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NASA Headquarters – June 20, 2006 – NASA managers cleared the Space Shuttle Discovery for a July 1 flight to the International Space Station, despite reservations from two NASA managers about the foam on the shuttle’s external fuel tank.
After meeting with top managers and engineers, NASA officials announced on June 17 the launch date and agreed that the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.
However, NASA Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer Bryan O'Connor and Chief Engineer Chris Scolese had reservations about the decision to launch the Space Shuttle Discovery in July. They said they both feel that issues remain with the orbiter, and that there is a potential for foam to come off during Discovery’s launch.
“That’s why we feel we should redesign the ice/frost ramp before we fly this mission,” they said in a statement. “We do not feel, however, that these issues are a threat to safe return of the crew. We have openly discussed our position in the Flight Readiness Review -- open communication is how we work at NASA. The Flight Readiness Review board and the administrator have heard all the different engineering positions, including ours, and have made an informed decision and the agency is accepting this risk with its eyes wide open."
Commander Steve Lindsey and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 3:48 p.m. EDT to begin a 12-day mission, designated STS-121. Discovery's crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies, make repairs and bring a third crew member to the station, European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter.
Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, who chaired the Flight Readiness Review, said review of the ice/frost ramp was “vigorously discussed” before the group decided that the current design does not pose sufficient risk to delay the mission. The ice/frost ramps are ice-preventing buildups of foam that cover metal brackets connecting pressurization lines to the shuttle’s external fuel tank.
Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry over Texas more than two years ago when insulating foam flew off the external fuel tank, hit a panel on the wing, created a hole and allowed hot gasses to seep in.
Then in the last launch, heat tiles that protect the shuttle from extreme temperatures fell during launch. Cameras later spotted two pieces of fabric protruding from the heat shield of the shuttle, leading to EAA member, Steve Robinson’s emergency repair space walk.
In other shuttle news
(JUNE 20, 2006) — Pamela Melroy will become the second woman to command a NASA space mission. She previously was a shuttle pilot during 2000 and 2002 flights.
Melroy, an Air Force colonel, is following in the footsteps of Eileen Collins, who became NASA's first female commander in 1999. Collins also commanded last year's "return to flight" mission, but left the astronaut corps in May.
The mission, scheduled for August 2007, will deliver a module to the ISS, allowing for the attachment of European and Japanese laboratories during later flights.
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Amid the glow of lights from the fixed and rotating service structures, Space Shuttle Discovery rests on the hardstand of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley
Discovery’s STS-121 astronauts pose for the media after their arrival at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Photo credit: NASA Kim Schiflett.
The STS-121 official crew patch.
For More Information
STS-121 Home Page
Kennedy Space Center
NASA Astronaut Pam Melroy, named commander of an upcoming flight
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