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NASA shuttle launch delayed.. again

by Kris ⋅ July 20, 2005 ⋅ Comment now ⋅ Subscribe RSS

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We were at the NASA Ames Research Center this weekend and were elated to see the sign out front that proclaimed the countdown [2 days!] for the next shuttle launch. Unfortunately, as far as the Space Race goes, America is down for the count.

NASA officials troubleshooting a sensor malfunction in the space shuttle Discovery said yesterday that the orbiter could launch on July 26 at the earliest and suggested they may have to reload its external fuel tank with supercooled liquids in order to duplicate the glitch so they can fix it.

[Wayne] Hale [deputy shuttle program manager] said NASA could also decide to extend the launch window for up to four days — to Aug. 4. NASA has planned for a daylight launch so cameras and other imaging devices can get a complete picture of the orbiter’s condition from liftoff until the external tank is jettisoned over the Indian Ocean 8 1/2 minutes later. Lighting conditions downrange begin to deteriorate after July 31.

Source: washingtonpost.com

With the baited breath see-saw of “is Congress going to cut funding?” and “oh, so they’ve restored funding.. kind of?”, it is difficult to remain optimistic about future endeavors (sorry, no pun intended). Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo) said, “we seem to be headed down a path that could result in the loss of a vital national capability if we are not careful.”

Dennis Kucinich, the man that should have been President and co-sponsor of the Space Exploration Act of 2003, spoke out to Congress, deeply concerned about the proposed cuts and job losses. He announced that support for aeronautics research and space exploration within NASA should not be so clinically divided. You can read more about his ideas HERE.

“There is a lot of concern that the investment in aeronautics research and development has been limping along for several years and that there is a lack of national strategy,” [R-Calif. Rep. Ken] Calvert said at the March 16 hearing. “Over the next five years, NASA is proposing to reduce its aeronautics workforce by approximately 2,000 people and to shut down a number of its wind tunnels. The questions I have are: Are these wise decisions for the nation? Should NASA develop a national strategy for aeronautics before these valuable skills are lost? Does NASA have a human capital strategy or are these personnel cuts solely for budget purposes?”

Source: space.com