Shuttle Discovery Launch Weblog by Dr. Michael Freeman

July 14, 2005

shuttle_sidebarLast night the External Tank’s fuel (liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen – hence the requirement for cryogenic temperatures) was drained. While that was taking place, Shuttle engineers monitored and collected data on the low-level hydrogen fuel cutoff sensor that failed its pre-launch check yesterday shortly after the crew had boarded the Orbiter. There are four of these sensors in the liquid hydrogen section of the External Tank and three were functioning normally. Shuttle procedures require that all four sensors be functioning properly. It appears to be an intermittent problem which makes identification even more difficult.

As you would expect, meetings are taking place this morning to review the data and to identify the next steps to be taken. The best case is that the necessary action can take place with the Shuttle still on the launch pad. A worst case scenario is that the Shuttle has to be moved back into the VAB to take care of the problem. If that is necessary, then the launch will not take place during the current launch window that ends at the end of this month. The next launch window will be in September.

For the moment, Jim and the rest of the STS-114 crew will remain at Kennedy Space Center while engineers work on the problem. The official information indicates a launch no earlier than Saturday, 16 July.

Nancy, Jessica and I are returning to Alabama this afternoon. Nancy’s teaching schedule at Shelton State Community College (she’s head of the math department) in Tuscaloosa dictates her return. I will be monitoring developments and will make every effort to be back at the Cape whenever the launch occurs. We have had a great time here even though the launch didn’t take place as scheduled. I will be here for a launch every time that I have the opportunity.

Out for now…

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Michael Freeman is an Associate Professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics at The University of Alabama. He is attending this week’s launch of the space shuttle Discovery, and will publish daily accounts of the events surrounding the shuttle’s “return to flight” launch. UA graduate James Kelly is the pilot of STS-114, NASA’s first space flight in over two years. Dr. Freeman may be reached by e-mail at michael.freeman@ua.edu.