NASA announced on the 29th that the launch date of the Space Shuttle “Discovery” will be postponed by one day due to the discovery of two helium leaks in the pressurization section of the right-side Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS).
“Discovery” was originally scheduled to launch on November 1st, Eastern Time. According to NASA’s latest arrangement, its launch will be postponed to 16:17 on November 2nd (04:17 on November 3rd, Beijing Time). This will be the planned swan song journey for “Discovery” and the final space shuttle mission for the United States this year.
NASA stated that after an evaluation by agency officials and contractors on the 25th, it was determined that the equipment systems of “Discovery” and the International Space Station are in good condition, and “Discovery” can proceed with its flight on schedule.
The mission duration for “Discovery” this time is 11 days. It will deliver a Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the space station, which will be fixed to the station to provide more storage space. In the future, astronauts will also be able to conduct experiments in fields such as fluid physics, materials science, biology, and biotechnology within this multipurpose module.
“Discovery” will also transport “Robonaut 2” to the space station, which will be the first humanoid robot on the station and will become a permanent resident. “Robonaut 2” was jointly developed and designed by NASA and General Motors. Its body is equipped with various sensors and it has a pair of flexible hands, allowing it to assist or replace astronauts in performing dangerous tasks such as spacewalks. Additionally, “Discovery” will deliver an external platform for securing large equipment to the space station.
On September 9, 2010, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Space Shuttle “Discovery” paused for photographs during its move from Orbiter Processing Facility 3 to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building.
Six astronauts will ascend with “Discovery” this time. They will perform two spacewalks to maintain the space station and install new equipment.
NASA had previously planned for the U.S. space shuttles to be fully retired after “Discovery” and “Endeavour” each performed a flight mission in November this year and February next year, respectively. However, the “NASA Authorization Act of 2010,” passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President this month, requires the addition of one more space shuttle flight mission. NASA officials have stated that the additional space shuttle mission may be scheduled for June next year.
Reprinted from: http://tech.sina.com.cn/d/2010-10-30/11104808962.shtml
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