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
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |