Space shuttle Endeavour has been cleared for launch on 4 December after Russian cosmonauts successfully removed a piece of stray rubber from one of the docking stations. The rubber seal prevented an unmanned cargo ship from docking securely to the International Space Station (ISS) on 28 November.
Endeavour is now set to launch at 2245 GMT from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The local weather forecast gives an 80 per cent chance of acceptable launch conditions.
“Everything is on track. The weather is the only issue now – which is always the case,” says a NASA spokesperson.
NASA decided to push back the launch of Endeavour from 29 November until 4 December, after a Russian Progress cargo ship carrying one tonne of supplies failed to dock properly with the ISS. The cargo vessel connected with the ISS but could not lock itself firmly to the station because of the obstruction.
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It is thought a previous Russian Progress cargo ship left behind the circular rubber seal during undocking.
Mission accomplished
Two cosmonauts conducted a 90-minute space walk on 3 November to investigate and remove the seal. The Progress was then locked to the station securely.
“It all went flawlessly,” says a NASA spokesman. “They got out and in pretty short order cut away the obstruction.”
Endeavour will carry further supplies and a new crew of two US astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut to the ISS.
It will be the first shuttle launch since the terrorist attacks of 11 September and security has been tightened at Cape Canaveral. The local no fly zone has been increased and fewer people will be allowed to attend the launch.
