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09/08/2005
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.
The manouevering for the 50th Shuttle landing at Edwards began as Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot Jim Kelly performed a three-minute engine burn at 12:06 hrs BST (7:06 hrs EDT) to decelerate Discovery and take it out of orbit in preparation for the swooping computer-controlled banking descent and pilot-controlled landing at Edwards. The landing took place just before dawn with the crew unable to delay much longer as food, water and air would soon have been depleted.
However, the decision to land at Edwards will mean at least a week's delay in returning the 80-tonne Shuttle to Kennedy Space Centre on the modified Boeing 747 transporter where the Shuttles are overhauled for subsequent flights.
Nasa said that thunderstorms offshore would make an East Coast landing hazardous for the Shuttle, which has been in space for 13 days.
The weather at Edwards Air Force Base in California was expected to be clear with light winds.
During their two weeks in space, Commander Eileen Collins and the crew on flight STS-114 tested new safety procedures including an extensive high-tech inspection of the Shuttle's heat shield. During a spacewalk Steve Robinson made the first trip under the orbiter to remove some protruding gap fillers between the black underbelly heat shield tiles.
As part of the mission, the first since the Columbia disaster, the crew also docked with the International Space Station and restocked the station's supplies.
(SP/KMcA)
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.
The manouevering for the 50th Shuttle landing at Edwards began as Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot Jim Kelly performed a three-minute engine burn at 12:06 hrs BST (7:06 hrs EDT) to decelerate Discovery and take it out of orbit in preparation for the swooping computer-controlled banking descent and pilot-controlled landing at Edwards. The landing took place just before dawn with the crew unable to delay much longer as food, water and air would soon have been depleted.
However, the decision to land at Edwards will mean at least a week's delay in returning the 80-tonne Shuttle to Kennedy Space Centre on the modified Boeing 747 transporter where the Shuttles are overhauled for subsequent flights.
Nasa said that thunderstorms offshore would make an East Coast landing hazardous for the Shuttle, which has been in space for 13 days.
The weather at Edwards Air Force Base in California was expected to be clear with light winds.
During their two weeks in space, Commander Eileen Collins and the crew on flight STS-114 tested new safety procedures including an extensive high-tech inspection of the Shuttle's heat shield. During a spacewalk Steve Robinson made the first trip under the orbiter to remove some protruding gap fillers between the black underbelly heat shield tiles.
As part of the mission, the first since the Columbia disaster, the crew also docked with the International Space Station and restocked the station's supplies.
(SP/KMcA)
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Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off. At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed.
04 July 2006
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
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.
17 August 2007
Nasa: No Shuttle Tile Repair Required
Nasa management have decided that no repair will be necessary on the damage to a tile in Endeavour's heat shield. The Mission Management Team decided that Saturday's spacewalk would not include a repair of Shuttle's heat shield after it was concluded that the damage did not pose a safety risk to the crew or Endeavour.
Nasa: No Shuttle Tile Repair Required
Nasa management have decided that no repair will be necessary on the damage to a tile in Endeavour's heat shield. The Mission Management Team decided that Saturday's spacewalk would not include a repair of Shuttle's heat shield after it was concluded that the damage did not pose a safety risk to the crew or Endeavour.
03 July 2006
Space Shuttle launch delayed
A Mission Management meeting looks likely to decide fate of Shuttle Discovery launch. The first space shuttle scheduled to launch on Independence Day, following unfavourable weather conditions, was thrown into doubt when an inspection revealed a crack in the foam insulation of the orbiter's external fuel tank.
Space Shuttle launch delayed
A Mission Management meeting looks likely to decide fate of Shuttle Discovery launch. The first space shuttle scheduled to launch on Independence Day, following unfavourable weather conditions, was thrown into doubt when an inspection revealed a crack in the foam insulation of the orbiter's external fuel tank.
08 August 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 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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
