Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery 07/25/05

Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on NASA's Return to Flight mission is still on track for Tuesday at 10:39 a.m., NASA Test Director Pete Nickolenko announced during a morning briefing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Download Full High Kesolution Image "Our teams have worked hard to prepare Space Shuttle Discovery and her crew for launch," Nickolenko said.

According to International Space Station Mission Manager Scott Higginbotham, the hardware in Discovery's payload bay is ready for mission STS-114. At Launch Pad 39B, rollback of the Rotating Service Structure is set for 1:30 p.m. today, followed by the completion of pad closeouts.

NASA will keep a wary eye on the weather throughout the countdown.

"We are still concerned that right around the launch time, the sea breeze will be developing, and some off-shore activity could bring in some anvil clouds and some showers or cumulous clouds in the area of the launch pad or the [Shuttle Landing Facility]," said Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters. The chance of Kennedy weather cooperating for the launch remains at 60 percent.

Flight systems and ground support hardware are ready and the flight crew and support teams are eagerly looking forward to a successful launch on Tuesday at 10:39 a.m. EDT.

STS-114, Space Shuttle Discovery. live streaming video of launch and mission coverage. FULL STREAMING VIDEO NASA TV

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