I am about to embark on a trip, with a good friend “Phideux”, that has been on my “life experience checklist” since its inception. View the Space Shuttle Launch in person! Pardon the pun, but the planets seem to have aligned as I was scheduled to be off work anyways.

The clock is ticking!
The official countdown clock has started. Click here for a great explanation of the official countdown clock. The official clock has scheduled “Holds” so you may notice that the official clock is sometimes not counting down.

This shuttle launch should be carried on the major networks, as well as the major cable news broadcasting stations. NASA television will of course carry the launch coverage. If you don’t have cable TV or don’t get NASA TV you can tune in on the web. The following streams are available:
– Windows Media Player
– Real Player
– Listen only – Real Player
– Yahoo Media Player

Be sure to stay tuned to atch.net for post launch updates including commentary, photos, and hopefully some great video!

If you are NOT a register user at atch.net, now is a great time to register. Additional content will be available to users who login to the website.
Image above: Crew arrives at Kennedy. At the microphone is Pilot Mark Kelly. From left are Commander Steven Lindsey, Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak and Michael Fossum, Kelly, and Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Image above: The sun is setting as Space Shuttle Discovery nears its place on Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. At right are the fixed and rotating service structures. First motion was at 12:45 p.m. EDT. The shuttle rests on a mobile launcher platform and made the 4.2-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building via the crawler-transporter beneath the platform. The roll out is an important step before launch of Discovery on mission STS-121 to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA