Countdown to STS-127 Launch Begins

The countdown to space shuttle Endeavour's STS-127 launch began on time at 10 p.m. EDT. Launch team members will hold a Countdown Status Briefing Thursday at 10 a.m. to discuss details of the countdown.Liftoff is scheduled for Saturday at 7:39 p.m.

STS-127 Crew Due to Arrive at Kennedy

STS-127 Crew Due to Arrive at Kennedy Today
Preparations are on schedule at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for space shuttle Endeavour's launch on the STS-127 mission.
Endeavour's seven astronauts are due to arrive at Kennedy this afternoon at 1 p.m. EDT. The countdown will officially begin Wednesday at 10 p.m. when clocks begin ticking backward from T-43 hours. Liftoff is set for July 11 at 7:39 p.m.

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STS-127 Mission Information

Image above: Front row, Commander Mark Polansky (right) and Pilot Doug Hurley. Back row (left to right), astronauts Dave Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Canadian Space Agency's Julie Payette, Tom Marshburn and Tim Kopra, all mission specialists. Kopra is scheduled to join Expedition 20 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station with the STS-127 crew.
Image and source: NASA

Launch Target:
7:39 p.m. EDT – July 11, 2009
Orbiter:
Endeavour
Mission Number:
STS-127
(127th space shuttle flight)
Launch Window:
10 minutes
Launch Pad:
39A
Mission Duration:
16 days
Landing Site:
KSC
Inclination/Altitude:
51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload:
29th station flight (2J/A), Kibo Japanese

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Endeavour, Crew Preparing for July 11 Launch

Launch preparations for STS-127 are under way at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following Wednesday's successful test fueling of space shuttle Endeavour's external tank.
Endeavour's astronauts are taking the holiday weekend off and will go into quarantine Sunday evening. They are due to arrive at Kennedy on July 7 at 2 p.m. EDT. The countdown will officially begin Wednesday at 10 p.m. when clocks begin ticking backward from T-43 hours. Liftoff is set for July 11 at 7:39 p.m.
Source: NASA

Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over July 4 Weekend

As America celebrates its 233rd birthday this holiday weekend, there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks. Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth.
Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting, as the station flies almost directly overhead.
Source: NASA