External tank cleared for shuttle launch
Posted: Thu, Jun 8, 2006, 7:42 AM ET (1142 GMT)
Shuttle managers officially declared the space shuttle's external tank ready for launch after a final evaluation of test data about changes to its design. The tank design had undergone wind tunnel and other tests after NASA decided to remove a troublesome ramp that was prone to shedding foam during flight. The protuberance air load (PAL) ramp was designed to shield pressurization lines and cable trays on the tank from aerodynamic stresses during flight, but wind tunnel tests showed that the lines and cables would withstand those stresses without the ramp. The decision brings the shuttle a step closer to a July 1 launch, although the launch could slip a day to ensure better lighting conditions for photography of the tank after it separates from the shuttle orbiter. A firm launch date will be announced on June 17, at the conclusion of a flight readiness review.
Shuttle managers officially declared the space shuttle's external tank ready for launch after a final evaluation of test data about changes to its design. The tank design had undergone wind tunnel and other tests after NASA decided to remove a troublesome ramp that was prone to shedding foam during flight. The protuberance air load (PAL) ramp was designed to shield pressurization lines and cable trays on the tank from aerodynamic stresses during flight, but wind tunnel tests showed that the lines and cables would withstand those stresses without the ramp. The decision brings the shuttle a step closer to a July 1 launch, although the launch could slip a day to ensure better lighting conditions for photography of the tank after it separates from the shuttle orbiter. A firm launch date will be announced on June 17, at the conclusion of a flight readiness review.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 22
Isar Aerospace secures first active debris removal mission with Astroscale
Isar Aerospace — 5:50 pm ET (2150 GMT) Voyager Awarded Multi-Million-Dollar NASA Contract
Voyager Space — 5:44 pm ET (2144 GMT) What 'Project Hail Mary' gets right about microbes
Michigan State Univ. — 5:43 pm ET (2143 GMT) BlackSky wins seven-figure Assured extension contract with international customer
Black Sky — 5:42 pm ET (2142 GMT) Extremely Rare Second-Generation Star Discovered Inside Ancient Relic Dwarf Galaxy
National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory — 5:42 pm ET (2142 GMT) |
