 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1998 (8:22 AM EDT) E-mail: Bruce.Buckingham-1@ksc.nasa.gov  STS-90 -- NEUROLAB
The launch of Space Shuttle Columbia has been postponed for at least 24 hours due to a Network Signal Processor (NSP) failure. There are two NSPs aboard Columbia, and both are required for launch. NSPs process data from the orbiter to the ground or the orbiting TDRS communications satellites. Launch is now tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 17 at 2:19 p.m. EDT. The window extends for two and a half hours. Since tanking operations never began today, engineers will soon enter the orbiter's middeck and replace the failed NSP. This should be completed by late this afternoon. Air Force weather forecasts are predicting excellent weather for tomorrow afternoon with a zero percent chance of weather criteria violations on Friday. |