Power Problems Trouble Discovery Mission

Power Problems Trouble Discovery Mission

ap.google.com

HOUSTON (AP) — NASA scrambled Wednesday to deal with two power problems at the international space station that could delay future missions and make it even harder to finish building the orbiting outpost before the space shuttles must be retired.

Both issues competed for the precious little spacewalking time that's left in Discovery's mission, which already was extended a day after the first problem cropped up last weekend. Spacewalks were scheduled for Thursday and Saturday.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Like I've said in other threads about this -- how can moving a 15+ ton piece of equipment around be easy and trouble-free?!

Article goes on to talk about how the astronauts might have to spacewalk to fix this rip in the solar panels. Also, the Dec. arrival of the science labs from Japan and Euro support might have to be delayed unless these panels are repaired. Astronaut quoted as saying they need more photos to even know HOW to fix the rips..... shuttles are set to be retired in 2010.



ap.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 31-10-2007 by anhinga]