All systems are “go” for an 8:56 a.m. launch time of Space Shuttle Endeavour and a Shelton High School microbiology experiment. The shuttle will carry a crew of seven to the International Space Station, including its commander, Mark Kelly, husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
The Shelton High School experiment looks at the effect of microgravity on bacteria cell walls. The Shelton students were in Florida for the first launch attempt on April 29 that was scrubbed just as the astronauts were being driven to the launch pad. The trip wasn’t a total scrub for the students, as they were able to participate in a conference with other student groups at the Florida Institute of Technology. They will not be at the Kennedy Space Center this morning, but will be watching the launch live from school.
Astronauts were awoken at midnight to prep for launch. They will be driven out to the launch pad at 5:11 a.m. As of 2:30 a.m. crews were working no technical issues and weather is 70 percent favorable for launch. CTTechJunkie will be on site starting at 3:30 a.m. this morning.
Watch the launch live courtesy of SpaceflightNow and LiveStream below: