Photo for the Day - September 12, 2009

* Photo for the Day * About above image: Space Shuttle Discovery makes a picture perfect landing at 8:53pm EDT Friday, September 11, 2009 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Image credit: NASA/Tom Tschida
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WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!
Congratulations on having such a VERY Successful Mission.
AubreyJ..........
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In case you missed the landing last night...
You’re in luck... Click it out below...

This video posted on YouTube by NASAtelevision

8- Discovery Planned for a Thursday Evening Landing

Note: This post moved on top this evening from its original post date - Scroll below for latest updates on this post - Scroll below this post for latest news postings

(Note: THEY'RE COMING HOME TONIGHT -Friday's updates below...)

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Discovery 1st Landing Attempt planned for...
7:05pm EDT Thursday evening
Post Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2009
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File photo by NASA TV
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Discovery Crew Prepares for Thursday Landing
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As they wind down their mission, Space Shuttle Discovery’s crew members will focus on landing preparations today. Landing opportunities begin Thursday with a first possible touchdown about 7:00pm EDT at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The crew will spend the day preparing the vehicle for re-entry and ensuring its systems are operational for landing. Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford will perform a checkout of the flight control systems. Later they are expected to conduct a hot fire test of the Reaction Control System..

Meanwhile, mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang will pack and stow items throughout the cabin. They also will set up and install a recumbent seat that will be used by Mission Specialist Tim Kopra for entry and landing. He is returning to Earth after more than 50 days in space.
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Discovery Ready for Landing
Wednesday - 9:51pm EDT
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Space Shuttle Discovery underwent the Flight Control System checkout and Reaction Control System hotfire using all the primary jets. A piece of debris jarred loose from the shuttle during the checkout, though it was determined not to be a piece of the thermal protection system. Late inspection results cleared the Discovery's wing leading edge and nose cap and the shuttle is ready for landing.
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Thursday's landing opportunities begin with a planned deorbit burn at 5:59pm EDT and a daylight landing at 7:05pm. The next opportunity is one hour after sunset with the deorbit burn at 7:36pm EDT and a landing at 8:42pm EDT.
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POST UPDATE:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
12:08pm EDT
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Discovery Performs Orbital Adjustment Burn
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Space Shuttle Discovery performed an orbital adjustment burn at 12:02pm EDT to avoid an unidentified piece of debris. Although unclear, the object is believed to be from the mission's third spacewalk.
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STS-128 Crew Prepares for Landing
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The astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery are ready to wrap up a nearly 13-day flight with a landing this evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The first task for Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow was to make ready for an orbital adjustment engine firing to move Discovery out of the path of a piece of orbital debris. That burn of Discovery’s orbital maneuvering system engines was performed at 12:02pm. EDT. The maneuver will not alter the scheduled landing opportunities today.
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Mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Tim Kopra join Sturckow and Ford to begin deorbit preparations about 1:00pm. as they get themselves and their ship ready for the ride home.
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The deorbit burn for today’s first landing opportunity today, on orbit 202, is at 5:59pm. Discovery would cross above southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, skirt west of Cuba and cross the Florida coast above Sarasota, with landing at Kennedy’s Runway #15 at 7:05pm. A second landing opportunity at Kennedy today would put the shuttle and crew on the ground at 8:42pm. The weather forecast for both opportunities today calls for a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Crew to Begin Fluid Loading, Suiting Up
5:04pm EDT
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Mission control has given the crew a "go" to start fluid loading. It involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to help readapt to gravity. The astronauts also are beginning to get into their launch/landing pressurized suits.
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Flight controllers continue to closely watch the weather, which is considered very dynamic. Currently, we are observed and forecast NO GO for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility tonight.
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Because of the debris avoidance maneuver conducted this afternoon, the deorbit burn now would be at 5:57pm EDT for a landing at 7:04pm EDT.
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SORRY GANG!
First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
5:26pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity tonight, the deorbit burn would occur at 7:35pm EDT with landing at 8:40pm EDT.
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Not Coming Home Today!
2nd Landing Opportunity Waved Off Due to Weather
7:29pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" for the 2nd and final landing opportunity today at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Try again Friday afternoon...

