Spaceflight Now



STS-119 Launch Windows
COMPILED BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: March 12, 2009

Changes and additions:
- December 31: Posting initial release
- January 23: Updating throughout
- February 3: Updating throughout
- February 13: Updating throughout
- February 19: Updating throughout
- March 2: Updating for March 12 launch
- March 12: Updating

To reach the international space station, the shuttle must launch within about five minutes of the moment Earth's rotation carries the launch pad into the plane of the station's orbit.

To maximize performance, NASA targets launch for right around the moment the shuttle can launch directly into that plane. In the chart below, the target launch time is listed in the "in plane" column. All times in EST and subject to change.


DATE.......WINDOW OPEN...IN-PLANE......WINDOW CLOSE..DOCKING


03/15/09...07:38:44 PM...07:43:44 PM...07:48:44 PM...FLIGHT DAY 3

03/16/09...07:18:02 PM...07:18:02 PM...07:23:02 PM...FD 3

03/17/09...06:50:29 PM...06:55:29 PM...07:00:29 PM...FD 3