NASA delays launch of shuttle

NASA has delayed the launch of the shuttle Atlantis for at least three weeks, sending the spacecraft back to the hangar for additional booster inspections.

NASA has delayed the launch of the shuttle Atlantis for at least three weeks, sending the spacecraft back to the hangar for additional booster inspections.

Shuttle managers made the decision just hours before the countdown was to begin for a lift-off on Friday.

The launch of the space station laboratory, Destiny, is now targeted for no earlier than February 6.

NASA wants more time to inspect electrical cables that connect the shuttle with its two solid-fuel rocket boosters. The work cannot be performed at the launch pad so Atlantis had to be returned to its hangar.

During the last shuttle launch on November 30, an explosive device failed to work during Endeavour's climb to orbit because of a bad electrical connector. A back-up charge separated the left booster two minutes into the flight as planned.

If the backup charge had not worked, the results could have been catastrophic.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Proposal to ban discrimination over a person’s hair passes first legal hurdle Proposal to ban discrimination over a person’s hair passes first legal hurdle
Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority names new government following pressure to reform
Samuel Bankman-Fried FTX founder Bankman-Fried facing decades in prison for crypto fraud
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited