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Space shuttle Discovery launched

Space shuttle Discovery blasted off on its 12-day flight at 1039 EDT(1439 GMT), 26 July from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

US space agency officials were happy with the launch, despite the sighting of what appeared to be some debris falling from the vehicle moments after it cleared the pad. They said they would wait for detailed photo analysis to be done before coming to any conclusions about the structural integrity of Discovery.

It was Nasa’s second go at a lift-off in the current launch window. An earlier attempt on 13 July had to be scrubbed because of the failure of a fuel sensor; but the problem did not recur on Tuesday.

The separation of solid boosters and external tank all occurred without incident; and after eight-and-a-half minutes, Discovery shut down its engines to enter the planned preliminary orbit. A series of thruster firings will gradually raise its altitude over the next couple of days.

Nasa has learnt the safety lessons of the Columbia disaster, which cost the lives of seven astronauts, and has made this the most scrutinised shuttle flight ever.

Nasa had positioned more than 100 cameras both on the ground and in the air to capture as much detail as possible on Discovery’s ascent into orbit.

Discovery’s crew will test safety measures brought in after the Columbia accident in 2003 and resupply the International Space Station with tons of supplies, research equipment and replacement parts.

Discovery crew will test new safety features such as a repair-kit for heatshield tiles and a 15m-long robotic arm that will inspect the shuttle for damage in orbit. They will use a newly designed, 50-foot-long (15-meter-long) extension boom to inspect critical areas of the shuttle’s skin with cameras and laser sensors.

If any of the inspections turn up signs of serious damage to Discovery, the shuttle astronauts would most likely have to take refuge on the station and wait until next month for another shuttle, Atlantis, to come to the rescue.

Assuming that the shuttle checks out OK, Discovery astronauts will take on three spacewalks while they are linked up with the station. During the initial spacewalk, repair procedures worked out after the Columbia tragedy will get their first practice run-through in orbit. Among the tools to be tested are a daub-on applicator for patching adhesive, a caulking gun for filling cracks and a series of patches that could be set in place with expansion bolts.

The other two spacewalks are aimed at replacing a balky guidance gyroscope on the station, and installing a storage platform for future construction jobs. The shuttle crew also will load up the station’s bad gyroscope, as well as a troublesome oxygen generator and other items, for return to Earth.

Discovery is due to touch down at Kennedy Space Center on 7 August at 0546 EDT (0946 GMT).

posted by: kyawoo at 19:24 | link | comments |
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