NASA space shuttle managers met at 5:45 a.m. EDT and gave a “go” to begin loading shuttle Endeavour’s external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The operation is set to begin at 6:22 a.m. Launch is targeted for 3:47:55 p.m.
There is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for launch. The primary weather concern is for low cloud ceilings and crosswinds at the Shuttle Landing Facility. A front will pass through Kennedy between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., bringing a chance for showers. After the front passes, high pressure will build into the area and winds will shift to the northeast and be near the peak limit for crosswinds. The Transatlantic Abort Landing site at Istres, France, is “go.”
NASA Television will provide live commentary of external tank loading beginning at 6:15 a.m. and launch blog and commentary will begin at 10:30 a.m.