WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

The gate outside Launch Pad 39A heralds the STS-98 launch as Space Shuttle Atlantis makes its way to the pad. The Shuttle had returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building from the launch pad in order to undergo tests on the solid rocket booster cables. A prior extensive evaluation of NASA’s SRB cable inventory on the shelf revealed conductor damage in four (of about 200) cables. Shuttle managers decided to prove the integrity of the system tunnel cables already on Atlantis, causing return of the Shuttle to the VAB a week ago. The Shuttle will undergo preparations for a rescheduled launch Feb. 7 at 6:11 p.m. EST.