Glitch Puts Atlantis Astronauts Behind Schedule
Posted September 14, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An unexpected computer glitch has put the mission of space shuttle Atlantis behind schedule.
The deployment of two solar arrays, a 17-tonne addition to the international space station that will eventually provide one quarter of its power, was slowed by several hours after NASA engineers failed to get a response from one of its component parts.
The arrays need to be fully opened up in order for the crew to complete its third and final spacewalk on Friday. Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean participated in Wednesday’s work outside the shuttle but will remain inside the craft Friday.
The complications were related to a ferris-wheel-like joint that allows the solar arrays to move with the sun and maximize power generation.
“About the only thing on the timeline that’s accurate at this point is probably the postsleep,” said astronaut Kevin Ford from Mission Control, referring to the time devoted to personal hygiene after the crew wakes up in the morning.
When fully opened the arrays, which cost $372 million, will span 240 feet. The space station is scheduled to be completed in 2010.
Two of Atlantis’s astronauts have had previous experience deploying solar arrays. Atlantis commander Brent Jett and mission specialist Joe Tanner were part of a 2000 team that delivered solar wings to the space station.
During that mission the solar panels stuck to each other in the deployment, a problem that was fixed this time.
If all goes well in the remaining days the team could return to Earth on September 21st or 22nd – the mission is supposed to last 11 days.
