Possible problem investigated by NASA for STS-117--Now Resolved

William Atkins
Thursday, 07 June 2007 01:16

Science - Space

As of 3:00 p.m. EDT, June 6th, NASA and contractor engineers are working on a possible problem with two lines connecting the external tank (ET) with the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The problem was found on the Space Shuttle Endeavour while being readied for its STS-118 mission inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The Endeavour is the next orbiter to be sent into space, with a scheduled liftoff on August 9, 2007.

Two lines between the ET and the orbiter were found to be improperly fitted on the Endeavour. They were replaced. If these lines were connected improperly on Atlantis, hydrogen fuel could leak from them.

The seven-person STS-117 crew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis is still expected to launch at 7:38 p.m. EDT (23:38 GMT) Friday, June 8, 2007.

The STS-117 crew includes commander Frederick Sturckow, pilot Lee Archambault, ISS Expedition 15/16 flight engineer Clayton C. Anderson, and mission specialists James Reilly II, Steven Swanson, Patrick Forrester, and John D. Olivas.

UPDATE: As of 9:00 p.m. EDT, NASA has resolved supposed problems with two lines connecting the ET and the orbiter. NASA is continuing with the launch still scheduled on Friday, June 8, 2007. The problem, which was found while inspecting the Space Shuttle Endeavour for its upcoming mission, was found to be unique to Endeavour.