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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 20  The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 20 crew is now available from our stores.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STORECurrent Shuttle Mission Patch  The official embroidered patch for shuttle Atlantis' flight to deliver critical spare equipment to the space station.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STORE Ares 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. STOREOne Giant Leap 
Hosted by Corbin Bernsen, this award winning documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space agency and features exclusive interviews with veteran astronauts.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREExpedition 21  The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREAres 1-X Patch  The official embroidered patch for the Ares 1-X rocket test flight, is available for purchase.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREApollo Collage  This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.U.S. STOREExpedition 21 The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STOREHubble Patch  The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase.U.S. STOREWORLDWIDE STORE |
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VIDEO:
TODAY'S LAUNCH ATTEMPT SCRUBBED 