|
Kennedy Space Center, Florida – December 6, 2007 – NASA has delayed today's planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. The next liftoff opportunity is Friday at 4:09 p.m. EST.
Shuttle program managers decided to postpone Atlantis' launch at 9:56 a.m. because of an issue with a fuel cut-off sensor system inside the external fuel tank. This is one of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. During countdown activities Thursday morning, two sensors failed a routine prelaunch check. There are four engine cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank, and Launch Commit Criteria require three of the four sensor systems to be functioning properly.
The tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be drained from the tank, and preparations will begin for a possible launch attempt tomorrow. NASA's launch rules have a preplanned procedure that states in the case of ECO sensor system failure, engineers need to drain the tank and verify all the sensors are working as they go dry.
During Atlantis' 11-day mission, the crew will install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments.
Atlantis' crew consists of Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel, from Germany, and Leopold Eyharts, from France.
Gathered in the White Room on Launch Pad 39A, the crew members of Atlantis pause for a photo. Standing are Alan Poindexter (left), Steve Frick and Leland Melvin. Kneeling is Hans Schlegel. In the bottom row are Stanley Love (left), Rex Walheim and Léopold Eyharts. Schlegel and Eyharts are with the European Space Agency. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
|
|
Space shuttle Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Trouble with fuel sensors caused a cancellation of today’s planned launch. NASA hopes to try again on Friday afternoon. Photo credit: NASA TV
The STS‐122 patch depicts the continuation of the voyages of the early explorers to today’s frontier, space. The ship denotes the travels of the early expeditions from the East to the West. The space shuttle shows the continuation of that journey along the orbital path from West to East. A little more than 500 years after Columbus sailed to the new world, the STS‐122 crew will bring the Columbus European laboratory module to the International Space Station to usher in a new era of scientific exploration
More Information
STS-122 Home Page
STS-122 Mission Timeline
|
News Archive | Air Shows & Events | KidVenture | Young Eagles Newsletter
EMAIL
STORY
PRINTER
FRIENDLY
Privacy Policy 