CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has postponed a few upcoming shuttle launches, but the next liftoff is still planned for June 14.
Shuttle Columbia's first mission since its extensive overhaul has been pushed from Nov. 19 to Jan. 17, 2002. That mission will add more capabilities to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Columbia returned late from the Boeing plant in Palmdale, Calif., cutting into the time it takes to get it ready for launch, said NASA spokesman Joel Wells.
Because of that delay, Columbia's following flight devoted to research was moved from April to May 2002.
Shuttle Endeavour also was delayed last week. Its next liftoff will be on Nov. 29, a slip of 28 days.
This shuttle just returned from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where it ended its mission to space station Alpha. It spent a week at Edwards being readied for a return flight.
The next shuttle launch, however, is still on target.
Technicians had to replace Atlantis' computers that project flight information in front of the astronaut during launch and landing.
That has delayed the shuttle orbiters trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be attached to its fuel tank and booster rockets.
"Atlantis is pressing ahead," Wells said. Atlantis will take a large airlock to the station.
Getting the airlock in place requires the use of the station's new robotic arm.
To be able to use the arm for the airlock, managers would like to test it at least four times.
Though the shuttle crew got started a little late, they worked on their first test on Thursday.
"Everything they did checked out perfectly," NASA spokesman Kyle Herring said.
Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright © 2001 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.
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