T-3 and Holding

Shuttle Mission: STS-107
Orbiter: Columbia
Date: January 16, 2003

Did You Know?

The traditional cake served during this Image: Montage of images including the Space Shuttle and American Flag event is decorated with the flight crew's insignia for the STS-107 mission.

During launch and entry, crew members wear the crew altitude protection system, which consists of a helmet; a communications cap; a pressure garment; an anti-exposure, antigravity suit; gloves and boots.

A group of astronaut support personnel, known as the Cape Crusaders have helped prepare the orbiter for launch today. Doug Hurley is the prime for the team of astronauts supporting today's launch. Alan Poindexter, Mike Foreman, Bob Behnken and Paulo Nespoli are also assisting with today's launch.

Astronaut Dom Gorie is the weather coordinator in the Operations Support Room here in Firing Room 1. Kent Rominger will be flying the T-38 and Shuttle Training Aircraft to check the weather conditions in the KSC area prior to launch.

T-3 and holding...

Propellant tanking began at 3:06 a.m. EST.

External tank loading was completed at 5:48 a.m. EST.

Note: An updated weather forecast has been issued. There is a 5% probability of weather prohibiting today's launch of Columbia and a 60% chance of prohibiting tomorrow's launch. View NASA's weather launch commit criteria.

NASA Television coverage begins at 7:30 a.m. EST - today's Launch Commentator is Bruce Buckingham.

External Tank (ET) is evaluated for ice and frost debris.

Perform T-3 hour check of payload and important flight systems.

Bruce Buckingham
Launch Commentator

Astronaut support personnel board Columbia to conduct the pre-ingress switch list - verifying that all cockpit switches are in the proper position for the flight crew's entry.

The Close-out Crew is dispatched to the White Room to prepare for the flight crew's arrival.

Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) tracking system is powered up.

It is anticipated that Moron Air Base, Spain will be designated as today's primary Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) Site. The alternate TAL site is located at and Zaragoza Air Base, Spain.


Crew enjoying traditional pre-launch cake		Aerial view of TAL landing sites.

Page Last Revised	Page & Curator Information
February 13, 2003	Online coverage by: Dennis Armstrong (NASA), Anna Heiney (IDI) Web Development: Lynda Warnock & Debbie Barton (FDC) Video Production: Chris Chamberland & Mike Chambers (Johnson Controls) Countdown Clock by: Jim Fitzgerald (FDC) NASA Official: Dennis Armstrong (Dennis.Armstrong-1@ksc.nasa.gov) A Service of the NASA/Kennedy Space Center Roy D. Bridges, Director