Launch of a space shuttle mission is governed by a countdown. 2 clocks are maintained, the unofficial, but sometimes mentioned, L (launch) clock represents the time remaining before the scheduled launch in real time and the more often referred to T (test) clock includes several built-in holds where additional verifications are made. Built-in holds may be extended if mission parameters allow for additional checks or to correct issues. Launches of the space shuttle to the international space station do not allow for holds to be extended due to the launch window which is limited to no more than 10 minutes due to the 90 minute orbit period of the station and speed of Earth's rotation (913.6 miles per hour (1,470.3 km/h) at the Kennedy Space Center), which puts the launch pads 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of the station on its next orbit.
Call to stations, ~72 hours before launch time
T-43 hours and counting
Begin final vehicle and facility close-outs for launch
Check out backup flight systems
Review flight software stored in mass memory units and display systems
Load backup flight system software into the orbiter's general purpose computers
Remove middeck and flight deck platforms
Activate and test navigational systems
Complete preparation to load power reactant storage and distribution system
Complete flight deck preliminary inspections
T-27 hours and holding
This is the first built-in hold and typically lasts four hours.
Clear launch pad of all non-essential personnel
Begin loading cryogenic propellants into orbiter's power reactant storage and distribution (PRSD) system
T-27 hours and counting
Begin loading of cryogenic reactants into the orbiter's fuel cell storage tanks
T-19 hours and holding
This built-in hold typically lasts four hours, but may be extended if PRSD offload is required. During this hold:
Demate the orbiter's midbody umbilical unit
Clean and vacuum crew module
External tank nosecone purge
T-19 hours and counting
Begin final preparations of the orbiter's three main engines for main propellant tanking and flight
Fill launch pad sound suppression system water tank
Resume orbiter and ground support equipment close-outs
Close out the tail service masts on the mobile launcher platform
T-11 hours and holding
This built-in hold varies between 13 and 14 hours.
Weather and engineering briefings
Pad debris inspection and closeout
Flight crew equipment late stow
Move rotating service structure to "park" position
Activate the orbiter's inertial measurement units and communications systems
Perform ascent switch list
T-11 hours and counting
activate the orbiter's fuel cells
Clear the blast danger area of all nonessential personnel
Switch the orbiter's purge air to gaseous nitrogen
T-6 hours and holding
This built-in hold typically lasts two hours, or one hour for a 24- or 48-hour scrub. Countdown may be resumed at this point after a 24‑hour scrub/turnaround.
Mission Management Team and launch director receive weather update
Launch team verifies no violations of launch commit criteria before loading the external tank with propellants
Chill-down of propellant transfer lines
Begin "tanking", loading the external tank with about 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants
T-6 hours and counting
The external tank is inspected for frost and debris
The external tank is checked for concentration of H2 around the orbiter
finish filling the external tank with its flight load of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants
T-3 hours and holding
This built-in hold typically lasts two-and-a-half hours.
External tank loading enters stable replenish
Perform inertial measurement unit preflight calibration
Align Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) tracking antennas
Final Inspection Team proceeds to the launch pad to conduct a detailed analysis of the vehicle as the team walks up and down the entire launch tower
Closeout Crew proceeds to the launch pad to configure the crew module for countdown and launch and assist the astronauts with entry into the orbiter
Televised weather briefing
Flight crew weather briefing
Astronaut Support Person enters crew module and begins comm checks
T-3 hours and counting
crew departs for the launch pad and, upon arriving at the pad, begins entry into the orbiter via the White Room
Complete close-out preparations in the launch pad's White Room
Check cockpit switch configurations
Astronauts perform air-to-ground voice checks with Launch Control (Kennedy Space Center) and Mission Control (Johnson Space Center)
Close the orbiter's crew hatch and check for leaks
Complete White Room close-out
Close-out crew retreats to fallback area
T-20 minutes and holding
This built-in hold typically lasts 10 minutes.
NASA Test Director conducts final launch team briefings
Complete inertial measurement unit preflight alignments
T-20 minutes and counting
Once the countdown resumes, the orbiter's onboard computers transition to launch configuration
Start fuel cell thermal conditioning
Close orbiter cabin vent valves
Transition backup flight system to launch configuration
T-9 minutes and holding
This is the final built-in hold, and varies in length depending on the mission.
During the hold, final launch window determination
Activate flight recorders
Final "go/no-go" launch polls conducted by NASA Test Director, Mission Management Team and launch director
T-9 minutes and counting
Once the countdown resumes, start automatic ground launch sequencer
Retract orbiter access arm (T-7 minutes, 30 seconds)
Start auxiliary power units (T-5 minutes, 0 seconds)
Arm solid rocket booster range safety safe and arm devices (T-5 minutes, 0 seconds)
Start orbiter aerosurface profile test, followed by main engine gimbal profile test (T-3 minutes, 55 seconds)
Retract gaseous oxygen vent arm, or "beanie cap" (T-2 minutes, 50 seconds)
Crew members close and lock their visors (T-2 minutes, 0 seconds)
Orbiter transfers from ground to internal power (T-50 seconds)
Ground launch sequencer is go for auto sequence start (T-31 seconds)
Activate launch pad sound suppression system (T-16 seconds)
Activate main engine hydrogen burnoff system (T-10 seconds)
Ground launch sequencer is go for Main engine start (T-6.6 seconds)
Solid Rocket Boosters ignite
Explosive bolts release the boosters
Entire shuttle stack from the mobile launch platform and the vehicle lifts off the launch pad.