RSF@SU-AI.ARPA (06/09/84)
From: Ross Finlayson <RSF@SU-AI.ARPA>
a086 0813 08 Jun 84
PM-Space Shuttle, 1st Ld - Writethru, a049,300
Eds: New throughout with launch postponed three days.
By HOWARD BENEDICT
AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The maiden flight of space shuttle
Discovery was delayed three days today, until June 25, so engineers
can replace one of its main engines.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration decided to replace
the engine after technicians on Thursday discovered a slight
separation of a thin metal thermal shield from the lining of a fuel
preburner pump in engine No. 1. The shield helps protect the wall of
the pump from engine heat during firing.
The shield apparently came loose during a 19-second test-firing of
Discovery's engines on Saturday.
NASA spokesman Hugh Harris said officials had considered four
options, with impacts ranging from no delay to a delay of several
days.
The decision was made today to change the entire engine, replacing
it with one from the shuttle Challenger, which is in a hangar here, he
said. The change will be made on the launch pad, where Discovery has
been for two weeks.
The launch had been scheduled for June 22 and the replacement delays
the flight until at least June 25, Harris said.
Other than replacing the engine, engineers had considered three
options:
-To use the engine as is, with no impact on the schedule.
-To replace the fuel pump, which would take about five days.
-To remove the pump and repair it, which would take more than five
days, but officials were not able to predict how long.
Replacing the engine takes four days but that doesn't mean the
launch date would slip by the same number of days because other work
could continue during the replacement.
Discovery, the third shuttle, will carry a crew of six on a
seven-day mission.
ap-ny-06-08 1113EDT
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