Liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission has been now rescheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at 6:03 p.m. EDT. Today’s attempt (Monday, July 13th) was canceled due to poor weather conditions within the launch area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Anvil clouds and storm cells containing lightning flared up toward the end of the countdown, violating stringent launch safety rules. Can you imagine the frustration for the folk at the launch center and the astronauts? Let’s us truly hope Wednesday offers a clear launch window.
At T minus 9 minutes for the launch and holding and weather is not encouraging. The poling continues by Mission Control – Houston is a NO GO for weather – SRO is also a NO GO. Launch Director is receiving reports T-Storms progressing toward the Cape and weather not getting any better for a launch. The team is ready but the weather is not, meaning a weather violation, and once again, not going to launch. Endeavour launch director informed that the vehicle is ready and receiving request for a scrub and another try tomorrow (Monday). Window open for launch at 1846 EDT. Lightning and cumulus clouds now within 10-mile radius of the Cape. Optimum window is 6:51:24 p.m. EDT for the launch on Monday.
Now at 7:54 p.m. EDT, a T-Storm with a preponderance of lightning is now making its was from the 20-mile position to the east and is now considered a real threat to the launch. Mission control is now stating it’s a “no go” for launch—they are not optimistic for the event to occur.
As the launch time approaches for the Endeavour space shuttle and the STS-127 mission, all of the previous “challenges” regarding leaks and so on have been ameliorated. The launch team continues to keep any eye on the weather. At the time of this writing (6:47 p.m. EDT), a line of thunderstorms marches toward the 20 mile ring and, if they continue eastward into the 10 mile ring, such becomes of concern and could impact the launch. A number of poles are being taken from Firing Team 4, Mission Management Team, and others, to ensure all is in readiness should a launch OK be given.
