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Shuttle
Mission: STS-109
Orbiter:
Columbia
March 1, 2002
Did
You Know?
The traditional cake
served during this  event
is decorated with the flight crew's
insignia for the STS-109 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. Mike Foreman is the
prime for the team of astronauts supporting today's launch.
Rick Sturckow, Alan Poindexter, Lee Archambault, Douglas
Hurley and Robert Behnken are also assisting with Columbia's launch.
Astronaut
Eileen
Collins is the weather
coordinator in the Operations Support Room here in
Firing Room 1. 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 Columbia's
planned liftoff, Charles will begin weather reconnaissance in
the Shuttle Training Aircraft and will remain aloft through
launch.
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