spacetoday.net: Computer issue could delay next shuttle mission

Posted: Tue, Nov 7, 2006, 8:15 AM ET (1315 GMT)

NASA is considering moving up the launch of the next shuttle mission a day to make sure they can conduct the mission and have the shuttle return to Earth before the end of the year, avoiding an issue regarding how shuttle computer systems keep track of time at the end of the year. Discovery is scheduled to launch on mission STS-116 on December 7, but shuttle officials said Monday that work preparing the shuttle for launch is ahead of schedule, and could permit a December 6 launch attempt. NASA wants to launch the shuttle no later than December 17-18 to ensure that the mission is completed and the shuttle back on Earth before the end of the year. Shuttle computer systems don't keep track of years, so January 1, 2007 would simply be the 366th day of 2006, putting the shuttle out of sync with other computer systems on the ground and on the ISS. If the shuttle does miss the December launch window the next one opens on January 14. Discovery is scheduled to roll out to launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center later this week.