Godspeed, brother.
Meegwech
the plot thickens
"Countdown 101
Image above: Spectators gather on the grounds in front of the countdown clock during a space shuttle launch. Credit: NASA
The countdown clock is one of the most-watched timepieces in the world. On this page, you'll learn how the countdown operates, and what milestones to watch for during our live launch coverage.
Pauses in the countdown, or "holds," are built into the countdown to allow the launch team to target a precise launch window, and to provide a cushion of time for certain tasks and procedures without impacting the overall schedule. For the space shuttle countdown, built-in holds vary in length and always occur at the following times: T-27 hours, T-19 hours, T-11 hours, T-6 hours, T-3 hours, T-20 minutes, and T-9 minutes."