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04/07/2006
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.
However, following inspection of the area by engineers the superficial damage was not considered to be serious enough to require repair and the launch of Discovery was given the green light.
In a statement Nasa said: "It is believed that the rain experienced during Sunday's launch attempt caused water to run down the feedline and form ice near the top of the strut next to the feedline bracket. As the tank warmed and expanded, the ice that formed most likely pinched the foam on the top of the strut, causing a crack and eventual loss of the small piece of foam.
"The Mission Management Team met on Monday at 6:30 p.m. EDT to discuss the results of the information before making a final decision regarding Tuesday's launch attempt."
The Space Shuttle launch has been postponed twice due to unfavourable weather on the Florida range of the Kennedy Space Centre.
Among the STS-121 Discovery seven-man mission crew is British astronaut Piers Sellers.
The crew is expected to spend two weeks in orbit with the primary goal of testing new systems for inspecting the shuttle's heat shield.
One Discovery crew member, German Thomas Reiter, is to spend six months on the International Space Station.
A piece of insulation foam which broke away during the launch of Columbia damaged the wing causing the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during re-entry in 2003.
(SP/KMcA)
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.
However, following inspection of the area by engineers the superficial damage was not considered to be serious enough to require repair and the launch of Discovery was given the green light.
In a statement Nasa said: "It is believed that the rain experienced during Sunday's launch attempt caused water to run down the feedline and form ice near the top of the strut next to the feedline bracket. As the tank warmed and expanded, the ice that formed most likely pinched the foam on the top of the strut, causing a crack and eventual loss of the small piece of foam.
"The Mission Management Team met on Monday at 6:30 p.m. EDT to discuss the results of the information before making a final decision regarding Tuesday's launch attempt."
The Space Shuttle launch has been postponed twice due to unfavourable weather on the Florida range of the Kennedy Space Centre.
Among the STS-121 Discovery seven-man mission crew is British astronaut Piers Sellers.
The crew is expected to spend two weeks in orbit with the primary goal of testing new systems for inspecting the shuttle's heat shield.
One Discovery crew member, German Thomas Reiter, is to spend six months on the International Space Station.
A piece of insulation foam which broke away during the launch of Columbia damaged the wing causing the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during re-entry in 2003.
(SP/KMcA)
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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.
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 July 2006
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.
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.
09 August 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.
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.
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