Shuttle Mission: STS-112
Orbiter: Atlantis
Date: October 7, 2002

Did You Know?

During this hold period, the NASA Test Director briefs the launch team on recycle options during the remainder of the countdown. From this point through T-31 seconds, any console operator can request a countdown hold if a problem is detected. After T-31 seconds, however, any unplanned hold would result in an automatic suspension of the countdown and a recycling of the countdown clock back to the T-20 minute mark.

NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding requests members of his team to verify that the proper software has been loaded for the remainder of the countdown.

Pre-flight Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) alignment is completed and verified.

The Landing and Recovery Director verifies that the Shuttle landing site is ready and configured for launch and that the booster recovery ships are on station.

SRB Recovery Ship, the Liberty Star

At launch time, the International Space Station will be at 5.01 degrees north latitude and 109.22 degrees west longitude; that puts the ISS and Expedition Five Crew over the Pacific Ocean, west of Ecuador.