Veteran shuttle astronaut John "Mike" Lounge dies at 64

2011-03-03T22:00:13Z

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former astronaut John "Mike" Lounge, who flew into orbit as part of three space shuttle crews, including the first mission after the 1986 Challenger disaster, died on Tuesday at age 64, NASA

Obama calls to say 'proud' of astronauts

2011-03-03T20:30:26Z

US President Barack Obama made a phone call to the 12 astronauts at the orbiting International Space Station on Thursday to tell them he was proud of them.

The dozen astronauts -- eight from America, two from Russia and one from I...

US Discovery astronauts step out on last spacewalk

2011-03-02T19:30:35Z

Two US astronauts on Wednesday stepped out on the second and final spacewalk of the Discovery shuttle mission at the International Space Station to work on repairs at the orbiting lab.

"Once again rock stars, very impressive work today," said astronaut Nico...

Astronauts install Italian-built module at space lab

2011-03-01T17:30:21Z

Astronauts at the orbiting International Space Station on Tuesday installed a permanent Italian-built storage module, while Russia nixed plans to fly around and take pictures of the crowded lab.

The flyabout by Russia's Soyuz capsule would have provided new camera angles on the ISS as well as an unusual group photo of all the five participating nations' ...

Robotic arm breakdown adds spacewalk drama

2011-02-28T20:30:20Z

Two US astronauts on Monday wrapped up the first spacewalk of the Discovery shuttle mission at the International Space Station after a robotic arm breakdown left one of them stranded for almost 20 minutes.

"How much longer?" asked veteran astronaut Steve Bo...

Astronauts venture outside station for spacewalk

2011-02-28T15:30:10Z

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Two NASA astronauts ventured outside the International Space Station on Monday to prepare the orbital outpost for life after the US shuttle Discovery docked for its final visit at the orbiting International Space Station, where all five of the world's participating space agencies now have vehicles or equipment.

"This is the first time all visiting vehicles have something represented," <...

Shuttle Discovery pays last visit to space station

2011-02-26T13:00:04Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station...

Discovery shuttle blasts off on last space odyssey

2011-02-25T02:30:07Z

The shuttle Discovery blasted off on its final mission into orbit, marking the beginning of the end for what has been a central part of the US space program for three decades.

NASA's most journeyed shuttle launched at 4:53 pm (2153 GMT) on its way to the

Discovery shuttle blasts off on final mission

2011-02-24T18:30:35Z

The shuttle Discovery has blasted off on its final mission into orbit, marking the beginning of the end for what has been a central mission of the US space program for three decades.

NASA's most journeyed shuttle launched at 4:53 pm (2153 GMT) on its way to the CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday on its...

Space shuttle Discovery fueled for last flight

2011-02-24T12:00:28Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery was fueled for liftoff on Thursday on its final mission to carry supplies and spare parts to the

NASA green lights Discovery launch for Thursday

2011-02-23T17:30:55Z

NASA gave the green light for the space shuttle Discovery to blast off Thursday, saying the countdown to the aging shuttle's final mission before retirement was going "beautifully."

Technical failures delayed Discovery's launch in November 2010, but sunny weather and smooth preparations gave engineers every indication that the 39th mission for the historic shuttle w...

Shuttle Discovery 'ready to fly' on last space mission

2011-02-22T17:30:37Z

NASA said Tuesday the space shuttle Discovery is "ready to fly" on its final mission to the International Space Station and weather looks good for launch on February 24.

"Over the last few months the team has been very busy effecting repairs to the external tank and making it stron...

NASA readies for next week's space shuttle launch

2011-02-18T16:30:19Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA will launch the first of three final space shuttle missions next week, sending the shuttle Discovery on its las...

US space shuttle unharmed after tool accident

2011-02-10T17:30:35Z

Inspectors found no damage to the Space Shuttle Discovery or to its external reserve tanks after a thin multi-piece measuring tool fell during repair work, NASA said Thursday.

The accident has not compromised Discovery's February 24 mission to the US space shuttle Discovery was rolled out to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of its planned liftoff on February 24, NASA said Tuesday.

"The shuttle was powered up this morning as part ...

Shuttle Discovery returns to launch pad

2011-02-01T10:30:11Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery was rolled out to its seaside launch pad early on Tuesday in preparation for a February 24 launch to the CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA is replacing the lead spacewalker for its next shuttle mission after the veteran astronaut was injured in a bike accident over the weekend, officials said on Wednesday.

Joining the NASA said Tuesday it will aim to launch the space shuttle Discovery on February 24, after engineers found a way to shore up cracks on the external fuel tank that have delayed its final liftoff.

