At Friday morning’s countdown status briefing, NASA Test Director Steve Payne reported that all launch preparations continue to go well as the official countdown is now under way, saying, "We’re eager to get Discovery flying on Monday morning."
Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters also reported good news, saying that the launch-time conditions continue to be very favorable. The only reason for a remaining 20 percent chance of "no-go" weather is the possibility of early morning fog. The weather would be similar if a 24-hour turnaround was necessary.
Saturday’s prelaunch news conference is scheduled for no earlier than 12 p.m. EDT, and will be broadcast live on NASA TV and on the Web at www.nasa.gov/ntv.
The countdown kicked off at 3 a.m. on Friday when the official clock started counting back from the T-43 hour point. Liftoff of Discovery and the seven-member crew on the STS-131 mission to the International Space Station is set for 6:21 a.m. on April 5.