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Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on Mission STS-99
was postponed today due to multiple violations of launch commit weather
criteria. Low clouds, rain and the potential for rocket-triggered lightning
caused the Mission Management Team to call the scrub at about 2:08 p.m. and
begin preparing the Shuttle for a 24-hour turnaround.
At the time of the called scrub, managers and
Shuttle engineers were also discussing a problem with the second of two Master
Events Controllers (MEC) on Endeavour. The MECs control the orbiter's
pyrotechnic devices and process the signals that separate the Solid Rocket
Boosters and the External Tank. During today's launch attempt, the No. 2 MEC
that is located in the orbiter's aft engine compartment, failed a standard test
procedure just prior to entering the T-20 minute hold. Managers opted to extend
the hold at T-20 minutes to allow engineers an opportunity to evaluate the
health of the MEC.
Following the weather scrub, managers elected to
set up a team of engineers who will meet throughout the evening tonight to
better understand why the MEC failed its initial test, but subsequently passed
an additional test. Further tests of the MEC will be conducted tonight as
managers prepare for a meeting early tomorrow morning at which time a decision
whether or not fly is expected to be made.
Pending a decision to proceed with a launch
attempt tomorrow, loading the External Tank with the cryogenic propellants will
begin at about 4 a.m.
Shuttle weather forecasters
indicate a 60 percent chance of favorable weather on Tuesday. The forecast calls
for the cold front that passed through today to be near the Florida Straits
tomorrow. A surface high is expected to build and we should see a gradual
decrease in the cloud cover. Throughout the launch window the following
conditions can be expected: clouds scattered to broken at 3,000 feet, and broken
at 10,000 and 25,000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds from the northwest at 10
peaking to 15 knots; temperature 59 degrees F; relative humidity 57 percent;
dewpoint 44 degrees F; and the chance of rain showers and low, thick clouds.
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