The last flight for 19 year-old orbiter, Endeavour, and the penultimate mission of the entire space shuttle era program {Atlantis is scheduled to complete the gig next month right upon Endeavour's return}. Half a million or more, including Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and President Obama, are scheduled to be in attendance-Giffords is already in place, we understand with only a traveling nurse or two. Launch is scheduled for 8:56 a.m. ET tomorrow morning. We know they definitely want to light the candles on this one. The shuttle has the additional pressure of carrying the $2 billion//17 year-in-development Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, or something, which we believe finally gives Marvin the Martian the capability to destroy Earth because it blocks his view of Venus. And in the age of NBA playoffs, which we don't watch, THESE are the true role models for our nation. Godspeed, Endeavour!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Endeavour
Rotating service structure has been pulled away from the orbiter. Fueling begins around 11:30 p.m. The crew will awake at midnight for breakfast and final suiting up/strapping in. We think we would have the steak and eggs. Drinkside, run the java!!
8:30 a.m: We have been watching the crew get strapped in since about 5 a.m. on C-Span 2. Very minor glitches-all resolved. Less than a half-hour until launch. All systems appear a go-weather has cleared. Naval assets are in position, Communications/cameras are good. Looks like this baby is going to go on time..Going through final call of all systems-all are a go; they be going off final hold and resuming count down from T - 9 m inutes. This looks like a go..They took off with everything looking clean and smooth. And we were right; we would be terrified to do this. BTW-C-Span 2 is best coverage for final Atlantis launch next month or so. They talked you through the process like a good dentist works with you. No drama-just great descriptional commentary and camera work.