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George Diller/STS-129 Launch Commentator: From Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida,

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this is Shuttle Launch Control at T-3 hours 
and holding.

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We are now in the final five hours of the countdown for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-129.

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The countdown is being controlled from 
Firing Room 4 at the Launch Control Center,

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and we are on schedule for a liftoff targeted for 2:28 p.m. Eastern time.

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This is the 129th launch of the Space Shuttle Program,

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the 31st launch of space shuttle Atlantis, and the 31st visit to the International Space Station.

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This is an 11-day mission that includes three 6 1/2 hour EVAs, or spacewalks.

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Landing is currently planned for the day after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 27, at 9:43 a.m.

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There are six astronauts who will shortly be aboard Atlantis en route to a rendezvous with the International Space Station.

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The astronauts are Commander Charlie 
Hobaugh, Pilot Butch Wilmore,

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and Mission Specialists Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman and Bobby Satcher.

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Activities under way during the past hour have been the inertial measurement preflight calibrations, the alignment of the

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MILA tracking station antenna and the Ponce DeLeon Inlet tracking station antennas with the launch pad,

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activating the orbiter's navigation aids and the initial communications checks with the Air Force Eastern Range.

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Meanwhile, the Final Inspection Team has been measuring the temperatures on the surface of the vehicle,

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looking for any ice buildup and performing a 
final check for any FOD,

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or foreign object debris, that could strike the orbiter upon ignition.

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The seven-member team will have walked up and down the entire 380-foot tower of the

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fixed service structure at the conclusion of their inspections.

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Fueling of space shuttle Atlantis began at 5:03 this morning and concluded at exactly 8:00 a.m. Eastern time without any issues.

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And the countdown continues not to work any problems, and has been going very 
smoothly.

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We have approximately 59 minutes and 30 seconds remaining in this hold at T-3 hours.

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And our weather forecast is not quite as favorable as what we had yesterday.

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We're looking at a 30 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria by the time we get to liftoff time at 2:28 p.m.,

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primarily due to an increased chance for a low cloud deck. And,

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we'll hear more about that in about a half hour with one of  the launch weather officers who will be here to talk more

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about our launch weather and our forecast for overseas at the overseas contingency 
landing sites.

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At T-3 hours and holding, this is Shuttle Launch Control.

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