Time and again United States is proving its commitment for technological and space research for enhancement of quality of life of its countrymen. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), one of the world’s most superior space research organizations is getting ready to launch its latest space shuttle Discovery into its orbit.
Scheduled to be launched on October 23, 2003, the launch activities begin at 18.00 GMT on October 21 itself. Considering the amount of work and manpower involved NASA officials and scientists feel that the time is just enough to complete all the tasks before the craft can be launched into space. This Discovery mission is titled STS-120 and will keep the shuttle Discovery for two weeks in space.
Commenting on the preparations for the launch NASA test director Charlie Balckwell-Thompson said that there was a large contingent of scientists working for the success of this mission. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said,
All our systems are in good shape.
This time around Discovery will ferry the Italian-built Harmony module to the International Space Station (ISS). According to payload Manager Glenn Chin there will be no problem due to this module as the new station segment weighs more than 31,000 pounds and will serve as a connecting point for laboratory modules from NASA and the European and Japanese space agencies. It will function effectively and bring back valuable research data for furthering space explorations.
Kathy Winters, NASA’s weather officer, is guarded in her confidence about the launch. Her concerns stem from the fact that the region has been experiencing rain showers and clouds which could be a deterring factor for the launch. There is only 60 percent chance of a favorable weather on the launch date at the exact time.
Seven ace astronauts and scientists are expected to be aboard the Discovery. They are already at the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and are going through final checklists and preparations both of the craft and of their own for Tuesday’s lift off.
Among the practice events are simulated space shuttle landings which happened on Saturday morning with Pam Melroy and George Zamka achieving it perfectly on a Gulf-stream business jet modified to give them the same experience as a shuttle landing. The shuttle is expected to complete its mission and return to earth on November 6, 2007.
This one of the several shuttle launches that NASA undertakes in a year. We are waiting for the day when Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) can achieve similar take offs and landings frequently from Sri Hari Kota space center in India. Looking at these things sometimes one wonders whether the fast growth of our economy, alleged success in IT and BT sectors are any indications of success in the space sector too. If one has to achieve success in space it is only through more research, rocket launches and space shuttle deployments. All this requires massive budgetary outlays and serious political will.
Do we have it in us???
