CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA will start the launch countdown for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission at 9 p.m. EDT Saturday, Aug. 4, at T-43 hours. The countdown includes 27 hours, 3 minutes of built-in hold time leading to a preferred launch time at 7:02 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Aug. 7. The launch window extends an additional five minutes.

During the 11-day mission to the International Space Station, Endeavour's crew will add another truss segment to the expanding station, install a new gyroscope and add an external spare parts platform. The flight will have at least three spacewalks. It also will debut a new system that enables docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station to extend visits to the outpost. If this system functions as expected, three additional days will be added to the STS-118 mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - On Thursday, NASA managers set Aug. 7 as the official launch date for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. EDT.

Endeavour's launch date was announced following the traditional Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy. During the two-day meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed any risks associated with the mission and determined that the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.

Commander Scott Kelly and his six crewmates are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, for final launch preparations. The countdown is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4.

The Expedition 15 crew aboard the International Space Station continued preparations Thursday for the arrival of a Progress cargo vehicle and space shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-118 in August.

Flight Engineer Clay Anderson conducted a "walk off" of the station's robotic arm, moving it into position in advance of Endeavour's arrival. During STS-118, the crew will use the robotic arm to install the newly delivered S5 truss to the S4 solar array truss.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/sarex/48hour/msg00865.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6918490.stm

WTF?? Sounds very bizarre!!

Hope this won't impact on the next mission, crew safety and hope they can get the radio up and running back to spec in the near future.

73's

Matty