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  STS-117: June 8, 2007, 7:38 p.m. EDT

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Author Topic:   STS-117: June 8, 2007, 7:38 p.m. EDT
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-31-2007 02:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
quote:
NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on June 8

On Thursday, NASA senior managers selected June 8 as the official launch date for space shuttle Atlantis. Commander Rick Sturckow and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 7:38 p.m. EDT on the STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

During the 11-day mission and three spacewalks, the crew will work with flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, to install a 17-ton segment on the station's girder-like truss and deploy a set of solar arrays. The mission will increase the International Space Station's power capability in preparation for the arrival of new science modules from the European and Japanese space agencies.

Atlantis' launch date was announced at the Flight Readiness Review. During the two-day meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assess any risks associated with the mission and determine whether the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight. The first Flight Readiness Review for STS-117 was held Feb. 27-28. A hail storm on Feb. 26, however, damaged Atlantis' external fuel tank and delayed the planned mid-March launch.

"While we cannot control the weather, this team can ensure that when we do launch, it will be as safely as possible," said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired the meetings. "This second Flight Readiness Review was as thorough as the first. The discussions were open, healthy, and are evidence of a team that is ready for a complicated and important station assembly mission."

Joining Commander Sturckow on STS-117 will be Pilot Lee Archambault and mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John "Danny" Olivas, Jim Reilly and Clayton Anderson. Anderson will replace current station crew member Sunita Williams, who has lived on the station since December. Williams will return to Earth on Atlantis.


tegwilym
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Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 05-31-2007 03:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
....and I'm planning on being there to see it fly! I sure hope my third trip to KSC is the lucky one.

lunarrv15
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Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 06-01-2007 08:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lunarrv15   Click Here to Email lunarrv15     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As it launches that day, I will be in my employment cubicle solving tax problems.

Harry Bennett
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Posts: 47
From: St. Pete, FL USA
Registered: May 2007

posted 06-01-2007 09:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harry Bennett   Click Here to Email Harry Bennett     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I may ride over there for it. I have to go to Titusville anyways to pick up some parts for a '57 Chevrolet I'm restoring. I'll just plan it for 8 June...

Ben
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Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-05-2007 07:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The first official launch weather forecast has been issued and NASA and the Air Force's 45th weather squadron are calling for just a 30% of violating weather constraints Friday through Sunday.

Any storms that may form are expected to be well inland, and the 30% is due to uncertainty of their distance from the launch boundary.

The next forecast will be issued Wednesday morning.

MarylandSpace
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Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 06-05-2007 08:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MarylandSpace   Click Here to Email MarylandSpace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Will the shuttle be traveling up the East coast upon launch?

Garry

Ben
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Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-05-2007 09:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As far as visibility along the east cost, it will still be daytime but I would not say it is out of the question. You would need to know exactly where and when to look and probably use binoculars too; if you are familiar with the visibility of night launches, it would help. The visibility is probably the equivalent of looking for Venus in the daytime.

Ben
Member

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-05-2007 08:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The countdown is underway. Clocks picked up at the T-43 hour mark on time at 9:00pm EDT Tuesday evening.

The count includes about 24 hours of built-in holds. From now until T-0, the Launch Control Center will be continually staffed. Fueling of the onboard fuel cells will be conducted Wednesday, and the Rotating Service Structure will be retracted at about 10:30pm EDT Thursday.

Fueling of the more-than half-million gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will commence at 9:42am EDT Friday.

A full countdown timeline is available from CBS via SpaceflightNow.

------------------
-Ben

LaunchPhotography.com

Kirsten
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Posts: 536
From: Delft, Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 06-07-2007 05:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kirsten   Click Here to Email Kirsten     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
How kind of them to once again consider their European fans and launch on a day where most of us can sleep long.

Lunatiki
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Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 06-07-2007 08:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lunatiki     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm giving up a birthday dinner out with friends in order to see this launch. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. A great evening launch would be the best birthday gift I could ask for.

RangeZero
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Posts: 28
From: Indiana, USA
Registered: Jun 2006

posted 06-08-2007 01:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RangeZero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll be viewing the launch but not at KSC. Are there any local radio stations that broadcast live information on the launch status?

Kevin

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-08-2007 01:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
According to their website, WDBO 580 AM will broadcast the launch live.

kking
Member

Posts: 106
From: Topmost, KY
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 06-08-2007 10:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for kking   Click Here to Email kking     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is there anybody around KSC who tapes launches off the local TV and radio. I love the coverage they give. Especially Dan Billow from WESH CH 2.

Kyle

Philip
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Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 06-08-2007 12:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Otherwise almost NO coverage on (for the Press 'yet another') this STS-mission

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-08-2007 12:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The press site (where I just arrived) has a full complement of media for this mission. And based on discussions with my colleagues here, no one treats these missions as generic. The earlier hail damage to the external tank certainly received unique and wide-coverage.

Bill Harwood has published a 17,000 word preview of STS-117 on SpaceflightNow.

irish guy
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Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 06-08-2007 04:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for irish guy   Click Here to Email irish guy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
good night from Ireland. Eighteen minutes after lift off we are expecting to see the shuttle and external tank blazing across the southwest of Ireland. Looking out the window the first stars are appearing. Clear skies to the west should make for a spectacular view.

Our thoughts are with the crew and in particular our IrishAmerican James Reilly. His great grandparents came from Cork where they emigrated during famine times from Ireland. The cottage they left still stands.

Rob,Tim,James and Ben , keep the tripods steady and send us back some wonderful photos. We will endeavour to post some of the skies from Ireland.

Good speed the crew of Atlantis

All the best
Eamonn & Siobhan

Kirsten
Member

Posts: 536
From: Delft, Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 06-08-2007 06:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kirsten   Click Here to Email Kirsten     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
And up she is ! 5 early candles on my birthday cake (it's only on Sunday ... !) And happy birthday Lunatiki, too !
Edited by Kirsten

spaceman1953
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Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 06-08-2007 06:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceman1953   Click Here to Email spaceman1953     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To the crew of the ISS:

COMPANY IS COMING !

Great job to all !

Gene Bella
South Bend

Joe Holloway
Member

Posts: 74
From: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Jan 2007

posted 06-08-2007 07:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joe Holloway   Click Here to Email Joe Holloway     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My big brother was lucky enough to be either in Volusia or north Brevard County for the shot tonight. Hope he was able to work his way down U.S. 1 to get a closer-in view.

Meanwhile, what a fantastic sight the SRB plume was in the evening sun. Must've been spectacular in person. The views from the newer cameras north of L/C-39 were spectacular.

Did anyone also notice that they did an "OMS assist" burn just after SRB sep? Is that a new procedure? Just curious.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-08-2007 08:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

More launch photos here.

Edited by Robert Pearlman

OV-105
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Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 06-08-2007 08:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
They have been doing the OMS assist since about STS-40 I think was the first flight to try it. There is a good story about it in Mike Mullane's book.

rocketJoe
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Posts: 103
From: Huntsville, AL USA
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 06-08-2007 08:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rocketJoe   Click Here to Email rocketJoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
T+10 seconds - Outstanding picture. Thanks Robert!

RangeZero
Member

Posts: 28
From: Indiana, USA
Registered: Jun 2006

posted 06-08-2007 09:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RangeZero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just returned from viewing the launch near Space View Park in Titusville - spectacluar! Well worth the the traffic that followed. While I was waiting I couldn't help but imagine a Saturn V setting next to the VAB and what that would have been like back in the day.

Kevin

tncmaxq
Member

Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 06-08-2007 10:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tncmaxq   Click Here to Email tncmaxq     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What a tremendous experience. The causeway view was fantastic, and almost better than I remember from 1992 and 1993. I was so afriad until the last second that something would go wrong. I've been thru too many scrubs and aborts not to think of that. But 117 was the first post 107 to be right on time, apart from that hail problem.

It was hard to hear the commentary from launch control over the speakers so I did not know they were no go for a time because of the TAL sites. What a relief that was not a constraint.

