STS-127 Launch Scrubbed
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By Madhu Unnikrishnan
NASA called off the launch of STS-127, the space shuttle Endeavour, today at 7:03, just minutes before its planned 7:13 p.m. launch.
A weather system began developing about two hours before the scheduled launch, while the countdown was on a planned hold at T-9:00. A line of clouds and rain began encroaching on the 20-mile return to launch site (RTLS) circle, a constraint for launch. Mission management remained hopeful that observed conditions, monitored from the air by a shuttle training aircraft, would allow the launch to continue as planned.
Eastern sea breezes were observed to be dissipating the thunderstorms, and mission management held off on scrubbing the launch. But the weather took a turn for the worse. Weather cells began to approach the 10-mile launch circle.
Shortly before 7 p.m., the Air Force weather monitors reported that clouds and lightning were no-go for launch. At 7:03 p.m., a lightning strike was reported within 13 miles of the launchpad.
Mission management polled the the teams observing the weather and called a scrub just ten minutes before launch
The next launch attempt will be on Monday, July 13 at 6:51 p.m. The next window is Tuesday. For both days, there is a 60% chance weather will be unfavorable.
STS-127 was scrubbed Saturday, July 11 after lightning strikes on the catenary wires around the launch pad caused an electrical surge beyond acceptable limits. All systems checked out after intensive testing and analysis Saturday and through the night. Today, NASA reported no technical issues for the launch up through the weather scrub
Today's is the fourth scrub of STS-127, which was grounded twice in June due to a leak of gaseous hydrogen from the ground umbilical carrier plate. Engineers replaced the seals at the GUCP and resolved the issue.
Photo: NASA TV
