This is Shuttle Launch Control, where we see from the astronaut quarters our STS-115 crew leaving the
suit-up room and heading for the elevator to take them down to the first floor and the awaiting Astrovan.
We should be able to follow them on the way out to the pad with the security helicopter from above
and as they pass some critical milestones, once they reach the Vehicle Assembly Building. And there they go.
We're at T-2 hours, 41 minutes, 35 seconds and counting as the Astrovan continues toward the launch pad.
Meanwhile, the primary ascent guidance data is now being transferred to the backup flight system.
The orbiter's onboard computers can be updated with the proper ascent profile,
depending on the upper-level wind situation at the time of the launch.
These profiles are called "eye-loads" and they tell the vehicle what the angle of
attack should be at various times and speeds during the ascent.
Members of the pad crew greeting the STS-115 astronauts.
Some of the crew will wait out on the orbiter access arm while the first one or two go in and begin to don their helmets.