Space Shuttle Atlantis launch preparations continue on schedule despite inclement weather near the launch pad near midday Thursday.
As engineers prepared to move the Rotating Service Structure away from Atlantis, a severe thunderstorm passed overhead, delivering rain and lightning that produced two strikes near the launch pad.
Data review showed the two strikes occurred at 12:31 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. EDT. The first struck the water tower 515 feet (157 meters) from the pad and the second struck the beach area northeast of the pad.
So far, the data review indicates no issues with any systems, including shuttle Atlantis, External Tank, Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle Main Engines or Ground Support Equipment.
Nasa said another review of the data will occur again during the traditional “Tanking Weather Meeting” scheduled for 1:30 a.m. Friday, which is the point where managers will decide to proceed with fueling Atlantis’ tank ahead of launch. Fueling is scheduled to start at 2:01 a.m. Friday leading to launch at 11:26 a.m.
Space shuttle Atlantis is set to liftoff July 8 on the final flight of the shuttle program, STS-135, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will carry a crew of four and the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module containing supplies and spare parts for the space station.
The STS-135 astronauts are: Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim.