First landing attempt Friday will be late afternoon at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and should happen around 4:48pm EDT.
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Friday's Landing Strategy
9:14pm EDT
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Capcom Eric Boe informed the crew that if weather looks unfavorable for Friday’s first Kennedy Space Center landing opportunity, the entry team will focus early on the 2nd landing opportunity. If weather prevents landing on the 2nd Kennedy opportunity, Boe said the shuttle will land Friday at Edwards Air Force Base.
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Better update on times and landing site in morning.
But for now... you can always keep up-to-date with the mission at links below...
AJF
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POST UPDATE:
Friday, September 11, 2009
10:00am EDT
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Friday Landing Opportunities in Florida and California
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Mission Control called off Thursday's final Space Shuttle landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center due to unstable weather conditions.
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Two more Discovery landing opportunities are available Friday at Kennedy Space Center. The first begins with a de-orbit burn at 4:41pm EDT and ends with landing at 5:48pm. The second opportunity begins with a de-orbit burn at 6:17pm with a landing at 7:23pm.
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> View landing ground tracks HERE
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However, the Florida weather forecast is not any better than Thursday's. For that reason, Entry Flight Director Richard Jones has decided to call up Edwards Air Force Base in California as an alternate landing site for Friday.
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The first landing opportunity in California begins with a de-orbit burn at 7:47pm with a landing at 8:53pm. The final landing opportunity of the day would start with a de-orbit burn at 9:23pm ending with a landing at 10:28pm.
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First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
Update: 1:56 EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for Friday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity, the deorbit burn would occur at 6:17pm EDT, with landing at 7:23pm.
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Kennedy Landings Waved Off, Discovery to Land at Edwards
3:43pm EDT
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable. The deorbit burn is timelined to begin at 7:47 p.m. EDT for an 8:53 p.m. landing at Edwards. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent.
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Second Opportunity Waved Off; Edwards Targeted

Weather conditions forced flight controllers to pass on both landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable.
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The first landing opportunity in California has a deorbit burn time of 7:47pm EDT with landing at 8:53pm. The second opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 9:23pm and end with a landing at 10:28pm.
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A landing today will complete a two-week flight for Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, and mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang. Today is the 58th day in space for their crewmate Tim Kopra, who launched on shuttle mission STS-127 in July and spent two months on the International Space Station as an Expedition 20 crew member.
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They’re Coming HOME!!!
Discovery "Go" for Deorbit Burn
7:18pm EDT
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Mission Control has given Space Shuttle Discovery a "go" for the deorbit burn. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent. The deorbit burn will occur at 7:47pm EDT, leading to an 8:53pm EDT landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
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Deorbit Burn Complete
At 7:53pm EDT

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Space Shuttle Discovery completed its deorbit burn successfully and has begun the descent towards Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for an 8:53pm EDT landing.
This will be the 54th Shuttle landing at Edwards.
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* OK -- Time to start watching it LIVE on NASA TV

Click it out below...

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Another picture perfect landing!
WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!!!
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Well... That’s it for me...
Keep up with the wrap-up of this mission at links below...
Note: We only have SIX Shuttle Missions left until retirement
* POST CLOSED *
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* Read Latest News & Updates

at NASA.gov
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* Watch Landing & Mission LIVE
At NASA TV
Click HERE to view

ENJOY!!!
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GOD's SPEED to the Crew of STS-128 Discovery on having a successful, event free, Safe Landing...
AubreyJ.........
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All info in this post taken from the NASA.gov website unless otherwise stated

7- NASA’s EARLY MORNING REPORT: Final Packing Day - Off-Duty Time - September 06, 2009

