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NASA to delay U.S. space shuttle launch
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-29 17:18
NASA plans to delay the launch of space shuttle Discovery, the first shuttle
set to fly since the 2003 Columbia accident, from May until July, an official
familiar with NASA's timetable said on Thursday.
The postponement marked a setback in the U.S. space agency's efforts to
return the shuttle fleet to flight after grounding it more than two years ago
following the Columbia disaster. All seven astronauts on board died when the
spacecraft disintegrated over Texas on Feb. 1, 2003.
The decision to delay the launch was made by NASA's new administrator,
Michael Griffin, and would be formally announced on Friday, according to the
official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
NASA plans to delay the launch of space
shuttle Discovery -- the first shuttle set to fly since the 2003 Columbia
accident -- from May until July, an official familiar with NASA's
timetable said on April 28, 2005. Discovery is seen on the launch pad at
KSC on April 13. [Reuters] | NASA had targeted May
22 as a launch date for the first flight. The next possible launch window is
from July 13 to 31.
Preparations for Discovery's launch were temporarily halted earlier on
Thursday as managers debated nagging concerns that debris could damage the
spacecraft during liftoff. The ship was moved to its Florida launch pad three
weeks ago.
The shuttle program managers met at the Kennedy Space Center to talk about
the likelihood of ice formations on the shuttle's fuel tank and the possible
effects if they broke off during the ship's climb and hit the orbiter.
A piece of insulating foam from the tank hit Columbia during its launch in
January 2003, damaging the spacecraft's wing, which broke apart as the shuttle
attempted to return through the atmosphere for landing.
INTO ORBIT
NASA grounded its remaining three shuttles for extensive refurbishments,
particularly to the massive external fuel tank, which holds the fuel consumed
during the shuttle's 8-1/2-minute climb into orbit.
In addition to revamping how the tank's insulating foam is applied, and
replacing some areas of suspect foam, NASA engineers have been analyzing the
threat of ice and the possibility that it could break off and damage the ship.
Among NASA's options are rolling the shuttle back from the launch pad into an
assembly hangar so that additional work can be performed on the fuel tank.
Engineers have proposed installing an electric heater in the area that poses the
greatest threat for ice accumulation.
Last week, deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale told reporters that the
team had analyzed more than 170 potential debris sources from the shuttle and
external fuel tank, and eliminated concerns that they might cause serious damage
at liftoff.
A handful of remaining issues were discussed at a follow-up meeting on
Tuesday and Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center. Managers, however, were
unable to resolve their concerns and were planning to announce they needed more
time before clearing Discovery for flight.
"While it would be nice and we're certainly working toward May, we're going
to launch when we're ready to launch and not before," Hale told reporters last
week.
Because of new safety rules implemented after the Columbia accident, NASA has
only limited opportunities to launch Discovery.
The new rules, for example, restrict the space agency from launching at
night. In addition, the release of the external fuel tank as the shuttle reaches
orbit must take place when there is enough light for clear
photography.
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