NASA will try to launch the space shuttle Endeavour on 16 May 2011 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This is the second effort after a planned launch on 30 April 2011 canceled due to the electronic system problems in the heating system for controlling hydraulic power system.
NASA has conducted overall checking and review the entire system. They are very confident that there is no problem, both on aircraft and its electronic devices. The plan, Endeavour will be launched at 8:56 am local time.
Upon arrival at the International Space Station (ISS), Endeavour will meet the Russian space shuttle, Soyuz. Endeavor will return to Earth on May 23, 2011. Endeavour's mission this time involving six astronauts and will be led by Mark Kelly. Endeavor will bring material from the space to Earth. The load is worth 2 billion U.S. dollars brought in by space shuttle is useful to examine the universe, especially about dark matter and antimatter. After this mission, Endeavour will end its career and entered the museum.
Space Shuttle Discovery had already been retired after its last mission to complete in March. Soon, the shuttle Atlantis also will retire. Last one actually scheduled launch of Atlantis on June 28. However, it was postponed to after the 4th of July because of problems on the Endeavour.
If the launch will fail again, then the Endeavour just could be launched in the third week of June. It relates to the plans arrival of the ISS crew and the sun angle less supports. President Barack Obama plans to attend the last launch of the Endeavor, as well as hundreds of thousands of other people.
An estimated number of people who see this event be less than those present at the final launch of Discovery. However, this event is predicted to remain crowded audience.
Endeavour space shuttle is the youngest shuttle of five U.S. space shuttles. Endeavour just "born" in 1992, six years after the space shuttle Challenger ended its term. Challenger is the space shuttle with the shortest life: three years (1983-1986).
Endeavour is the only space shuttle whose name was chosen by children. Endeavour names obtained through a national competition for elementary and secondary school children. The competition was opened in 1988 and the winner announced on May 10, 1989. Students was asked to choose based on research by a ship that ever existed. Endeavour proposed by a third participant at the state level winners. Endeavour is the name of British exploration ship in the 18th century, led by James Cook.
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