Space Shuttle Launch
And Mission Update
Friday, December 07, 2007
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And Mission Update
Friday, December 07, 2007
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Launch of Atlantis
will now take place no earlier than
Saturday, December 8th, at 3:43pm EST
If Then!
.If Then!
Friday, December 7, 2007 - 8:45am EST
The launch of NASA's space shuttle Atlantis will take place no earlier than Saturday, Dec. 8, at 3:43 p.m. EST. Thursday's scheduled liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., was postponed because of a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle's external fuel tank.
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The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. Launch Commit Criteria require that three of the four sensor systems function properly before liftoff.
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Space Shuttle Program managers will hold a Mission Management Team meeting Friday at 2 p.m. to discuss the issue and determine the steps necessary to start a new launch countdown. A news conference will be held at about 5 p.m. after the meeting's conclusion.
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On Thursday morning, two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank failed a routine prelaunch check. Following the launch postponement, the tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen were drained. While the tank was being emptied, engineers monitored and collected data on the liquid hydrogen sensors that failed. During that process, another sensor gave a false reading, indicating that the tank was "wet," when it was dry. All ECO sensors are now indicating dry as they should be.
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During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities.
Info from NASA.gov website
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About Photo: Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Photo credit: NASA, George Shelton, 12-06-07
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About Photo: Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Photo credit: NASA, George Shelton, 12-06-07
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Saturday UPDATE:
December 8th - 6:15pm EST
December 8th - 6:15pm EST
Space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch Sunday, December 9th, at 3:21 p.m. EST, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shuttle program managers made the liftoff decision after three days of reviewing data on a problem with fuel sensors.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's three main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
During a Mission Management Team meeting Saturday, NASA leaders decided to fuel the tank Sunday and monitor the status of the sensor system. If all four ECO sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank perform as expected, the countdown will proceed toward the planned liftoff. NASA Television coverage of the tank loading will start Sunday at 6 a.m., with launch coverage beginning at 10 a.m.
During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the astronauts will install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will expand the station's scientific research capabilities. Crew members for the STS-122 mission are Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel from Germany and Leopold Eyharts from France.
Info from NASA.gov website
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's three main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
During a Mission Management Team meeting Saturday, NASA leaders decided to fuel the tank Sunday and monitor the status of the sensor system. If all four ECO sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank perform as expected, the countdown will proceed toward the planned liftoff. NASA Television coverage of the tank loading will start Sunday at 6 a.m., with launch coverage beginning at 10 a.m.
During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the astronauts will install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will expand the station's scientific research capabilities. Crew members for the STS-122 mission are Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel from Germany and Leopold Eyharts from France.
Info from NASA.gov website
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Sunday UPDATE:
December 9th - 7:30a EST
Today's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis has been officially scrubbed. [Sorry... but at this time... I am not sure when the next launch date/time is scheduled – Will update when I find out]
Of the four engine cutoff sensors, ECO sensor number three gave false readings. NASA's current Launch Commit Criteria require that all four sensors function properly. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel.
Sunday UPDATE:
December 9th - 7:30a EST
Today's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis has been officially scrubbed. [Sorry... but at this time... I am not sure when the next launch date/time is scheduled – Will update when I find out]
Of the four engine cutoff sensors, ECO sensor number three gave false readings. NASA's current Launch Commit Criteria require that all four sensors function properly. The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel.
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UPDATE: 11:30am EST
Next targeted launch will be no earlier than January 2nd.
UPDATE: 11:30am EST
Next targeted launch will be no earlier than January 2nd.
Liftoff date depends on the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system...
Info from NASA.gov website
Info from NASA.gov website
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Read Latest News and Updates +
Countdown/Mission Elapsed Time Clock
at NASA.gov
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I’ll be posting on the Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch
and its Mission over the next so many days...
So check back!!!
AubreyJ.........
I’ll be posting on the Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch
and its Mission over the next so many days...
So check back!!!
AubreyJ.........
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