NASA approaching resolution of shuttle problem
Posted: Fri, Jul 26, 2002, 8:14 PM ET (0014 GMT)
NASA shuttle managers said Friday they have found a way to fix the cracks found in fuel lines in all four orbiters, one that would allow the shuttle to return to flight in late September. Shuttle manager Ron Dittemore said that engineers think that welding should be sufficient to fix hairline cracks found in flow liners in lines that carry liquid hydrogen fuel. If this works, NASA would likely first fly two missions to the ISS, starting with Atlantis on STS-112 no earlier than September 26. The next mission would be an ISS crew rotation mission for shuttle Endeavour, STS-113, in early November. The shuttle Columbia, which had been slated to fly in July on STS-107, a non-ISS science mission, would be delayed until December.
NASA shuttle managers said Friday they have found a way to fix the cracks found in fuel lines in all four orbiters, one that would allow the shuttle to return to flight in late September. Shuttle manager Ron Dittemore said that engineers think that welding should be sufficient to fix hairline cracks found in flow liners in lines that carry liquid hydrogen fuel. If this works, NASA would likely first fly two missions to the ISS, starting with Atlantis on STS-112 no earlier than September 26. The next mission would be an ISS crew rotation mission for shuttle Endeavour, STS-113, in early November. The shuttle Columbia, which had been slated to fly in July on STS-107, a non-ISS science mission, would be delayed until December.
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