[sarex] Launch Postponed 24 Hours; Crew Arrives at Kennedy

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Launch Postponed 24 Hours; Crew Arrives at Kennedy*
*Launch Date:* Aug. 8
*Launch Time:* 6:36 p.m. EDT


Image above: The STS-118 crew members pause for a photo at Kennedy Space 
Center's Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving for their upcoming 
launch. Photo credit: NASA
+ View Full Size Image 
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170419main_118crewarrival2_lg.jpg>

*08.03.07 - 5 p.m. EDT*
The launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-118 has been 
postponed 24 hours to allow the shuttle processing team additional time 
to complete routine work before liftoff. The new launch is targeted for 
Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 6:36 p.m. EDT.
(2236 UTC)
 The additional day will provide time to complete the processing and 
allow the countdown to begin at 8 p.m.(0000 UTC) Sunday.

Led by Commander Scott Kelly, the STS-118 flight crew has arrived at 
Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility aboard a NASA jet. The 
seven astronauts will spend the remaining days until launch undergoing 
final prelaunch preparations, including suit fit checks, briefings, 
medical exams and landing practice in the shuttle training aircraft.

"I would like to congratulate all the orbiter teams here at the Kennedy 
Space Center for the really outstanding effort they gave trying to get 
Endeavour ready to go for a Tuesday launch," said Commander Scott Kelly 
upon arriving at the spaceport.

An earlier leak in Endeavour's crew cabin has been fully resolved. The 
problem was traced to one of two positive pressure-relief valves that 
ensure that the cabin does not become over-pressurized. The suspect 
valve was removed and replaced with a valve from Atlantis. Another round 
of testing was successfully completed last night, with no leakage detected.

The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the 
first flight for Endeavour since 2002, and the first mission for Mission 
Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose 
association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.