Missing object not a concern for shuttle reentry
Posted: Fri, Jun 13, 2008, 2:05 PM ET (1805 GMT)
An object that appeared to float away from the space shuttle Discovery Friday morning does not pose a risk to the orbiter's reentry and landing on Saturday, shuttle officials said. The metallic-looking object, at least 30 cm long, was spotted by the shuttle crew after tests of the shuttle's control systems needed for reentry. Engineers later said the object was most likely part of a barrier in the shuttle's tail that is used only for heating protection during launch, and plays no role during reentry. The shuttle crew also reported seeing a "bump" in the tail that was thought to be a protruding object, but later found to be just part of the normal configuration of the tail. The shuttle is still scheduled for landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:02 am EDt (1502 GMT).
An object that appeared to float away from the space shuttle Discovery Friday morning does not pose a risk to the orbiter's reentry and landing on Saturday, shuttle officials said. The metallic-looking object, at least 30 cm long, was spotted by the shuttle crew after tests of the shuttle's control systems needed for reentry. Engineers later said the object was most likely part of a barrier in the shuttle's tail that is used only for heating protection during launch, and plays no role during reentry. The shuttle crew also reported seeing a "bump" in the tail that was thought to be a protruding object, but later found to be just part of the normal configuration of the tail. The shuttle is still scheduled for landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:02 am EDt (1502 GMT).
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in September
Posted: Sat, Apr 25 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, April 25
Where Did the Middle East Go? Satellite Imaging in the Fog of War
Bloomberg News — 11:18 am ET (1518 GMT) Creotech Instruments secures €52 million ESA contract to build Polish satellite constellation CAMILA
Creotech — 11:17 am ET (1517 GMT) Firefly Aerospace to Announce First Quarter 2026 Financial Results on May 4, 2026
Firefly Aerospace — 8:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Golden Dome dreams face harsh budget reality
POLITICO — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) Space Force’s Space Based Interceptor Program to Counter Growing Speed and Maneuverability of Modern Missile Threats in support of Golden Dome for America
US Space Force — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) |
