Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

NASA Hopes for Wednesday Launch

Moon probes would be delayed to Friday

Share

(Newser) – NASA is planning to delay the launch of two unmanned moon probes to give the space shuttle Endeavour another shot at takeoff, Space.com reports. The shuttle was grounded last week because of a hydrogen gas leak. Mission managers will make the final decision later today, but expect Endeavour to leave Cape Canaveral at 5:40am Wednesday.

The lunar probes would then leave Friday to hunt for water ice. "What we are trying to do in the agency is maximize our launch opportunities," a NASA official explained. The schedule is so tight that if bad weather delays repairs to the shuttle or its launch pad by even a few hours, Endeavour’s departure may be pushed off until next month.

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour may leave Wednesday.
The crew of space shuttle Endeavour may leave Wednesday.   (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The space shuttle Endeavour sits on a launch pad Saturday, when a gas leak delayed its departure.
The space shuttle Endeavour sits on a launch pad Saturday, when a gas leak delayed its departure.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Workers walk under the aft section of the space shuttle Endeavour at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Workers walk under the aft section of the space shuttle Endeavour at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The schedule that we're moving toward is very tight. But it is achievable.
- Pete Nickolenko, NASA launch director

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
kokuaguy
Jun 15, 09 12:42 PM CDT
Looking at these folks makes me proud of my country. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 15, 09 2:27 PM CDT
Really? End NASA and feed the world. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
Robert_Dada
Jun 15, 09 3:45 PM CDT
A rat done bit my sister Nell. (with Whitey on the moon) Her face and arms began to swell. (and Whitey's on the moon) I can't pay no doctor bill. (but Whitey's on the moon) Ten years from now I'll be payin' still. (while Whitey's on the moon) The man jus' upped my rent las' night. ('cause Whitey's on the moon) No hot water, no toilets, no lights. (but Whitey's on the moon) I wonder why he's uppi' me? ('cause Whitey's on the moon?) I wuz already payin' 'im fifty a week. (with Whitey on the moon) Taxes takin' my whole damn check, Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck, The price of food is goin' up, An' as if all that shit wuzn't enough: A rat done bit my sister Nell. (with Whitey on the moon) Her face an' arm began to swell. (but Whitey's on the moon) Was all that money I made las' year (for Whitey on the moon?) How come there ain't no money here? (Hmm! Whitey's on the moon) Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill (of Whitey on the moon) I think I'll sen' these doctor bills, Airmail special (to Whitey on the moon) - Gil Scott Heron Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

39 Stories

  NASA Finds Lots 
  of Water on Moon 

Rocket probe discovers large amounts of ice

Nov 13, 09 1:28 PM CST
(Newser) - A NASA probe has turned up water on the moon. Lots of water. “We practically tasted it with the impact,” said a geologist. The discovery—made last month after the space agency blasted the probe into the moon to study the debris—raises the chances of one day... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • space exploration • water • moon • moon landings • hydrogen • moon walk • moonwalk • lunar

 NASA Crashes 
 Probes Into Moon 

Intentional crashes are part of hunt for water

Oct 9, 09 7:05 AM CDT
(AP) - NASA has successfully bulldozed two spacecraft into the moon's south pole in a search for hidden ice, but without the promised live photos. First, a 2.2-ton empty rocket hull smacked the moon's south pole at 7:31am. Four minutes later, the camera-laden space probe made its plunge to examine... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • space exploration • moon

 NASA to Smash 
 Rocket Into Moon 
 Tomorrow 

New crater will be blasted into surface as NASA hunts for buried ice

Oct 8, 09 4:52 AM CDT
(Newser) - If there's ice under the moon's surface, NASA aims to find it tomorrow. A rocket will smash into a crater near the moon's south pole, kicking up hundreds of thousands of pounds of lunar dirt. The dirt will be analyzed for traces of ice or water by a satellite following... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NASA • satellite • moon • rocket • moon colonization

39 Stories


Shuttle is delivering Japanese lab
Associated Press

Clear skies expected for launch
CNET


Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
NASA • moon • space probes • Space Shuttle Endeavour • launch window • takeoff

from our news partners