Nell Greenfield Boyce

The countdown is going really smoothly.

There haven't been any of the problems that have been an issue for NASA in the past.

So we've been watching the fueling very carefully.

We haven't seen any of those hydrogen leaks that have been pesky.

So everything is looking really good.

It's very smooth.

And the weather is also looking very cooperative.

And it's starting to feel real.

Everybody's like...

milling around.

The press center is really crowded.

And so I would say there's an air of hopeful anticipation.

So I am not aware of any pranks that anybody intends to pull on the flight crew or in the launch team itself.

So I think I'll just leave it at that.

NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding told reporters that launch preparations have been going well at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Someone asked him about the fact that it's April Fool's Day because there's a long history of astronauts playing practical jokes.

He said he hoped everyone would stay focused on the launch.

It will happen no earlier than 6.24 p.m.

Eastern time.

If bad weather or a technical glitch forces a delay, there should be additional launch opportunities through April 6th.