NASA engineers have been working since November to figure out why cracks were emerging on the 22-foot-long U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, on the shuttle's exte...

NASA wants shuttle fuel tank reinforced

2011-01-04T16:00:11Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA on Tuesday began modifications to shuttle Discovery's fuel tank, hoping to thwart a potential debris hazard dur...

NASA finds more cracks on Discovery fuel tank

2010-12-31T14:30:28Z

NASA said Thursday it has found four more small cracks on the metal supports of the shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank, as the aging shuttle undergoes X-ray testing before its final space mission next year.

Repairs would be made to the cracks in a similar fashion to the cracks discovered after the November 5 launch attempt, the National Aeronautics and Space Adm...

NASA tests aging shuttle after failed launch

2010-12-17T15:30:53Z

NASA carried out tests on the external fuel tank of the aging shuttle Discovery on Friday after strange cracks appeared during a countdown last month which delayed its final launch into space.

"So far, so good," said Allard Beutel, a spokesman for the Kennedy Space Center

Capsule docks with space station, 3 new tenants

2010-12-17T12:30:36Z

Capsule docks with International Space Station, brings 3 new tenants from US, Italy, Russia

The International Space Station has three new tenants.

A Russian Soyuz capsule docked with the orbiting lab Friday, two days after blasting ...

NASA fuels shuttle Discovery in test for cracks

2010-12-17T04:30:14Z

NASA loads shuttle Discovery's fuel tank in test to figure out cracks, no launch until Feb.

NASA is fueling space shuttle Discovery at the launch pad. But the shuttle won't be flying anywhere, at least not anytime soon.

Discovery is grounded until February because of cracks that popped up in its fuel tank during last month's launch attempt. T...

NASA to test shuttle Discovery repairs Friday

2010-12-16T20:30:32Z

NASA will run a series of fuel tank tests on the shuttle Discovery Friday to see if repairs have successfully fixed a series of cracks that have thwarted the mission's final run to space.

The tests are to take place at 7 am (1200 GMT) on the launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center...

NASA postpones Discovery launch to February 3

2010-12-03T17:30:41Z

The shuttle Discovery's final mission to the International Space Station will be delayed until February 3 at the earliest as engineers try to solve the mystery of the cracked fuel tank, NASA said Friday.

The aging shuttle's latest attempt to launch was scratched on November 5 when ...

NASA delays shuttle flight to Feb., cracks culprit

2010-12-03T13:30:31Z

NASA delays final voyage of space shuttle Discovery to Feb., fuel tank cracks the culprit

Space shuttle Discovery's final mission is off until February, three months late because of fuel tank cracks that are stumping engineers.

NASA's top spaceflight managers announced the latest delay on Friday. They said they need more time to understand th...

NASA delays space shuttle launch until next year

2010-12-03T13:02:46Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA will not attempt to fly space shuttle Discovery this year as it investigates what caused cracking in the ship's...

NASA postpones Discovery launch to mid-December

2010-11-24T18:30:48Z

NASA on Wednesday postponed until mid-December the launch of the space shuttle Discovery on its last trip to the International Space Station after cracks were found in its external fuel tank.

"It's a complex problem," space shuttle program manager

Shuttle Discovery's last flight over Christmas?

2010-11-24T15:00:19Z

Space shuttle Discovery may spend Christmas in orbit on last flight; NASA looking at new delay

2010-11-19T11:30:40Z

Correction: Space Shuttle story

In a story Nov. 18 about a launch delay for the space shuttle Discovery, The Associated Press reported erroneously the size of the crew. There will be six astronauts on board, not seven.

87062010&bid=informcom"...

Shuttle Discovery's final flight off until Dec. 3

2010-11-29T14:40:46Z

...

Discovery

2010-11-29T14:59:10Z

...

Discovery launch 'no earlier than' December 3

2010-11-18T20:30:46Z

The cracks were found late Wednesday on an aluminum strip separating the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks, after technicians removed a segment of foam insulation that developed a 51-centimeter (20-inch) fissure during the November 5 launch attempt.

The Discovery launch aims to be the fourth and final shuttle flight of the year, and the last scheduled for Discovery, the oldest in the three-shuttle fleet that is being retired next year.

But the mission has been marred by a ...

Now Discovery Has a Fuel Leak; Delayed Another 48 Hours At Least

2010-11-29T14:47:14Z

...

Space shuttle launch delayed by new technical glitch

2010-11-05T07:30:18Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - A hydrogen leak forced NASA on Friday to delay the launch of the space shuttle Discovery for a fourth t...

