Missing Insulation Delays Launch of Shuttle Columbia Until Friday

NASA on Tuesday delayed this week’s launching of space shuttle Columbia by one day to install thermal insulation on a coolant loop.

Columbia is now scheduled to lift off Friday afternoon on its science mission.

Shuttle managers discovered that a coolant loop had been installed in Columbia without thermal insulation, said NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham. They feared that water in the line might freeze in orbit and decided to add the insulation, he said. That work was to be conducted today.

While the shuttle has flown before without the insulating layer on the coolant loop, Columbia’s mission this time is longer than usual--16 days.

Across the Atlantic, meanwhile, a malfunctioning antenna at a shuttle emergency landing site in western Africa forced NASA to move up the launch time by nearly one hour.

The antenna is needed only for a night landing. By launching at 1:07 p.m. EST on Friday, instead of the intended 2 p.m. or so, NASA can send Columbia on its way regardless of whether that antenna works.

Columbia, NASA’s oldest space shuttle, will carry seven astronauts who will spend most of their time conducting laboratory experiments. Fairly good weather is expected on Friday.