Columbia Stays on Schedule for Sunday Launch
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Columbia’s latest countdown proceeded uninterrupted Thursday toward a scheduled weekend liftoff of the space shuttle with an astronomical observatory.
“The countdown is going real smooth. We’re right on the time line, not tracking any problems at all,†NASA test director Mike Leinbach said.
Three of Columbia’s four previous countdowns since spring were halted about six hours before liftoff because of hydrogen leaks that required numerous repairs.
“It’s been a long, hot summer for us filled with a couple of major disappointments, but the team is really upbeat now,†Leinbach said. “Everyone is feeling good, looking forward to a nice Christmas present, which will be getting the thing off the ground Sunday morning.â€
Columbia is scheduled to blast off at 1:28 a.m. EST Sunday. There is a 70% chance the weather will cooperate, forecasters say.
Leinbach said “the one big worry for everybodyâ€--a leaking fuel system--was no longer a threat.
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