Storm forces shuttle off launchpad

[Guest Glenn]

Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20 ... 02,00.html

 

NASA today said it plans to pull the space shuttle Atlantis off its seaside Florida launchpad and return the ship to a protective hangar due to concerns about encroaching Tropical Storm Ernesto.The move will postpone for an uncertain period of time this week's planned launch of Atlantis on a mission considered vital to the future of the International Space Station.

 

The launch originally had been set for yesterday. It was initially delayed for two days due to concerns about possible damage from a lightning bolt that hit the shuttle's launchpad on Friday.

 

Ernesto, which could regain hurricane strength before making its expected landfall on Thursday morning near Tampa on Florida's west coast, triggered the decision to ground Atlantis, public affairs officials at the US space agency said today.

 

NASA rules mandate that shuttles be removed from their launchpads and taken indoors for safekeeping about two days prior to forecasted winds of at least 58 miles per hour (93-kph).

 

NASA may still try to return the ship in time for a launch by September 7-8, the last days when lighting conditions and other technical considerations are acceptable for launch.

 

The next opportunity for flight would be in October.

 

The shuttle's six astronauts were scheduled to spend 11 days in orbit to deliver and install a 35,000-pound (16-tonne) power module to the International Space Station.

 

It would be the first mission devoted to assembly of the research outpost in nearly four years and follows the shuttle Discovery's successful mission last month to assess safety upgrades made after the February 2003 shuttle Columbia disaster.