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05/07/2006
Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off.
At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed."
Initial analysis of detailed photographs taken during Discovery's ascent, revealed just a few debris particles were shed by the huge insulation-clad external fuel tank, which supplies liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to the shuttle's three main engines during the climb to orbit.
The debris observed was reported to be small, and all occurred after what engineers consider to be the most aerodynamically sensitive time for the shuttle.
Some 15 minutes into the flight, astronauts on board Discovery filmed a large piece of ice tumbling away from the orbiter. However, the ice, which forms on the cooled exterior of the main engines is not unusual and is not a cause for concern said Nasa.
The crew of Discovery will take a closer look at crucial areas of the heat shield using a boom sensor system and will also roll the orbiter in a slow back flip so that photographs may be taken from the International Space Station.
The 12-day STS-121 flight of Discovery is the second in NASA's Return to Flight sequence.
The crew, Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers, will test new safety equipment and procedures that were introduced on the first Return to Flight mission last summer.
They also will deliver over 12 tonnes of equipment, supplies, experiments and spare parts to the station. A third crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter, will be placed aboard the orbiting laboratory.
In a curtailed programme since the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in February 2003, the station has had two-person crew aboard.
(SP/KMcA)
At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed."
Initial analysis of detailed photographs taken during Discovery's ascent, revealed just a few debris particles were shed by the huge insulation-clad external fuel tank, which supplies liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to the shuttle's three main engines during the climb to orbit.
The debris observed was reported to be small, and all occurred after what engineers consider to be the most aerodynamically sensitive time for the shuttle.
Some 15 minutes into the flight, astronauts on board Discovery filmed a large piece of ice tumbling away from the orbiter. However, the ice, which forms on the cooled exterior of the main engines is not unusual and is not a cause for concern said Nasa.
The crew of Discovery will take a closer look at crucial areas of the heat shield using a boom sensor system and will also roll the orbiter in a slow back flip so that photographs may be taken from the International Space Station.
The 12-day STS-121 flight of Discovery is the second in NASA's Return to Flight sequence.
The crew, Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers, will test new safety equipment and procedures that were introduced on the first Return to Flight mission last summer.
They also will deliver over 12 tonnes of equipment, supplies, experiments and spare parts to the station. A third crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter, will be placed aboard the orbiting laboratory.
In a curtailed programme since the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in February 2003, the station has had two-person crew aboard.
(SP/KMcA)
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08 August 2005
Discovery landing delayed by bad weather
Adverse weather conditions at the landing site has forced Nasa to postpone the return of the Discovery space shuttle until Tuesday. The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
Discovery landing delayed by bad weather
Adverse weather conditions at the landing site has forced Nasa to postpone the return of the Discovery space shuttle until Tuesday. The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
27 July 2005
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
04 July 2006
Discovery to lift-off on schedule
Nasa have decided that the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on schedule on Tuesday. Concerns had been raised by the discovery of a cracked area of insulation in a region of the external fuel tank that is prone to ice formation.
Discovery to lift-off on schedule
Nasa have decided that the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on schedule on Tuesday. Concerns had been raised by the discovery of a cracked area of insulation in a region of the external fuel tank that is prone to ice formation.
09 August 2005
Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
05 August 2005
Nasa clear Discovery for landing
Nasa have informed the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery that a further repair to a protective thermal blanket is not required. The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
Nasa clear Discovery for landing
Nasa have informed the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery that a further repair to a protective thermal blanket is not required. The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
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