NASA has delayed the STS 99/Endeavour Shuttle Topography Radar Mission from 16 September to at least early October so that technicians can conduct a full inspection of the orbiter's cargo bay for damaged wiring.
STS93/Columbia suffered a short circuit at T+5s on 23 July because of damage to a wire in the cargo bay (Flight International, 18-24 August). Inspectors have found further damaged wires in Columbia and its sister ship Atlantis.
NASA had considered foregoing inspections of the younger orbiter Endeavour, but has decided to remove the Shuttle's radar payload and complete an inspection of its cargo bay. The remaining orbiter, Discovery, is also being inspected. Discovery was due to launch on STS 103 in mid-October on the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, but this will be delayed until late October.
• The US Air Force says a faulty electrical connection caused the $250 million failure of a Titan IV to place a Defense Space Programme early warning satellite into the correct orbit aboard an Inertial Upper Stage on 9 April.
An electrical plug did not release properly, causing the second stage of the Boeing-built IUS to fail to separate properly from the first stage. The failure was caused by tape and thermal wrap being placed over the plug.
Source: Flight International
