Payload and Weather "Go" for Launch

At today's prelaunch briefing held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, managers reported space shuttle Endeavour, its payload and crew are ready for launch at 4:39 a.m. EST on Sunday for the 13-day STS-130 mission.

NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber reported everything is progressing on schedule for Endeavour's flight to deliver the Italian-built Tranquility node and cupola to the International Space Station. "There are no issues and preps are going well," said Graeber.

According to Graeber the water leak that occurred in the Launch Control Center last week was confined to a south stairwell and cleanup was successfully accomplished.

"To summarize, Endeavour and the launch team are all ready to proceed and we're all very excited to pick up with the countdown leading up to Sunday's early morning launch," said Graeber.

Joe Delai, the STS-130 payload manager who leads the team of engineers and technicians assembling and testing the payloads, said, "This is one of the most complex modules I've seen in awhile. (But) we're ready for flight."

Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters reported the forecast is looking good for launch day and for the loading of propellants into Endeavour's external fuel tank. Winds may be a little breezy but at this time there is only a 30 percent chance of weather hindering a successful launch on Sunday.

At 2 a.m. Thursday, NASA's official launch countdown clock begins counting backward toward Sunday's liftoff.

Tune in to the STS-130 mission's prelaunch news conference that will be aired tomorrow at 10 a.m. on NASA TV at www.nasa.gov/ntv.





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