spacetoday.net: NASA may delay next shuttle flight

Posted: Fri, Oct 3, 2003, 10:08 AM ET (1408 GMT)
STS-107: launch (NASA/KSC)

The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on the first post-Columbia shuttle flight could be delayed again, until next fall, to reinspect part of the orbiter. According to various reports, NASA is considering whether the nosecap of Atlantis, made of the came reinforced carbon-carbon material used on the leading edge of the wings, should be reexamined for any corrosion. That decision will depend on a review of records from the last major structural inspection of the orbiter in 2001. If additional study of the nosecap is required, it could delay the launch of the shuttle until September 2004 or beyond. A delay beyond October 2004 could effectively push the launch into 2005, because of new requirements for daytime launches of the shuttle allow for few launch opportunities through late 2004. A decision on further inspections of the nosecap could come at a meeting of shuttle managers scheduled for Friday.