Hubble omitted as timetable for ISS assembly agreed
International Space Station (ISS) partners have endorsed the latest configuration and the sequence of 16 Space Shuttle missions needed to complete assembly in 2010.
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The International Space Station is expected to be completed by 2010 |
The dropping of Russia’s power platforms was among changes announced after a 2 March heads of agencies meeting at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory module will be launched in 2007 and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory module in 2008.
Eighteen Shuttle missions are planned, including two contingency flights. The proposed Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission is not listed. “There have been obvious decisions that are painful to implement,” says NASA administrator Michael Griffin.
There are plans to pre-position ISS spares in orbit, possibly under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) contract, Griffin says. The bid deadline was 3 March. SpaceX made a solo bid while Spacehab has teamed with two US companies and foreign subcontractors. Both are bidding for all four COTS categories: pressurised and unpressurised cargo, down mass and crew transport.
The winners have to demonstrate cargo transport systems by 2010 to win supply contracts.
ROB COPPINGER / LONDON
Source: Flight International
