why cant we launch the shuttle

[ehs40]

whats up did the guys at nasa forget how to do it they have launched over 100 times or are the orbiters just getting too old and we need the cev sooner and retire the fleet now?

 

[wvbraun]

Because there is an unresolved problem with a fuel sensor.

 

[ehs40]

i know that but iheard that the launch was postponed indefinatly til september

 

[ehs40]

i hope we dont have to wait till september but lets hope nasa can get to the bottom of it as soon as possible so we can finish that space station

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">Indefinately means there is no date.</font>/i><br /> /> <i><font color="yellow">If we were going for September that would not be indefinitely would it.</font>/i><br /><br />Unfortunately, the press is reporting it as "indefinite", which makes it sound ominous.<br /><br />Delay of shuttle launch is indefinite<br />Sun-Sentinel.com<br /><br />Discovery launch on indefinite hold, NASA mounts probe<br />HindustanTimes.com<br /><br />Shuttle to sit indefinitely<br />Chicago Tribune</i></i>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I wouldn't worry about those reports. The press don't know any more than what Wayne Hale said (as they are quoting him as the basis for their story)....and simply a case of no specific date until troubleshooting has completition/clarification. Once that comes to a conclusion, it's a four day flow including the countdown to launch attempt (right, SG?).<br /><br />Can be pretty annoying when 25 or so media come out with the same AP story in the space of an hour - as the AP is usually doom and gloom (such as the "Scuttle the Shuttle" story yesterday).

 

[spacester]

The launch window is open until uh end of July? (I forget) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ehs40]

yep till july 31st

 

[spacester]

Abstract concepts like certainty and numbers larger than four seem to be too challenging for most members of the press.<br /><br />Present company clearly excepted of course, lol <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

in·def·i·nite Audio pronunciation of "indefinite" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-df-nt)<br />adj.<br /><br /> Not definite, especially:<br /><br /> 1. Unclear; vague.<br /> 2. Lacking precise limits: an indefinite leave of absence.<br /> 3. Uncertain; undecided: indefinite about their plans.<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />But you're all right in taking the word 'badly' - given that is what the press are aiming for.<br /><br />Headline and abstract impact is the Subeditor's job and sorry to say that's what happens in the media (most of it anyway).<br /><br />Headlines like "Launch date not certain at this point, but don't worry, it could be later next week" don't work <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I suppose it's all about how people read it.<br /><br />When it comes down to it, Wayne Hale and chums had two choices when relating this to the media:<br /><br />1) Give a date - where there's no way he could do, then maybe lose that date and get the media going on about "another delay"<br /><br />or 2) Say they are waiting for the outcome of troubleshooting processes to then have a better idea on where the flow back to a launch attempt stands. Thus leaving the amount of time " 1. Unclear; vague. Lacking precise limits: an indefinite leave of absence. Uncertain; undecided: indefinite about their plans. " <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Sorry mate, missed your post. Yes, as Esh said, till the 31st - although I think I remember hearing it's possible to go a few days over that date if circumstances allow. Don't quote me on that!<br /><br />Next window is in September (moving Atlantis and STS-121 into a November window).

 

[spacester]

Ah, I see what you're saying, 1207. It sounds like my emotional reaction to such-and-such space <i>Initiative</i>, lol - nothing with that name seems to have ever borne fruit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacester]

Yeah, I'd heard that as well, come to think of it, possibly Aug 3 depending on something or other . . . <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[askold]

The most troubling aspect of "indefinite" is not the time part - it's the implication that the engineers just don't know what is wrong.<br /><br />That is very troubling. The fuel sensor is just one part in a million part machine. Once this gets resolved, which one of the other million parts will start to act up?<br /><br />Perhaps, like a '72 Buick, the Shuttle is just getting too hard to maintain.

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">The most troubling aspect of "indefinite" is not the time part - it's the implication that the engineers just don't know what is wrong.</font>/i><br /><br />I guess what surprised me is how quickly the mood of the press shifted. The launch of Discovery had this big build up of positive press, and then boom! Doom and gloom.<br /><br />From news.google.com, the top headlines shuttle stories:<br /><br />CNN space expert missed his chance to take flight<br />Shuttle delay worries ISS partners<br />Shuttle delay worries intl space station partners<br />Space shuttle's end in sight<br />No word from Nasa on future of Discovery<br />NASA shuttle launch indefinitely delayed<br />Space station needs boost from shuttle<br />Aging NASA ships worry experts<br />Experts: Aging Shuttle Fleet Poses Danger<br />...</i>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I noticed that too, Radar.<br /><br />The wire went fully negative on STS-114 related stories...although 90 per cent of them are different headlines to the same AP story.