- VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
- LOCATION: Launch Pad 39A
- KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Dec. 4 at about 3:36 a.m. EST (preferred launch time)
- KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 15 at about 10:36 p.m. EST
- LAUNCH WINDOW: 10 minutes (3:31 a.m. to 3:41 a.m.)
- MISSION DURATION: 11 days, 19 hours
- CREW: Cabana, Sturckow, Currie, Ross, Newman, Krikalev
- ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 173 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1998 (7:59 AM EST)
STS-88 -- 1ST FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATIONUNITY CONNECTING MODULE
LAUNCH-1 DAY
NOTE: The Shuttle Endeavour remains earth bound today following a decision by launch controllers to scrub today's launch attempt. The flight crew and Shuttle vehicle are safe and operations to off-load the external tank of its 500,000 gallons of liquid propellants is currently underway. This operation is expected to be complete by about 10 a.m.
At the T-4 minute mark in the launch countdown, after orbiter hydraulic systems were powered on, a master alarm in the crew cabin was noted creating a launch commit criteria violation. The launch countdown was then held at the T-31 second mark to further assess the situation. Shuttle system engineers attempted to quickly completed an assessment of the suspect hydraulic system and eventually gave an initial "go" to resume the countdown. With only seconds to respond, launch controllers were unable to resume the countdown clock in time to launch within the allotted remaining window, which was limited due to liquid oxygen (Lox) drain-back constraints.
Managers are discussing the 24-hour launch turn-around plans and are expected to make a final determination later this morning.
The crew of Endeavour are back in their quarters and will be shifting their sleep and work schedule by about 30 minutes earlier for a second launch attempt tomorrow.
Air Force weather forecasters are indicating a 60 percent chance that weather could prohibit launch on Dec. 4. The threat of low cloud ceilings and showers are the primary concern. The forecast calls for clouds scattered at 4,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds from the east at 8 knots and gusts to 12 knots; Temperature at 73 degrees F; and relative humidity at 81 percent. The probability of weather prohibiting launch for a 24-hour scrub turnaround is 40 percent.
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