Space Shuttle Endeavour to Get New Engines

NASA must replace all three main engines of the new shuttle Endeavour because of worn bearings and pressure buildup that occurred during a test-firing, officials said Wednesday.

While this procedure usually involves an additional day or two of work, it could be performed with other launch preparations and thus not delay Endeavour’s maiden voyage next month, NASA spokesman James Hartsfield said.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials were still aiming for a May 5 liftoff.

Endeavour’s main engines were fired for 22 seconds Monday in a launch pad test required of all new orbiters. Shuttle managers initially said everything appeared to go well, but on closer analysis, engineers found a pressure buildup in a component of one engine.

Another engine had a different problem. Tests indicated that the ball bearings in a high-pressure oxidizer turbo-pump, which pressurizes the oxygen, were beginning to wear.

Neither problem would have jeopardized safety and the engines likely would have operated sufficiently if Endeavour had lifted off, Hartsfield said.