Shuttle Mission STS-108
 Orbiter - Endeavour
December 5, 2001
"T" stands for scheduled liftoff time, "-" stands for minus, "H" stands for hours, "M" stands for minutes and "S" stands for seconds.

T-03H00M & Holding

Primary Event Description Date
Eastern Standard Time
Enter two-hour hold period

December 5, 2001
 11:24 A.M.

Crew snack and photo opportunity

Other events occurring during this time frame: Aerial View of TAL landing sites
External Tank loading was completed at 11:15 a.m. EST.

Note: An updated weather forecast has been issued. There is a 30% probability of weather prohibiting today's launch of Endeavour. Wednesday's forecast calls for an 20% chance of weather prohibiting launch. View NASA's weather launch commit criteria.

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NASA Television coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. EST - today's Launch Commentator is Bruce Buckingham.
                        

STS 108 Launch Commentator, Bruce Buckingham
Bruce Buckingham

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External Tank (ET) is evaluated for ice and frost debris.
è Perform T-3 hour check of payload and important flight systems.
è Flight Crew lunch and photo opportunity 12:19 p.m (see photo above).

Did You Know?

The traditional cake served during this event is decorated with the flight crew's insignia for the STS-108 mission
è Flight Crew receives weather briefing 12:49 p.m.
è Astronauts don their flight suits. 1:15 p.m.

Did You Know?

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

Did You Know?

A group of astronaut support personnel, known as the Cape Crusaders have helped prepare the orbiter for launch today. Greg Johnson is the prime for the team of astronauts supporting today's launch. Rick Sturckow, Alan Poindexter, Mike Forman and Lee Archambault are also assisting with Endeavour's launch.
è The Close-out Crew is dispatched to the White Room to prepare for the flight crew's arrival.

Did You Know?

Seven people make up the close-out crew including a Orbiter Vehicle crew leader; an astronaut; a NASA quality assurance specialist; two Orbiter Mechanical Technicians and two Johnson Space Center suit technicians.
è Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) tracking system is powered up.

Did You Know?

Astronaut Eileen Collins is the weather coordinator in the Operations Support Room here in Firing Room 3. Charles Precourt will be flying the T-38 and Shuttle Training Aircraft to check the weather conditions in the KSC area just hours prior to launch. His T-38 takeoff from the Shuttle Landing Facility is slated for about 2 ½ hours before launch and then at about 1 hour and 20 minutes before Endeavour's planned liftoff, Charles will begin weather reconnaissance in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and will remain aloft through launch.

Did You Know?

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 Ben Guerir, Morocco.