Discovery moves back to launch pad


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CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- NASA returned the space shuttle Discovery to the launch pad Wednesday for the first mission since the Columbia disaster, after replacing the external fuel tank with a new model designed to prevent dangerous ice buildup.

Shuttle managers are aiming for a liftoff as early as July 13.

Discovery's four-mile trek from the assembly building to the launch pad aboard the giant shuttle transporter took more than nine hours. The morning trip was halted several times because of overheated bearings in the transporter, and the speed fell below the usual mile per hour.

"A little bit of deja vu -- we've done this before, we're doing it again," vehicle manager Stephanie Stilson said as Discovery crept to the pad.

Stilson said Discovery should now be the safest shuttle to ever fly, with all the other safety modifications made in the wake of the Columbia catastrophe.

source:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/06/15/s...e.ap/index.html

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Stilson said Discovery should now be the safest shuttle to ever fly

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Yeah, until this one crashes and burns. :sleep:

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:unsure: Methinks people should remember the vast majority of successful launches and safe landings. It's truly amazing at what humans can do. ;)

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