[sarex] STS-115 LAUNCH POSTPONED

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

Sept. 6, 2006

Tracy Young/Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468 


NASA POSTPONES SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH

NASA has delayed Wednesday's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on its 
STS-115 mission to the International Space Station. Shuttle Program 
managers made the decision early Wednesday morning due to a problem 
that occurred during the activation of one of the shuttle's three 
electricity-producing fuel cells.

Teams are evaluating data on what might have caused a voltage spike in 
the fuel cell's coolant pump that cools the fuel cell system. Mission 
managers will hold a meeting at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday to assess the 
issue. There will be a news conference on NASA TV at the conclusion 
of the meeting. 

During STS-115, the astronauts will deliver and install a girder-like 
structure, known as the P3/P4 truss aboard the station. The 
35,000-pound piece includes a set of giant solar arrays, batteries 
and associated electronics. The arrays eventually will double the 
station's power capability.

Atlantis' crew, Commander Brent Jett, Pilot Chris Ferguson and mission 
specialists Dan Burbank, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, Joe Tanner and 
Steve MacLean, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, remains at Kennedy 
Space Center.

For the latest information about the STS-115 mission and its crew, 
visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

	
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