Discovery ready for launch

Tanking of Discovery's large orange external tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen began this morning at 7:11 a.m.

Tanking was delayed about an hour when one of two heaters needed to purge the External Tank failed. Primary and backup heaters are required for tanking to begin. A "red team" was being dispatched to the pad and the problem was resolved. Activities continue for an ontime launch of Discovery at 3:51 p.m. EDT today.

At about 11 p.m. Tuesday evening, Launch Pad 39B's Rotating Service Structure (RSS) was retracted from Discovery in preparation for Wednesday's Return to Flight launch. When in place, the giant enveloping appendage is used to install payloads into an orbiter's cargo bay and provide protection from inclement weather.

Early Tuesday evening at Launch Pad 39B, the cover of Discovery’s window #7 fell approximately 60 feet and struck a carrier panel on the orbiter's left Orbital Maneuvering System pod, damaging several tiles. A replacement carrier panel was quickly located and successfully installed on the orbiter. Work on the panel took approximately one hour, slightly delaying last night's planned 7 p.m. rollback of the pad's Rotating Service Structure. No other issues are being tracked by the Launch Team.

The families of the Columbia astronauts issued a statement today, saying "we have every confidence that the sacrifice of our loved ones and those that preceded them will be realized for the benefit of all humankind".

Liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery on NASA's Return to Flight Mission is scheduled for 3:51 p.m. EDT July 13.

Source: NASA