Debris Concerns Put Shuttle Launch on Hold
Top NASA officials debated whether to hold to a May liftoff for the first space shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster, based on the latest launch-debris analyses and the possible need for extra repairs.
Launch preparations for Discovery were put on hold for at least a day because of the deliberations at Cape Canaveral.
NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said May 22 was still the target launch date for Discovery’s 12-day mission. But he said shuttle managers wanted to decide whether they could accomplish everything they needed to do in time for a liftoff then.
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