Avi Blizovsky, Amit Oren and Michal Levinstein
In the photo: one of the astronauts removes his take-off suit
Update 14/7/05 time 23:50
The Discovery shuttle launch was delayed due to a malfunction in the fuel sensor
Yesterday, NASA postponed the launch of the shuttle "Discovery" due to a malfunction in the fuel sensor in the spacecraft's external tank. This is the first launch since the "Columbia" disaster two and a half years ago. NASA has not yet announced a new date for the launch. The decision was made less than three hours before the scheduled launch time, when the seven astronauts who were supposed to fly were already on the shuttle. Until then, rain and thunder seemed to be the only obstacle that threatened to delay the launch.
One of the experts explained that it is unlikely that the problem can be solved easily, and that the chance that another launch attempt will be made today is extremely low. NASA will only be able to launch the spacecraft until the end of the month, and if not - you will have to postpone the launch until September. This schedule is dictated by both the location of the International Space Station, and NASA's desire to conduct the launch in daylight so that it can be photographed.
The fault was discovered in one of the four sensors of the engines, whose role is to ensure that the main engines stop working at the right moment during the launch. The launch could have ended in tragedy if the faulty sensors had caused the engines to disengage too early or too late.
NASA reported that apparently, the sensor indicated a low level of fuel, even though the tank was completely full with more than two million liters of fuel.
The launch manager, Mike Leinbach, explained to his crew members that "for some reason the sensors did not work properly today, so we will have to postpone this launch attempt. So appreciate everything we've been through together, but it won't lead to an attempted launch today." This is not the first time that a malfunction in sensors of this type has been discovered. During the inspection of the original fuel tanks of the "Discovery" in April, one of the sensors worked only intermittently. NASA was unable to determine the cause of the malfunction, but then replaced the entire tank to install a heater to prevent dangerous ice build-up. The launch managers then considered conducting a fuel test at the launch facility in the replacement tank, but rejected the idea to save time, claiming that the real test would be refueling on launch day. "We are disappointed, but we will fly again another day," said astronaut David Wolff from the control facility.
Update 13/7/05 time 23:20
NASA Director Michael Griffin said that the launch of Discovery that was supposed to be tonight (13/7 at 22:51 Israel time) has been postponed until at least Monday, July 18. This is due to a sensor that warns of a low level of fuel that has stopped functioning. The sensor is designed to warn of a sudden drop in fuel level, and shut down the shuttle's main engines before they run out of fuel.
Senior NASA officials reported that a malfunction in the external fuel tank occurred during a test of the fuel sensor system. These sensors indicate "wet" when the tank is full or "dry" when the tank is empty. The sensor in question failed to correctly mark the "dry" mark.
There are about two more days in which there will be launch windows during the day. This option will close on July 31st and resume again in September. If the flight is postponed to September, it will be a blow to NASA, said the CNN commentator.
Direct link to this page: https://www.hayadan.org.il/rtf0001.html
Postponement of the ferry launch that was supposed to take place at 22:51 p.m. at 23:30 p.m.
22: 00 Update
The planned launch of the space shuttle Discovery was delayed due to a malfunction due to a malfunction in the fuel system regulator sensor on board the shuttle.
The sensor protects the shuttle's main engines by shutting them down in the event that fuel flows unexpectedly too slowly.
The mission managers are looking into the case and an announcement will be made at a press conference that will be broadcast on NASA television. The briefing will take place no earlier than 23:30.
Even earlier, doubts arose about the launch of the shuttle due to the deterioration of the weather conditions at the launch site in Florida. Yesterday, a malfunction was discovered in the shuttle's shell, when one of the tiles that should protect the shuttle from the hot atmosphere broke off.
13/7/05 21:00 –
Prepare to empty the shuttle's tanks and check them to discover the fault. If they have enough time to install and refill - it is possible to launch tomorrow.
13/7/05 20:45 –
*** launch canceled ***
The launch manager Mick Leinbach (Leinbach) canceled the launch. One of the four fuel flow regulators is not functioning properly. The sensor is located in the outer container and checks that the shuttle's engines turn off at the correct time during takeoff. NASA has not yet set a date for the long-awaited launch.
13/07/05 16:00 –
Filling the shuttle's large outer orange tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and hydrogen began today at 14:11 PM (07:11 EDT), an hour late. The delay was caused by a malfunction in 2 heaters needed to purify the external tank. A special "red team" was dispatched to the scene and solved the problem.
13/07/05 12:20 –
Yesterday Tuesday evening at 22:00 (17:00 EDT), in launch pad 39B, window cover #7 of the Space Shuttle Discovery fell almost 18 meters and hit part of the shuttle's left orbital maneuvering system and damaged several tiles. A replacement part was found and successfully installed on the shuttle. Its installation took about an hour and slightly delayed the shuttle's planned crossing (19:00 p.m. EDT). No additional problems were found by the launch team.
Ydan "Back to Space"
To the launch page on the NASA website
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