Archive for December, 2009

STS-130: ET-134 Intertank tested – Mission duration change requested

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Following two intertank foam loss events on recent flights, further checks have been carried out on the next External Tank set to fly – ET-134. Additional pull tests have shown good results, as Endeavour prepares to join the stack in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in readiness for what is now a February 7 launch [...]

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Extension decision no closer after “one heck of a year” for shuttle

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

The Space Shuttle Program (SSP) will have “no idea” where it stands from a budget standpoint until February, as the viability of extending the shuttle manifest continues to be eroded by the lack of a clear direction at the political level. The irony of running head first into shuttle retirement comes as the Space Shuttle [...]

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