Wagons East

We got the word during a meeting with NASA managers late this morning (Pacific Time) that the orbiter and SCA (the 747 known as the Shuttle Carrying Vehicle) should be clear to leave Edwards Air Force Base at around sunup Sunday.

Here is the official release about the flight plan:

Weather permitting, the plan is to have Discovery leave Edwards at about 9:20 a.m. EDT Sunday. The flight's "pathfinder" support aircraft will depart about 20 minutes earlier. The 747 and pathfinder then will head to the first refueling stop at Rick Husband International Airport in Amarillo, Texas. Depending on the weather, the teams plan one additional stop before ending their travel day at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana tomorrow afternoon. Managers expect to be able to reach Kennedy from Barksdale on Monday without any additional stops.‬‪‪

Some of you have asked me if the SCA/OV (orbiter vehicle) will be flying over Houston.  It doesn't appear as though that will happen.  But I will be sending updates along the route through my twitter account.  It will then link to my facebook page.  Sign up for either to get the latest as we head eastward.

The tricky part of the flight is that SCA/OV cannot fly through clouds, rain, certain types of winds, and other highly specific weather conditions. 

We were allowed in the weather briefing today and I can tell you that the mood was significantly more optimistic than it has been the last few days.  It seems as though the managers are very confident that we will fly Sunday.

 NASA Weather Review Meeting 9/19/2009

I also stepped aboard the 747 today.  It remains empty during the flight, save the flight crew of five and their gear.  We will be flying about 20 minutes ahead of the SCA/OV in what's called the "Pathfinder".  We will be among the 35 or so members of the Ferry Team ina C-9.  We will fly at less than half the altitude of a regular commercial flight.

The shuttle is fully mated to the SCA now.  And they sit on a guarded runway at Edwards AFB.  It is ready to go.  And so are we.  Here are some pictures of the SCA/OV today.  Note the three connection points on the modified 747 at which the orbiter attatches to the plane.

Thanks for reading.  TA

Comments

[DEAKER]

Those three (3) connecting rods, connection points, do you know the diameter of them?
They appear to be no wider or thicker than the shock absorbers on my car. If that were true, it seems they would be fragile, and thus vulernable to "snapping" in two, which is a frightening thought...please ignore this post...all is well planned and constructed, and they have transported the OV this way numerous times.

Have a safe and exciting flight!