Space Forum / Shuttle / April 2005

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top14apr29,1,2874667.stor
y?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines

"The work means that NASA will have to remove Discovery from the launch pad
and return it to the Vehicle Assembly Building"

Exactly when?

It sounds like rollback to the VAB could commence at any time starting
this afternoon if that's the decision they make.

Safety has always been the #1 priority.  IMO we have a somewhat
increased safety margin over what we had 3 years ago.  It's difficult to
put a number to it, but I think it's real nonetheless.

On the other hand we have a _much_larger_ quantity of "perceived safety"
above and beyond what we had 3 years ago.  This is what makes me think
that the May launch date is moot at this point.  Even if everything is
ready to fly, the sheer number of open issues in various states of
un-done-ness is enough to warrant a change in the launch date, if for no
other reason than to make it appear as though they're being "even safer".

The latter is for PR and political purposes, but it's the former I
sincerely hope we have enough of to run through 2010 without any more
shuttle disasters.

That link took me directly to a story about a "Mermaid baby" in Peru.