User Login Signup Now
Username :
Password    :
Forgot Password?

Endeavour hit by part of fuel tank insulation (Lead)

Washington, July 16

Several pieces of insulation broke free from the space shuttle Endeavour's external fuel tank when it took off and at least one piece hit the orbiter, The New York Times reported.

Three heat-resistant tiles on the shuttle's underside were affected, but the damage during Wednesday's launch was superficial, the associate administrator for space operations William H. Gerstenmaier said.

The crew would check the shuttle after arrival at the International Space Station (ISS).

In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry because of damage to its heat shield caused by debris that broke loose during its launch, killing all on board.

Endeavour was heading toward the space station to expand Japan's Kibo laboratory module after it blasted off on its sixth attempt to launch since June.

Its seven-member crew is to deliver an outside porch to the module at the station to expose scientific experiments to the extremities of space.

The mission had suffered a slew of delays that kept the craft on the ground for weeks longer than planned.

Weather scrubbed launches Saturday, Sunday and Monday while technical glitches forced two postponements last month after technicians detected hydrogen gas leaks during fuelling just hours before the scheduled liftoffs.

Endeavour, which was expected to dock at the space station Saturday, is bringing a new resident to the station's crew, US astronaut Tim Kopra, to replace Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata on the recently expanded six-person station crew.

Five spacewalks are planned for the 17-day mission with the installation of new space-station components and the delivery of spare parts, which are to help keep the station running after the shuttle programme is retired next year.

The 4,082-kg porch, known as the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility, is to be installed in the first spacewalk.

Last updated on Jul 16th, 2009 at 13:22 pm IST--DPA


Possibly related news:
Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
NameEmail:
Comment:
News Search

Other News Headlines

Kerala's Kollam Technopark to get Rs.49 crore from Nabard
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs.49.53 crore for the development of the Kollam Technopark, an IT park coming up in Kollam, Kerala.

Six soldiers, 14 Taliban killed in Pakistan
Islamabad, Nov 21

At least 14 militants and six soldiers were killed Saturday in the latest fighting in the ongoing military operation in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region, the army said.

Rehman Malik offers to quit if Blackwater presence in Pakistan proved
Islamabad, Nov 21

Pakistan's interior minister has offered to quit if the presence of US security agency Blackwater in Pakistan is proved -- but he could be treading on thin ice for more than one reason.

Lebanese mother confesses to wiping out family
Beirut, Nov 21

A Lebanese mother found dead with her three daughters left a videotaped confession that she poisoned the family, local media reported Saturday.

IANS Top Stories at 6

INTERNATIONAL

Four Pakistanis arrested in Italy for Mumbai attacks - Moved at 1546

Recently Commented Articles

Sun TV Network to launch new game show
i am very eager to participate in deal or no deal for registration procedure pls call:9488561903
saranya on 21/11/09 at 06:01 pm

Sun TV Network to launch new game show
i am very interested to participate in deal or no deala for registration procedure please call...
jerin on 21/11/09 at 02:58 pm

Five killed in private jet crash near Minsk
your service is very modern and development Russian world
usa private jet service on 21/11/09 at 02:34 pm

Sun TV Network to launch new game show
I am very interested to participate in deala no deala game show in sun tv. pls send me the...
SHANKAR CD on 21/11/09 at 12:24 pm

'Xtrme City' about Mumbai mafia, families, romance: Paul Schrader (Interview)
this is very good. i like this
sanin on 21/11/09 at 11:49 am

Latest Forum Topics

When We Do Not Know How to Pray!
[FONT="Arial"]Late one evening, a poor farmer on his way back from the market found himself without...
21/11/09 at 02:20 pm< | 0 Comment(s)

Intelligent people
[COLOR=Navy]thats tru i guess. and that seems to be the reason we see so many stories that pictures...
21/11/09 at 02:17 pm< | 4 Comment(s)

The Star Fish Story
[FONT="Arial"]Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day....
21/11/09 at 02:11 pm< | 0 Comment(s)

Ageing parents - Things 1 need to know for an emergency
[quote=bindunair;3721][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial] [LIST] [*]It only takes a few minutes to collect and...
21/11/09 at 02:07 pm< | 3 Comment(s)

Risks
[FONT="Arial"]To laugh is to risk appearing the fool, To weep is to risk appearing...
21/11/09 at 01:58 pm< | 0 Comment(s)

Thought of the day!
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
21/11/09 at 01:54 pm< | 85 Comment(s)

Word association game..
Doctor
21/11/09 at 01:52 pm< | 145 Comment(s)

Change 1 Letter..
Nail -> Mail Is rearranging the letters allowed?
21/11/09 at 01:51 pm< | 125 Comment(s)