Astronauts Scott D. Altman (left) and Mark L. Polansky (right) discuss the approaching STS-100 launch while staffing the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC). Christopher J. (Gus) Loria (center) studies launch data at his console. Loria's CAPCOM position addresses weather issues, of which there were few on this particular launch. He will also be assigned to weather matters for the entry phase of the flight. The Space Shuttle Endeavour appears on the large screen in the front of the flight control room as liftoff countdown continues several hundred miles away at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.