spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Coolant problem could hamper shuttle mission
Posted: Sat, Mar 2, 2002, 12:01 AM ET (0501 GMT)
STS-109 patch (NASA) A problem with a coolant line on the space shuttle Columbia could pose problems for the mission, but shuttle managers said late Friday it was unlikely it would bring the mission to an early end. Controllers noticed several hours after launch that one Freon coolant loop, used to cool Columbia's electronics, had a flow rate that had fallen to near the minimum acceptable level. Mission rules require that the shuttle have a fully-working coolant system, so that if, in the worst case, the loop failed, the shuttle would have to return home at the earliest possible opportunity. However, mission managers met late Friday and determined that it would be safe to leave the shuttle in orbit through Saturday while they continue to study the problem. Officials will likely decide at a Saturday afternoon meeting whether to proceed with the mission or bring the shuttle back to Earth. Columbia is scheduled to rendezvous with and grapple Hubble in the early morning hours Sunday.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT)

French government leads investment in Eutelsat
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)

NASA further delays Ax-4 launch
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:34 AM ET (1234 GMT)

news links
Sunday, July 6
Nigeria’s Space Mission Must Be Strategic — Astrophysicist
News Agency of Nigeria — 11:39 am ET (1539 GMT)
ndian space programme returns Rs 2.54 per Rs 1 spent
Organiser — 11:36 am ET (1536 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list