The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Thursday the Discovery will fly. NASA said falling debris issues that cost NASA the Columbia and seven astronauts still poses a risk but they believe they have enough of a handle on it to fly the big bird back into space.
Officials reviewed the risks in a meeting to discuss the risks posed by problems with falling ice, insulating foam and other debris that could break lose during lift off. NASA has done a lot of work to reduce those chances though.
The biggest change comes from the massive fuel tank attached to the belly of the bird. Some initial testing back in April revealed some inconsistencies in the fuel process so crews elected to run another test in May. Then, they decided to take the space shuttle back to the hangar and refit it with a newer fuel tank/booster rocket combo. This new combo includes a heating unit to help prevent ice from building when the massive fuel tank is filled with super cooled fuel.
NASA ran simulations and experiments to test the ice and other debris impact also. They’ve studied these vehemently for the last six weeks by pounding various shuttle components with the foam and other debris in the laboratory.
All the thorough testing stems from the obliteration of the Space Shuttle Columbia back on Feb. 1, 2003. A piece of foam debris broke off the external fuel tank and hit the shuttle on the lift off. It damaged the left wing and when the shuttle attempted reentry, hot gases got in and burned up the shuttle in the atmosphere. Debris scattered all across the southeastern U.S.
NASA plans for STS 114 Discovery to lift off during the window that begins in a couple of weeks on July 13th. This will mark a shuttle’s first return to space since the Columbia disaster. NASA immediately grounded the remaining fleet and began thorough reviews on disaster.
Right now, NASA is in the process of reviewing designs for the next generation ship to replace the aging shuttle fleet. The Columbia, the first shuttle in space, took off back in April of 1981 and proved reusable space ships were viable. Since then, NASA has run tons of experiments, fixed giant space telescopes and put many part of the International Space Station into orbit. The shuttles are well passed their 20-year mark though and many experts say NASA desperately needs something news.
In the meantime, the Discovery will fly again conducting a barrage of tests and give the Russian cosmonauts a break from carrying the ISS program since the shuttle disaster. By the way fellas, thanks for the keeping our hopes with you.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
