On Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, pressurization of the gaseous nitrogen and helium tanks on space shuttle Endeavour were completed overnight. Teams also are preparing the pad for the start of launch countdown that begins 2 a.m. EST Thursday.
The six STS-130 mission astronauts arrived at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility at about 10:10 p.m. last night. After settling into their crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building, they worked through the night reviewing data and equipment, including procedures to replace the ammonia lines that will be used to cool the Tranquility node. The crew now is on a sleep schedule to match their evening and overnight work hours during the mission.
A prelaunch countdown briefing will be held this morning at 10 a.m. EST and aired on NASA TV at www.nasa.gov/ntv. The participants will be NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber, STS-130 Payload Manager Joe Delai and Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters.