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Suspect sensor stays 'wet' after tank drained BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: September 8, 2006 Engine cutoff - ECO - sensor No. 3, the one that "failed wet" earlier today and derailed an attempt to launch the shuttle Atlantis, continued indicating it was immersed in liquid hydrogen after the ship's external tank was drained this afternoon, officials said. The other three ECO sensors in the hydrogen tank correctly indicated they were dry as one would expect. The readings lend some credence to the belief that three of the four sensors are operating normally. If they continue to behave properly when the tank is re-loaded with liquid hydrogen early Saturday - and if no other sensor issues develop - NASA managers may be able to approve a flight rule change allowing a launch with three of four operational ECO sensors. At launch pad 39B, meanwhile, approaching bad weather will prevent engineers from moving a gantry back in place around Atlantis. As a result, technicians will be unable to re-install a rain cover over one of the ship's forward thrusters that was blown off during a recent storm. Water in the thruster can freeze as the shuttle climbs to space and interfere with operation of a pressure sensor. That, in turn, can fool the shuttle's computers into believing the thruster failed. But the thruster in question points to one side, not straight up, and engineers are hopeful any rain showers later today will not cause problems.
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STS-115 patch The official crew patch for the STS-115 mission of space shuttle Atlantis to resume orbital construction of the International Space Station. Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide  Expedition 18 patch & pin  The official embroidered patch and lapel pin for the International Space Station Expedition 18 crew is now available to from our stores.U.S. STORE: PATCH | PINWORLD STORE: PATCH | PINAres patch  The Ares Project will develop two new rockets to launch astronauts back to the Moon under NASA's Vision for Exploration. The Ares 1 will employ a single space shuttle solid rocket booster to loft the Orion crew capsule. The gigantic Ares 5 will haul the equipment and cargo needed for such lunar voyages. This is the Ares emblem.U.S. STORE Apollo patches  The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. U.S. STORE Columbus mission patch  The official astronaut embroidered patch of Atlantis' STS-122 mission that launched the Columbus science lab in February is available to U.S. customers from our store.U.S. STOREColumbia Report  A reproduction of the official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide Apollo 14 DVD  In January of 1971, Apollo 14 launched on an ambitious mission to land in the Fra Mauro highlands, a region of the moon more challenging than previous explorations. The flight captured in this DVD set.Choose your store:U.S. Apollo 11 Mission Report  Apollo 11 - The NASA Mission Reports Vol. 3 is the first comprehensive study of man's first mission to another world is revealed in all of its startling complexity. Includes DVD!Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide STS-115 patch The official crew patch for the STS-115 mission of space shuttle Atlantis to resume orbital construction of the International Space Station.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide |
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TODAY'S LAUNCH ATTEMPT SCRUBBED 