NASA green-lights Discovery shuttle launch

2010-11-05T06:00:14Z

With 70 percent favorable weather conditions, technicians at Florida's Kennedy Space Center began pumping liquid hydrogen into the shuttle's orange external fuel tanks ahead of the launch now set for 3:04 pm (1904 GMT), the US space agency said.

"The team is not working any issue right now preventing a launch on time," space center spokesman Allard Beutel told reporters.

Shuttle Discovery launch delayed to Friday

2010-11-04T15:00:56Z

Heavy rain early Thursday buffeted Florida's Kennedy Space Center where Discovery had already been rolled out to the launchpad after early glitches that postponed the launch three times earlier in the week were resolved.

Space Shuttle

2010-12-03T11:45:41Z

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2010 file photo, NASA employees walk near Space Shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA managers announced the latest delay for Discovery on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. They say they need more time to...

APTOPIX Space Shuttle

2010-11-04T08:37:23Z

Storm cllouds roll over the space shuttle Discovery after sunset Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Space shuttle Discovery's launch Thursday has been has been postponed because of stormy weather. (A...

Space Shuttle Discovery Rolls Out To Launch Pad

2010-03-27T02:20:28Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - MARCH 3: Space Shuttle Discovery rolls out to launch pad 39-A atop the crawler transporter at Kenendy Space Center March 3, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled to launch to the International ...

Space Shuttle Returns To Kennedy Space Center After 13-Day Mission

2010-04-02T02:45:53Z

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Clouds arriving from the Atlantic Ocean passes near NASA's vehicle assembly building, scrubbing Space Shuttle Discovery's return to Kennedy Space Center f...

Space Shuttle Discovery To Deliver Leonardo Module

2010-04-03T00:37:22Z

IN SPACE - AUGUST 30: In this handout image from NASA taken by the International Space Station crew, the Space Shuttle Discovery performns rendezvous and docking operations August 30, 2009 in Space. Discovery is on a mission to the station to deliver Leonardo, Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, t...

News on Space Shuttle Discovery

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US Discovery astronauts step out on last spacewalk

Astronauts install Italian-built module at space lab

Robotic arm breakdown adds spacewalk drama

Astronauts venture outside station for spacewalk

Shuttle Discovery pays last visit to space station

Discovery shuttle blasts off on last space odyssey

Discovery shuttle blasts off on final mission

Space shuttle Discovery fueled for last flight

NASA green lights Discovery launch for Thursday

Shuttle Discovery 'ready to fly' on last space mission

NASA readies for next week's space shuttle launch

US space shuttle unharmed after tool accident

Shuttle Discovery returns to launch pad

NASA wants shuttle fuel tank reinforced

NASA finds more cracks on Discovery fuel tank

NASA tests aging shuttle after failed launch

Capsule docks with space station, 3 new tenants

NASA fuels shuttle Discovery in test for cracks

NASA to test shuttle Discovery repairs Friday

NASA postpones Discovery launch to February 3

NASA delays shuttle flight to Feb., cracks culprit

NASA delays space shuttle launch until next year

NASA postpones Discovery launch to mid-December

Shuttle Discovery's last flight over Christmas?

Tank cracks put shuttle launch on indefinite hold

New Delay Pushes Shuttle Discovery's Last Launch to Dec. 17

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Space Shuttle Discovery Repaired for Final Voyage

Correction: Space Shuttle story

Shuttle Discovery's final flight off until Dec. 3

Discovery

Discovery launch 'no earlier than' December 3

NASA says shuttle to launch no sooner than December 3

NASA Now Aiming for Dec. 3 Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

Security Summit to Force Space Station Crew to Land Early

Shuttle fixes proceed amid study of 'flight rationale'

Fourth Crack Discovered On Space Shuttle Discovery's Fuel Tank

NASA Tracks Space Shuttle Discovery Gas Leak to Faulty Seal

Third Crack Found in Metal Skin of Shuttle Discovery's Fuel Tank

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Inspectors find fourth crack in Discovery space shuttle

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NASA finds 4th crack on space shuttle fuel tank

Two cracks found on Discovery's fuel tank

Discovery Shuttle Launch

Cracks found in shuttle fuel tank, not just foam

The crack that delayed Discovery

New Cracks Found on Shuttle Discovery's External Fuel Tank

crack appeared on Friday

NASA Engineers Examine Space Shuttle Discovery Ahead of Repairs

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Martian Subsurface Offers Best Hope of Fossils

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Fuel tank crack is latest of shuttle Discovery's woes

Space Station: 10 years in orbit

Space shuttle launch pushed back

Tank leak delays Discovery launch until end November

Hydrogen leak grounds hard-luck space shuttle

Shuttle Launch Pushed to Nov. 30

NASA Begins Fueling Space Shuttle Discovery For Final Mission