NASA Presses Forward with February 7 Shuttle Launch Date

After weighing three alternatives to address the hose problem on the Tranquility module (“Node 3”) that threatened to delay the launch of STS-130, NASA managers decided to assemble new hoses from parts of shorter hoses that were “previously certified and tested,” NASA reported today. That means the mission remains on schedule for launch on February 7. NASA also decided to accelerate development of a redesigned set of hoses based on the design that failed during pressure testing to serve as backup once the module is attached to the International Space Station (ISS).

Tranquility is the third of three “nodes” to be launched to ISS. The nodes essentially are connection points for other modules, although Tranquility’s main purpose is to serve as crew quarters. The hoses for the first two nodes (Unity and Harmony) were made by a different contractor and are working properly. NASA changed contractors for Tranquility’s hoses and they also are longer (14 feet) than those for the other two nodes.

The STS-130 crew comprises Commander George D. Zamka, Pilot Terry W. Virts, Jr., and Mission Specialists Nicholas J. M. Patrick, Robert L. Behenken, Stephen K. Robinson, and Kathryn P. Hire. Only four more shuttle missions remain after STS-130. The shuttle is supposed to be retired by September 30, 2010, the end of the current fiscal year, though many expect that it may need a few months of FY2011 to safely complete the remaining flights.