When you’re kid, you inevitable look up and ask the same questions. Why is the moon made of cheese? Why is that light moving across the sky? Why is the sky blue? What else is up there? Well son, we’re workin’ on it. So says NASA and the Discovery astronauts.
With only 5 days left, the chills down the spine are starting to return as that old feeling of the unknown hits everyone involved and everyone watching the Discovery. They remember all to vividly that cold day back in February of 2003 when the Columbia rained down on the southeastern U.S.
“After a vigorous, healthy discussion our team has come to a decision: we’re ready to go,” NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said after the meeting. “The past two and half years have resulted in significant improvements that have greatly reduced the risk of flying the Shuttle. But we should never lose sight of the fact that space flight is risky”
STS-114, the Space Shuttle Discovery, led by Commander Eileen Collins and her crew, is scheduled to leave earth at 3:51 p.m. EDT on July 13th. This will mark the first return to space since the Columbia went down with all hands.
“The Discovery mission, designated STS-114, is a test flight,” Griffin said, noting that astronauts will try out a host of new Space Shuttle safety enhancements. In addition, Discovery will carry 15 tons of supplies and replacement hardware to the International Space Station. July 13 is the beginning of three weeks of possible launch days that run through July 31.
Oh how far man has come since the early days when Orville and Wilbur Wright or Robert Goddard just worked to keep something in the air. They would wonder at leaving the planet and the point that it’s almost become routine. But is it really? All the shuttles went up regularly for many years and the Soyuz program has been around for a generation. But how could the awe ever lessen?
Many changes were made. The crew will be examining the shuttle when the get to the ISS to look for problems. They will photograph the entire ship. They’ll conduct a few experiments, conduct repairs and take supplies to the ISS.
NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Operations, William Readdy, chaired the Flight Readiness Review, the meeting that traditionally sets launch dates and assesses the Shuttle’s fitness to fly.
“Today’s decision is an important milestone in returning the Shuttle to service for the country. Our technical and engineering teams are continuing their in-depth preparations to ensure that Eileen and her crew have a successful mission,” he said.
Nope the awe never goes away.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
