NASA to proceed with Tuesday shuttle launch attempt
Posted: Tue, Jul 4, 2006, 12:37 AM ET (0437 GMT)
NASA shuttle managers decided after a meeting Monday evening to go ahead with plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday afternoon despite a crack in the external tank's insulating foam. Tuesday's launch, already delayed twice because of poor weather, appeared to be in doubt Monday after technicians discovered a crack in foam near an oxygen feed line bracket, as well as a small piece of foam that apparently fell from that spot. NASA officials said they believe the crack formed after the tank was drained Sunday; ice that formed after rain fell on the tank during the scrubbed launch attempt "pinched" the foam as it expanded, causing the crack. The small foam piece that fell off is less than half the size needed to cause damage to the shuttle during ascent. Launch of the STS-121 mission is scheduled for 2:38 pm EDT (1838 GMT) Tuesday, with a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather and no other technical issues that could delay the launch.
NASA shuttle managers decided after a meeting Monday evening to go ahead with plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday afternoon despite a crack in the external tank's insulating foam. Tuesday's launch, already delayed twice because of poor weather, appeared to be in doubt Monday after technicians discovered a crack in foam near an oxygen feed line bracket, as well as a small piece of foam that apparently fell from that spot. NASA officials said they believe the crack formed after the tank was drained Sunday; ice that formed after rain fell on the tank during the scrubbed launch attempt "pinched" the foam as it expanded, causing the crack. The small foam piece that fell off is less than half the size needed to cause damage to the shuttle during ascent. Launch of the STS-121 mission is scheduled for 2:38 pm EDT (1838 GMT) Tuesday, with a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather and no other technical issues that could delay the launch.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
US and UK militaries conduct coordinated satellite maneuvers
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:30 AM ET (1230 GMT) Blue Origin retires a New Shepard capsule after payload flight
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:25 AM ET (1225 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 15
United Schedules First Starlink-Equipped Mainline Flight for Take Off
PR Newswire — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Eutelsat Network Solutions Unveils New Brand Identity for EACOWT
PR Newswire — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Final Environmental Impact Statement Issued for Planned Increase of Vandenberg Rocket Launches
KEYT-TV Santa Barbara, CA — 7:51 am ET (1151 GMT) SpaceX’s megarocket finds redemption after explosive failures. But time may be running out
CNN — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) K2 Space Corp, SpaceX ink Falcon 9 rocket deal for 2027 mission
UPI — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) |
