Picture-Perfect Launch Into Clear FL Skies

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 08.08.07 1836 EDT: Endeavour has her wings again. For the first time in over four-and-a-half years, shuttle OV-105 has taken to the skies, heading towards the International Space Station.

Launch occurred right on schedule, following a near-flawless countdown. The only problem that cropped up was an issue with one of the air pressurization sensors on the orbiter's hatch, that indicated low. However, all others gave proper indications, and NASA was able to quickly determine the shuttle was, in fact, sealed airtight.

Endeavour is scheduled to fly an 11-day mission, but that may be extended by three extra days if all goes well with deployment of a power coupling that would allow Endeavour to receive additional power from the ISS.

Previous Reports

1735 EDT: A potential problem with today's launch of the shuttle Endeavour turned out to need nothing mroe than a good shove to solve.

Members of the Closeout Crew have run into a problem with "micro" switches associated with the orbiter's crew hatch. NASA reports the crews started over by re-opening and closing the hatch once again in an effort to get a good latch and seal.

That seemed to do the trick, and the closeout crew is now running final pressurization checks.

Inside Endeavour, the astronauts are now going through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for launch, scheduled for one hour from now. Stay tuned.

1630 EDT: The crew of STS-118 have taken their seats onboard the space shuttle Endeavour.

NASA reports Commander Kelly was first to be secured in his seat assisted by the closeout crew. Endeavour's pilot Charlie Hobaugh, was next on the flight deck. The rest of the flight team was seated and strapped in while Kelly began powering up the orbiter's general purpose computer for flight.

Countdown is proceeding smoothly... and the weather forecast just keeps getting better. At the moment, there's only a 10 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff in just over two hours from now. Stay tuned.

1435 EDT: She's ready to go... and so is her crew. NASA reports conditions remain optimal for today's launch of the space shuttle Endeavour.

At the launch pad, the final inspection team -- also known as the "Ice Team" -- is inspecting the space shuttle's exterior, making sure it is in good condition and free of ice and debris.

Earlier today, Endeavour's orange external tank was filled with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. NASA adds all systems onboard the space shuttle are functioning normally, and there's only a 20 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 1836 EDT.

The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002.

Original Report

We're still good to go. NASA reports that on the morning before the scheduled liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-118 mission, launch officials confirmed once again that the countdown was continuing as planned and no issues have surfaced.

Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters also provided an updated weather forecast, which has improved even further -- to only a 20% chance that isolated rain showers could prohibit launch Wednesday evening at 1836 EDT.

STS-118 will be the first flight for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago, when she was the alternate to schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe on the ill-fated Challenger mission. Morgan remained associated with NASA following the tragedy... and in 1998, she was invited by NASA to train for another shuttle mission, this time as a full-fledged astronaut.

NASA reports First Lady Laura Bush called Morgan Tuesday morning to offer congratulations "one schoolteacher to another," and to thank her for her commitment to the space program and to education.

On Monday night, workers finished loading the reactants for the orbiter's three power-producing fuel cells. Checks of the space shuttle main engine's avionics and pneumatic systems were conducted Tuesday, along with inspections of the external tank, activation of ground support equipment, and crew equipment stowage in the crew module.

Orbiter and ground communications systems were powered up Tuesday afternoon prior to retraction of the pad's rotating service structure.

ANN will provide continuing coverage of Endeavour's launch. Stay tuned!

FMI: www.nasa.gov