Nov 2010
Realtime coverage of Soyuz TMA-19 entry and landing
Realtime coverage of the Soyuz TMA-19 entry and landing in Kazakhstan (UPATED at 11:50 PM EST with landing). Read More...
Shuttle launch delayed to at least Dec. 17
NASA managers reviewing repairs to the shuttle Discovery's external tank and the rationale for making another launch attempt decided Wednesday to delay the flight to at least Dec. 17 and possibly longer (UPDATED at 5 PM EST with news conference). Read More...
Delta 4 rocket blasts off with spy satellite
11/21/2010 06:22 PM Filed in: EELV | Space News
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Sunday to boost a National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite into orbit. Read More...
Delta 4 launch scrubbed because of temperature anomalies during fueling (UPDATED)
11/20/2010 09:20 PM Filed in: Space News | EELV
A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload was grounded Friday because of temperature anomalies detected during fueling (UPDATED with new launch date; problem resolution). Read More...
Shuttle Discovery's launch on hold until at least Dec. 3 (UPDATED)
Launch of the shuttle Discovery on a space station resupply mission is on hold until at least Dec. 3 to give engineers more time to assess external tank crack repairs and to develop the necessary flight rationale, NASA announced Thursday (UPDATED at 9 p.m. with management comments on 'schedule pressure'). Read More...
Tank repairs in work while shuttle engineers assess 'fight rationale'
Engineers are pressing ahead with work to repair the shuttle Discovery's external tank amid an ongoing analysis to develop "flight rationale," or technical justification, for proceeding with another launch attempt. A decision is expected Monday. Read More...
Realtime coverage of Russian EVA-26
11/15/2010 04:29 PM Filed in: International Space Station | Space News
Realtime coverage of Russian EVA-26 (space station maintenance). Read More...
Fourth crack found in external tank 'stringer' (UPDATED)
Engineers have found a fourth crack in the structural ribs, or stringers, making up the central intertank compartment between the liquid oxygen and hydrogen sections of the shuttle Discovery's external tank. Repair plans are under review (UPDATED with vent line status). Read More...
Second cracked stringer found on Discovery's external tank (UPDATED)
Engineers have discovered another crack on an adjacent stringer in the shuttle Discovery's external tank, officials say (UPDATED at 8:40 PM with NASA statement, additional details). Read More...
Leaking vent line attachment disassembled, apparent seal problem found (UPDATED)
Engineers disassembled a leaking hydrogen vent line attachment fitting on the side of Discovery's external tank overnight, revealing an unevenly compressed internal seal (UPDATED at 12:25 PM with NASA statement, new photos). Read More...
Review panel warns of $1.5 billion budget overrun in space telescope project
11/10/2010 07:28 PM Filed in: Space News | Space Science
An independent review panel has found that miscues by NASA management threaten to add $1.5 billion to the cost of the agency's next generation space telescope, a projected overrun that is prompting a shakeup at agency headquarters. Read More...
Cracks found in 'stringer' under damaged foam; repair options assessed
Engineers removed foam insulation from the area of a crack on the side of the shuttle Discovery's external tank and found a corresponding crack in an underlying structural stringer. Troubleshooters are hopeful the damage can be fixed at the pad. Read More...
Engineers begin disassembly of leaky shuttle vent line fitting
Engineers started work Tuesday to disassemble a leaking hydrogen vent line fitting on the side of the shuttle Discovery's external tank amid troubleshooting to figure out what caused a long crack in the foam insulation of the ship's external tank (UPDATED at 9:25 PM EDT with foam dissecton). Read More...
Engineers mull shuttle repair options
Engineers geared up Monday to begin inspections and disassembly of a leaking 7-inch hydrogen vent line attached to the shuttle Discovery's external tank amid work to assess what might be needed to fix cracks in the tank's insulation. Read More...
Shuttle Discovery grounded by hyrdrogen leak; foam crack also seen
The shuttle Discovery, grounded by a gaseous hydrogen leak and a crack in fuel tank insulation, will not be ready for another launch try before Nov. 30. And that assumes engineers can carry out repairs at the launch pad. Read More...
Realtime coverage of STS-133 launch countdown
Launch of the shuttle Discovery on a space station resupply mission, the orbiter's 39th and final flight, has been delayed until at least Nov. 30 because of a hydrogen leak in a vent line. Engineers also are assessing apparent cracks in the insulation of the external tank. Read More...
NASA spacecraft flies past Comet Hartley 2, sends back spectacular photos (UPDATED)
11/04/2010 05:55 PM Filed in: Space News | Space Science
NASA's recycled Deep Impact spacecraft flew past the nucleus of Comet Hartley 2 Thursday, beaming back spectacular pictures of its frozen, peanut-shaped nucleus and multiple jets of icy debris (UPDATED with news briefing) Read More...
Stormy weather prompts 24-hour launch delay (UPDATED)
NASA's Mission Management Team decided to delay launch of the shuttle Discovery another 24 hours, to Friday at 3:04:01 p.m., because of low clouds and rain over the Kennedy Space Center Thursday (Updated with flight plan milestones). Read More...
Shuttle Discovery cleared for Thursday launch attempt (UPDATED)
NASA's mission management team cleared the shuttle Discovery for launch Thursday, weather permitting, after concluding an electrical glitch Tuesday posed no credible safety threat. Liftoff is targeted for 3:29:43 p.m. EDT. Read More...
Engineers troubleshoot shuttle electrical glitch (UPDATED)
Engineers troubleshoot apparent glitch in shuttle engine controller circuitry; launch delayed at least 24 hours (UPDATED at 8 PM EDT with news conference). Read More...
NASA marks 10th anniversary of space station habitation
NASA marks the 10th anniversary of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, a milestone that was achieved early Tuesday after 57,361 orbits and 1.5 billion miles in low-Earth orbit. Read More...
STS-133 Mission Preview
The shuttle DIscovery's final voyage is a critical mission for the International Space Station as NASA retires the shuttle fleet and transitions to a new model for resupplying the lab and supporting a full-time crew of six (mission preview). Read More...
Discovery in good shape for launch; forecasters monitor weather
NASA's Mission Management Team met Monday and unanimously agreed to press ahead with plans to launch the shuttle Discovery Wednesday, weather permitting, on a space station assembly flight. Read More...