For reports from Launch Day through Undocking, see Part 3 of our Mission Journal. We have expanded our reporting to six parts, due to improved coverage, and the amount of launch delays for this flight.

• 04 June 2002 - Evening Update - Stay tuned tomorrow morning - mission managers will decide tomorrow whether or not to begin fueling the External Tank with its half-million pounds of cryogenic propellants at around 8AM EDT. If the weather looks good, tanking will begin. Our updated Flight Facts page has the newest timeline.

  Watch NASA TV, and follow the links at right for up-to-the-minute play-by-play. Check out the live cams at KSC.

  
  

• 04 June - Afternoon Update - NASA has revealed the exact time for tomorrow's Shuttle launch. NASA reports:

  Managers Announce Launch Time
  Tuesday afternoon, space shuttle managers announced that STS-111 -- an International Space Station assembly mission -- is slated to launch from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., at 4:23 p.m. CDT [5:23PM EDT/2123 GMT] Wednesday. STS-111, which is the 14th shuttle mission to the station, will deliver the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System and the Expedition Five crew. It is also carrying the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the orbital outpost. If launch occurs as scheduled, Space Shuttle Endeavour is slated to dock with the station at 11:18 a.m. CDT [12:18PM EDT/1618 GMT] Friday.

  In activities at Launch Pad 39A, workers successfully completed leak checks on a gaseous nitrogen regulator valve in Space Shuttle Endeavour's left Orbital Maneuvering System pod.

  The most recent forecast indicates a 40-percent chance of acceptable weather at launch time, with thunderstorms in the vicinity and a strong crosswind being the main concerns.

  Watch NASA TV on Wednesday to see STS-111 launch coverage, beginning at 1 p.m. CDT [2PM EDT/1800 GMT]. NASA TV Schedule

  Weather forecasts were calling for a 60% chance of good conditions, but now we are only looking at 40%.

  
  

• 04 June 2002 - Launch remains on track for tomorrow afternoon. All technical problems have been resolved, but weather remains a concern. We should be hearing the exact launch time at around 5PM EDT (2100 GMT) today.

• 03 June 2002 - Endeavour's OMS valve problem has been fixed, but further testing is required to declare the ship flight-ready. NASA reports:

  Workers Replace Faulty Valve
  Workers at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., have replaced a faulty gaseous nitrogen regulator valve in Space Shuttle Endeavour's left Orbital Maneuvering System pod. They are currently performing leak checks. The faulty valve led shuttle managers on Sunday to delay STS-111's launch until Wednesday. Endeavour is scheduled to lift off between 3 and 7 p.m. CDT [4PM-8PM EDT, or 2000 GMT Wednesday and 0000 GMT Thursday].

  The chance of acceptable weather at launch is at 60 percent, with the main concerns being anvil clouds and thunderstorms in the vicinity of Kennedy.

  In preparation for STS-111's visit, [Space Station crewmen] performed seal leak checks on Pressurized Mating Adapter 2, and ... began shifting [their] sleep cycle Thursday night.

  The odds of weather violations for Wednesday's shot have been pegged at 40 percent. The Public Affairs Office at Kennedy Space Center has set revised times for news conferences and other events. Also, NASA has established news media badging requirements and updated operating hours for KSC's News Center.

• 02 June 2002 - Afternoon Update - Another day, another delay: Logistical problems with repair equipment are causing the fifth delay of Endeavour's launch (could that be a record?). NASA reports:

  Shuttle Managers Target Wednesday Shuttle Launch
  Shuttle managers decided over the weekend to delay Space Shuttle Endeavour's launch so workers at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., can replace a faulty regulator aboard Endeavour. Launch is now scheduled for Wednesday. The gaseous nitrogen pressure regulator in the shuttle's left Orbital Maneuvering System pod is the same component that showed pressure differentials during the launch count last Thursday.

  Endeavour is scheduled to lift off between 3 and 7 p.m. CDT (2000 GMT Wednesday and 0000 GMT Thursday). The long-range weather forecast for Wednesday shows some improvement in what has been seen over the last several days near the time of launch, but still indicates the chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms and rain showers.

  STS-111 is the 14th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Endeavour will carry the Expedition Five crew to the station and return the Expedition Four crew to Earth. Also, riding in Endeavour is the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which contains science equipment and supplies for the station.

  See our Flight Facts for the latest key dates. Hey, did anybody remember to call the Space Station guys and tell them their ride home was going to be late? Again, concerns about a possible terrorist attack are keeping officials from releasing the exact launch time until 24 hours in advance. All we know is that it's between 4PM and 8PM EDT on Wednesday, June 5th.

