NASA STS-117 Status
Report #28
(21 June 2007) The exact times of
Friday landing opportunities for the Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew
changed slightly following a brief engine firing that adjusted the spacecraft's
orbit.
The adjustment makes possible a California landing
opportunity earlier in the day before winds are expected to
increase.
Poor weather prevented Atlantis' astronauts from landing today
at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew was waved off from its second
and final landing attempt at 12:38 p.m. CDT when Mission Control sent word that
rain showers were within 30 miles of the centre accompanied by low
clouds.
Shortly after the weather wave off, Entry Flight Director Norm
Knight directed support for the backup landing site Friday at Edwards Air Force
Base. Knight said he intends to bring Atlantis home Friday to either Kennedy or
Edwards.
There are multiple deorbit opportunities available for
Atlantis' astronauts Friday. The Florida weather forecast includes the
possibility for more thundershowers. The Edwards forecast is
favourable.
On Friday, landing preparations begin at 8:12 a.m. CDT, and
the crew should close the payload bay doors at 9:32 a.m. Here are predicted
times for tomorrow's landing opportunities (all CDT):
| Orbit | Site | Deorbit Burn | Landing |
| 218 | Kennedy | 12:12 p.m. | 1:18 p.m. |
| 219 | Edwards Kennedy |
1:43 p.m. 1:50 p.m. |
2:49 p.m. 2:55 p.m. |
| 220 | Edwards | 3:18 p.m. | 4:23 p.m. |
| 221 | Edwards | 4:56 p.m. | 5:59 p.m. |
The next STS-117 status report will be
issued Friday morning after crew wake up, or earlier if events
warrant.
(source: NASA Johnson Space Center)