Tweet
Discovery astronauts are ready to go - July 4th, 2006
Discovery astronauts are ready to go - July 4th, 2006
AP on Yahoo ^ | 7/4/06 | Mike Schneider - ap
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060704/...ce_shuttle_111
AP on Yahoo ^ | 7/4/06 | Mike Schneider - ap
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Discovery's astronauts strapped into their seats Tuesday and the hatch was sealed in preparation for NASA's first Independence Day shuttle liftoff. After two weather delays and a debate over safety when a crack appeared in the fuel tank's insulation, officials decided the launch was a go.
"Steve, happy Fourth of July!" a launch controller told Steve Lindsey, Discovery's commander.
The six U.S. astronauts waved small American flags, and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter gripped a tiny German banner, as they walked toward the launch pad to enter the shuttle. Astronaut Mike Fossum gave a thumbs up and called out: "Hi mom! I love you!"
Even though the sky was sunny at the Kennedy Space Center, NASA managers were watching the wind speed, slowly approaching the safety limit in the unlikely event of an emergency landing. But launch controllers remained optimistic.
"The weather's looking good. Welcome aboard, Lisa!" a launch controller told astronaut Lisa Nowak.
Tuesday's launch was scheduled to be the first in almost a year, and only the second launch since the Columbia disaster killed seven astronauts in 2003.
"Steve, happy Fourth of July!" a launch controller told Steve Lindsey, Discovery's commander.
The six U.S. astronauts waved small American flags, and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter gripped a tiny German banner, as they walked toward the launch pad to enter the shuttle. Astronaut Mike Fossum gave a thumbs up and called out: "Hi mom! I love you!"
Even though the sky was sunny at the Kennedy Space Center, NASA managers were watching the wind speed, slowly approaching the safety limit in the unlikely event of an emergency landing. But launch controllers remained optimistic.
"The weather's looking good. Welcome aboard, Lisa!" a launch controller told astronaut Lisa Nowak.
Tuesday's launch was scheduled to be the first in almost a year, and only the second launch since the Columbia disaster killed seven astronauts in 2003.
Comment