 The
countdown for launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113
began overnight in preparation for launch as early as Friday, Nov.
22. Mission managers continue to discuss options regarding the
Remote Manipulator System (robotic arm) in the orbiter’s payload
bay.
Shuttle
managers will meet late today to review the status of activities
concerning damage to the Remote Manipulator System and give final
closure to the flex hoses aboard Endeavour. A final determination
regarding the arm and the go ahead for launch is expected tonight.
On
Tuesday, technicians completed replacing a nitrogen flex hose
line. The nitrogen flex hose is adjacent to an oxygen flex hose
that was replaced last week.
Weather
forecasters are currently predicting a 20 percent chance of
weather violations of the launch commit criteria rules for a
launch attempt on Friday. The primary concern is for possible
strong winds at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) as a cold front
moves through Florida Thursday evening. High winds at the SLF
could violate constraints for a possible return-to-launch site
landing.
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