According to NASA’s latest plans, the space agency will now launch four Shuttle missions instead of five, this year.
Initially NASA had plans to launch five missions but the hailstorm delayed Atlantis has made NASA rethink the decision.
The targeted launch dates in 2007 will be June 8 for Atlantis, August 9 for Endeavour, October 20 for Discovery and December 6 for Atlantis.
Officials at the space agency have also announced plans for two shuttle launches in 2008; these dates are February 14, 2008 for Endeavour and April 24, 2008 for Discovery.
NASA will be launching more Shuttles in 2008 including the one to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
NASA spokesman Kyle Herring stated that four Shuttle flights is certainly something that can be accommodated and can work. He also said that if there are more problems then they are ready to delay upcoming launches and work according to their comfort.
Atlantis, whose fuel tank suffered damage during a hailstorm, will fly on June 8. If everything goes according to a specified plan then its crew will deliver a new pair for solar arrays to the space station and fold up an old pair of solar panels during its scheduled 11-day mission.
Via: MSNBC
