Atlantis creeps up on Hubble
Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to rendevous with the Hubble Space Telescope on its final servicing mission to the venerable eye in the sky. Shortly before 15:00 GMT, NASA reported: "Orbiting nearly 50,000 feet (9 1/2 statute miles) behind the telescope, Atlantis' crew performed a precisely-targeted thruster firing called the …
How close to the fuselage?
The fact that it's even public knowledge makes me wonder, this sounds similar to what caused the disintegration of STS-107. Last time they refused to get a satellite to have a closer look in orbit when it was suggested by engineers. If they want any kind of budget from Obama going forward, they'd better make damn sure it's OK this time.
Still, here's to looking out of a nice clean Hubble, and the safe return of Atlantis.
Space shuttle safety
NASA know that a repeat of Columbia will doom any more Shuttle flights and big problems all round for NASA.
Maybe the "managers" listen to Engineers now.
"...grapple of the telescope...."
Presumably, they're expecting this to result in either three falls or a submission from the telescope.
What's the backup plan if the telescope wins?
The spandex leotard, thanks.
