Techriders,
Long-time-no-hear Hansi, proud Space Shuttle Team Member, reporting to the M3 (Millenium 3) Techrider Team,
Yeah, we haven't launched since July, and delays are frustrating. The last two launch delays have been great practice for all the KSC and Houston teams to do the real thing. Everyone's taking very measured steps in dealing with the multiple hardware / weather problems. Don't want to let the press or the Y2K bug kick us around, resulting in a poor chain of decisions that the country would regret. One could get tired of the old press corps questions like "Uhhhh, you haven't launched more than twice this year...couldn't we have used all that money to feed the poor and hungry first?", or ____ (fill in your favorite here). I can't wait to run into another one of those uneducated press guys - I'll bury him with words.
Here's the KSC countdown link:
ksc.nasa.gov
Last week, in case we don't launch tomorrow, all the time dependent on-board flight software changes that are necessary were approved for a potential launch slip into the next year (not unique to Y2K, but due to year-end rollover on-board clock constraints).
My address is "606..." - OMEN - we will see 909's head-over-heels. I'm working on my humble Top 10. Once I submit, feel free to critique or LOL.
Hansi - 909s!
P.S. Sunday night's launch window is approx. 42 minutes (haven't checked the latest data), but the earliest liftoff is slated for 7:50pm EST. Plan accordingly, get those kids/grandkids in front of the T.V., and impress upon them that it took 22,000 hardworking folks like their parents to make each countdown, ascent, 16 orbits per day, and a safe entry possible. I'll be on console with the Houston ascent control team starting 1pm CDT, so think good things. |
