Shuttle On Approach

Author
Aron Schatz
Posted
July 17, 2006
Views
7082

Page All:

Page 1
Turn on NASA TV and watch the shuttle landing. The shuttle had some minor technical details before landing. It is looking good.

Quote

There was one small glitch in the pre-landing check out. One of three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) in Discovery's rear compartment has a small leak - about six drops per hour. The APUs power the hydraulic pump, which controls some of the systems needed for landing, such as the rudder/speed brake and the elevon. Flight controllers are not sure whether the leak is hydrazine fuel or the nitrogen that is used to pressurise the fuel tank. A hydrazine leak would be more serious than a nitrogen leak. Before the de-orbit engine firing, Discovery turned on that APU and it appeared to be working fine.

Title

Medium Image View Large