Final Packing Day - Some Off-Duty Time
For STS-128 Crew
Sunday, September 06, 2009
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This photo of Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station was taken by one of the spacewalking astronaut during the third and final spacewalk of STS-128, Saturday, September 05, 2009.
Image courtesy of NASA
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-NASA’s SUNDAY MORNING REPORT-
Packing and Off-Duty Time for STS-128 Crew
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The astronauts aboard the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Discovery turn their focus to final packing today. After nearly seven days of busy joint activities and three spacewalks, the shuttle crew will also get a half-day off.
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Shuttle commander Rick Sturckow, pilot Kevin Ford, Forrester and mission specialists Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Tim Kopra and Christer Fuglesang are slated to spend the morning packing up the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module with supplies and equipment that will be returned to Earth. They will also install control panels on the Node 2 common berthing mechanism.
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Their station counterparts, Commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineers Mike Barratt, Nicole Stott, Roman Romanenko, Robert Thirsk and Frank De Winne will assist with the transfer and perform station maintenance.
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Early in the crew day, Kopra and Olivas have time set aside for a media opportunity with journalists from Texas and the military. At 1:54pm EDT, their interviews with KFOX-TV, KXAN-TV and the Military Times will air live on NASA TV.
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Watch NASA TV LIVE
HERE
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Read Latest Mission News
& Updates at NASA.gov
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To the Crew of STS-128 Discovery... May your last few days in space be memorable ones and your return trip home event free too...
God’s Speed on a Safe Landing!!!
AubreyJ.........
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Above info and images from the NASA.gov website

6- Watch 3rd and final Discovery STS-128 Spacewalk this Saturday Evening, Live

NOTE: This Post on TOP today - Scroll below for my latest Postings

Watch Final Spacewalk/Mission Live
Of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128
On NASA TELEVISION
Post Date: Saturday morning, September 05, 2009
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3rd and Final Spacewalk set for Saturday evening

* Saturday’s Spacewalk will kick off at 4:49pm EDT *

This image is from STS-128 mission's first spacewalk and shows astronauts Danny Olivas and Nicole Stott (right) hard at work!
Image Credit: NASA

Crew Prepares for Third Spacewalk
Friday - 9:49pm EDT
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After a review of spacewalk procedures, mission specialists Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang are slated to spend the night in the Quest airlock.
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The third and final spacewalk of the STS-128 mission is scheduled to begin at 4:49pm EDT Saturday.
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POST UPDATE:
4:55pm EDT
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Today’s Spacewalk is now on its way and it kicked off a little early at 4:39pm EDT.
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NASA brings us this report...
Third Spacewalk of STS-128 Mission Begins
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At 4:39pm EDT, NASA astronaut Danny Olivas and ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang began the third & final spacewalk scheduled during the STS-128 mission. The spacewalk is expected to last 6.5 hours. Olivas, the STS-128 lead spacewalker, is wearing a spacesuit marked with solid red stripes. Fuglesang is wearing an all-white spacesuit.
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Their first tasks will complete work that began during the STS-127 mission. The spacewalkers will deploy an attachment system that will be used to hang spare parts on the station’s truss. They also will replace a device designed to help the station determine its position relative to the Earth.
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POST UPDATE:
11:35pm EDT
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- Today’s Spacewalk is now over and in the History Books -

Saturday’s Spacewalk concluded this evening at 11:40pm EDT.
Great Work Team NASA and Spacewalkers!!!
AJF

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Read Latest News and Updates +
Mission Elapsed Time Clock
at NASA.gov

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Watch Spacewalk/Mission LIVE

At NASA TV - Click HERE to view
ENJOY!!!
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* View STS-128 Interactive Timeline - Here *

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* STS-128 Shuttle Mission Imagery *
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Above info and images from the NASA.gov website

Team NASA and spacewalkers... May your evening’s spacewalk be safe and trouble free. Have fun with it too!!! I know we will, back here at home, just watching you guys...
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AubreyJ.........

5- Watch 2nd of 3 Scheduled Discovery STS-128 Spacewalks this Thursday Evening, Live

NOTE: This Post on TOP today - Scroll below for my latest Postings

Watch Spacewalks and Mission Live
Of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128
On NASA TELEVISION
Post Date: Thursday morning, September 03, 2009
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2nd of 3 Scheduled Spacewalks set for Thursday evening

* Thursday’s Spacewalk will kick off at 5:19pm EDT *

About above image: Expedition 20 flight engineer Nicole Stott participates in the STS-128 mission's first spacewalk as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the six-hour, 35-minute spacewalk, Stott and astronaut Danny Olivas (out of frame) removed an empty ammonia tank from the station's truss and temporarily stowed it on the station's robotic arm. Olivas and Stott also retrieved the European Technology Exposure Facility and Materials International Space Station Experiment from the Columbus laboratory module and installed them on Discovery's payload bay for return.

