Latest Endeavour launch update
May 3, 2011by yaska77
Work to replace and fully test an electrical distribution box in STS-134 Endeavour’s engine compartment will further delay the next launch attempt to at least 10th May, NASA advised yesterday. An official launch date is only likely to be announced on Friday after the repairs are complete.
Inside Endeavour's aft compartment - Credit: NASA
This tentative new date is based on a full review of the work needed to replace the faulty aft load control assembly. This showed it would take longer than originally expected to complete repairs (and all required testing) in time to start a fresh countdown for a launch on Sunday.
The lift-off of Endeavour was scrubbed on Friday 29th April when telemetry showed hydraulic power system fuel line heaters were not working properly. Later tests determined the problem was with the aft load control assembly No. 2 in the Shuttle’s engine compartment.
NASA are hoping to extend Endeavour’s mission by up to two days to allow the crew more time to complete their objectives, but with the Russian Soyuz* capsule scheduled to detach from the ISS on 23rd May (returning 3 of the 6 ISS crew to Earth) this will depend entirely on which day Endeavour is able to launch on. (* edited to correct errors)
Full article on Spaceflight Now
