NASA Mulls Fuel Tank Test for Next Shuttle Flight

Posted on: Apr. 14th, 2006 || Source: space.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA is mapping out plans to test shuttle Discovery's external tank at its Kennedy Space Center launch pad, but a final decision on whether to proceed with the fuel-loading operation still is pending.

The test would involve pumping more than a half-million gallons of super cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the 15-story tank to test changes made to it, agency officials said Wednesday.

Among other things, the test – which would take place about June 1 – would enable engineers to determine whether four new liquid hydrogen fuel-depletion sensors in the tank are working properly.

Kyle Herring, a spokesman for NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said engineers have been asked to draw up plans for a test, but managers still have not made a final decision on whether to carry it out.

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