Science and Space

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Rescue mission for shuttle

When Space Shuttle Discovery is launched in a few months, a four-man rescue squad will be standing by. A second launch would have to be done hastily without all the usual tests, possibly putting the rescue shuttle — Atlantis — and its crew in harm’s way.

The astronauts on the first shuttle, Discovery, would hole up at the international space station. Designed to house three people, it would be crammed with nine. And everyone would hope the station’s often-broken oxygen generator would do its job.

NASA’s main concerns, for now, are getting Discovery ready for a mid-May launch and Atlantis ready for a possible mid-June emergency launch, and keeping the space station running without more major breakdowns.

The rescue mission might require the president’s approval.

posted by: kyawoo at 10:50 | link | comments (1) |
space shuttle

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#1  03 April 2005 - 00:06

 

Do you think that the shuttle program is worth pursuing at this point? It seems like the design is not economical and is not as safe as one would desire.

Anonymous

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