NASA to Delay Space Shuttle Launch Until July

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NASA to Delay Space Shuttle Launch

Reuters

Apr. 29, 2005 - 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 official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision
was made by NASA's new administrator, Michael Griffin, and would be
formally announced on Friday.

The U.S. space agency on Thursday temporarily halted preparations for
Discovery's launch while managers debated nagging concerns that debris
could damage the spacecraft during liftoff.

Shuttle program managers met at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida 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 the shuttle Columbia
during its launch in January 2003, damaging the orbiter's wing, which
broke apart as the shuttle attempted to return through the atmosphere
for landing. Seven astronauts died.

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, as
well as replacing some areas of suspect foam, NASA engineers have been
analyzing the threat of ice formations and the possibility that they
could break off, as the foam on Columbia's tank did, and damage the
ship.

NASA has targeted May 22 as a launch date for the first shuttle's
return to flight. The next possible launch window is from July 13 to
31.

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 U.S. 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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