Discovery blasts off on shuttle mission
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-26 22:58

In addition to Collins, the crew members are pilot Jim Kelly; Soichi Noguchi of Japan; Stephen Robinson; Andrew Thomas; Wendy Thomas; and Charles Camarda.

Griffin's message to the lost crews' families: "We have left no stone unturned that we know of to make this flight and every other one as safe as we can do it."

In all, nearly 50 safety improvements were made to the shuttle in the wake of Columbia tragedy. The fuel tank was extensively redesigned, with less foam insulation than before but extra heaters to prevent a dangerous buildup of ice once it is filled with super-cold liquid propellant. NASA feared falling ice could be as lethal as chunks of foam.

Also, dozens of motion and temperature sensors were embedded in the wings to detect any blows from debris.

The space agency also revamped the way it makes decisions and listens to dissenting views, especially from lower-level employees. Columbia accident investigators blamed the catastrophe in part on a broken safety culture, or a tendency to downplay risks and discourage engineers from speaking up.

Unlike the Columbia astronauts, who had no knowledge of the gaping hole in their spacecraft's wing and no realistic way of plugging it, the Discovery crew has a variety of inspection and repair techniques on board. But they are all untested. And even the best of the bunch could not fix a hole the size of the one that destroyed Columbia.

The astronauts will try out the repair kits on deliberately broken samples of thermal tiles and panels. They will practice working with goo and other patching materials and different types of brushes, putty knives and a caulking gun.

They also will spend their first full day in space using a remote-control, 50-foot boom to inspect the shuttle's most vulnerable areas the wings and nose cap for any cracks and holes.

If any serious damage is found, NASA will have to choose between attempting repairs or, more likely, moving the shuttle crew into the space station for at least a month to await rescue by space shuttle Atlantis, which is already being readied for liftoff. Both scenarios are extremely risky.

Faced with so many uncertainties, the liftoff was a relatively solemn affair. NASA did not plan to hold the usual post-launch party.

Griffin said he had no intention of celebrating until he hears Collins announce "wheels stop" at touchdown. "We'll be thrilled with every successful step we complete," he said earlier this month, "but you won't see people really let go until they have landed safely."

Discovery is hauling an almost three-year back order of supplies and replacement parts to the half-built space station and its two residents. Construction has been on hold since the last shuttle visit in late 2002.

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