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08/08/2005
Discovery landing delayed by bad weather
Adverse weather conditions at the landing site has forced Nasa to postpone the return of the Discovery space shuttle until Tuesday.
The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
Discovery had been due to land at around 09:45 BST on Monday, but it was initially delayed until 11:20 BST, before finally being postponed until Tuesday.
There are other landing opportunities scheduled at Kennedy for Tuesday, as well as at two other locations in California and New Mexico, if the weather in Florida still poses a problem.
The Discovery Shuttle, the first space mission since the Columbia disaster in 2003, has faced numerous problems during its 13-day mission to the International Space Station.
During take-off, insulating foam from the external fuel tank was seen to fall close to the fuselage. This was the same problem, which resulted in the destruction of the Columbia Shuttle. A large piece of insulating foam damaged the shuttle’s wing, allowing superheated gases to enter the spacecraft's wing and tear the shuttle apart on re-entry. All seven astronauts on board were killed.
Stephen Robinson, one of the astronauts on board the Discovery, had to carry out repairs to the shuttle during a spacewalk – the first time such repairs have been carried out in a shuttle mission.
Nasa has now grounded its shuttle fleet, following the Discovery’s problems and it is believed that the Discovery might be the last space mission for a while.
Discovery Commander Eileen Collins said that the team remained “very focused” on the landing and said: “It’s time to come home and keep working on getting the shuttle better and ready to fly in the future.”
Commander Collins’ co-pilot, James Kelly, attempted to quell fears about the condition of the Discovery, saying that astronauts and flight controllers had never before known so much about the condition of a returning shuttle.
The first opportunity for the Discovery to land at Kennedy Space Station will be at 10:08 BST on Tuesday.
(KMcA/SP)
The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
Discovery had been due to land at around 09:45 BST on Monday, but it was initially delayed until 11:20 BST, before finally being postponed until Tuesday.
There are other landing opportunities scheduled at Kennedy for Tuesday, as well as at two other locations in California and New Mexico, if the weather in Florida still poses a problem.
The Discovery Shuttle, the first space mission since the Columbia disaster in 2003, has faced numerous problems during its 13-day mission to the International Space Station.
During take-off, insulating foam from the external fuel tank was seen to fall close to the fuselage. This was the same problem, which resulted in the destruction of the Columbia Shuttle. A large piece of insulating foam damaged the shuttle’s wing, allowing superheated gases to enter the spacecraft's wing and tear the shuttle apart on re-entry. All seven astronauts on board were killed.
Stephen Robinson, one of the astronauts on board the Discovery, had to carry out repairs to the shuttle during a spacewalk – the first time such repairs have been carried out in a shuttle mission.
Nasa has now grounded its shuttle fleet, following the Discovery’s problems and it is believed that the Discovery might be the last space mission for a while.
Discovery Commander Eileen Collins said that the team remained “very focused” on the landing and said: “It’s time to come home and keep working on getting the shuttle better and ready to fly in the future.”
Commander Collins’ co-pilot, James Kelly, attempted to quell fears about the condition of the Discovery, saying that astronauts and flight controllers had never before known so much about the condition of a returning shuttle.
The first opportunity for the Discovery to land at Kennedy Space Station will be at 10:08 BST on Tuesday.
(KMcA/SP)
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Discovery launch gains 'good report'
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Discovery to lift-off on schedule
Nasa have decided that the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on schedule on Tuesday. Concerns had been raised by the discovery of a cracked area of insulation in a region of the external fuel tank that is prone to ice formation.
Discovery to lift-off on schedule
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Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
27 July 2005
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
05 August 2005
Nasa clear Discovery for landing
Nasa have informed the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery that a further repair to a protective thermal blanket is not required. The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
Nasa clear Discovery for landing
Nasa have informed the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery that a further repair to a protective thermal blanket is not required. The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
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