Crew Prepares for Second Spacewalk
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Spacewalkers Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang camped out in the Quest Airlock last night to acclimate their bodies in preparation for this evening’s spacewalk to swap ammonia tanks used to keep the Space Station cool. They also readied spacesuits and tools, and went over the spacewalk plan with their colleagues. The second spacewalk of the mission is scheduled to begin this evening at 5:19pm EDT.
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POST UPDATE:
6:17 PM EDT
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Second Spacewalk of STS-128 Mission Begins
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At 6:12pm EDT, NASA astronaut Danny Olivas and ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang began the second of three spacewalks scheduled during the STS-128 mission. The spacewalk is scheduled to last 6.5 hours. Olivas, the STS-128 lead spacewalker, is wearing a spacesuit marked with solid red stripes. Fuglesang is wearing an all-white spacesuit.
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POST UPDATE:
Friday morning
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2nd Spacewalk Officially Ended Friday morning at 12:51am EDT
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Mission specialists Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang installed a new ammonia tank on the International Space Station and stowed a depleted tank for return to Earth during their mission's second spacewalk.
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Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester served as the intravehicular officer throughout the spacewalk, which ended Friday at 12:51am EDT. Shuttle Pilot Kevin Ford and Expedition 20 Flight Engineer Nicole Stott operated the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, during the excursion.
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The remaining shuttle and station crew members continued unloading cargo from the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module.
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- This Post Now Closed -
I’ll start a new post before the 3rd Spacewalk starts on Saturday.
But for now... You can keep up with the latest at the links below...

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Read Latest News and Updates +
Mission Elapsed Time Clock
at NASA.gov

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Watch Spacewalks/Mission LIVE

At NASA TV - Click HERE to view
ENJOY!!!

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* View STS-128 Interactive Timeline - Here *

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* STS-128 Shuttle Mission Imagery *
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Above info and images from the NASA.gov website

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Team NASA... Your 1st of 3 spacewalks was a very successful one that should make you all very proud. May this evening’s spacewalk also be a safe, event free and successful one too. To this evening’s spacewalkers -- Have fun with it!!! I know we will, back here at home, just watching you guys while you work outside the International Space Station this evening.
AubreyJ.........

4- Watch 1st of 3 Scheduled Discovery STS-128 Spacewalks this Tuesday Evening Live

NOTE: This Post on TOP today - Scroll below for my latest Postings

Watch Spacewalks and Mission Live
Of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128
On NASA TELEVISION
Post Date: Tuesday morning, September 01, 2009
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1st of 3 Scheduled Spacewalks set for Tuesday evening

* Tuesday’s Spacewalk will kick off at 5:49pm EDT *

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About above image: STS-128 Mission Specialist Danny Olivas works with a spacesuit on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Image Credit: NASA

Astronauts Enter Leonardo, Prepare for First Spacewalk
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Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang and Flight Engineer Frank DeWinne, both of the European Space Agency, became the first crew members to venture inside the newly installed Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The shuttle and station astronauts prepared the cargo module for several days of transfer work.
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Flight Engineer Nicole Stott and Mission Specialist Danny Olivas are spending the night inside the Quest airlock at a lower air pressure to force nitrogen out their bloodstream. This prevents astronauts from getting decompression sickness during a spacewalk. Stott and Olivas are set to begin the first STS-128 Spacewalk Tuesday at 5:49pm EDT..
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Crew Begins First Spacewalk of STS-128
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Mission Specialist Danny Olivas and Expedition 20 Flight Engineer Nicole Stott ventured out the station door at 5:49pm EDT to remove an Ammonia Tank Assembly from the station’s truss.
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During the spacewalk, Shuttle Commander Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialist Pat Forrester will guide the spacewalkers through the procedures. Pilot Kevin Ford and Flight Engineer Bob Thirsk will operate the station’s robotic arm.
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Meanwhile, mission specialists Jose Hernandez, Tim Kopra and Christer Fuglesang and Flight Engineer Mike Barratt will continue unloading the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The crew got a head-start on unpacking yesterday, and plans to transfer an air revitalization system, a new crew quarters compartment and the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT).
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Post Update:
11:20pm EDT
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Besides for a temporary loss of communication with Mission Control earlier, the spacewalkers are still on their normal timeline performing their planned tasks... With just under 6 hrs into tonight’s spacewalk, everything seems to be moving very smoothly.

About above image: Spacewalker Nicole Stott works outside the International Space Station during the first spacewalk of the STS-128 mission.

