NASA schedules its space shuttle flight for July 1
Update: STS 121 launched successfully! Here are the promised
pictures. Download or link to as you please!
Although the concerns about the fuel tank still exist, NASA is readying itself for
its proposed Space shuttle launch for July 1st. The senior managers at NASA had a lengthy Flight Readiness Review and after the discussion it was announced that the discussion was a spirited one. NASA administrator Michael Griffin has cleared the proposal for the flight
scheduled for July 1.
Griffin said, ""We had two full days of an intensive Flight Readiness Review. It was spirited and one of the most open, yet non-adversarial meetings I've seen since returning to NASA." The Discovery mission will be a 12 day one and the shuttle is all set to visit the International Space Station.
The mission STS-121 will be led by Commander Steve Lindsey and the number of the crew members is six. Since the Discovery is equipped with all new hardware, the mission is expected to be a test for NASA. The main objectives of the mission are to test techniques to improve space shuttle safety, to deliver supplies to the Space station, make necessary repairs and to bring a third member to the Space station.
Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, NASA said, "We were really careful to evaluate everything as thoroughly as we could. But the review of the ice/frost ramp was one of the most vigorously discussed."
The discussion for the clearance of the proposed flight was not unanimous. There were obvious disagreements, but in the end the members decided to give the go-ahead for the flight. Emphasizing the importance of safety for the flight, Griffin has said that he would shut down the space shuttle program if there are any more shuttle loss like that of Columbia and Challenger.
This is NASA's second flight shuttle program after its tragic loss of Columbia and its seven astronauts. External fuel tank was found out to be the cause of loss of the Columbia and the fuel tanks have then been creating a lot of problems for the NASA scientists.
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