Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE)

Here are some NASA screen shots showing today's deployment of the tiny spherical satellites.



A third small satellite was deployed from Discovery’s payload bay today at 12:23 Central. The Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE)
..."consists of two spherical microsatellites that will measure the density and composition of the low-Earth orbit atmosphere while being tracked from the ground. The data will be used to better predict the movement of objects in orbit. The other two satellites were deployed Wednesday night."
NASA Shuttle page

STS-116 Launch - Discovery on the way to ISS

Weather Forces Launch Delay for STS-116

NASA.gov
"Earlier in the day a cold front moved in over the spaceport, bringing clouds and winds into the area. The cloud ceiling proved to be too low for a safe launch, prompting NASA to postpone Discovery's flight."
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The Mission Management Team has decided that due to windy conditions predicted for Friday, they will go with a 48 hour turnaround, making the next launch attempt no earlier than Saturday. A Saturday morning meeting during refueling will take another look at the weather conditions and trends predicted to determine if Saturday at 8:47 PM EST is a go.

STS-116 to launch tonight if weather cooperates

"Launch day has dawned at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where Space Shuttle Discovery and a crew of seven astronauts are undergoing final preparations for the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station.All systems onboard the space shuttle are functioning normally this morning, but there's a 60 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 9:35 p.m. EST. A cold front moving through the area is expected to bring with it a lingering blanket of clouds and isolated light rain. The team will press on with the countdown for now, in case the weather cooperates after all..."
More info at: www.NASA.gov

Discovery prepares for night launch on December 7

STS-116 prepares for December 7th night launch.

"Led by Commander Mark Polansky, the STS-116 crew is set to arrive Sunday afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they'll begin final preparations for launch. Flying T-38 trainer jets, the astronauts will land at the Shuttle Landing Facility about 4:15 p.m. EST.

NASA senior managers wrapped up the two-day flight readiness review on Nov. 29. At a press conference immediately following the review, William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, announced Dec. 7 as the launch date for the STS-116 mission to the International Space Station.

The launch window for the STS-116 mission extends through Dec. 17. Primary payloads on the 12-day mission are the P5 integrated truss segment, SPACEHAB single logistics module and an integrated cargo carrier. The STS-116 mission will be the 20th flight to the station."
www.NASA.gov