  
  

• 02 June 2002 - Workers are performing a launchpad swapout of a valve used in the left-hand Orbital Maneuvering System, in preparation for a Tuesday launch. The odds for good weather are improving, but T-storms and low clouds are still a possibility. NASA reports:

  Shuttle Managers Target Tuesday Launch for Endeavour
  Shuttle managers decided over the weekend to delay Space Shuttle Endeavour's launch until Tuesday so workers at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., can replace a faulty regulator aboard Endeavour. The gaseous nitrogen pressure regulator in the shuttle's left Orbital Maneuvering System pod is the same component that showed pressure differentials during the launch count last Thursday.

  STS-111, the 14th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station, is now slated to lift off between 3 and 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday (2000 GMT Tuesday and 0000 GMT Wednesday). Early weather forecasts for Tuesday show some improvement over previous days, but a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms still lingers.

  Mission duration is now estimated at 11 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes. Keep watching the links at top right for up-to-the-minute coverage.

• 01 June 2002 - More Delay - Remember that valve in the OMS pod that mission managers were looking at during Thursday's countdown? Remember how they said it had cleared itself up? Well, now they want to swap it out, which means that liftoff will slide from Monday to Tuesday. Here's the latest revision of our Flight Facts:

  Duration: 11 Days 18 Hours 29 minutes
  Launch Date: Tuesday, 04 June 2002
  Launch Time: Between 4 and 8PM EDT (2000 Tues and 0000 Wed GMT)
  Launch Window: 5-9 minutes
  Docking: 06 June 2002 (estimate)
  Undocking: 14 June 2002 (estimate)
  Landing: 16 June 2002 (estimate)

  This is the fourth delay since the original launch date last Thursday (May 30th). We'll get the precise liftoff time Monday afternoon. The countdown continues...

• 31 May 2002 - Evening Update - Since there is no hope of a break in the weather this weekend, mission managers have decided to push the launch date back to Monday, June 3rd. NASA reports:

  Shuttle Managers Target Monday Launch for Endeavour
  Shuttle managers decided Friday to delay Space Shuttle Endeavour's launch until Monday due to an unfavorable weekend weather forecast at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. STS-111, the 14th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station, is now slated to lift off between 3 and 7 p.m. CDT Monday (2000 GMT Monday and 0000 GMT Tuesday). Early weather forecasts for Monday indicate a 30-percent chance of favorable weather at launch.

  A launch advisory providing the planned Monday launch time will be issued at approximately 5 p.m. EDT [2100 GMT] Sunday. Watch NASA TV to see STS-111 launch coverage. NASA TV Schedule

  Since Monday is 3 days away, security concerns dictate that the exact time will not be announced until 24 hours in advance. NASA will only say that liftoff will occur between 4 and 8PM EDT.

  
  

• 31 May - Afternoon Update - No Shuttle launch today. Maybe tomorrow? NASA reports:

  Weather Forces Launch Delay
  Launch managers elected to postpone Endeavour’s scheduled launch today due to potentially severe weather in the vicinity of the Kennedy Space Center throughout the day. Managers will meet this evening about 6:30 p.m. central time [7:30PM EDT/2330 GMT] to discuss possible launch opportunities through the weekend. The decision to postpone launch was made prior to loading fuel in Endeavour’s large external tank.

  [Aboard the ISS], Expedition Four Commander Yury Onufrienko and Flight Engineers Carl Walz and Dan Bursch continued preparations Thursday for their return home on Space Shuttle Endeavour.

  Stay tuned...

  
  

• 31 May - 10:20AM EDT Update - SCRUB! - The threat of thunderstorms and hail has caused mission managers to not even bother with a launch attempt tonight. Details to follow.

  
  

• 31 May 2002 - Last night's scrub will make some history for the Americans on the ISS (of course, the Russians blow everyone else away when it comes to long-term spaceflight). See below for details. Here is tonight's updated flight profile from NASA:

  Mission: International Space Station Flight UF-2
  Orbiter: Endeavour (OV-105)
  Launch Pad: 39A
  Launch Date: Friday, 31 May 2002
  Launch Time: 7:21PM EDT (2321 GMT)
  Launch Window: 5 minutes
  Docking: 02 June 2002 1:54PM EDT (1754 GMT)
  EVAs: 3 Spacewalks
  Undocking: 10 June 2002 1:42PM EDT (1742 GMT) 
  Landing: 12 June 2002 2:58PM EDT (1858 GMT) 
  Duration: 11 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes
  Orbit Altitude: 122 nautical miles (226 km)
  Orbit Inclination: 51.60°

  Weather is still very much a concern, but no day this weekend looks better than any other. We predict that things will get pushed off into next week, but don't bet the rent on that!

• 30 May 2002 - Evening Update - Here's hoping for better luck for tomorrow's launch attempt. NASA reports:

  Anvil Clouds Force 24-Hour Launch Delay for Endeavour
  Unfavorable weather at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., forced flight controllers to postpone STS-111's launch by 24 hours. Space Shuttle Endeavour and its five astronauts and two cosmonauts are now slated to lift off at 6:22 p.m. CDT (2322 GMT) Friday to begin their journey to the International Space Station. The culprits in the launch delay were thunderstorms and anvil clouds within the 20-mile limit of KSC.