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It’s GREAT to see a woman out there doing a Spacewalk Mission.
You GO NICHOLE!!!
Great work you’re doing out there too...
AJF

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Post Update:
12:40am EDT
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Tuesday’s Spacewalk has now concluded.
It lasted for 6 hrs 35 minutes and it officially ended at 12:24am EDT. NASA is reporting that all goals for this Spacewalk were met and that the overall Spacewalk was a success!

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* This Post Now Closed *

Note: I’ll start a new post before the 2nd Spacewalk starts on Thursday.

But for now... You can keep up with the latest at the links below...

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Read Latest News and Updates +

Mission Elapsed Time Clock

at NASA.gov
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Watch Spacewalks/Mission LIVE

At NASA TV - Click HERE to view
ENJOY!!!

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* View STS-128 Interactive Timeline - Here *

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* STS-128 Shuttle Mission Imagery *
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Above info and images from the NASA.gov website
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May you have a Safe... Event Free... and a VERY Successful Mission, STS-128. Have fun with the Spacewalks too!!! I know we will all enjoy watching you performing them back here at home!
AubreyJ.........

Crew members focus on transfer of Logistics Module - Will move new life support and science research racks into Space Station

Crews Focusing on Logistics Module Transfer
Monday, August 31, 2009
1:40pm EDT
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Image above: Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Discovery.
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Gloria Estefan’s “Mi Tierra” was played for Space Shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez at 1:30pm EDT.
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Discovery and International Space Station crew members will focus on the transfer of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module from Discovery’s payload bay to the station’s Harmony node. Later, the crew will open Leonardo’s hatch and move the new life support and science research racks into the space station.
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At 4:00pm, NASA television will air a post-Mission Management Team news briefing with Space Shuttle Program Deputy Manager and MMT Chairman LeRoy Cain.
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Crews Moving Cargo Module, Preparing for Spacewalk
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The combined crews of Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station are starting the first of eight days of joint operations. With the successful docking last night, the crews will focus on transfer work and spacewalks.
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Pilot Kevin Ford and Expedition 20 Flight Engineer Mike Barratt will use the station robotic arm to move the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) from Discovery’s payload bay to the Earth-facing port on the station’s Harmony module. They’re expected to start the nearly three-hour maneuver just after 3:30pm EDT. Mission specialists Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency and Tim Kopra will assist with the attachment and activation activity. After leak checks and pressurization, the teams are expected to open the hatches to the cargo module at 1:34am Tuesday.
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The MPLM is carrying 15,000 pounds of supplies and equipment for use on the station, including more science facilities. The crew will spend the next several days unloading the hardware.
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Meanwhile, transfer of equipment from the shuttle’s middeck will get under way. Mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Danny Olivas will carry over items from the shuttle to the station, including the spacesuits to be used in the upcoming spacewalks. Shuttle Commander Rick Sturckow will assist with transfer as well as monitor shuttle systems.
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Flight Engineer Nicole Stott, whose rotation with Kopra on the station crew was made official yesterday, will conduct some transfer work and familiarization of her new home in space. She will join Olivas to set up their tools for tomorrow’s spacewalk. The two will be joined later by all of the U.S. crew members and station Commander Gennady Padalka for a procedures review for that spacewalk.
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Above info and image from the NASA.gov website

Space Shuttle Discovery Docks with International Space Station

Discovery Docks, Joint Operations Begin
Originally posted on NASA website:
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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About above image: The Expedition 20 crew welcomes the STS-128 crew aboard the station shortly after hatch opening.
Photo credit: NASA TV
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Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station at 8:54 p.m. EDT Saturday delivering more than seven tons of cargo and a new crew member to the International Space Station and its Expedition 20 crew.
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The shuttle and station crews opened hatches at 10:33 p.m. and greeted one another beginning a week’s worth of joint operations that includes three spacewalks and transfer of 15,000 pounds of supplies and logistics to sustain the six-person crew on the station.
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Astronauts Nicole Stott and Tom Kopra swapped Soyuz seat liners after hatch opening. Stott will handle flight engineer duties aboard the station until her return home aboard Atlantis following the STS-129 mission in November. Kopra is scheduled to return aboard Discovery Sept. 10 after 57 days in space.
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Before docking to the station, Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford performed a few final corrective jet firings to refine the orbiter’s path for a rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). While Sturckow performed the RPM, Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Mike Barratt took photos from the station. Their photos will be reviewed by experts on the ground for evidence of damage to the shuttle tiles.

