Concerns delay shuttle launch
2005-04-29 09:05
Washington - The US space agency was considering a further delay in the launch of the first shuttle since the Columbia disaster because of concerns that debris could damage it on lift-off, news reports said on Thursday.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) was considering pushing back the May 22 launch of the shuttle Discovery until July, agency officials said.
Nasa put a halt to launch preparations while its scientists debated concerns about ice forming on the insulation of the shuttle's external fuel tank, chipping off and damaging the craft.
Two years ago, a chunk of the insulation ripped off the fuel tank on lift-off and damaged the shuttle Columbia. The damage caused Columbia to break apart when it re-entered earth's atmosphere at the end of its mission, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
After the accident, Nasa grounded the shuttle fleet to revamp the design of the re-useable spacecraft. Just last week, it delayed the Discovery's launch by a week to allow for more time the review the design changes.
Discovery, which is to fly to the International Space Station to deliver supplies and make repairs, has an initial launch window that lasts through June 3.
If it is unable to take off before then, it will have to wait for the next flight window of July 13-31 to fly from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA