Shuttle tank cleared for July launch
Posted: Thu, Jun 1, 2006, 8:51 AM ET (1251 GMT)
NASA managers concluded Wednesday that foam shedding from the space shuttle's external tank does not pose a significant risk to the shuttle orbiter, clearing the way for next month's launch of the shuttle Discovery. Officials concluded that while foam will fall off the tank during the launch, the hazards posed by large chunks of foam have been mitigated so that those risks are in line with other aspects of the shuttle system. That risk could be further decreased with on later missions if NASA decides to proceed with the removal of foam "ice/frost ramps" on the external tank that are particularly prone to shedding. The decision allows NASA to proceed with preparations for the launch next month of the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121: the launch window for that flight runs from July 1-19. An official launch date will be set during a flight readiness review in mid-June.
NASA managers concluded Wednesday that foam shedding from the space shuttle's external tank does not pose a significant risk to the shuttle orbiter, clearing the way for next month's launch of the shuttle Discovery. Officials concluded that while foam will fall off the tank during the launch, the hazards posed by large chunks of foam have been mitigated so that those risks are in line with other aspects of the shuttle system. That risk could be further decreased with on later missions if NASA decides to proceed with the removal of foam "ice/frost ramps" on the external tank that are particularly prone to shedding. The decision allows NASA to proceed with preparations for the launch next month of the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121: the launch window for that flight runs from July 1-19. An official launch date will be set during a flight readiness review in mid-June.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, January 30
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser Spaceplane Successfully Passes NASA Testing Milestone in Preparation for Launch
Sierra Space — 5:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Dream Chaser Clears Key Pre-Space Mission Test Hurdle
Aviation Week — 5:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Texas Space Commission approves $21.5 million in grants
San Antonio Express-News — 5:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Britain takes stake in SpaceX rival Orbex to boost space ambitions
CNBC — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) Scandinavian Airlines partners with SpaceX for free in-flight Starlink services
Teslarati — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) |
