December shuttle mission possible but unlikely
Posted: Thu, Jun 19, 2003, 10:47 AM ET (1447 GMT)
NASA is still planning to return the shuttle to flight with a December launch, but a key official conceded that most likely that launch will slip until early 2004. Michael Kostelnik, NASA deputy associate administrator for the shuttle and ISS programs, said at KSC Wednesday that the agency still believed it was possible to conduct a launch in December. However, he admitted that new constraints the agency plans to put on shuttle launches, notably a requirement for daytime launches to permit photography, allow for launches on only two days in December, the 18th and 19th. Kostelnik said that a return to flight some time in the first quarter of 2004 was more likely. Shuttle upgrade plans will also put constraints on future shuttle launches, requiring the shuttle Atlantis to perform back-to-back missions in early 2004, the Houston Chronicle reported. NASA and the United Space Alliance, the space shuttle operations prime contractor, plan to begin a two-year overhaul of Endeavour in July, while Discovery started a similar overhaul last year.
NASA is still planning to return the shuttle to flight with a December launch, but a key official conceded that most likely that launch will slip until early 2004. Michael Kostelnik, NASA deputy associate administrator for the shuttle and ISS programs, said at KSC Wednesday that the agency still believed it was possible to conduct a launch in December. However, he admitted that new constraints the agency plans to put on shuttle launches, notably a requirement for daytime launches to permit photography, allow for launches on only two days in December, the 18th and 19th. Kostelnik said that a return to flight some time in the first quarter of 2004 was more likely. Shuttle upgrade plans will also put constraints on future shuttle launches, requiring the shuttle Atlantis to perform back-to-back missions in early 2004, the Houston Chronicle reported. NASA and the United Space Alliance, the space shuttle operations prime contractor, plan to begin a two-year overhaul of Endeavour in July, while Discovery started a similar overhaul last year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA releases report on Starliner crewed test flight problems
Posted: Sun, Feb 22 11:45 AM ET (1645 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 28
Firefly set to launch Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Saturday
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 9:38 am ET (1438 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Alpha Rocket Ready for Return to Flight at Vandenberg
Noozhawk — 9:37 am ET (1437 GMT) Space Command offers bonuses for Huntsville move
Axios — 9:35 am ET (1435 GMT) Firefly Alpha FLTA007 “Stairway to Seven” set for launch from California coast
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 9:34 am ET (1434 GMT) Rocket Lab Delays Neutron Flight To Late 2026 After Test Failure
Aviation Week — 9:33 am ET (1433 GMT) |
