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Shuttle Sunday

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 10:50
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(Before It's News)

http://www.dearastronomer.com/

With the Shuttle program winding down, all eyes are on the program’s last few flights, especially the latest developments with Discovery’s external tank testing. From the NASA shuttle status page:

Technicians in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are taking Friday and Saturday off for the holiday after removing foam insulation and test sensors from space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank.

Beginning Sunday, Dec. 26, crews start a week’s worth of additional x-ray type image scans of all 108 support beams, called stringers, on the outside of external tank’s intertank section. While additional scans are under way, engineers at various other NASA locations continue data analysis to help determine what caused small cracks on the tops of two stringers during Discovery’s launch countdown on Nov. 5.

On Dec. 21, Space Shuttle Program managers decided to protect the option of performing known and practiced modifications on some of the stringers, if testing and analysis indicates that it is necessary. Managers are expected to decide whether modifications are needed on Dec. 30.

Discovery moves into the Vehicle Assembly Building on Wednesday morning after its 3.4 mile roll back from Launch Pad 39A. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer



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