Shuttle tank cleared for July launch
Posted: Thu, Jun 1, 2006, 8:51 AM ET (1251 GMT)
NASA managers concluded Wednesday that foam shedding from the space shuttle's external tank does not pose a significant risk to the shuttle orbiter, clearing the way for next month's launch of the shuttle Discovery. Officials concluded that while foam will fall off the tank during the launch, the hazards posed by large chunks of foam have been mitigated so that those risks are in line with other aspects of the shuttle system. That risk could be further decreased with on later missions if NASA decides to proceed with the removal of foam "ice/frost ramps" on the external tank that are particularly prone to shedding. The decision allows NASA to proceed with preparations for the launch next month of the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121: the launch window for that flight runs from July 1-19. An official launch date will be set during a flight readiness review in mid-June.
NASA managers concluded Wednesday that foam shedding from the space shuttle's external tank does not pose a significant risk to the shuttle orbiter, clearing the way for next month's launch of the shuttle Discovery. Officials concluded that while foam will fall off the tank during the launch, the hazards posed by large chunks of foam have been mitigated so that those risks are in line with other aspects of the shuttle system. That risk could be further decreased with on later missions if NASA decides to proceed with the removal of foam "ice/frost ramps" on the external tank that are particularly prone to shedding. The decision allows NASA to proceed with preparations for the launch next month of the shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121: the launch window for that flight runs from July 1-19. An official launch date will be set during a flight readiness review in mid-June.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, January 23
How Elon Musk’s Starlink is changing American foreign policy
POLITICO — 6:33 am ET (1133 GMT) Elon Musk's Starlink: A must-have for airlines, or a costly perk?
Reuters — 6:32 am ET (1132 GMT) Space Force Targets Jan. 25 For Next GPS III Launch
Aviation Week — 6:31 am ET (1131 GMT) SSC commander releases 2026 commitments, command plan updates
US Space Force — 6:31 am ET (1131 GMT) Space Force Chief Gen. B. Chance Saltzman: Warns on weaponized tactics
Washington Times — 6:30 am ET (1130 GMT) |
