USA: SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY PREPARATIONS FOR LAUNCH

Описание: (29 Oct 1998) English/Nat

The stakes are higher than ever for NASA as it counts down the final hours to 77-year-old John Glenn's heralded return to orbit on Thursday after a 36 year break.

NASA has done everything possible to ensure the safety of space shuttle Discovery
and its seven-member crew.

But the fact that one of them is Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a senator for the past 24 years, has upped the ante if anything goes wrong.

The Discovery's most celebrated passenger will be John Glenn, a 77-year-old senator poised to return to space 36 years after becoming the first American in orbit.

On Wednesday, the elderly astronaut spent most of Wednesday with his colleagues in the crew quarters.

They reviewed flight documents and attended a briefing on the mission progress.

The mood at Cape Canaveral has been upbeat - with all members of the launch team experiencing the excitement.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is an exciting time - we are in launch count, that always quickens the pulse a little bit - there is the added interest in this a little bit, from the national as well as the whole world and there has been a lot of work going on - its been a busy summer."
SUPER CAPTION: Bob Siek, Director of Shuttle Operations

The T-38 jet training rides that are a tradition the day before launch were postponed from morning to late afternoon.

Glenn and three other crew members decided not to participate but NASA said those flights were optional for the non-pilot astronauts.

The astronauts did travel out to the launch site during the morning and - separated by a roadway - talked to family and friends gathered for the launch.

As a health precaution, the family members were told to keep their distance, but as usual there were waves, blown kisses and messages about a safe journey.

On Wednesday night, the astronauts were due to stand at the base of the launch pad, with the brilliantly floodlit Discovery looming above them and spend a final pre-mission hour near their families.

The weather for Thursday's launch, planned for 1900 GMT, is predicted to be picture perfect.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"36 years ago John Glenn's first trip to orbit was scrubbed by weather four times - on his second trip to orbit tomorrow we'll see that number improve significantly. Basically all the right things have come together this week - you can see we have beautiful skies today, high pressure is moving south-west. Mitch - Hurricane Mitch is not threatened us here and we expect the same story for tomorrow."
SUPER CAPTION: Cliff Stargardt, Staff Meteorologist USAF

The astronauts will be awakened at 1330 GMT, undergo a brief medical examination and then sit down to the traditional pre-launch breakfast of steak and eggs.

After that, they will climb into their orange space suits, board a van and ride out the pad where a fuelled and poised Discovery awaits them.

All those who have come in contact with the crew have said they are very prepared for their upcoming mission.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I've been with the crew - we bought the crew down on the T-38s the other day and they're in very very good spirits. Last night they had a barbecue get together with their families out at the beach house and they're very happy and very excited about all the way things are going in the launch count. A clean vehicle and looking like very good weather so I'm hear to report to you that the crew is in best of spirits and more than ready to go on this exciting mission."
SUPER CAPTION: Charlie Precourt, Astronaut

Glenn will become the oldest person ever launched into space, breaking the record held by Story Musgrave, who was 61 when he made his last shuttle flight two years ago.


SOUNDBITE: (English)




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