Launch Director Mike Leinbach has polled the Director of Shuttle Engineering, the Shuttle Weather Officer and the Director of Safety, and everyone is ready to resume the countdown. At T-31 seconds, the orbiter's onboard computers take over.ġ0:26 a.m. The GLS monitors more than 1000 critical functions through liftoff. At T-9 minutes and counting, the Ground Launch Sequencer (GLS) computer located in the Firing Room begins controlling the countdown automatically. Liftoff isn't triggered by the click of a button. The Ground Launch Sequencer has been activated.

This morning's countdown has proceeded with remarkable smoothness and liftoff is now only minutes away. We've come through the final built-in hold this morning and we are on target for a 10:39 a.m. T-9 minutes and counting! The terminal countdown is underway. The White Room, which only hours ago provided access to Discovery's crew module, is at the tip of the Orbiter Access Arm.ġ0:30 a.m. In an emergency, it could be returned to its extended position in just 28 few seconds if necessary. The Orbiter Access Arm is being retracted from Space Shuttle Discovery. Pilot Jim Kelly is flipping three switches inside Discovery's cockpit to start each of the three Auxiliary Power Units.ġ0:32 a.m. The system protects the Shuttle and its payloads from any damage caused by acoustical energy generated during launch.Īt T-10 seconds, flares are ignited under Discovery's three main engines to burn away any residual gaseous hydrogen that may haveĪt T-6.6 seconds, the main engines will begin firing in anticipation of liftoff.ġ0:34 a.m. GLS is go for auto-sequence start, and Discovery's onboard launch sequencer is in control at this point.Īt T-16 seconds, the launch pad's Water Sound Suppression System will begin flooding the Mobile Launcher Platform with 300,000 gallons of water. Solid Rocket Booster separation should take place about two minutes into flight.ġ0:38 a.m. The engines will throttle back up to 104% about a minute into flight, just before the vehicle passes through maximum aerodynamic pressure known as Max Q. Half a minute into its climb, Discovery's main engines will throttle down to about 72%. and the vehicle has cleared the tower.ĭiscovery will roll into a head-down position, with wings level and aligned with the launch pad.

beginning America's new journey to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Mission-elapsed time two minutes, five seconds and Discovery's twin Solid Rocket Boosters have separated successfully.ġ0:39 a.m. Space Shuttle Discovery is now 85 miles east of the Kennedy Space Center.ġ0:41 a.m. Space Shuttle Discovery is traveling 6,700 miles per hour and is 200 miles from Kennedy.ġ0:42 a.m. Discovery has rolled back to a heads-up position now as it soars toward orbit.ġ0:44 a.m. Discovery traveling 3,300 miles per hour, altitude 65 miles, and 615 miles downrange from Kennedy.ġ0:45 a.m. Main engine cut-off - and jettison of the External Tank! Discovery has reached orbit! Commander Eileen Collins confirms a good separation.ġ0:46 a.m. Review our archived coverage of Discovery's first launch attempt July 13, 2005.ġ0:48 a.m. The Virtual Launch Control Center was deactivated The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated + NASA Home > Mission Sections > Space Shuttle > Return to Flight > Launch and LandingĪll times are in EDT unless otherwise stated. NASA - Live Launch Countdown Coverage The site requires that JavaScripts be enabled in your browser.

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