not been made. Mission Control has told the crew to maneuver the shuttle and press on with the final preparations for the deorbit burn. One of the three APUs will be started prior to the deorbit burn.Ĭoming up on a "go/no go" decision for the deorbit burn in the next few minutes. And pilot Willie McCool has completed the Auxiliary Power Unit prestart, which positions switches in the cockpit in the ready-to-start configuration. The crew has deactivated the shuttle's kitchen area. But visibility is expected to improve as the morning continues. It remains quite foggy, however, at the runway. The latest check on upper level winds shows conditions are trending more favorable, NASA says. In addition, strong winds aloft are being monitored. But it is expected that as the sun continues to rise the fog will burn off this morning. EST, visibility is currently restricted by fog at the runway. The crew has been given the approval to begin their "fluid loading" protocol to drink large amounts of liquids to help in readapting to Earth's gravity, a precursor to today's landing.Īlthough there is still optimism for favorable conditions at Kennedy Space Center for touchdown at 9:16 a.m. And, if so, which end of the runway to use. Based on the conditions, NASA will have to determine if Columbia can safely fly through the winds. Weather balloons have revealed that the winds are strong and shift directions are various altitudes. In Mission Control, officials are continuing to monitor and discuss the winds aloft at Kennedy Space Center. The astronauts are finshing up the chore of checking the hundreds of switches in the crew module, verifying that they are in the right position for entry. Meteorologists are monitoring upper-level winds in determining which end of the runway will actually be used today. Once in the skies off Kennedy Space Center, Husband will pilot the shuttle around a 213-degree right overhead turn to align with Runway 33 for touchdown at 9:16 a.m. That will put Columbia on course for its hour-long glide back to Earth. ![]() EST and last for two minutes and 38 seconds, slowing the ship by about 250 feet per second. The deorbit burn is now targeted to begin at 8:15:30 a.m. And then in about 90 minutes, entry flight director Leroy Cain is scheduled to make the final "go/no go" decision on the deorbit burn.ĬAPCOM Charlie Hobaugh in Mission Control has given commander Rick Husband the Deorbit and Landing Preliminary Advisory Data update. In the next hour, the crew will begin suiting up. Weather continues to improve at Kennedy Space Center this morning. Now two hours away from the deorbit burn. So with weather expected to cooperate in Florida today, the astronauts should be back on Earth in a couple hours to wrap up their 6.6-million mile voyage. EST landing attempt but should be down the runway and within limits. The wind is expected to pick up for the 10:46 a.m. ![]() There is a backup opportunity available an orbit later. The low clouds and fog reported earlier are expected to dissipate for landing on the first entry opportunity today at 9:16 a.m. Meanwhile, NASA astronaut Kent Rominger is flying weather reconnaissance around Kennedy Space Center aboard a T-38 jet trainer. And Columbia will be maneuvering to a new orientation in space to improve the communications link with NASA's orbiting data relay satellites. Mission Control has given commander Rick Husband a "go" to transition Columbia's onboard computers from the OPS-2 software used during the shuttle's stay in space to OPS-3, which is the software package that governs entry and landing. It is believed the cloudiness and fog will burn off as the sun rises.Ĭolumbia's clam shell-like payload bay doors have been closed and locked for today's fiery descent into Earth's atmosphere and 9:16 a.m. However, meteorologists are watching low clouds and fog in the area. The weather forecast remains favorable at Kennedy Space Center's shuttle runway for a touchdown at 9:16 a.m. The seven Columbia astronauts are marching through the deorbit preparation timeline at this hour, stowing away equipment and readying to close the ship's payload bay doors for today's reentry and landing to conclude the 16-day science mission.Įarlier this morning the Spacehab module was closed after the success marathon research mission that featured about 80 experiments. Spaceflight Now | STS-107 | Mission Status Centerįollow the mission of space shuttle Columbia on its 16-day science research flight with our Mission Status Center. ![]()
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