NASA said on Monday the Space Shuttle Discovery remains on track as the countdown that started on Saturday ticks away to the 10:39 a.m. launch time on Tuesday. Despite an apparent unsolved problem with a fuel sensor, the launch is still set.
The current launch window opened on July 13th and NASA planned to launch then. Prelaunch procedures uncovered what appeared to be a faulty engine cutoff sensor but they’ve been unable to correct the problem. As the sensor is one of four, NASA believes they can deal with the problem if it recurs. If a fuel issue occurs, two of the four sensors must kick on before the engines would cutout.
Director Pete Nickolenko said, “Our teams have worked hard to prepare Space Shuttle Discovery and her crew for launch.”
The most important mission facing the crew of the shuttle will be the testing of new safety procedures put in place after the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia. After setting a launch date back in May, the NASA delayed the launch and made some additional modifications to the fuel tanking system, including a heating element to help fend off ice that might develop in the supercooled fuel tank.
Another major concern is the weather. According to NASA meteorologists, there’s a 60% chance of good weather, but there is a storm off the Florida coast.
“We are still concerned that right around the launch time, the sea breeze will be developing, and some off-shore activity could bring in some anvil clouds and some showers or cumulous clouds in the area of the launch pad or the [Shuttle Landing Facility],” said Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters.
This will be the first launch since the Columbia flew apart in the atmosphere descending from its mission. The disaster occurred when superhot gases got into the wing of the shuttle through a break in the protective coating of tiles. The break occurred when a piece of insulation foam broke away and hit the tile during the Columbia launch. The shuttle program has been on hold ever since.
The main issue has been the servicing of the International Space Station (ISS). While the Russian space program kept the ISS supplied and crewed, the rockets weren’t designed to carry the modules needed to attach nor the equipment needed to it. Also, the space shuttle is used to help the ISS keep its appropriate orbit until all the modules are in place and in full working order.
In any event, the shuttle program is aging and replacements will be needed soon. The shuttles are slated to be grounded permanently in 2010. Right now, there is no set design for a replacement although several design plans are in the works.
John Stith is a staff writer for webproworld covering technology and business.