A helium leak in one of shuttle Discovery's hump-like rocket pods cropped up over the weekend and if it can't be fixed at the launch pad, NASA might be forced to return the spaceship to its processing hangar and indefinitely delay an April 5 launch.Engineers were loading toxic rocket propellants into tanks that feed the shuttle's two orbital maneuvering engines when a leak in at least one valve in a gaseous helium pressurization line was detected.
Helium plays a critical role in pushing propellant into the engines. The system is required for large course changes in space and the rocket firing that drops the shuttle out of orbit and onto an hour-long trip back through the atmosphere before landing.
"Either there is a leak or the valve is stuck in the open position," Kennedy Space Center spokesman Allard Beutel said.
An engineering review board will examine the situation on Monday and determine a course of action.
"What's unclear now is the exact nature of the problem and what options they have," Beutel said.
NASA mission managers could decide to fly the shuttle as is, but that might not be prudent.
It's unclear whether the problem can be fixed at the launch pad. If not, then NASA probably would be forced to return Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building and remove the orbiter from its external tank, which is equipped with twin solid rocket boosters.
A rollback to the orbiter's processing hangar might be required, and it's possible the rocket pod would have to be removed from the spaceship and sent back to a maintenance facility for repairs.
The shuttle is equipped with two orbital maneuvering engines that are housed in hump-like pods that straddle the ship's tail. The pods also house smaller steering thrusters that are used for precision flying.
Discovery and seven astronauts are scheduled to launch at 6:21 a.m. April 5 on a mission to deliver tons of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. It is one of four final space station outfitting missions scheduled prior to shuttle fleet retirement.
Beutel said engineers are continuing with the propellant-loading operation at the pad as well as other work required prior to an April 5 launch. The delivery of the payload to the pad is being slip to Wednesday, a one-day delay. NASA has about a week of contingency time in the schedule for an April 5 launch.
A move off the launch pad for repairs could have a significant impact on the schedule for the final four shuttle missions. The last three now are scheduled for launches on May 14, July 29 and Sept. 16.
ABOUT THE IMAGE: Click to enlarge the NASA image of Discovery at the launch pad just after sunrise on March 3. You can also click the enlarged image to get an even bigger, more detailed view. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
4 comments:
I just don't see these four flights getting off before calendar year 2010 is over, let alone the fiscal year.
Mark:
I can see it happening. However, the hardware is going to have to be good to them. If they have to rollback Discovery, that's going to scramble things pretty significantly.....They need to have the type of problem-free year with no hurricanes that they had last year. All the Soyuz and Beta Angle cutouts are going to make it a real challenge.....
Not that this is a bad thing. Pushing the remaining flights out preserves the workforce while NASA and DC put a real plan in place.
Really? The junk still doesn't work? Put it off longer and waste a little (a lot) more money.
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