[sci.space.shuttle] launch window for Atlantis

phil@rice.edu (William LeFebvre) (03/30/89)

I just found out earlier today that the launch window for Atlantis is
going to be, at most, only 18 minutes long.  That means if everything
isn't just right at just the right time (given NASA's current paranoia
about upper level winds), they'll wait until the following day.  Expect
several "scrubs" on this one.

I wasn't able to find out a specific opening time for the window, but I
understand that it might actually be in the afternoon (say, around 1).
That would be different.

This unusual window is, of course, due to Magellan.  It has some pretty
tight constraints on when it can be launched from the payload bay.

When I find out more specifics, I'll forward them.

			William LeFebvre
			Department of Computer Science
			Rice University
			<phil@Rice.edu>