Space shuttle managers met at 5 a.m. EDT and gave a “go” to begin loading shuttle Discovery’s external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The operation is set to begin at 5:38 a.m. Launch is targeted for 3:04 p.m. NASA Television will provide live commentary of external tank loading beginning at 5:30 a.m. Launch commentary will begin at 9:30 a.m. on NASA TV and on NASA’s Launch Blog.
The weather forecast also improved from yesterday. There is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for launch. The primary concern is for high winds at the launch pad and Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The weather is forecast “go” at all three Transatlantic Abort Landing sites.