- NTD this is SRO on 212
- Go SRO
- Range says NO GO at this time
A few minutes later:
- Discovery, launch director. We're going to take this one on down to the wire. We'll go through our polls here and uh, take you on down to 5 minutes and see if we can't get a great flight today.
- This is shuttle launch control. 5 minutes remaining in our hold at T minus 9 minutes.
- This is the NTD conducting the launch status check. All stations verify ready to resume count and go for launch.
- OTC? OTC go.
- TDC? TDC go.
- TTC? TTC is go.
- LTS. LTS is go.
- Houston flight. Houston flight is go.
- MILA. MILA is go.
- STM. STM is go.
- Safety console. Safety console is go.
- STD. STD is go.
- LRD. LRD is go.
- SRO. SRO is NO GO.
- Copy are you good to go to 5 minutes and hold? Yes. We are good to go to 5 minutes and hold. Copy.
- And CDR. Discovery is go.
At the 5 minute hold, it still doesn't look good, and the launch window is closing:
- Holding at T-5 minutes.
- Our only issue is a red condition from the eastern range. Their central command system display is not operating properly.
- 2 minutes and 48 seconds of hold time remain in today's launch window.
- Today's launch window expires in 2 minutes 28 seconds.
- All systems are go with the exception of the eastern range.
- SRO standby.
- 2 minutes remaining in the hold today. 2 minutes remaining in our launch window.
- SRO NTD final recommendation please.
- Stand by one.
- 1 minute 30 seconds remaining in our window.
21 agonizing seconds later....
- Ops manager NTD. Ops manager on 212. Go ahead. I got verbal confirmation from the 45th wing commander... we are GO. I would like you to proceed.
- Copy that. And SRO NTD? Need to put this uh, your hold switch to proceed position.
- 40 seconds remaining in our launch window.
- Range is go.
- GLS has the SRO hold been removed?
- Negative sir.
- SRO NTD.
- NTD I can remove the hold here...
- SRO on 212.
- We need you to put your hold switch in proceed position.
- in proceed.
- GLS can you verify?
- GLS verifies.
- 15 seconds remaining in our hold.
- Copy. We'll pick up momentarily. CGLS pick up the clock on your mark. GLS copies. 3..2..1.. mark. T-5 minutes and counting. TLT OTC perform AT start. TLT in work. CDR OTC reconfigure heaters. Copy in work.
- Reconfig complete.
- All systems are go and weather is green.
- Flight director NTD.
- Flight NTD?
- NTD Houston flight.... I have 2 seconds of trade back hold remaining. Two
- NTD SRO is go for launch. And what is your status? We are go. Copy.
Go for main engine start...
Credit for this lovely photo goes to Chris Swindal, he is an amazing photographer!
