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Discovery Set to Launch July 13

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the checked-the-bags-preflight dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The US space shuttle is set to launch July 13 for the first time in nearly two and a half years, after being grounded following the 2003 Columbia disaster, NASA said today. NASA experts held a final 'flight readiness review' meeting on Wednesday and Thursday to make a final decision."

4 of 161 comments (clear)

  1. whaa? by maotx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What about the fact that NASA failed to meet three vital safety recomendations Tuesday?

    I mean granted, I'm sure they know what they are doing but what happens if we lose Discovery too? We haven't launched in over two years due to Columbia blowing up and I can't even imagine what would happen to the space program if we lost Discovery. Even more so if it is because of one of the failed safety checks.

    From my link:
    The panel said that NASA had failed to satisfactorily eliminate losses of foam and ice from the shuttle's external fuel tank. Additionally, the agency could not adequately strengthen areas of the spacecraft that are at risk of being damaged by the impact of stray debris. The astronauts who are a part of the return to flight mission did not have reliable repair kits, the panel pointed out.

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    I'm a virgo and on Slashdot. Coincidence? Yes.
    1. Re:whaa? by Robotron23 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Considering the advances made within the ISS during its years in space already, the astronauts on board don't just sit up there for months twiddling their thumbs, they do a lot of research on a huge variety of fields, such as theeffects of zero gravity on biological organisms. Also, the fact that Shuttles have consistantly maintained projects such as Hubble contradicts your views on its potential replacement! I think you need some trolling practice dude.

  2. Meanwhile... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...more immediately and IMO more interestingly, Deep Impact is going to do its stuff in about 4 days.

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    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. Re:Please tell me they at least have the ability by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Canadarm on its own cannot reach to the places required, however, the Canadarm creators (MD Robotics have come up with an extension boom for the shuttle.

    In orbit, this attaches to the end of the Canadarm and is able to inspect the entire surface.

    They have a rather cool animated walkthrough and some images here.

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    liqbase :: faster than paper