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05/08/2005
Nasa clear Discovery for landing
Nasa have informed the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery that a further repair to a protective thermal blanket is not required.
The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
The damage was noticed on Wednesday as work was successfully completed on the removal of a small portion of ceramic cloth protruding between two of the crucial tiles on the shuttle's re-entry heat shield.
"We have good news," Mission Control informed the astronauts on Discovery as they broke the news that engineers did not think that the small tear in the protective heat blanket would need to be repaired by a fourth spacewalk.
Following the tragic loss of Columbia in 2002, every inch of the external protective heat shield and crucial areas where high re-entry temperatures are generated due to friction with the earth's atmosphere have been inspected.
Nasa Shuttle project managers said that they had "left no stone unturned" in an effort to make sure that Discovery would make a safe return to earth on Monday.
However, a leaked report to the New York Times has raised concern that there are continuing problems with the application of insulation foam to the Shuttle's external fuel tank.
A piece of insulation foam was spotted breaking away from the surface of the tank during last Tuesday's launch. Though it did not strike Discovery, a similar incident in 2002 was blamed for puncturing the heat shield on the leading edge of Columbia's wing to the loss of the craft on re-entry.
The Space Shuttle programme will again be on hold pending a further investigation of the problems with Discovery.
(SP/KMcA)
The shuttle has been cleared for re-entry on Monday despite an area of damage to a protective thermal insulation blanket just below the port side pilot's observation window.
The damage was noticed on Wednesday as work was successfully completed on the removal of a small portion of ceramic cloth protruding between two of the crucial tiles on the shuttle's re-entry heat shield.
"We have good news," Mission Control informed the astronauts on Discovery as they broke the news that engineers did not think that the small tear in the protective heat blanket would need to be repaired by a fourth spacewalk.
Following the tragic loss of Columbia in 2002, every inch of the external protective heat shield and crucial areas where high re-entry temperatures are generated due to friction with the earth's atmosphere have been inspected.
Nasa Shuttle project managers said that they had "left no stone unturned" in an effort to make sure that Discovery would make a safe return to earth on Monday.
However, a leaked report to the New York Times has raised concern that there are continuing problems with the application of insulation foam to the Shuttle's external fuel tank.
A piece of insulation foam was spotted breaking away from the surface of the tank during last Tuesday's launch. Though it did not strike Discovery, a similar incident in 2002 was blamed for puncturing the heat shield on the leading edge of Columbia's wing to the loss of the craft on re-entry.
The Space Shuttle programme will again be on hold pending a further investigation of the problems with Discovery.
(SP/KMcA)
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08 August 2005
Discovery landing delayed by bad weather
Adverse weather conditions at the landing site has forced Nasa to postpone the return of the Discovery space shuttle until Tuesday. The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
Discovery landing delayed by bad weather
Adverse weather conditions at the landing site has forced Nasa to postpone the return of the Discovery space shuttle until Tuesday. The landing was delayed due to low cloud cover over the Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
27 July 2005
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
Concern focuses on damaged shuttle tile
Nasa astronauts will today focus on examining the thermal protection system of the space shuttle that was visibly damaged during lift-off. The inspections will be conducted as Discovery's crew make preparations to dock with the International Space Station and get ready for three planned spacewalks.
04 July 2006
Discovery to lift-off on schedule
Nasa have decided that the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on schedule on Tuesday. Concerns had been raised by the discovery of a cracked area of insulation in a region of the external fuel tank that is prone to ice formation.
Discovery to lift-off on schedule
Nasa have decided that the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on schedule on Tuesday. Concerns had been raised by the discovery of a cracked area of insulation in a region of the external fuel tank that is prone to ice formation.
09 August 2005
Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
Discovery lands safely in California
Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 13:12hrs BST after completing the complex series of de-orbit manouevres. Mission Control had earlier ruled out a landing at Kennedy Space Centre today as adverse weather on the US East Coast continues to rule out the primary landing strip.
05 July 2006
Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off. At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed.
Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off. At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly dry south and east, patchy light rain west and north through much of the day. A band of heavier rain crosses central and northern parts in the morning Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most, turning to clear spells and a few showers towards morning. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
