During the day, the astronauts once again entered their seats in the passenger compartment of the shuttle
Avi Blizovsky
21: 00 Update
The countdown continues. The Discovery will be launched in just under forty minutes, more precisely at 21:37:51 p.m., which means 21:38 p.m. missing nine seconds. The reason for the accuracy - NASA launches in the middle of a launch window that moves every day, and which meets two needs: one that a departure within it will bring the shuttle to meet the International Space Station and the second - that the launch will be during daytime in Florida.
The decision to launch was made despite insulation foam falling from the connection area between the liquid oxygen piping and the external fuel tank.
NASA stated that it is a piece of foam the thickness and size of a thin crust of bread. And since no other problems were found during the day, it was decided to give the ferry a green light to go on its way, depending of course on the weather. Meanwhile, as seen in the TV broadcasts from Fun Canaveral, the weather is partly cloudy, with the clear area being quite large.
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