NASA's shuttle launch off till late next week
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-16 11:37

"We don't know if the equipment is fine (and) it's just the environment we're operating in is somehow suddenly different, or we don't know if there's a problem in the equipment. And until we know that, everything is suspect."

NASA has had two unplanned main engine shutdowns in the fleet's 112 successful launches. Both times, the missions were able to be completed successfully.

Although launch delays are common, the glitches preventing Discovery from getting off the launch pad are receiving heightened scrutiny because the shuttle is the first to fly since NASA grounded the fleet for safety upgrades following the loss of Columbia.

Columbia's wing was damaged during launch by a piece of foam insulation that fell off its fuel tank. As it flew through the atmosphere for landing, superheated gases blasted into the wing and destroyed the ship.

NASA has until July 31 to launch Discovery, a deadline dictated by its planned rendezvous with the International Space Station and a new requirement that shuttle launches take place in daylight so cameras will have clear views of liftoff.

The construction of the station -- a 16-nation project -- is dependent on the shuttle and has been on hold since the fleet was grounded.

The next launch window begins on September 9. NASA had planned to use the September launch window to fly the space shuttle Atlantis on the agency's second post-Columbia mission.

"We're not pessimistic about making the July launch window, We are here for the duration," Hale said.

He added, however, that flight planners were trying to figure out ways to expand both the July and a three-day launch window in November in case of additional postponements. Hale said the engineers might end up having to consider whether faulty sensors are a fleet-wide problem.

Discovery would be able to fly four days after the problem with the sensor is identified and fixed, NASA said.

Close

Quzi Street at night Abductor releases hostage after talks with negotiator Summer vacation for reading

Today's Top News     Top China News
Taiwan's opposition KMT votes to elect new chief         "Provocative" Japanese drilling condemned         Sino-EU ties should not be hurt by disputes         Central bank denies revaluation in August         China: no need for economic tightening         China to launch manned spacecraft in Oct.	Boys' deaths spark rabies vaccine investigation       Xinjiang mine disaster blamed on owner's greed       Beijing hotels phase out disposable daily commodities       Barroso: to solve bilateral problems in a constructive manner       Tibetan cultural week kicks off in HK       China protests Japan's move to drill in E.China Sea