NASA suspends shuttle launches
Posted: Wed, Jul 27, 2005, 10:18 PM ET (0218 GMT)
Shuttle officials announced late Wednesday that they would not launch the shuttle again until they understood why a large chunk of foam fell off the shuttle's external tank during Tuesday's launch of Discovery. The largest piece of foam, estimated at nearly 90 centimeters across, did not strike the shuttle during its ascent. The foam appeared to come off from a ramp on the external tank designed to improve the aerodynamics around external cables. A piece of foam fell of the external tank during Columbia's launch two and a half years ago, causing damage to a wing leading edge panel that caused the shuttle to break apart upon reentry. Managers said that they don't know how long it will take to understand and resolve the problem. The next shuttle mission, STS-121, had been scheduled for launch in September assuming a successful flight by Discovery.
Shuttle officials announced late Wednesday that they would not launch the shuttle again until they understood why a large chunk of foam fell off the shuttle's external tank during Tuesday's launch of Discovery. The largest piece of foam, estimated at nearly 90 centimeters across, did not strike the shuttle during its ascent. The foam appeared to come off from a ramp on the external tank designed to improve the aerodynamics around external cables. A piece of foam fell of the external tank during Columbia's launch two and a half years ago, causing damage to a wing leading edge panel that caused the shuttle to break apart upon reentry. Managers said that they don't know how long it will take to understand and resolve the problem. The next shuttle mission, STS-121, had been scheduled for launch in September assuming a successful flight by Discovery.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 9
Calling ET: Your chance to send a message to alien life
The Daily Telegraph — 7:42 am ET (1242 GMT) CU-equipped craft to launch on Wednesday
Denver Post — 7:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Crew inspects shuttle after launch, heads for space station
CNN — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) Endeavour Inspection Shows No Launch Damage
Central Florida News 13 — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) What's next? No rush. 'We've got plenty of time'
Huntsville Times — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) |