NASA's Space Shuttle Program managers have targeted Jan. 10 for the launch of shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. The new launch date, an eight-day slip from an earlier Jan. 2 target, will allow NASA engineers and astronauts some much deserved time off during the holidays while the agency hunts down the source of a recurring shuttle fuel tank sensor glitch.
Moving the next launch attempt of Atlantis to Jan. 10 will also allow as many people as possible to have time with family and friends at the time of year when it means the most.
The liftoff date from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, depends on the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system. The shuttle's planned launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 were postponed because of false readings from the part of the system that monitors the liquid hydrogen section of the tank.
The mission failed before because of a failure with devices Known as engine cutoff sensors. the devices are designed as a backup system to monitor the levels of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant in Atlantis' 15-story external tank and shut down the orbiter's three main engines before fuel runs out
Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. The mission will be Commanded by veteran shuttle astronaut Stephen Frick.
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