Safety First

For safety, as a storm front moves into the Cape area  Endeavour and the 747 aircraft have been moved back into the MDD. Photo Credit: Blue Sawtooth Studio / Julian Leek

With the anticipation of high winds, lightning and thunderstorms moving into the Kennedy Space Center from the Gulf of Mexico, Endeavour on top of its 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) has been moved back into the  Mate-Demate Device (MDD) as a precaution.

Inside the MDD the SCA is secured to prevent movement and grounded as a precaution from the weather. Photo Credit: Blue Sawtooth Studio / Julian Leek

 

Inside the  MDD offers the shuttle and  747 aircraft better protection from the weather than sitting out on the open Shuttle Landing Facility apron.  There is a 60% chance of rain today and winds are expected in excess of 50 mph as this front moves across the state from the Gulf.

Check back later for updates.

Updated 9/18/2012 @ 2115: The 747 aircraft was fueled for the cross country flight, everything is on schedule for a 0715 take off  Wednesday morning from the SLF, a final weather briefing will be conducted at 0500. Push back from the MDD is set for 0400.

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