  STS-111 will deliver the Expedition Five crew to the station and return the Expedition Four crew to Earth. While at the station, the STS-111 crew will conduct three spacewalks. Also, the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is making its third flight to the international outpost.

  Flight controllers and forecasters will continue to monitor Friday's weather situation. Forecasts indicate at 30-percent chance of favorable weather for Friday's launch attempt.

  Watch NASA TV to see STS-111 launch coverage, beginning at 3 p.m. CDT [4PM EDT/2000 GMT] Friday. NASA TV Schedule

  KSC keeps updating their Photo Gallery with lots of great pre-launch pics. Send your questions to the KSC launch team here!

  
  

• 30 May - 8:45 PM EDT - The crew has left Endeavour. They will spend the night at KSC for tomorrow's launch, which only has a 30% chance of clearing weather violations.

  NASA TV coverage begins tomorrow at 4PM EDT. Follow the links at right for up-to-the-minute play-by-play.

  
  

• 30 May - 8:20 PM EDT - The egress hatch is open, and we are waiting for the seven STS-111 crewmembers to exit the orbiter. The weather for tomorrow looks worse than today's, and the entire weekend looks just as crappy - but NASA figures they might as well try for another launch tomorrow. Tanking will begin tomorrow at 10AM EDT and end at 1PM EDT, with liftoff scheduled for 7:22PM EDT.

  With this scrub, assuming that Endeavour's mission is not cut short for whatever reason, it appears certain that Carl Walz and Dan Bursch, aboard the ISS, will break Shannon Lucid's record for American space endurance. Dr. Lucid still holds the world record for female space endurance, at 188 consecutive days. 

  And who was the commander of her historic Mir expedition? Yuri Onufrienko, the current ISS skipper! (They were also up there with ISS alumnus Yuri Usachev). And who took over from Onufrienko as Mir commander? Valery Korzun, who will relieve Onufrienko once again when he leads Expedition 5 aboard the ISS. 

  
  

• 30 May - 8:05 PM EDT - Mission managers have confirmed that the next launch attempt will be tomorrow. NASA reports:

  Clouds, Lightning Threat Keep Shuttle on the Ground
  Weather caused NASA managers to scrub Thursday's attempt to launch Space Shuttle Endeavour on its mission to the International Space Station. The scrub, which came at 7:21 p.m. EDT (2321 GMT), resulted from heavy clouds in the area of the launch pad, which threatened the shuttle with lightning.

  The next launch attempt will be at 7:22 p.m. EDT Friday (2322 GMT). STS-111, the 14th shuttle mission to the station, will deliver the the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System and the Expedition Five crew. It is also carrying the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the orbital outpost.

  At KSC, what would have been the post-launch news conference is underway, featuring NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, along with the Presidents of the French and Canadian space agencies.

  
  

• 30 May - 7:22PM EDT - SCRUB! - Endeavour was ready to fly, but bad weather at the Return To Launch Site runway (used in case of an abort) caused mission managers to postpone today's flight by 24 hours. The External Tank will be drained, the orbiter will be safed, and the crew will leave the vehicle.

  
  

• 30 May - 7:15PM EDT Update - With less than half an hour to go, a technical issue with the left-hand Orbital Maneuvering System's gaseous nitrogen regulator has been cleared, but the possibility of lightning from anvil clouds makes conditions "no go" so far. Still, the countdown continues...

  
  

• 30 May - Afternoon Update - Launch activities continue at Kennedy Space Center, but approaching thunderstorms threaten today's liftoff. NASA reports:

  Endeavour Set to Launch Today
  Space Shuttle Endeavour is slated to begin its mission to the International Space Station at 6:44 p.m. CDT [7:44PM EDT/2344 GMT] today. STS-111, which is the 14th shuttle mission to the station, will deliver the the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System and the Expedition Five crew. It is also carrying the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the orbital outpost. If launch occurs on time, Endeavour is slated to dock with the station at 1:47 p.m. CDT [2:47PM EDT/1847 GMT] Saturday.

  
  

• 30 May 2002 - Launch Day - The giant External Tank is being fueled, and things are looking good for today's launch - as long as the weather holds up.  NASA reports:

  Endeavour Set to Launch Today
  Endeavour remains poised for a 6:44 p.m. Central time [7:44PM EDT/2344 GMT] launch today from the Kennedy Space Center.

  Mission managers continue to watch weather conditions at the launch site, where there is currently a 40 per cent probability of acceptable conditions at launch time. The primary concern is for thunderstorms and rain showers in the vicinity.

  Watch NASA TV and follow the play-by-play links at top left for up-to-the-minute coverage.

For reports from preflight up to the original launch date, see Part 1 of our Mission Journal.