STS-115 Delayed 24 Hours – Again

NASA Delays Shuttle Launch Another 24 Hours Due to Fuel Cell Concerns

“At a 6 p.m. briefing on Wednesday, NASA’s STS-115 Mission Management Team announced that because of the fuel cell anomaly it would be prudent to spend another 24 hours to research the issue. The management team will meet again at 1 p.m. on Thursday to assess the data gathered about the fuel cell issue and decide whether the launch will take place on Friday.”

Atlantis launch slips to Friday at the earliest, SpaceflightNow

“The decision came at the end of a long day of troubleshooting, engineering analysis and discussion in which LeRoy Cain, chairman of NASA’s Mission Management Team, recommended proceeding with a launch try Thursday. Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale and other senior agency officials disagreed and decided to err on the side of caution, ordering an additional 24-hour stand down.”

STS-115 Launch Weather Forecast

“The weather forecast is similar for a 24-hour delay, and for the 48-hour delay, the probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch decreases as the front weakens and high pressure begins to build back into the area.”