Asteroid mission still planned for July launch
Posted: Wed, Jun 27, 2007, 7:14 AM ET (1114 GMT)
NASA is pressing ahead with plans to launch a spacecraft to the asteroid belt next month despite technical problems that could delay the launch until this fall. The Dawn mission is scheduled for launch on July 7 on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral. The launch has already been delayed a week because of a faulty crane at the launch site used to assemble the launcher; workers have also encountered mechanical problems with some vehicle components. In addition, a solar panel on the spacecraft suffered minor damage in a mishap last week, but that damage was repaired. If NASA can't launch the spacecraft by July 11 the launch would be delayed until September, at a cost of $25 million, to avoid delaying the August launch of the Phoenix mission to Mars. Dawn is a Discovery-class mission that will visit two of the largest asteroids in the main belt, Ceres and Vesta.
NASA is pressing ahead with plans to launch a spacecraft to the asteroid belt next month despite technical problems that could delay the launch until this fall. The Dawn mission is scheduled for launch on July 7 on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral. The launch has already been delayed a week because of a faulty crane at the launch site used to assemble the launcher; workers have also encountered mechanical problems with some vehicle components. In addition, a solar panel on the spacecraft suffered minor damage in a mishap last week, but that damage was repaired. If NASA can't launch the spacecraft by July 11 the launch would be delayed until September, at a cost of $25 million, to avoid delaying the August launch of the Phoenix mission to Mars. Dawn is a Discovery-class mission that will visit two of the largest asteroids in the main belt, Ceres and Vesta.
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Wednesday, May 31
North Korean Rocket Triggers ‘False Alarm’ Evacuation Alert in South Korea
New York Times — 6:48 am ET (1048 GMT) North Korea: Rocket failed mid-flight. Japan issues alert
NHK — 6:48 am ET (1048 GMT) US ‘strongly condemns’ North Korea’s purported satellite launch
The Hill — 6:47 am ET (1047 GMT) North Korea says it will try again ‘soon’ to launch spy satellite
Washington Post — 6:47 am ET (1047 GMT) North Korea spy satellite crashes into sea, Seoul salvages wreckage
AFP — 6:46 am ET (1046 GMT) |
