Repair tests crucial to survival of space shuttle program
The Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch this Saturday, July 1, for a 12-day mission, with a primary mission of testing methods of repairing the shuttle while in orbit. The director of the astronomy lab program at the University of North Texas says these repair tests are crucial for NASA to keep the shuttle program alive. Discovery's mission will be the second Return to Flight Testing mission after the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members. Foam falling from the fuel tank damaged the Columbia's wing, leading to the vehicle's disintegration as it tried to land. Ron DiIulio, a NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador as well as the director of UNT's astronomy lab program, says NASA has made a few modifications to the foam on the Discovery's external fuel tank since its last mission in July 2005 - the first of the Return to Flight testing missions marking NASA's return to space. DiIulio says, however, that some NASA administrators "have raised a few questions." DiIulio says use of the shuttles is critical to both complete the International Space Station and to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Safe, consistent operation of the shuttle program is integral to both missions, he says. "(The Russian) Soyuz equipment doesn't have the payload capability of the shuttle fleet," he says. "The shuttle is basically our truck into outer space. It's needed to do the hauling and heavy lifting of equipment, because there's nothing out there to replace it in the short term." In addition to testing methods of repairing the shuttle, the Discovery crew will visit the International Space Station during its mission, delivering supplies and a German astronaut, who will join the Russian station commander and an American astronaut on the station.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Rafael McDonnell 940-565-4835
Email: RMcDonnell@unt.edu
Latest News
UNT Military History Center to begin discussion series on Pearl Harbor Day
Dr. Brian Linn, Society for Military History, will present the inaugural lecture, The American Way of War -- The inaugural lecture of UNT's Military History Center Discussion Series on Dec. 7
War correspondent Anna Badkhen to discuss book at UNT
Anna Badkhen will read excerpts from her book and discuss her reporting method and the craft of writing as a war correspondent during her free lecture Dec. 1.
Funds from College Connection 2+2+2 Program allow pilot programs to improve transfer student success across Texas
UNT has been putting a $270,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's College Connection 2+2+2 Program to good use, expanding and strengthening its outreach to potential and current transfer students.
UNT Glee to present fall 2010 performance
UNT Glee, one of the first college and university glee clubs inspired by the televion show, Glee, will perform Dec. 1 and 2.
UNT dance students present "Synchronized Imbalances"
Dances inspired by the struggles of divorce, the comfort of a mom and the support of a community are among the originally choreographed works to be presented by students in the UNT Department of Dance and Theatre.
V. Lane Rawlins named sole finalist for UNT presidency
The UNT System Board of Regents approved the nomination of V. Lane Rawlins Nov. 12, beginning the 21-day period required by Texas law before they can officially appoint him to the presidency. Rawlins has been serving a one-year appointment as UNT president.
|