[sarex] Hatched is Closed and Secured

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

*Hatched is Closed and Secured *
*Launch Date:* Aug. 8
*Launch Time:* 6:36 p.m. EDT(2236 UTC)

Image above: Commander Scott J. Kelly gets strapped in to his seat 
inside Endeavour's cabin. Photo credit: NASA

TO VIEW IMAGE GO 
TO:http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

*08.08.07 - 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 UTC)*
The closeout crew wished the STS-118 team good luck and best wishes as 
they secured Endeavour's hatch for launch. The astronauts are now going 
through final checks inside the orbiter to prepare for their journey to 
the International Space Station.

Countdown is proceeding smoothly, and there's only a 10 percent chance 
of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 6:36 p.m. EDT.

Mission STS-118 will be the first for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, 
the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 
20 years ago. First Lady Laura Bush called Morgan Tuesday morning to 
offer congratulations "one schoolteacher to another," and to thank her 
for her commitment to the space program and to education.
+ White House News Release 
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070807.html>< br />
The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the 
first flight for Endeavour since 2002. Launch remains on target for Aug. 
8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT .

*Mission Information*
+ STS-118 Mission Overview 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html>
+ STS-118 Fact Sheet (900 Kb PDF) 
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/184910main_sts118_factsheet4.pdf>
+ STS-118 NASA TV Schedule 
<http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html>
+ STS-118 Briefing Animations 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia/sts118_anim_07102007.html>
+ STS-117 Mission Archive 
<http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index.html>