July 13, 2005

Discovery shuttle poised for blast-off
By Sam Knight, Times Online




Nasa technicians prepared the space shuttle Discovery for blast-off this afternoon, after repairing a broken window cover that damaged the shuttle's delicate thermal tiles yesterday.

Now the only obstacle facing the first shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster two and a half years ago is the weather. Thunderstorms approaching Cape Canaveral have reduced the chance of acceptable launch conditions to 40 per cent.



Lift-off, should it go ahead, will take place at 8:51pm BST.

The launch will be a nervous climax to 30 months of reviews, modifications and handwringing at Nasa, where technicians and scientists have struggled to ensure the safety of the shuttle programme after Columbia broke up 200,000 feet above Texas on February 1 2003.

Just two weeks ago, a panel of scientists and former astronauts appointed to monitor safety improvements said that Nasa had not done enough to meet three crucial recommendations made in the aftermath of the disaster.

Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere after sustaining damage to its thermal tiles on take-off. The broken thermal shield then allowed the shuttle to heat up dramatically and fall to pieces.

And yesterday, in a frightening repetition of that accident, a temporary window cover fell off Discovery yesterday as it waited on the launch pad, and damaged some thermal tiles.

But this morning, the two tiles were replaced and fuelling began. Then a team of technicians made a thorough check of the shuttle to remove any ice that might have formed on the external fuel tanks as a result of the super-cooled fuel.

Ice falling from the tanks on lift-off is thought to be as dangerous as the piece of foam that damaged the wing of Columbia and broke its thermal tiles.

Shown on Nasa television, the crew of Discovery seemed relaxed today as they waved to their families and made their way to the launch pad. Meanwhile, Nasa Administrator Michael Griffin offered his reassurance that the shuttle was safe.

"I think it is as safe as we know how to make it be, and there are a lot of unknowns remaining in spaceflight," said Dr Griffin, who promised that he would have flown on Discovery if he could.

The families of the seven astronauts killed on Columbia also added their best wishes for the flight and praised Nasa for making safety improvements to the shuttle.

The Columbia families said they were still grieving for the lost astronauts but that they "know the exploration of space must go on."

"We hope we have learned and will continue to learn from each of these accidents so that we will be as safe as we can be in this high-risk endeavor," they said in a statement. "Godspeed, Discovery."

Discovery's mission is the 114th space shuttle flight in 24 years. The shuttle has a modified external fuel tank and nearly 50 other improvements that were made in the wake of the Columbia tragedy.

During the 12-day mission, the crew will dock at the international space station and test various ambitious techniques for repairing the shuttle while in orbit.

They will also learn how to use a 50-foot pole which is designed to help them inspect the shuttle. More than 100 cameras positioned around the launch pad will also watch for damage sustained on take-off.





thetimesonline.co.uk