Dec. 8, 2008

Over the weekend, managers overseeing Endeavour’s return to KSC from DFRC in California decided to delay for at least one day the orbiter’s return flight. Unacceptable weather in the southwest US and a frontal system that is forecast to develop and affect the en route conditions prompted managers to delay today’s attempt. A weather briefing is scheduled for this afternoon to discuss the possibility of a 9:15 a.m. EST Tuesday departure and perhaps a Wednesday arrival at KSC.

Although no technical issues forced the delay, the postponement gave shuttle processing crews additional time to complete preparations for the flight.

The main engine tail cone was successfully attached to Endeavour over the weekend. The orbiter is expected to be attached to the shuttle carrier aircraft today.

A multi-use materials science laboratory designated for the ISS arrived at KSC Friday from Marshall Space Flight Center. The Materials Science Research Rack, or MSSR, will allow for study of a variety of materials including metals, ceramics, semiconductor crystals and glasses onboard the orbiting laboratory. It is scheduled to fly aboard Atlantis on mission STS-128 targeted for launch in July 2009. After arriving at the station, the rack will be housed in the U.S. Destiny laboratory. For more information on the space station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station


Suspended by a crane in the VAB, the recently arrived external tank was lifted into the high bay 2 checkout cell on Friday where it will undergo final inspections in preparation for the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission, targeted for launch May 12.