NASA hopes lies with Eileen Collins and crew for Space Shuttle mission

A lot of hope would be at stake when Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Collins takes the Space Shuttle to its next mission for the first time since the Columbia disaster. NASA has worked hard to get the changes implemented on the Shuttle to make it as safe as possible for any possible danger during the course of its mission. And they would be hoping that Eileen makes it possible for them to prove that they still have the capabilities to do it right without any danger to the crew of the spacecraft.

Collins has admitted that Mission STS-114 has more to do than just complete its missions like reviving the stalled construction of the International Space Station. She said to the media: “The most important thing I want people to know about this mission is that it is the next step in getting the space station built and, eventually, getting people back to the Moon and onto Mars”. She hopes this mission would be a huge success bringing pride to her and her family and hope to the nation, which was somewhat shattered after watching Columbia disintegrating in space.

She also remembers the heroes of that unfortunate mission and said: “The Columbia crew members were our friends and we miss them very much”. She also added this about the upcoming mission: “The return-to-flight effort has not been easy but because of the work we have done, we are stronger, we are smarter and we are more humble - and we’re safer. It’s time to go back to fly.”

Discovery has been scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral between the period of May 15 and June 3. The mission would carry Eileen Collins along with pilot James Kelly and mission specialists Andy Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, Soichi Noguchi, Charlie Camarda, and Steve Robinson.