Shuttle cleared for November 29 launch despite wheel concern
Posted: Fri, Nov 16, 2001, 10:32 AM ET (1532 GMT)
Shuttle managers decided Thursday to proceed with a November 29 launch of the space shuttle Endeavour despite concerns about wheel corrosion. At a flight readiness review Thursday NASA officials cleared the shuttle for launch on the 29th at 7:44 pm EST (0044 GMT Nov. 30). However, engineers will spend the next two weeks studying a possible problem with corrosion on the landing wheels of the shuttle. Small amounts of rust have been found on bolts on several wheels, although officials don't know if there is corrosion on any of Endeavour's six wheels. Engineers are studying both what is causing the corrosion and whether it could cause the wheels to fail during landing. The wheels on Endeavour cannot be inspected on the launch pad, so any decision to study them could delay the launch of STS-108 by several weeks.
Shuttle managers decided Thursday to proceed with a November 29 launch of the space shuttle Endeavour despite concerns about wheel corrosion. At a flight readiness review Thursday NASA officials cleared the shuttle for launch on the 29th at 7:44 pm EST (0044 GMT Nov. 30). However, engineers will spend the next two weeks studying a possible problem with corrosion on the landing wheels of the shuttle. Small amounts of rust have been found on bolts on several wheels, although officials don't know if there is corrosion on any of Endeavour's six wheels. Engineers are studying both what is causing the corrosion and whether it could cause the wheels to fail during landing. The wheels on Endeavour cannot be inspected on the launch pad, so any decision to study them could delay the launch of STS-108 by several weeks.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 13
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman to launch supplies to ISS
Spectrum News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Cornell-led space tech startup acquired by Pasteur Labs
Cornell Univ. — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) How China Is Transforming Space Power
The Diplomat — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) Two billionaires have very different — and equally wild — visions of a future in space. Is either possible?
CNN — 5:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Rare photos show 'deeply personal' moments in space
BBC — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) |
