So we have to launch at a particular time to rendezvous with the station in orbit, and that, that set of equations says we really only have about a 10-minute period of time during which, on any particular day, we could launch and make it to the station. So it's kind of like throwing a ball towards a speeding train and hoping to land the ball on the train. And so we have to launch at a particular time in order to catch up to the space station from below, as the space station is orbiting overhead of us. It's a, it's a very complicated set of equations and determinations that go into an exact launch window.
The launch window for this launch, and for all launches is very precise and often relatively short. We're getting close to the launch of STS-121, another great mission, I expect, of the shuttle Discovery and her seven-man crew commanded by Steve Lindsey. Mike, thanks for taking time out of your busy day to share your insight about launching a space shuttle into space. How is the launch time determined and how long will it take the Space Shuttle to reach the International Space Station? NASA Launch Director Mike Leinbach has been working closely with orbiter Discovery and her crew. Mission STS-121, NASA's second return to flight test mission is soon to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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