[sarex] Endeavour to Depart Tonight for Launch Pad 39A

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Endeavour to Depart Tonight for Launch Pad 39A*

The payload canister containing the S5 truss is lifted into the payload 
changeout room at Launch Pad 39A.
Image above: The payload canister is lifted off its transporter up to 
the payload changeout room. Inside the canister are the S5 truss, 
SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3, the payload for mission 
STS-118. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
+ Full Size Image 
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/181850main_07pd1811.jpg>

*07.10.07 - 8:30 a.m. EDT*
The rollout of Space Shuttle Endeavour to Launch Pad 39A is expected to 
begin tonight. Originally planned for this morning, the move was 
canceled by NASA managers because unfavorable weather was predicted to 
arrive in the launch area before the vehicle would be secured at the pad.

The crawler-transporter will carry the space shuttle assembly on the 
3.4-mile journey to the launch pad, a trip that typically takes six to 
seven hours. NASA TV will provide highlights of the rollout.
+ Watch NASA TV <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html>
+ NASA TV Schedule 
<http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html>

During the STS-118 mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit the S5 
truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3. The payload was 
delivered Sunday to the launch pad's payload changeout room.

NASA is quickly gearing up for the shuttle's next visit to the 
International Space Station, targeted for an Aug. 7 launch. The mission 
will mark the first flight of Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the 
teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 
years ago.

STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002.

*Mission Information*
+ STS-118 Mission Overview 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html> 

+ STS-117 Mission Archive 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index.html>