Shuttle launch scrubbed under hurricane threat – ESA-TV launch coverage postponed

NASA will not launch space shuttle Atlantis on 28 nor on 29 August as tropical storm Ernesto approaches Florida, NASA spokesman Dean Acosta told journalists at KSC. NASA’s hurricane guidelines call for a Shuttle to be returned from launch pad to the Vehicle Assembly Building if wind speeds are forecast to reach 125 km/h. This must happen before the winds actually reach 75 km/h. Therefore, preparations have already begun to move Atlantis away from the launch pad.

The Shuttle and the launch pad had been cleared yesterday of any lightning-related problems.

When a new launch date is fixed, the ESA-TV details for the Mission STS-115 launch coverage will be posted.

For further information and a daily update of the transmission schedule, visit our website at http://television.esa.int. For all enquires, contact Claus Habfast, Tel +31 71 565 3838, Fax +31 71 565 6340, e-mail claus.habfast@esa.int.