NASA delays launch date of Space Shuttle

The signs that the NASA is very cautious about the upcoming Space Shuttle launch are apparent. The America based space agency has reported that they need more time to prepare for the launch and would be delaying the launch of Space Shuttle by at least a week. They are under tremendous pressure this time to prepare for a flight as safe as possible considering the fact that shuttle would be traveling to space for the first time since Columbia Disaster.

The new expected launch date is May 22 as per NASA for the mission of sending Discovery on a 12-day delivery and repair mission to the international space station. The original launch date planned was May 15. Shuttle program manager Bill Parsons released a statement saying that engineering analysis and paperwork remain to be done. NASA clarified that the original planned date was a target and not a definite planned launch date.

The reason for this delay is said to be the critical design review of the revamped shuttle, which took place this week. And NASA has until the first week of June to have the shuttle launch taken place. The time schedule is dictated by the position of the international space station and NASA’s desire for a daylight takeoff. The organization wants the liftoff to take place in daylight to let them take good photos of the shuttle and the fuel take during the lift time. This would help them gauge any possible damage as it happened last time shuttle went to space.