Shuttle prepares for ISS docking
Posted: Sun, Jun 10, 2007, 11:37 AM ET (1537 GMT)
The space shuttle Atlantis was on schedule to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday afternoon after managers said a small tear in a thermal blanket on the orbiter should not be a major concern. During inspections of the orbiter on Saturday, a day after launch, cameras revealed a a tear of about 10 by 15 centimeters on a thermal blanket that covers part of the shuttle's left OMS pod. Engineers said that, if left as is, it would cause no damage to the shuttle upon reentry, but there are ways to repair the tear if deemed necessary. A preliminary review of images and video of the shuttle's external tank revealed no problems with foam shedding. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 3:38 pm EDT (1938 GMT) today.
The space shuttle Atlantis was on schedule to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday afternoon after managers said a small tear in a thermal blanket on the orbiter should not be a major concern. During inspections of the orbiter on Saturday, a day after launch, cameras revealed a a tear of about 10 by 15 centimeters on a thermal blanket that covers part of the shuttle's left OMS pod. Engineers said that, if left as is, it would cause no damage to the shuttle upon reentry, but there are ways to repair the tear if deemed necessary. A preliminary review of images and video of the shuttle's external tank revealed no problems with foam shedding. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 3:38 pm EDT (1938 GMT) today.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 13
A new ‘Boost!’ for space transportation companies
ESA — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Elon Musk Is Out to Rule Space. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Wired — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) AST SpaceMobile ‘Optimistic’ About New Glenn Pad Return
Aviation Week — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure
ViaSatellite — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) ULA to prep future Vulcan launch for Amazon despite rocket investigation
Orlando Sentinel — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) |
