Word: countdowns
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...precise launch time was not announced, to make it more difficult for the Soviets to track the flight. On the morning of the launch, which was pushed back a day because ice formed on the shuttle during a cold snap at Cape Canaveral, journalists were informed simply that the countdown was "proceeding smoothly." Finally, at 2:41 p.m., there was a more specific announcement: "T minus 9 minutes and counting." At 2:50 the shuttle lifted off flawlessly and disappeared into the clear winter...
...next month, the flight will be shrouded in secrecy. For the first time in 45 U.S. manned space flights, reporters will not be supplied with the usual fact-stuffed press kits, or allowed to eavesdrop on communications between astronauts and Mission Control, or even permitted to follow the traditional countdown...
...countdown to the factory's reopening continued, state officials took drastic precautions to prevent a recurrence of the fatal leak. Throughout the detoxification process, which was to be undertaken only during daylight hours, a helicopter was to circle 200 ft. above the plant. At even the slightest sign of a gas escape, the pilot, protected by a special oxygen mask, would release up to 317 gal. of water to degrade the lethal chemical. If more water were needed, two more helicopters would come to the rescue. All around the facility, blinking lights were set up to help guide...
...hostages out through the door and handed a bullhorn to one of them. The man, who was wearing a white shirt, nervously introduced himself as the U.S. consul in Karachi and pleaded with negotiators to yield to the hijackers' demands. He said that they had begun a "countdown," and warned that "they are serious about their threats." The hostages were taken back inside the plane, but five minutes later the man in the white shirt reappeared atop the ramp. He could be heard screaming as the hijackers coldly took aim and fired six shots into him. His body...
...Countdown...