NASA reverses shuttle rollback
Posted: Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 8:07 PM ET (0007 GMT)
In an unprecedented move, shuttle managers halted the rollback of the shuttle Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building and decided to return the shuttle to its launch pad, preserving a chance to launch the shuttle next week. Atlantis was about halfway between the pad and the VAB Tuesday afternoon when NASA officials, reviewing revised forecasts for Tropical Storm Ernesto, decided that it was safe to return the shuttle to the pad and have it ride out the storm there. By doing so, it should be possible to launch the shuttle as early as September 6, one day before the current launch window closes; had the shuttle returned to the VAB it was unlikely the orbiter could return and be prepared for launch before the window closed, potentially delaying the launch to late October.
In an unprecedented move, shuttle managers halted the rollback of the shuttle Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building and decided to return the shuttle to its launch pad, preserving a chance to launch the shuttle next week. Atlantis was about halfway between the pad and the VAB Tuesday afternoon when NASA officials, reviewing revised forecasts for Tropical Storm Ernesto, decided that it was safe to return the shuttle to the pad and have it ride out the storm there. By doing so, it should be possible to launch the shuttle as early as September 6, one day before the current launch window closes; had the shuttle returned to the VAB it was unlikely the orbiter could return and be prepared for launch before the window closed, potentially delaying the launch to late October.
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) |