Info/Image taken from the NASA.gov website

3- Watch Launch and Mission Live Of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128

Note: This post moved on top from its original post date - Scroll below for latest updates on this post - Scroll below this post for latest news postings

Watch Launch and Mission Live

Of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128

On NASA TELEVISION

Post Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
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Friday’s LATE Night Launch Now Set!

* Launch Time: 12:59pm EDT *

Photo credit: NASA TV
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Mission Managers to Meet Today at Noon
Thursday, August 27, 2009
8:13am EDT
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The testing of the liquid hydrogen fill and drain valve in shuttle Discovery’s main propulsion system is complete. The valve and its position indicator both operated normally during yesterday’s testing. And all leak checks were within specification.
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The evaluation of the low-level hydrogen leak detected in a tail service mast on the mobile launcher platform on Launch Pad 39A following Tuesday's launch scrub is complete, and no leaks were detected.
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All the test data will be brought to the mission management team for review at the noon EDT meeting. Mission managers also are scheduled to meet at 2:15pm to give the “Go - No Go” for tanking.
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If Discovery gets the “Go”, tanking commentary on NASA TV will begin at 2:45pm and fueling operations will start at approximately 3:00pm Launch commentary will begin tonight at 7:00pm.
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Discovery's seven astronauts are sleeping and will wake up for their launch day preps at 1:30pm.
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Shuttle Managers Target Discovery's Liftoff for Friday Night
1:28pm EDT
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The Mission Management Team has concluded with the decision to target launch for Friday, August 28th at 11:59pm EDT instead of 12:22am Friday morning.
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The additional time will allow teams to plan in case they see the samereading that happened with the liquid hydrogen fill and drain valve thatcaused Tuesday afternoon's launch scrub during tanking.
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The MMT will meet again on Friday at noon.
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A news conference will be held on NASA TV later this afternoon to discussthe decision.
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POST UPDATE:
Friday, August 28, 2009
9:03am EDT
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Countdown Resumes

