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NASA to delay U.S. space shuttle launch
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.
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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