NASA Postpones Shuttle Launch

Mictian writes "NASA has decided to postpone Discovery's upcoming Return to Flight (STS-114) by a week to May 22. This is done in order to give the agency more time to finish paperwork, analyses and reviews of safety changes made. The delay came as no surprise, since the original May 15 date was always considered preliminary. The current launch window extends from May 15 to June 3."

Comments

Squeeze in the code releases before the launch

[Nadsat]

Concerns about shuttle safety have been largely responsible for 22 major changes in the orbiter's design and as many as 40 more minor changes. "All of the redesign is complete," with a few exceptions, said Wayne Hale, deputy manager of the space shuttle program.

Last minute code release! Always a smart move....

The real reason.

[KipCas]

They have to wait because the Google website logo with the little space shuttle in it wasnt ready yet.

Gas Prices

[mathmatt]

NASA is just waiting for their paycheck to clear so they can afford to fill up that gas hog. That Shuttle makes a Hummer look like a Prius when it comes to MPG!

Re:Gas Prices

[f0rtytw0]

I don't know about that. The Shuttle can circle the earth a couple times on a single tank.

Re:Gas Prices

[CausticPuppy]

NASA is just waiting for their paycheck to clear so they can afford to fill up that gas hog. That Shuttle makes a Hummer look like a Prius when it comes to MPG!

Well the best way to increase the shuttle's average MPG for the entire trip is to just leave it in orbit longer...

Delays, delays...

[Anonymous Coward]

Always delays... what are Nasa doing? I mean come on, it's not rocket science...

Re:Here come the

[mrRay720]

"NASA is super bloated and the shuttle is the biggest waste of tax payer money!!! Ohh with all that money spent on the shuttle, we could have had 20 cures for AIDS and 42 for Cancer!"

That's an even worse waste! What were those other 60 teams thinking?
PHB: "Hey, let's cure AIDS/Cancer"
Bod: "Sir, that's already been done!"
PHB: "STFU, we've got Space Shuttle money to spend!"

Re:WTF

[The New Andy]

"finish paperwork" is a euphemism for "posting at slashdot"

I know why!...I know why!...

[IdJit]

They were all hung over from the Apollo 13 ground crew party!!

Re:WTF

[rhadamanthus]

True, I worded that badly. I must need another cup of coffee.

Re:They are smarter than you!

[PriceIke]

The shuttle Commander is a babe, too.

Don't believe the Hype

[Johnny Fusion]

This is an obvious cover story. The real reason for the delay is that they want to close NASA on May 19.

I hear the astronauts were refusing to fly until they find out how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader.

This would not be a problem except members of the crew have already taked the "spoiler free" pledge.

Despite Initial protests from Mission Control, they decided that they rather watch fake spaceships blow each other up instead of blowing up another real one.