Then George Diller seemed to drag out that last second before saying "LIFTOFF" for what seemed like a long time to me. So you can imagine my relief and delight (and a bit of disbelief!) when Atlantis lifted off. I was so pleased and proud of the crew and the team on the ground.

Now I can relax and enjoy tomorrow's autograph show and banquet more.

Lunatiki
Member

Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 06-08-2007 11:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lunatiki     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What a great launch. And happy birthday to you too Kirsten! I was watching NASA TV for the launch, but realized it was running about 45 seconds behind cable TV coverage. It appeared to me that CNN did the best job on the coverage. Do any board members have any opinions on which news/cable network usually provides the best coverage of launchs?

Blackarrow
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Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-09-2007 12:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The launch of Atlantis today was awesome, spectacular, beautiful, and a whole lot of other things you can't quite put into words. What a day!

space4u
Member

Posts: 323
From: Cleveland, OH USA
Registered: Aug 2006

posted 06-09-2007 09:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for space4u   Click Here to Email space4u     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
HD Net TV had the launch in high definition again. They are a few seconds behind NASA TV that I've noticed. Their shots are awesome. They had former astronaut Sam Gemar on commentary.
--Marcy

OV-105
Member

Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 06-09-2007 11:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I like having Nasa TV. They don't seem to talk over everyone during the launch you get to hear the Astronauts and the ground team. One last thing is you get to see the whole countdown.

James Brown
Member

Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 06-09-2007 03:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for James Brown   Click Here to Email James Brown     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just got home from the launch. Spectacular to say the least. The booster exhaust was still hovering above the area an hour after the launch. It was a sight to see. It was good seeing Robert, Ben, and many others. I have posted a few of my photos:
www.freewebs.com/jnbrown

James

ApolloAlex
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Posts: 390
From: Yeovil, England
Registered: Oct 2004

posted 06-09-2007 03:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ApolloAlex   Click Here to Email ApolloAlex     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow,great pics Robert and what a launch,i stayed up till around 12.30 a.m. here and had to be up for 4 o`clock a.m. for work,but it was certainly worth it !

I watched the coverage on both NASA TV and Fox News on sky with commentary from former astronaut Tom Jones and astronaut Rick Mastracchio who were on to discuss there view on the mission to the ISS.

Well worth 3 hours sleep !

Cheers,
Alex.

------------------
"Why dont you fix your little problem and light this Candle?"

cspg
Member

Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 06-09-2007 03:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
James,

Indeed the pictures of the booster exhaust over the VAB are beautiful. Superb!

Chris.

trajan
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Posts: 109
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted 06-09-2007 05:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for trajan   Click Here to Email trajan     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's a beautifully clear, early summer evening here in Chester, UK and we have just come in after a wonderful double sighting. First, the ISS came overhead and then, about 10 minutes later, Atlantis followed on exactly the same trajectory. I have seen the ISS many times but this was the first time I have seen a Shuttle.

Interestingly, as we watched Atlantis, at one point, it flared massively in brightness for a fraction of a second. My first thought was that this may have been a thruster, but maybe there's a more prosaic explanation, such as sunlight striking a window? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jason

Ben
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Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-10-2007 12:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have returned home from an absolutely glorious, incredible launch. I have posted more photos here:
http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-117.html

The pre-sunset lighting made this the best day launch I have seen by far, eclipsing 121, and the sound was ABSOLUTELY, IN-CRED-IBLE. I keep saying, well, maybe the mind does not remember sound as well as visual medium but as far as I remember I never felt more impressed. My pants were shaking so much I thought they would fall down before the SRBs separated.

The post-sunset spectacle in the sky was nothing short of icing on the cake, I have never seen it as beautiful as that. Only once before, at 109 before sunrise, was there anything similar but this was far and away more beautiful. All of Central Florida must have been out staring up in wonder.

I had a fantastic time and enjoyed very much seeing Tom G and Tom C, Robert (great shots!), Jimmy (nice shots, as always!), and anyone who I am forgetting off the top of my head at 2am Sunday.

A toast to Atlantis and getting off the first on-time launch in 4.5 years.

