Atlantis Orbit Under Review For Repairs

A few weeks before the Atlantis orbiter’s launch on August 27, NASA flew in a team of shuttle managers, engineers and contractors to the agency’s spaceport in Florida to determine whether or not it is all set to fly six astronauts out to space.

One of the main concerns of the meeting was the question on the need to replace a set of four bolts connecting the shuttle’s primary data and video antenna to the upper right side of the orbiter’s payload bay. Because four of the bolts latching Atlantis’ antenna dish in place are shorter than those stipulated in engineering specifications, engineers have expressed some concern that they may shake loose during launch, which could result to some serious damage to the orbiter. It has, however, flown on all 26 of the shuttle’s spaceflights.

As preparation for its 10-day trip to the International Space Station, the Atlantis orbiter must pass before teams of safety engineers and top shuttle officials during a standard pre-launch meeting known as the Flight Readiness Review.

But, even if they do decide to do the work, they are optimistic that it will not push back the launch date.

A few weeks before the Atlantis orbiter’s launch on August 27, NASA flew in a team of shuttle managers, engineers and contractors to the agency’s spaceport in Florida to determine whether or not it is all set to fly six astronauts out to space.

One of the main concerns of the meeting was the question on the need to replace a set of four bolts connecting the shuttle’s primary data and video antenna to the upper right side of the orbiter’s payload bay. Because four of the bolts latching Atlantis’ antenna dish in place are shorter than those stipulated in engineering specifications, engineers have expressed some concern that they may shake loose during launch, which could result to some serious damage to the orbiter. It has, however, flown on all 26 of the shuttle’s spaceflights.

As preparation for its 10-day trip to the International Space Station, the Atlantis orbiter must pass before teams of safety engineers and top shuttle officials during a standard pre-launch meeting known as the Flight Readiness Review.

But, even if they do decide to do the work, they are optimistic that it will not push back the launch date.