July 3, 2006

space scientists comment on the delayed launch of the the Discovery space shuttle

Professor Martin Barstow, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, said:

“The success of this shuttle flight is crucial for NASA. They really need to show that the problems they have had with the insulating foam and tiles are solved, so that regular flights can be resumed. Without this the important goals of completing the space station and repairing Hubble will not be possible.”

Professor John Zarnecki, Professor of Space Science, Planetary & Space Sciences Research Institute, Open University, said:

“Any sort of failure of this mission will have wide ranging impacts on the whole US space program. It will also have significant effects for European projects, where ESA is in collaboration with NASA.”