Three Shuttle Missions Pushed Back For 2007

NASA made official rumors it might delay next year's shuttle launches.

Earlier rumors suggested NASA might push back the launches because changes to the orbiter's external fuel tank design delayed tank deliveries. NASA confirmed Thursday the delays placed servicing crews behind schedule necessitating launch schedule changes.

The three slipped shuttle missions are to support continuing construction on the International Space Station.

NASA's new launch schedule has STS-117 delivering a second starboard truss segment, a third set of solar arrays and batteries using Atlantis on March 16. That mission was originally scheduled for February 22.

STS-118, using Endeavour, will deliver the S5 Truss on June 28, pushed back from June 11.

Atlantis will fly twice next year with the second mission now scheduled for September 7. STS-120 will deliver US Node 2 to the ISS. That mission moved from August 9.

The three flights represent the 21st, 22nd and 23rd shuttle missions to the ISS for NASA.

The changes to the external fuel tank were prompted by the 2003 Columbia disaster when a chunk of insulating foam is thought to have damaged the shuttle wing's leading edge. The damage allowed hot gases to enter the internal wing bay during reentry. Those gases burned through support spars causing structural failure of the wing, and the subsequent breakup of the orbiter killing all aboard.

Now NASA says its considering further changes to the tank design. The Associated Press reports agency managers will meet in two weeks to discuss those possible changes.

FMI: www.nasa.gov