The shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch today at 2:45pm EST, weather dependant (there is only a 30% chance of launch due to possible bad weather conditions).

If you want to follow the launch there are two very good sources:

If you worry about bandwidth you can follow the text updates here:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts122/status.html

If you don't have any worries about bandwidth then you can follow along by viewing NASA Tv:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/live_tv.html

Personally I use both soruces. The text updates have more of an explanation to what is taking place during the countdown while NASA Tv gives great viewing coverage of the launch.


Cheers,

Thats very cool, turned it on now. Thanks!

I held my breath for the whole launch up till the tanks got ejected... Everything looks good!

Fantastic ascent today!

The clouds and weater held off, they didn't have any glitches to deal with and it appears that the external tank sensor fixes worked like a charm.

Now lets hope all of the heat shield analysis checks out so the astronauts can get on with their ISS duties.

The thing I like best about watching live ascents on NASA Tv is listening to the altitude, down range and velocity numbers spouted out by the commentator. In about 90 seconds the shuttle goes from 4000 miles an hour to 8000 miles an hour. Its hard to wrap ones head around that kind of inertia.

Cheers,