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

Did You Know?

The traditional cake served during this Image: Montage of images including the Space Shuttle and American Flagevent is decorated with the flight crew's insignia for the STS-112 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. Robert Behnken is the prime for the team of astronauts supporting today's launch. Rick Sturckow, Alan Poindexter, Douglas Hurley, Lee Archambualt, Michael Foreman and Mike Good are also assisting with today's launch.

Astronaut Dom Gorie 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 prior to launch.
T-3 and holding...

External tank loading was completed at 9:05 a.m. EDT.

Note: An updated weather forecast has been issued. There is a 10% probability of weather prohibiting today's launch of Atlantis and a 30% chance of prohibiting tomorrow's launch. View NASA's weather launch commit criteria.

NASA Television coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. EDT - 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.

Image of Bruce Buckingham, Launch Commentator
Bruce Buckingham
Launch Commentator
Astronaut support personnel board Atlantis 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 Zaragoza Air Base, Spain will be designated as today's primary Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) Site. The alternate TAL site is located at Moron Air Base, Spain.

Image of crew with the traditional cake before launch.
   Aerial view of TAL landing sites.
Crew enjoying traditional pre-launch cake
Aerial view of TAL landing sites.
Page Last Revised Page & Curator Information
October 21, 2002 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)
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Roy D. Bridges, Director
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