The countdown for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission is under way again. The count resumed at 8:34am EDT at the T-11 hour point with no issues being reported that could affect launch.
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The Rotating Service Structure on Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A was rolled away from Discovery this morning at 6:11am.
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NASA's Mission Management Team plans to meet at noon to review launch preparations and determine whether teams will continue to march toward a targeted liftoff tonight at 11:59pm.
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Weather is forecasted to be 60 percent "go" for external tank loading and 60 percent "go" for launch.
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Discovery Gets "Go" for Launch
1:29pm EDT
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The mission management team has approved launch teams to continue with the countdown toward an 11:59 p.m. EDT liftoff to start space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. Filling of Discovery's external fuel tank with propellants began at 2:45 p.m. after an initial "no-go" due to weather in the area violating constraints.
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The mission management team also reports that all the testing and analysis of Discovery's fill-and-drain valve during the last two days gives them a high degree of confidence the valve is working.
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The shuttle team has approved procedures in case there is a similar issue with the position sensor on the hydrogen fill-and-drain valve.
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The plan includes being able to open and close the valve, or cycle it, two times during the tanking process if the valve position indicator sensor doesn't work. Teams would use alternate means, including monitoring pressure in the system, to provide confidence the valve is closed for launch.
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For launch time, forecasters are calling for a 60 percent chance of favorable weather.
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The earliest the filling of Discovery's external fuel tank with 535,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen can begin is 2:34pm.
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NASA TV's tanking commentary will begin at 2:30pm and can be accessed at www.nasa.gov/ntv .
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3:23pm EDT
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Tanking Under Way For 11:59pm EDT Launch
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Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are flowing into the gigantic orange external tank of space shuttle Discovery this afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tanking operations began at 2:45pm EDT and it will take three hours to load the 500,000 gallons of propellants into the structure. The fuel will be consumed in 8 1/2 minutes as Discovery’s three main engines power the shuttle into orbit.
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Launch is scheduled for 11:59pm EDT tonight. Forecasters call for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.
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The mission management team reported that all the testing and analysis of Discovery's fill-and-drain valve during the last two days gives them a high degree of confidence the valve is working. Procedures have been approved in case there is a similar issue with the position sensor on the hydrogen fill-and-drain valve.
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The plan includes being able to open and close the valve, or cycle it, two times during the tanking process if the valve position indicator sensor doesn't work. Teams would use alternate means, including monitoring pressure in the system, to provide confidence the valve is closed for launch..
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4:38pm EDT
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Valve Working Well as Tanking Moves Ahead
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Tanking of Space Shuttle Discovery is continuing and going well at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The filling operations have transitioned to reduced fast fill on LH2 and have a good “closed” indication on the LH2 inboard fill and drain valve. Tanking operations are expected to conclude at about 5:45pm EDT.
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Liftoff of Discovery on the STS-128 mission remains on schedule for 11:59pm EDT tonight and the weather remains the primary concern. The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions. Meteorologists are watching for signs of anvil clouds and thunderstorms within 20 miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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5:51pm EDT
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Launch on Schedule, Tanking Complete
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Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank has been loaded with about 535,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the propellants that will power the shuttle's three main engines during launch.
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The fueling operation went smoothly and a fill-and-drain valve inside Discovery functioned properly throughout the process. Pumps at the launch pad will continue to trickle in a small amount of supercold chemicals to replace the amount that boils off during the countdown.
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The Final Inspection Team and Closeout Crew will head out to the pad shortly for their specialized tasks. The inspection team will look for signs of debris or ice buildup, while the Closeout Crew will ready Discovery for its seven-astronaut crew.
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Liftoff remains on schedule for 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight.
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8:33pm EDT
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Astronauts Strapped In for Flight
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Commander Rick "C.J" Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez are seated on Discovery's flight deck this evening, while Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Nicole Stott are seated in their seats on the lower level or middeck.
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Radio checks are continuing for the crew while the countdown clicks down on schedule for a liftoff at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
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Technicians at the launch pad will soon close and latch the hatch on the side of Discovery. The crew can open the hatch from the inside during an emergency.
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While the preparations continue as planned, weather concerns remain, particularly for anvil clouds.
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Technicians Close Discovery's Hatch for Launch
10:03pm EDT
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The hatch on Space Shuttle Discovery has been closed and latched for flight in preparation for launch tonight at 11:59pm EDT.
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The countdown is proceeding as planned and while weather remains a top concern, the trend continues to be positive for the conditions around the launch site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Countdown Enters Planned Hold
9:46pm CDT
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The launch of Discovery on the STS-128 mission remains on schedule as the countdown entered its planned 10-minute hold at the T-20 minute point.
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There are no technical issues impeding launch, but weather remains a concern. The forecast continues to call for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at liftoff.
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Launch is scheduled for 11:59pm EDT
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OK GANG -- Looks like this Bird is going FLY!
Launch Weather Forecast Improves
10:52pm EDT
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Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters has improved the launch forecast to an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time. That reflects a continuing trend this evening of improving weather around the launch site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Launch remains scheduled for 11:59pm EDT
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Fingers crossed on getting them up tonight!
AJF
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Liftoff!!!
12:01am EDT

Space Shuttle Discovery has cleared the tower and is now speeding into space for a Space Station rendezvous... 225 mile above the earth.
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Safe flight Discovery!!!
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* This post now closed *
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I’ll start a new post right before the First Spacewalk in a few days... so check back!
Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!!
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AubreyJ.........

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* View STS-128 Interactive Timeline - Here *

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SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS-128 MISSION SUMMARY
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Discovery's flight will deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. Inside the shuttle’s cargo bay is the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), a pressurized "moving van" that will be temporarily installed to the station. The module will deliver science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The 13-day mission will include three spacewalks to replace experiments outside the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, and install a new ammonia storage tank and return the used one. Ammonia is used to move excess heat from inside the station to the radiators located outside. Discovery also will deliver a new crew member and bring back another after almost two months aboard the Space Station.
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SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS-128 is the 128th Space Shuttle Flight, the 30th to the International Space Station, the 37th for Discovery and the fourth Shuttle flight this year. Only SIX more flights to the International Space Station remain after the STS-128 mission. NASA will permanently retire the Space Shuttle Fleet in 2010.
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Above info and images from the NASA.gov website
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AubreyJ.........