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Repairs completed, shuttle ready to fly
Minor repairs have been completed on the shuttle Discovery and NASA has declared the craft ready for launch -- weather permitting.
The first shuttle missions since the shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry 2 1/2 years ago is scheduled to begin at 3:51 -p.m. EDT Wednesday.
Concerns arose Tuesday when two protective tiles were slightly damaged when a cockpit window cover fell and struck them. Repairs were done, and Discovery vehicle manager Stephanie Stilson told reporters "Everything looks good."
The biggest concern is the weather, The New York Times reported. Forecasters said there is a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather for the 10-minute launching windows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, down from the 70 percent they predicted Monday.
For most of its scheduled 13-day mission, the crew will devote its time to inspecting and testing repairs, but will also visit the International Space Station with supplies, including a replacement gyroscope, an external storage platform and an Italian cargo carrier called Raffaello.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
Concerns arose Tuesday when two protective tiles were slightly damaged when a cockpit window cover fell and struck them. Repairs were done, and Discovery vehicle manager Stephanie Stilson told reporters "Everything looks good."
The biggest concern is the weather, The New York Times reported. Forecasters said there is a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather for the 10-minute launching windows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, down from the 70 percent they predicted Monday.
For most of its scheduled 13-day mission, the crew will devote its time to inspecting and testing repairs, but will also visit the International Space Station with supplies, including a replacement gyroscope, an external storage platform and an Italian cargo carrier called Raffaello.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
» Next Article in Space & Earth science: NASA now better able to measure sea level
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