Comments on: Shuttle launch delayed again

By: Rainer Gerhards

Rainer Gerhards — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:35:16 +0000

It is indeed the external part of the feedthrough connector that has been pulled. I have some write-up on my blog, including an analogy that compares the current shuttle analysis with a situation we are all much more familiar with

By: Michael Lonergan

Michael Lonergan — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:14:55 +0000

It must also be an emotional roller coaster for Dan Tani, who recently lost his mother. He was scheduled to return home aboard Atlantis. I’m sure the crew appreciates the extra time taken to make sure they fly safely.

By: The Bad Astronomer

The Bad Astronomer — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:10:50 +0000

Ah, I see, thanks Remek. I read an article somewhere that the ECOs themselves were pulled.

By: Mc Atilla

Mc Atilla — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:50:05 +0000

Aw, that’s a shame. But if you like putting people in space I’m sure those people appreciate that you take care of their safety.
The experience of being one of the astronauts during this lead-up to launch must be a wild emotional roller coaster.

By: Remek

Remek — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:10:02 +0000

No, the ECO sensors aren’t being touched – it’s the passthrough connector on the tank surface itself being removed, along with the external connector and a bit of its cable for controlled cryo testing. They believe under cryo temps when the tank is fuelled, the pins between the outer passthrough and the external connector are losing contact. Testing indications are the ECO sensors themselves are working properly.

Accessing the ECO sensors or the internal harness would be a last resort because that means entering the tank itself, which means a rollback to VAB and de-stacking, causing an additional delay of 2-3 weeks at the minimum.

By: Edward Krassenstein

Edward Krassenstein — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:58:13 +0000

Better safe then sorry. Fact is they will eventually accomplish their goals… even if it’s in 2010