Will the Space Shuttle Discovery launch this weekend for a 'pedestrian mission'?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, scheduled for a weekend mission described by NASA as "pedestrian." Participants explore various aspects of the mission, including safety concerns, the implications of delays, and personal perspectives on space travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concerns about NASA's management and safety protocols, referencing past incidents like Columbia and Challenger.
  • There is a question about the consequences of delaying the shuttle launch, with some suggesting that the ISS could be supported by Russian Soyuz missions.
  • Others argue that the ISS would not become useless, as it has been reliant on Russian transport during shuttle groundings.
  • Participants discuss the financial aspects of space travel, with some expressing disbelief at the costs associated with launching into space.
  • Several posts convey excitement about the launch, with participants sharing their hopes for a safe mission and discussing the experience of watching the shuttle launch.
  • Some express a willingness to go into space despite the risks, while others voice concerns about safety, particularly regarding known issues like foam cracks on the shuttle.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the launch delays and the reasons behind them, including references to the World Cup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the safety of the launch, the implications of delays, and personal willingness to participate in space travel. No consensus is reached on these issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various safety concerns and management decisions without resolving the implications of these issues. The discussion reflects a mix of technical reasoning and personal opinions, with no definitive conclusions drawn.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in space exploration, NASA's operational decisions, and the public's perception of space travel may find this discussion relevant.

  • #61
Less than three days to go to scheduled launch for Atlantis and STS-115.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html (gives current information, so it will be different after STS-115)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/index.html

The countdown officially began at noon EDT yesterday, at the T-43 hour mark. The countdown includes about 36 hours of built-in hold time prior to a targeted 4:30 p.m. EDT launch on Sunday; it is the middle point in the launch window that extends for 10 minutes.
 
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  • #62
w0000t launch!
 
  • #63
Delay for 24 hrs due to a lightning strike at the Cape.

Launch would be postponed to Monday - weather permitting.
 
  • #64
NASA Working 'Competing Objectives' on Atlantis Launch

During a Saturday evening press conference, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager LeRoy Cain said that management and engineering teams spent the day tracking two major issues; the impact of a lighting strike at the launch pad last Friday to shuttle flight and ground systems, and the intensity and direction of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

He went on to say that "he is happy to report that the team has finished their lightning strike reviews', and the vehicle has been cleared for launch." He went on to add that Ernesto has slowed slightly, providing them with a few more hours to track the storm before having to make a final decision whether or not to roll the shuttle back to the safety of the Vehicle Assembly Building. A decision will be made at a meeting early tomorrow morning whether to go ahead with a Tuesday launch, roll the vehicle back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, or pursue other options.
They will try to slip out before Ernesto strikes, or they have to roll Atlantis back to the hangar until after Ernesto.
 
  • #65
They're rolling Atlantis back indoors. This is a blow to International Space Station plans.

Lost in the news of Ernesto/Atlantis is even more damaging news for the International Space Station.

Russia mulls new space station, missions to Moon, Mars Russians plan to concentrate on a space station that better meets their own needs.
 
  • #66
hmm...another space race...this time for mars. I better hurry up and graduate!:biggrin:
 
  • #67
  • #68
Let's try this again. :rolleyes:

The six Atlantis crew members flew Saturday morning from their home base in Houston to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they will begin final launch preparations for mission STS-115.

The countdown officially began at 8 a.m. Sunday (this morning), at the T-43 hour mark, which includes over 30 hours of built-in hold time prior to a targeted 12:29 p.m. EDT launch on Wednesday. The launch time is the middle point in the launch window that extends for 10 minutes.
 
  • #70
Sept. 8, 10:54 a.m. EDT
The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis has been scrubbed until Saturday due to a problem with one of the vehicle's external tank ECO sensors. NASA managers will hold a press conference no earlier than 12:30 p.m. EDT to discuss the sensor issue and tomorrow's liftoff attempt.

The new launch time for Atlantis is targeted for 11:15 a.m. on Saturday.

The ECO sensor issue arose earlier in today's countdown when launch controllers detected a problem with one of the four ECO sensors inside the hydrogen section of the space shuttle's orange external tank. The sensors monitor hydrogen levels inside of the tank and trigger the orbiter's engines to shutdown when gas levels drop below a specified level.
Ugh! Let's try it again tomorrow. :rolleyes:
 
  • #71
Sept. 9, 9:10 a.m. EDT
The hatch into Atlantis' crew cabin has been sealed for flight following the strapping in of all six STS-115 astronauts inside the ship. Commander Brent Jett and his crew are now setting switches and bringing the orbiter's systems online as the countdown to an 11:15 a.m. launch ticks on.

Today's weather around Kennedy Space Center is nicely suited for a space shuttle launch. The current temperature is approaching 80 degrees, with light winds and only a few scattered clouds dotting the sky.

Launch in about 30 minutes!
 
  • #72
A minute to go!
 
  • #73
IT's up...
 
  • #74
Looking great on 3 engines to orbit. :cool: :-p

MCO confirmed.
 
  • #76
Another lauch (STS-116) coming up in about 4 and 1/2 hrs - conditions permitting.

This will be a night launch, at about 8:57 pm EST.

Launch can be viewed live in various on-line video media.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
 
  • #77
Beautiful!
 
  • #78
First Swede in space!
 
  • #79
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