Countdown Restarts After Shuttle Sensor Is Replaced
NASA officials began another countdown for the shuttle Discovery on Thursday after replacing an engine sensor that failed earlier this week during fueling for a launch attempt.
Tests on the new sensor indicate that it is working well, NASA test director Al Sofge said.
“We’re fairly certain it is the transducer (sensor) that was the problem,” Sofge said. “We’re very comfortable with that and looking forward to having no problem with that during the launch countdown.”
Discovery is scheduled to lift off at 4:01 a.m. PDT Sunday on a military mission devoted to “Star Wars” research.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration workers were loading Discovery’s external fuel tank for a liftoff Tuesday when the sensor began showing impossibly high pressure readings for one of the three main engines.
Workers removed the sensor and its attached electrical cables Wednesday.
During the eight-day mission, the seven crew members will release a Strategic Defense Initiative satellite for test observations of exhaust plumes from a shuttle maneuvering rocket. Officials of the SDI program, better known as “Star Wars,” said the test will improve their ability to track enemy missiles.
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