NASA to skip shuttle tanking test
Posted: Sat, May 6, 2006, 11:30 AM ET (1530 GMT)
NASA shuttle managers said Thursday that they don't plan to conduct a test of the shuttle's external tank to test some balky sensors, saying the time and risks of such an exercise would outweigh its benefits. Shuttle engineers has been planning to conduct a "tanking test" by filling the shuttle's external tank with propellants. The test was designed to confirm that engine cutoff (ECO) sensors were working properly. The sensors have caused problems with the tank in the recent past, and NASA decided to replace the ECO sensors in a bid to eliminate the problem. However, shuttle managers decided that such a test would take up considerable time and put undesirable stress on the tank and its insulation. NASA is still planning to launch the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 during a launch window that opens on July 1.
NASA shuttle managers said Thursday that they don't plan to conduct a test of the shuttle's external tank to test some balky sensors, saying the time and risks of such an exercise would outweigh its benefits. Shuttle engineers has been planning to conduct a "tanking test" by filling the shuttle's external tank with propellants. The test was designed to confirm that engine cutoff (ECO) sensors were working properly. The sensors have caused problems with the tank in the recent past, and NASA decided to replace the ECO sensors in a bid to eliminate the problem. However, shuttle managers decided that such a test would take up considerable time and put undesirable stress on the tank and its insulation. NASA is still planning to launch the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 during a launch window that opens on July 1.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Vast signs contract with SpaceX for ISS private astronaut missions
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:59 AM ET (1659 GMT) Avio signs ESA contracts for Vega upgrades and Earth science satellite launch
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:57 AM ET (1657 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, December 22
Rocket Lab launches sixth Synspective radar imaging satellite
Space News — 6:36 am ET (1136 GMT) SpaceX launches second mid-inclination rideshare mission
Space News — 6:36 am ET (1136 GMT) S. Korea successfully launches 3rd spy satellite into orbit
Yonhap News — 6:35 am ET (1135 GMT) HawkEye 360 Announces Successful Launch and First Contact with Cluster 11
HawkEye 360 — 6:31 am ET (1131 GMT) |
