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NASA sets Dec. 7 as date for first night launch |
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Written by asap
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Friday, 29 September 2006 |
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All systems are go for a night launch.
For the first time in four years, the next space shuttle launch will probably be at night, NASA said Thursday.
The first launch possibility for Discovery will be Dec. 7 at 9:38 p.m. EDT. That is the first try at night since Endeavour lifted off Nov. 23, 2002 at 7:49 p.m. Discovery's launch window extends to Dec. 26.
DAYLIGHT HOURS
After the Columbia disaster in 2003, the U.S. space agency began requiring that launches be made in daylight so the space shuttle could be photographed to spot possible damage during liftoff. But after last week's successful finish of Atlantis' 12-day mission, NASA officials indicated they were willing to relax the daylight rule since there are now new methods for inspecting the shuttle for holes or cracks while in orbit. They said a night launch is needed to stay on schedule to finish construction of the international space station in 14 more flights by 2010.
THE MISSION
During Discovery's 11-day mission, astronauts will rewire the space station's electrical system and drop off flight engineer Suni Williams for her six-month stay aboard the orbiting outpost.
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Discovery's next mission at:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts116/index.html | Only registered users can write comments.
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