This is Delta Launch Control at T-89 minutes and counting. Operations here at Vandenberg Air Force Base
are going well this morning for our third launch attempt of the CloudSat/CALIPSO spacecraft aboard a Delta II launch vehicle.
Liftoff is scheduled to occur on time at 3:02 a.m. Pacific time today from Space Launch Complex 2 here at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The CloudSat flies in a first-of-a-kind system that is much more sensitive than any weather radar.
It will provide a never-before-seen perspective on clouds. Its radar will allow NASA to see inside large cloud masses and make our,
that make our weather. NASA will be able to study the processes that convert tiny cloud particles into pre cipitation.
CloudSat observations will allow NASA to better understand the role of clouds in our climate
and ultimately improve predictions of climate change.
Coming up momentarily will be a status from our launch director and we will be standing by for those words.
He will be giving us a status on where we stand with our vehicle processing,
as well as our weather. Our weather forecast looks fairly dismal at this point.
We're looking at the possibility of a, a high possibility of thick clouds in the area.
They are currently, we currently have thick clouds in the area and are forecasting to have thick clouds in the area.
We're looking at some light rain developing and the winds are increasing, as well,
which leads our forecasters to give us a 80-percent chance of not being able to launch,
80-percent change of violation due to weather this morning. Meanwhile, activities do continue toward a T-0 at 3:02 a.m.
The fueling of the Delta's first stage of about 10,000 gallons of a highly refined kerosene began on time
yesterday afternoon and loading of liquid oxygen to the first stage will soon begin.
This LOX loading will begin in about 12 minutes and it will be completed before we go
into the first of our two remaining holds at T-20 minutes.