Live blog: Final space shuttle launch live
Global News coverage of the final NASA Space Shuttle mission. Atlantis is poised to blast off Friday, July 8 at 11:26 a.m.
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The Rotating Service Structure began moving away from space shuttle Atlantis at 2:38 p.m. EDT.by NASA via twitter 7/7/2011 6:58:56 PM -
NASA checks for damage after lightning strike near space shuttle launch pad
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is checking for any damage to space shuttle Atlantis or the launch pad after a lightning strike.
Atlantis is poised to blast off Friday on the very last shuttle flight. Thunderstorms, however, are threatening to keep the spaceship on the ground.
On Thursday, heavy rain and storms pelted the Florida launch site. Early in the afternoon, NASA reported a lightning strike within one-third of a mile (half a kilometre) of the pad. NASA says there are no immediate signs of damage, but technicians are checking the electrical systems.
The shuttle has yet to be fueled for its historic mission. And the four astronauts won't board until Friday. -
Storms still casting shadow on last space shuttle launch, threatening Fri. liftoff of Atlantis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Thunderstorms are still threatening to delay NASA's last space shuttle launch, set for Friday.
On the eve of the historic liftoff, a senior manager said Thursday that NASA will try for an on-time launch of Atlantis anyway. That's despite a 70 per cent chance bad weather would stop the liftoff.
Launch time is 11:26 a.m. (1526 GMT).
Atlantis and four astronauts will carry a load of supplies to the International Space Station. Also on board are hundreds of crew patches and pins, as well as thousands of shuttle bookmarks for kids, to commemorate the 30-year program.
At least 750,000 people are expected to jam Cape Canaveral and surrounding towns for the launch. Dozens of astronauts already are in town, including the very first shuttle pilot Robert Crippen. He flew Columbia in 1981. -
In photos: 10 Canadian Space Shuttle highlights
On Friday July 8th, the space shuttle Atlantis is expected to launch in what will be the final launch and mission of the Space Shuttle program. We take a look at Canada's significant role in the 30-year shuttle era.
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The space shuttle Atlantis sits on the launch pad as a rain cloud passes at the Kennedy Space Center Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on Friday, July 8 and is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
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An Engineering Review Board meeting begins at 4:30p ET to discuss the status of Atlantis & the launch pad after an earlier lightning strikeby NASA via twitter 7/7/2011 8:28:16 PM
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#CSATweetup participants: Remember to leave early if you are staying downtown #Montreal. Traffic is HORRIBLE these days! Inbound & outbound.by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/7/2011 9:51:58 PM -
RT @SpaceflightNow: Atlantis' countdown can proceed as scheduled after engineers determined no issues from pad lightning strike. http:// ...by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/7/2011 9:52:31 PM
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Video of lightning at the shuttle launch pad today: go.nasa.gov Initial analysis shows no issues and the countdown continuesby NASA via twitter 7/7/2011 10:03:37 PM
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Just got on the last bus to see #atlantis on the pad. 1000 feet away. Incredible. Pics to followby jasonkeel via twitter 7/7/2011 10:05:09 PM -
Still 30 % chance it will fly tomorrow. thunder storms today have been epic. Doesn't bode well but fingers crossed.by jasonkeel via twitter 7/7/2011 10:06:35 PM
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plan to interview Julie Payette and Chris Hadfield tomorrow... Want to know about what's left to dream about in space program.by jasonkeel via twitter 7/7/2011 10:09:32 PM
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RT @CwG_NSF: At 1:30am, NASA managers will meet to determine if we fuel #Atlantis or not based on wx. If we decide to tank, fueling will ...by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/7/2011 10:40:17 PM
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Lightening stuck near the launch pad just before we were bussed in. NASA says no systems were damaged. #atlantisby jasonkeel via twitter 7/7/2011 10:53:15 PM
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RT "@VIA_Rail: @astrosears Have a great evening with us, Thomas, & enjoy #CSATweetup! ^JK"by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/7/2011 11:18:09 PM
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#sts135 #CSATweetup: Full program on tomorrow @csa_asc regardless of if the shuttle launches or not.by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/7/2011 11:56:03 PM
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RT @quinn_of_quebec: Really looking to meeting my fellow #CSAtweetup -ers tomorrow; an interesting and varied bunch! Really hope we see ...by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 1:19:52 AM
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U betcha!“@quinn_of_quebec: Hope thru #CSAtweetup tomorrow we can remind the world what a big part Canada has played during these missions”by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 1:22:17 AM
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Shining star in the Florida night... RT “@Cmdr_Hadfield: Atlantis lit by Xenon lights - beautiful, surreal, ready to go twitpic.com”
by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 1:25:16 AM -
Travelling #CSATweetup-ers: weather forecast for tomorrow in Mtl - 27C, light winds & a few clouds. Bring your smiles & it will be perfect!by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 1:38:30 AM
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There's always hope! MT “@ASTRO_YYZ: Hoping for tomorrow. Recall 122 was also 70% red day of launch. Mtl tonight @csa_asc for #CSATweetup.”by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 2:03:14 AM
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Shuttle Atlantis is "go" for tanking! Watch coverage live at www.nasa.gov Launch planned for 11:26 a.m. EDT.by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 5:57:03 AM
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STS-135 weather forecast remains 30 % favorable with a chance of showers & thunderstorms, flight through precipitation and ***ulus clouds.by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 6:08:14 AM
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It's 4:30 a.m. EDT and time for Atlantis' crew to wake up for launch! Tanking operations are on track & there are no technical issues.by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 8:30:13 AM
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Atlantis' external tank was fully loaded at 4:58 a.m. EDT. The Close Out Crew and Final Inspection Team are on their way to the launch pad.by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 9:04:56 AM
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Some fun @AngryBirds t-shirts making the rounds at KSC. Simple #STS135 well-wises or a hint of things to come? twitpic.com
by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 9:14:22 AM -
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#CSATweetup "@Cmdr_Hadfield: The sun is rising into a broken cloudy sky, the brilliant lights on Atlantis pointing to the purpose of the dayby CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 10:07:42 AM
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When 140 characters isn't enough, follow the official @NASA #STS135 launch blog online at go.nasa.govby NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 10:43:35 AM
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RT @NASAWatch NASA Watch: @Lori_Garver @ #nasatweetup twitpic.com
by NASA via twitter 7/8/2011 10:48:12 AM -
RT @AstroDaveMD: We're 30% go due to weather but it looks like it is clearing!by CanadianSpaceAgency via twitter 7/8/2011 10:56:53 AM
