NASA is inviting the public to submit questions about shuttle Discovery's upcoming launch, its mission to the International Space Station and space exploration in general.Agency officials then will answer a number of the questions on NASA TV during coverage of the final countdown and launch of the shuttle and seven astronauts, who will be hauling up a fourth and final set of American solar wings to the station.
Questions can be submitted online at: Ask NASA.
Liftoff is tentatively scheduled for March 12. NASA managers and engineers will meet Wednesday to review the results of tests aimed at determining whether it's safe to fly the shuttle and its astronauts with suspect main propulsion system valves.
A failure during Endeavour successful launch last November prompted concern about the valves, which regulate the amount of gaseous hydrogen that is routed into the shuuttle's huge external tank to maintain pressure at proper levels as propellant is exhausted during flight.
Too little pressure could trigger and main engine shutdown. Too much pressure could activate a relief valve that would dump highly flammable gaseous hydrogen into a cumbustible area outside the tank.
The meeting Wednesday could lead to a formal Flight Readiness Review on Friday. Should NASA decide to press ahead with a launch attempt on March 12, then Discovery's astronauts will fly to Kennedy Space Center on Monday -- the same day a three-day launch countdown would begin.
Launch time on March 12 would be 8:54 p.m. EDT. NASA countdown commentary would begin five hours prior to launch.
ABOUT THE IMAGE: Click to enlarge and save this spectacular image of shuttle Discovery heading out to the launch pad on January 14. You can also click the enlarged image to get an even bigger, more detailed view. The shuttle was silhouetted against the dawn's early light as it made the slow, 3.5-mile journey to KSC's Launch Pad 39A. The shuttle is shown here atop a mobile launcher platform that is being moved by a massive crawler-transporter beneath. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder.
2 comments:
F/T why don't you ask NASA when they are going to fire Dr. Hansen for telling people to start causing civil unrest because of his so called Climate Change theories?
That should help save some money.
Are there going to be lay-offs after this launch?
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