NASA considers extending STS-114 mission
Posted: Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 9:23 PM ET (0123 GMT)
Facing a potentially extended gap before the next shuttle flight, NASA is considering extending the current STS-114 mission by an extra day. Mission managers said Friday that the extra day would allow the crew more time to perform work at the station, critical since Discovery is the first shuttle to visit the ISS since late 2002. Officials also said they were confident that the standdown of the shuttle program, prompted by the discovery of foam coming off the external tank during Tuesday's launch, may be short-lived, and that the next shuttle mission, STS-121, could launch before the end of the year. While the largest chunk of foam seen coming of the tank missed the shuttle, several smaller pieces may have struck the orbiter during ascent, although none appear to have cased significant damage.
Facing a potentially extended gap before the next shuttle flight, NASA is considering extending the current STS-114 mission by an extra day. Mission managers said Friday that the extra day would allow the crew more time to perform work at the station, critical since Discovery is the first shuttle to visit the ISS since late 2002. Officials also said they were confident that the standdown of the shuttle program, prompted by the discovery of foam coming off the external tank during Tuesday's launch, may be short-lived, and that the next shuttle mission, STS-121, could launch before the end of the year. While the largest chunk of foam seen coming of the tank missed the shuttle, several smaller pieces may have struck the orbiter during ascent, although none appear to have cased significant damage.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, July 3
Starlink Free to Launch Services in India Once IN-SPACe Approvals Are Complete: Jyotiraditya Scindia
IndUS Business Journal — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Ahead of Musk’s Starlink launch, American satcom player Viasat expands India services
The Times of India — 2:44 am ET (0644 GMT) SpaceOps: Pentagon Reevaluating Future Data Transport Layer
Aviation Week — 2:42 am ET (0642 GMT) Jeff Bezos gave $100 million for a satellite. It just got lost in space
The Independent — 2:41 am ET (0641 GMT) SpaceX double launch lights up Florida sky, but most Volusia beachgoers don't notice
Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal — 2:39 am ET (0639 GMT) |
