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| Science & Technology |
| Shuttle launches tonight: STS-126 |
| 2008-11-14 |
| CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Fueling of NASA's space shuttle Endeavour for its planned launch toward the International Space Station tonight at 7:55 p.m. EST (0055 Nov. 15 GMT) is complete. Engineers finished pumping more than 520,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant into Endeavour's 15-story external tank at 1:31 p.m. EST (1831 GMT) to feed the shuttle's main engines during the ascent to orbit. Astronaut support personnel are due to be testing their communications systems in order to help strap Endeavour's crew into the shuttle later today. Commanded by veteran space flyer Chris Ferguson, Endeavour's seven-astronaut crew is slated to fly a 15-day mission to deliver vital new life support equipment - including a water recycling system that turns urine into drinkable water - to the station, to prepare the outpost for larger, six-person crews. The astronauts are due to head out to the launch pad at 4:05 p.m. EST (2105 GMT) today. NASA will begin live TV coverage and webcast of launch day activities at about 2:30 p.m. EST (1930 GMT). |
| Posted by:3dc |