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WEEKLY NEWS 1: Back to the Shed for the Orbiter

With the shuttle prepared on the launch pad for the September 7th launch, everything was looking good. However a storm was heading on its way and now the shuttle launch has been delayed, causing the Orbiter to be sent back into its maintenance facility.

This shuttle mission was to be another part of the International Space Station construction. The crew of six was to install new solar arrays which would expand and collect solar energy for use in the station’s labs and living quarters. The mission was to be 11 days and even comprised a well needed tune-up in space for the Orbiter. Also, delaying the launch may conflict with other nation’s space agency plans, such as Russia, who is to launch a rocket carrying another module.

The mission is only the first of 15 or 16 missions to construct the International Space Station. The station is currently half-built and NASA is trying to complete the construction by 2010. Any further delays may extend this construction date, or merely bring NASA to perform more frequent missions in the future.

--Written by Richard Spigner

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