Endeavour Set To Lift Off EARLY Tuesday

Space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-123 mission is officially set for launch after getting the "go" from NASA's Mission Management Team on Sunday, with all technical and meteorological aspects in the green at this time.

A nighttime liftoff from Florida's Kennedy Space Center remains scheduled for 0228 EDT Tuesday, March 11, on a mission NASA hopes will get its shuttle program on track for six launches in 2008.

LeRoy Cain, chair for the team, said the countdown to liftoff is proceeding smoothly. "I’m happy to report that the mission management team is not working any issues or constraints to launch." said Cain.

NASA says Endeavour's go for launch clears STS-123's seven astronauts to start final preparations for their mission. Over the next few days, the crew will be busy double-checking equipment, rehearsing procedures and looking forward to an exciting trip into space.

At 0600 Monday, the gantry-like rotating service structure, which provides easy access and weather protection for Endeavour, will be retracted.

The current weather forecast calls for only a 10 percent chance atmospheric conditions will delay the launch, with the primary concern coming from a slight chance of a low cloud ceiling around Kennedy.

The planned 16-day flight is commanded by Dominic Gorie with Gregory H. Johnson serving as Pilot. The crew also includes Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi.

The crew will deliver the first section of the Japanese-built Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system called Dextre. STS-123 is an international mission combining the expertise and experience of several countries working together to create a working 'home' in space.

Following STS-123, nine more shuttle missions are planned before the fleet's mandated retirement in September 2009 -- including four more missions scheduled through the rest of 2008.

FMI: www.nasa.gov