Shuttle given tentative OK for February 28 launch
Posted: Fri, Feb 15, 2002, 8:38 AM ET (1338 GMT)
Shuttle managers announced Thursday that they have decided to proceed with a February 28 launch attempt for Columbia despite concerns about hydraulic systems on the orbiter. NASA completed a flight readiness review for the STS-109 launch and decided to proceed with a launch at 6:48 am EST (1148 GMT) February 28. The launch date is tentative, though, and could be delayed if engineers find problems with bolts that attach hydraulic pumps to the orbiter's three auxiliary power units. Officials are concerned that lubrication mistakenly applied to the bolts would compromise their structural integrity; an analysis on that issue is in progress. STS-109 is the first flight of Columbia since the STS-93 mission in mid-1999, the last before undergoing a two-year overhaul. The mission will also be the fourth servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope, with five spacewalks planned to perform extensive repairs and upgrades to the orbiting observatory.
Shuttle managers announced Thursday that they have decided to proceed with a February 28 launch attempt for Columbia despite concerns about hydraulic systems on the orbiter. NASA completed a flight readiness review for the STS-109 launch and decided to proceed with a launch at 6:48 am EST (1148 GMT) February 28. The launch date is tentative, though, and could be delayed if engineers find problems with bolts that attach hydraulic pumps to the orbiter's three auxiliary power units. Officials are concerned that lubrication mistakenly applied to the bolts would compromise their structural integrity; an analysis on that issue is in progress. STS-109 is the first flight of Columbia since the STS-93 mission in mid-1999, the last before undergoing a two-year overhaul. The mission will also be the fourth servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope, with five spacewalks planned to perform extensive repairs and upgrades to the orbiting observatory.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, November 18
European Startup Wins French, German Support to Build Spaceship
Bloomberg News — 1:31 am ET (0631 GMT) How likely is it that Colorado loses Space Command under Trump?
Colorado Sun — 1:30 am ET (0630 GMT) A six-step plan for keeping Space Command in Colorado
Colorado Springs Gazette — 1:29 am ET (0629 GMT) Japan confirms US Space Force to launch unit in Tokyo in Dec.
Mainichi Daily News — 1:29 am ET (0629 GMT) OC500 2024: Michael Colglazier
Orange County (CA) Business Journal — 1:26 am ET (0626 GMT) |
