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Launch Tomorrow a Go: NASA

Safety board concerns are an 'acceptable risk'

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2007 10:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With one eye on potentially disastrous weather, NASA is preparing to launch its most ambitious space mission ever tomorrow, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The launch is a go despite an independent safety board's recommendation to delay because of hairline cracks in Discovery's wing panels. NASA says the cracks lie within the realm of “acceptable risk.”

The agency is under pressure to end the shuttle program by 2010 but says that hasn't influenced the decision to launch. The shuttle crew, led by only the second woman commander, will add a bus-sized module to the space station—the first addition in 6 years. At least five spacewalks are planned, and solar panels will be rearranged.

NASA officials, from left, NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, Bill Gerstenmaier, space shuttle program manager, Wayne Hale, space shuttle launch director, Mike Leinbach and NASA Engineering and Safety Center Director, Ralph Roe answer questions during a flight readiness media briefing concerning space shuttle Discovery at...
NASA officials, from left, NASA Associate Administrator Chris Scolese, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, Bill Gerstenmaier, space shuttle program manager, Wayne Hale, space shuttle launch...   (Associated Press)
Space shuttle Discovery Commander Pamela Ann Melroy answers questions during a media briefing during the countdown demonstration test at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007. The launch of Discovery is scheduled for Oct. 23. Melroy will become the second woman to command a space...
Space shuttle Discovery Commander Pamela Ann Melroy answers questions during a media briefing during the countdown demonstration test at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Oct....   (Associated Press)
In this image provided by NASA, space shuttle Discovery leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. Discovery is scheduled for launch Oct. 23. (AP Photo/NASA, George Shelton)
In this image provided by NASA, space shuttle Discovery leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. Discovery is scheduled for launch Oct....   (Associated Press)
This image provided by NASA shows Discovery standing bathed in sunlight at its seaside launch pad on the day it rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building. Since then, it has been enclosed by the rotating service structure as launch preparations continue. NASA senior managers Tuesday completed a detailed review...
This image provided by NASA shows Discovery standing bathed in sunlight at its seaside launch pad on the day it rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building. Since then, it has been enclosed by the rotating...   (Associated Press)
NASA Engineering and Safety Center Director, Ralph Roe answers questions during a flight readiness media briefing concerning space shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fl., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. The shuttle Discovery is set to launch on Oct. 23.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
NASA Engineering and Safety Center Director, Ralph Roe answers questions during a flight readiness media briefing concerning space shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fl.,...   (Associated Press)
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Safety concerns overridden by NASA manager
New York Times

More on Commander Pamela Melroy
USA Today

More details of the risks and the lengthy "to do" list
Houston Chronicle

NASA's shuttle site
NASA

 
NASA • space shuttle • International Space Station • Columbia Space Shuttle • Discovery space shuttle • space shuttle launch

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