Good luck

NASA ties up loose ends as final shuttle preparations made. :

"NASA managers say they are confident they can launch the first shuttle mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster, but noted some unresolved issues that could still force a delay."

We have an Adelaide astronaut onboard this shuttle. There are still unresolved issues before the shuttle launch. To me they sound serious. Things like how the fuel tank will perform?! Critical relaying of data has to be determined as well. It all sounds complex, as it indeed is. Highly technical. It still astounds me we can do things like this. Our capacity to perform technological wonders is amazing. So getting clean water for the world should be a doddle. Anyway, I hope this shuttle launch goes okay because I have butterflies in my stomach after what happened last time. I know thye choose to go and know the risks, but it's still scary and I do not doubt it is one of the most amazing experiences on earth to be an astronaut and live to tell the tale.

Andrew Thomas