Posted: Mon, Oct 7, 2002, 11:40 AM ET (1540 GMT)
The space shuttle Atlantis is ready for a Monday afternoon launch on a mission to the International Space Station, NASA officials said. Shuttle managers announced Sunday afternoon the official launch time for mission STS-112: 3:45:51 pm EDT (1945:51 GMT), in the middle of a 10-minute launch window. Launch times are announced only 24 hours in advance of launch as a security precaution. One technical concern, regarding a heater on water drainage line that was running hotter than normal and is now considered to have failed, will not affect the launch. Weather is forecast to be excellent for the launch.

Related Links:

•  AP article
•  Reuters article
•  SPACE.com article
•  CBS News STS-112 mission coverage
•  Spaceflight Now mission status center