NASA may delay dates of final space shuttle flights

NASA may delay dates of final space shuttle flights

CAPE CANAVERAL — NASA is considering new target launch dates for its last two scheduled shuttle missions to give engineers more time to prepare equipment for the International Space Station and avoid heavy traffic around the outpost.

--Launch of Discovery carrying a station warehouse module would be targeted for Oct. 29.
--Endeavour would aim for liftoff on Feb. 28.

Senior managers are expected to approve the new dates at a meeting on July 1.

The Oct. 29 date for Discovery would give engineers more time to load a modified Italian cargo carrier with as much gear as possible before Discovery blasts off.

"It gives them a longer period of time to certify more equipment to fly on that mission," NASA spokesman Kyle Herring said Tuesday.

"It makes better sense for the station program so they can load up as much equipment as possible before launch."

NASA is modifying a cylindrical cargo carrier dubbed Leonardo to take up permanent residence at the station.

Originally designed for short rather than long stays at the station, the module is being equipped with additional orbital-debris shielding. Some of its systems are being upgraded for long-term duty on the outpost.

It also will enable engineers to complete work on equipment that would not have been ready for a Sept. 16 launch. Among that gear: "Robonaut," an American android designed to do work outside the outpost.

The expected delay in the Discovery mission will bump Endeavour back behind a period of heavy traffic at the station.

A Russian Soyuz crew transport will be flying back to Earth and robotic space freighters from Russia, Europe and Japan will be flying up to the station during December and January.

The sun angle on the station during much of January and February also will be such that the outpost could not generate enough energy or dispel enough heat to support a docked shuttle mission.

So Feb. 28 would be the first available target date for Endeavour.

NASA is deferring until August a decision on whether Atlantis would fly one last supply run to the station next June.

Atlantis and an external tank, solid rocket booster stack will be readied for launch on a rescue mission should Endeavour sustain critical damage on NASA's last currently scheduled shuttle mission.

NASA and supporters in Congress are lobbying to launch Atlantis on an additional station-outfitting mission before the shuttle fleet is retired.