Shuttle prepares for ISS docking
Posted: Sun, Jun 10, 2007, 10:37 AM ET (1437 GMT)
The space shuttle Atlantis was on schedule to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday afternoon after managers said a small tear in a thermal blanket on the orbiter should not be a major concern. During inspections of the orbiter on Saturday, a day after launch, cameras revealed a a tear of about 10 by 15 centimeters on a thermal blanket that covers part of the shuttle's left OMS pod. Engineers said that, if left as is, it would cause no damage to the shuttle upon reentry, but there are ways to repair the tear if deemed necessary. A preliminary review of images and video of the shuttle's external tank revealed no problems with foam shedding. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 3:38 pm EDT (1938 GMT) today.
The space shuttle Atlantis was on schedule to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday afternoon after managers said a small tear in a thermal blanket on the orbiter should not be a major concern. During inspections of the orbiter on Saturday, a day after launch, cameras revealed a a tear of about 10 by 15 centimeters on a thermal blanket that covers part of the shuttle's left OMS pod. Engineers said that, if left as is, it would cause no damage to the shuttle upon reentry, but there are ways to repair the tear if deemed necessary. A preliminary review of images and video of the shuttle's external tank revealed no problems with foam shedding. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 3:38 pm EDT (1938 GMT) today.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, March 19
What’s Next For NASA? Get Answers At Space Forum Today
Central Florida News 13 — 1:52 pm ET (1752 GMT) Hubble and the space shuttle in IMAX 3-D
CNN — 1:52 pm ET (1752 GMT) Discovery Starts Packing For Space
Central Florida News 13 — 1:49 pm ET (1749 GMT) "Hubble 3D" Will Rock Your Worlds (All of Them)
WRC-TV Washington DC — 1:49 pm ET (1749 GMT) Space shortlist announced
Russia Today — 1:45 pm ET (1745 GMT) |