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Launch remains on schedule for 0201 hours, Singapore local time. I'll be providing major and significant updates in this post.Atlantis (OV-104) will be lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center, launch pad LC-39A, in 5 hours (linked to the the space shuttle mission homepage) for the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This will also be the second last mission for Atlantis (OV-104), and the final 5th mission before the space shuttle fleet is retired.
Follow the countdown live on NASA TV.
* T-6 hours and counting...
08:17:25 PM (Singapore local time): Loading of 500,000 gallons of liquid propellants into space shuttle Atlantis' external tank is complete.
* T-3 hours and holding...
Approximately 08:45:00 PM (Singapore local time): STS-125 Crew members are getting suited-up into their ACES pressure suit before heading towards launch pad LC-39A from the Operations and Checkout Building, on the astrovan.
The following operations will also be conducted during this built-in holding period...
- Perform inertial measurement unit preflight calibration.
- Align Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) tracking antennas.
- Final Inspection Team proceeds to the launch pad to conduct a detailed analysis of the vehicle as the team walks up and down the entire launch tower.
- Closeout Crew proceeds to the launch pad to configure the crew module for countdown and launch and assist the astronauts with entry into the orbiter.
* T-3 hours and counting...
Approximately 10:15:00 PM (Singapore local time): STS-125 Crew members proceeding down to the astrovan.
Approximately 10:17:00 PM (Singapore local time): The astrovan is on the way to launch pad LC-39A from the Operations and Checkout Building, while being escorted by armed NASA law enforcement and security officers.
Approximately 10:33:00 PM (Singapore local time): The astrovan arrived on launch pad LC-39A, approximately 15-16 minutes after it left the Operations and Checkout Building.
Approximately 10:39:00 PM (Singapore local time): STS-125 Crew members are getting ready to enter space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) from the whiteroom of the Fixed Service Structure (FSS).
Approximately 10:59:00 PM (Singapore local time): Air-to-ground voice communication (comm) checks are currently being conducted with Launch Control Center (LCC) and Mission Control Center (MCC).
Approximately 11:12:00 PM (Singapore local time): Cockpit switch configurations are currently being check and verified.
Approximately 11:33:00 PM (Singapore local time): All STS-125 7 crew members are now on-board the space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) and they will be stuck in the upright position for the next 2 hours, whereby bodily fluids will flow down and accumulate in their urinary bladder causing an extreme urge to answer the call-of-nature. Now you know why astronaut wear diaper during launch.
Approximately 11:58:00 PM (Singapore local time): Air-to-ground voice communication (comm) checks conducted with Launch Control Center (LCC) and Mission Control Center (MCC) is concluded.
Approximately 12:07:00 AM (Singapore local time): Crew hatch of the space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) is close shut and locked for flight by the close-out crew.
Approximately 12:17:00 AM (Singapore local time): Close-out crew checks and verify the integrity of the pressure seal around the crew hatch.
Approximately 12:22:00 AM (Singapore local time): Pressurisation process begins in the Space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104), thereafter the internal orbiter pressure will be check and verified for any possible leaks by the close-out crew.
Approximately 12:42:00 AM (Singapore local time): Pressure verification is completed, close-out crew clears and "closes" the whiteroom (also known as whiteroom close-out), before retreating to the fallback area.
* T-20 minutes and holding...
The following operations will also be conducted during this built-in holding period...
- Shuttle Test Director conducts final launch team briefings.
- Complete inertial measurement unit preflight alignments.
* T-20 minutes and counting...
The following operations will also be conducted during this built-in holding period...
- Transition the orbiter's onboard computers to launch configuration.
- Start fuel cell thermal conditioning.
- Close orbiter cabin vent valves.
- Transition backup flight system to launch configuration.
* T-9 minutes and holding...
Approximately 01:48:00 AM (Singapore local time): The Launch Director, Mission Management Team and Shuttle Test Director will poll their teams for a Launch status check (AKA go/no go poll).
- OTC (Orbiter Test Conductor Prime): ...
... go.
- TBC (Tank/Booster Test Conductor): ...
... go.
- PTC (Payload Test Conductor): ...
... go.
- LPS (Launch Processing System Test Conductor): ...
... go.
- Houston Flight (Mission Control Center): ...
... go.
- MILA (Merritt Island Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station): ...
... go.
- STM (Support Test Manager): ...
... go.
- Safety Console (Safety Console Coordinator): ...
... go.
- SPE (Shuttle Project Engineer): ...
... go.
- LRD (Landing and Recovery Director): ...
... go.
- SRO (Superintendent of Range Operations): ...
... go.
- CDR (Mission Commander): ...
... go...
... Altantis you're clear to launch.
* T-9 minutes and counting...
This is when things happens really fast, and the action kicks-in...
- Start automatic ground launch sequencer.
- T-7 minutes, 30 seconds: Retract orbiter access arm.
- T-5 minutes, 00 seconds: Start auxiliary power units.
- T-5 minutes, 00 seconds: Arm solid rocket booster range safety safe and arm devices.
- T-3 minutes, 55 seconds: Start orbiter aerosurface profile test, followed by main engine gimbal profile test.
- T-2 minutes, 55 seconds: Retract gaseous oxygen vent arm, or "beanie cap".
- T-2 minutes, 00 seconds: Crew members close and lock their visors.
- T-50 seconds: Orbiter transfers from ground to internal power.
- T-31 seconds: Ground launch sequencer is go for auto sequence start.
- T-16 seconds: Activate launch pad sound suppression system.
- T-10 seconds: Activate main engine hydrogen burnoff system.
- T-6.6 seconds: Main engine start.
* T-0...
Solid rocket booster ignition and liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104).
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