And really, I am very very happy that everyone here who was in attendance at the launch or who came for the show but got a bonus, was able to see it and smile...

...You couldn't wipe mine off my face after launch.

There was undoubtedly an emormous six-digit crowd at this launch. Given a Friday evening, in the summer, after work, with a good forecast and a launch date planned well in advance, this is no surprise. I'm glad everyone of them experienced it. I had received many emails before launch asking for viewing tips and photo tips and letting me know they are going for the first or second time with their fingers crossed.

------------------
-Ben

LaunchPhotography.com

Edited by Ben

Scott
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Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

posted 06-10-2007 01:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott   Click Here to Email Scott     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Terrific photographs, Robert, Jimmy and Ben!

tegwilym
Member

Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-11-2007 01:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm sure glad to hear from Ben that this was one of the best he has seen. It was my first and I'm still babbling like an idiot, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much!
I'm back home and at work, being unproductive of course, wearing my STS117 t-shirt and have my fuzzy stuffed toy shuttle on my monitor next to my Linux penguin. Hehe!

WOW, AWESOME, AMAZING.....

It was a long trip home leaving at 6pm (after thunderstorm delay). Orlando - Memphis - Denver - Seattle - home (12:30am). *whew!*
I'm spent, but I'll never forget this.

Tom

mdmyer
Member

Posts: 900
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 06-12-2007 08:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mdmyer   Click Here to Email mdmyer     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
After Friday's launch an unusual smoke plume was seen in the skies above Florida. A photo of that plume above the VAB is today's Astronomy Picture of the Day.

If you click on the picture to download the largest resolution you can see Venus shining at the upper left hand corner of the photo. It is shining through a hole in the cloud.

Mike Myer

RISPACE
Member

Posts: 67
From: Warwick, RI USA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 06-14-2007 10:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RISPACE     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
June 8, 2007: What a fantastic day at the KSC Visitor Center. Not only did I see and meet numerous astronauts (and one cosmonaut) at the UACC show, STS 117 - Atlantis launched as planned at 7:38 p.m. I was concerned, as many others were, that the weather would not hold up for the launch. The clouds looked pretty threatening all day, but they moved westward as predicted in time for the launch.

STS 117 was the second shuttle launch I have witnessed from the Cape. At the KSC Visitor Center field near the rocket garden, a large screen TV broadcast the event from the NASA channel. As the countdown reached zero and then plus 10 seconds or so, I stood there absolutely spellbound as the shuttle appeared over the trees and climbed upward. The applause from the crowd was tremendous, it reminded me of being at a concert or a game. We all walked away very satisfied.

Earlier in the day, I tried the Shuttle Launch Experience - highly recommended!

The only unfortunate part of the day was the 4 hour traffic jam heading back to Orlando, but no complaints here.

cspg
Member

Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 06-14-2007 10:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Cool SRB video from NASA web site (3 cameras aboard each SRB). Splashdown looks really rough. Amazing to think that they re-used!

Chris.

irish guy
Member

Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 06-23-2007 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for irish guy   Click Here to Email irish guy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Many days late posting this reply, many thanks to robert, ben, and james for their fantastic photographs.

Enjoyed many hours of coverage on NASA TV, the first in our new home which made it all the more special.

We watched the shuttle and ISS pass over the south west coast of Ireland and hopefully we will get to meet J.R. pretty soon in Ireland.

Roll on STS 118

All the best
Eamon & Siobhan

Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-27-2007 06:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Were you on the NASA causeway watching the STS-117 launch on 8th June? If you made a good quality sound recording of the countdown and launch, could I ask a favour? I saw the launch and was absolutely mesmerised by the spectacle. I left my camcorder running on full wide-angle and got a decent recording of the launch, but the sea-breeze badly affected the sound. Even the engine noise at maximum is almost overshadowed by the wind-noise. I would be very grateful if someone could let me have a wind-free recording from, say, T - 3 minutes to T + 3 minutes. It would need to be from the NASA causeway. Please e-mail me on or off site.

All times are CT (US)

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