Space shuttle Discovery nears space station

By Irene Klotz

HOUSTON (Reuters) – The space shuttle Discovery closed in
on the International Space Station on Thursday, as NASA nursed
hopes its troubles with the fleet’s fuel tanks were nearing an
end.

The shuttle was scheduled to arrive at the orbital outpost
at 10:52 a.m. EDT/(1452 GMT).

Before docking, commander Steve Lindsey planned to slowly
flip the shuttle so the station crew can photograph and
videotape the heat-resistant ceramic tiles on Discovery’s
belly.

The tiles are part of the heat shield which keeps the
shuttle safe during its scorching plunge back through Earth’s
atmosphere prior to landing.

The inspection is part of an effort to prevent a repeat of
the 2003 disaster when the shuttle Columbia disintegrated
during re-entry because debris damaged the heat shield during
launch.

Bits of foam had popped off Discovery during launch, but
preliminary results of an inspection that the shuttle crew did
on Wednesday found no apparent damage on the ship’s wings and
nose cap, flight director John Shannon told reporters.

The laser and close-up photographs did show several streaks
of bird droppings, which Shannon said would not affect the
shuttle, and a protruding cloth strip beneath the shuttle’s
left wing.

Shannon said it was highly unlikely anything would need to
be done about the cloth strip because it is not in an area that
raises concerns of overheating.

“Overall, the tank performance was really outstanding,”
said Shannon late on Wednesday.

COLUMBIA’S LEGACY

NASA had hoped to resume assembling the space station last
year, but when Discovery flew in 2005 its fuel tank dropped
several large pieces of foam during launch, prompting NASA
engineers to decide to redesign the tank. The insulation
prevents the formation of ice on the tank, which could be even
more dangerous than foam if it broke off and hit the shuttle.

Since the 2003 accident, which claimed the lives of seven
astronauts, NASA has spent about $1.3 billion to fix the
shuttle’s fuel tank and to develop in-flight inspection and
heat shield repair techniques.

So far, NASA is optimistic its second redesign of the fuel
tank was successful, clearing the way for the resumption of
space station assembly. Work on the $100 billion complex, which
is sponsored by 16 nations, has been on hold since the Columbia
accident while NASA struggled to return its three remaining
shuttles to flight.

Discovery is carrying more than 5,000 pounds (2,272 kg) of
equipment and supplies to the space station, but its most
important delivery is a new crew member. Germany’s Thomas
Reiter will transfer to the station crew shortly after the
shuttle’s arrival.

The station has been one person short since the Columbia
accident to save on supplies.

Reiter, who previously made a six-month flight on the
Russian Mir space station, also becomes the first resident
station crew member who is neither American or Russian. Europe
and Japan have laboratory modules awaiting rides to orbit
aboard the space shuttle. NASA needs to finish the outpost
before the shuttles are retired in 2010.

The shuttle astronauts plan to conduct two or three
spacewalks during their stay at the station. Their most
important task is to repair a rail cart used to haul equipment
to various work sites outside the station.