This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/8329633.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nasa tries again to launch rocket | Nasa tries again to launch rocket |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US space agency will make another attempt to launch a prototype rocket designed to replace the ageing shuttle. | The US space agency will make another attempt to launch a prototype rocket designed to replace the ageing shuttle. |
| Tuesday's launch of the Ares I-X had to be scrubbed due to bad weather, and the forecast for Wednesday is no better. | Tuesday's launch of the Ares I-X had to be scrubbed due to bad weather, and the forecast for Wednesday is no better. |
| There is just a 40% chance of acceptable weather for today's launch attempt, according to Nasa. | There is just a 40% chance of acceptable weather for today's launch attempt, according to Nasa. |
| The slender, 100m-tall Ares I-X vehicle will test technology crucial for the development of a manned craft that could return astronauts to the Moon. | The slender, 100m-tall Ares I-X vehicle will test technology crucial for the development of a manned craft that could return astronauts to the Moon. |
| A combination of high wind speeds and clouds contributed to Nasa's decision to postpone the launch from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Tuesday. | A combination of high wind speeds and clouds contributed to Nasa's decision to postpone the launch from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Tuesday. |
| Overnight, the area was lashed by rain and there were four lightning strikes near the launch pad. Nasa is testing the launcher to ensure no issues arise as a result. | Overnight, the area was lashed by rain and there were four lightning strikes near the launch pad. Nasa is testing the launcher to ensure no issues arise as a result. |
| The experimental craft has a four-hour launch window between 1200 and 1600 GMT (0800 and 1200 EDT) on 28 and 29 October. | The experimental craft has a four-hour launch window between 1200 and 1600 GMT (0800 and 1200 EDT) on 28 and 29 October. |
| The craft is the first new launch vehicle that Nasa has designed and built in more than three decades. | The craft is the first new launch vehicle that Nasa has designed and built in more than three decades. |
| Prior to the scheduled take-off on Tuesday, a fabric cover designed to protect a probe on the nose of the craft whilst it was on the launch pad became tangled. It was finally released to a round of applause by the mission team. | Prior to the scheduled take-off on Tuesday, a fabric cover designed to protect a probe on the nose of the craft whilst it was on the launch pad became tangled. It was finally released to a round of applause by the mission team. |
| A ship that had sailed into the seas surrounding the launch site caused further delays. | A ship that had sailed into the seas surrounding the launch site caused further delays. |
| Finally, bad weather forced controllers to scrub the event. Winds at ground level were blowing above 20 knots, higher than allowed for launch, and clouds obscured the pad. | Finally, bad weather forced controllers to scrub the event. Winds at ground level were blowing above 20 knots, higher than allowed for launch, and clouds obscured the pad. |
| The flight team was particularly concerned about the cloud coverage, partly because they needed clear skies to watch the flight but also because of a problem known as "triboelectrification". | The flight team was particularly concerned about the cloud coverage, partly because they needed clear skies to watch the flight but also because of a problem known as "triboelectrification". |
| This phenomenon occurs when the rocket encounters water or ice droplets in the clouds. As these collide with the rocket they cause a static charge to build up on its skin, creating interference with radio signals. | This phenomenon occurs when the rocket encounters water or ice droplets in the clouds. As these collide with the rocket they cause a static charge to build up on its skin, creating interference with radio signals. |
| This is a problem for the 1-X team, which needs clear signals to gather data from 700 sensors wired throughout the vehicle, which are designed to collect flight data. | This is a problem for the 1-X team, which needs clear signals to gather data from 700 sensors wired throughout the vehicle, which are designed to collect flight data. |
| In addition, the team needed to be able to send a signal to a detonator and explosives onboard the craft, which would be used to destroy it in case of an emergency. | In addition, the team needed to be able to send a signal to a detonator and explosives onboard the craft, which would be used to destroy it in case of an emergency. |
| The slim-line rocket is a prototype of the Ares I craft, part of the Constellation programme intended to return the US to the Moon by 2020. | The slim-line rocket is a prototype of the Ares I craft, part of the Constellation programme intended to return the US to the Moon by 2020. |
| However, a recent report has cast doubt on the future of the programme. | However, a recent report has cast doubt on the future of the programme. |
| The Augustine panel, which had been asked to review the US human spaceflight programme, published its report on 22 October. | The Augustine panel, which had been asked to review the US human spaceflight programme, published its report on 22 October. |
| Although the panel supported the Ares I-X test flight, it questioned the need to develop the Ares I. | Although the panel supported the Ares I-X test flight, it questioned the need to develop the Ares I. |
| In particular, the panel queried the cost and design of the craft as well as its development time. | In particular, the panel queried the cost and design of the craft as well as its development time. |