Weather Forces NASA to Scrub Shuttle Launch
NASA was forced to postpone the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery again today as thunder storms and dangerous rain showers threatened the safety of the astronauts aboard the multi-billion dollar space vessel. After today's delay, the shuttle is now scheduled to launch on Tuesday, July 4. While Mission Commander Steve Lindsey reports that weather is indeed the sole factor in the launch delays, many experts have speculated that NASA may be delaying the launch at the behest of the United States government who would like to use the launch as a part of planned Independence Day activities. An unnamed White House official confirmed plans to stage a large family picnic at the Kennedy Space Center on the day of the launch. Reports of the planned menu including hotdogs, macaroni salad, and ice cold lemonade go unconfirmed.
During the day's festivities, families will be able to enjoy meeting the astronauts, local politicians, and Luny the Moon Rock who has served as NASA's official mascot ever since the Challenger explosion in 1986 forced NASA to create a family and safety-friendly face for the public. Those who remember Luny's famous "Always Buckle Up Before Blasting Off!" ad campaign of the early 1990's will get a chance to shake the lovable mascot's over-sized hand and get his autograph. In addition, the day's festivities will likely include live music, carnival games, and a bouncy castle. A warning to those wishing to make use of the bouncy castle: arrive early. Governor Bush's security detail is know to greatly enjoy bouncy castles and has been reported to monopolize the attractions at several public celebrations.
The day will end in a blaze of glory with a display of fireworks serving as the backdrop for the shuttle launch as darkness begins to fall. The display promises to be a fantastic spectacle, and reporters have been assurred by several key safety personnel that the Discovery has been gone over with a fine tooth-comb to ensure that the shuttle will not serve as a horrific grand finale.
"I know for a fact that we have that problem under control." says Rob Schleissinger, safety manager at NASA . "Let me assure you that the day will end in a glorious show of red, white, and blue, and not the horrified screams and gasps of onlookers as flaming shards of plastic and metal rain down from the sky."
Weather reports for Tuesday indicate a clearing of the bad weather that has so far hampered launch operations and promise a beautiful, sunny day that should contribute to a happy and eventful 4th of July celebration. After the shuttle launch, celebrations will likely last into the night as the astronauts deliver leftovers from the picnic to their international counterparts aboard the international space station.
Artist's rendition of possible 4th of July Festivities
Original Story Here.
During the day's festivities, families will be able to enjoy meeting the astronauts, local politicians, and Luny the Moon Rock who has served as NASA's official mascot ever since the Challenger explosion in 1986 forced NASA to create a family and safety-friendly face for the public. Those who remember Luny's famous "Always Buckle Up Before Blasting Off!" ad campaign of the early 1990's will get a chance to shake the lovable mascot's over-sized hand and get his autograph. In addition, the day's festivities will likely include live music, carnival games, and a bouncy castle. A warning to those wishing to make use of the bouncy castle: arrive early. Governor Bush's security detail is know to greatly enjoy bouncy castles and has been reported to monopolize the attractions at several public celebrations.
The day will end in a blaze of glory with a display of fireworks serving as the backdrop for the shuttle launch as darkness begins to fall. The display promises to be a fantastic spectacle, and reporters have been assurred by several key safety personnel that the Discovery has been gone over with a fine tooth-comb to ensure that the shuttle will not serve as a horrific grand finale.
"I know for a fact that we have that problem under control." says Rob Schleissinger, safety manager at NASA . "Let me assure you that the day will end in a glorious show of red, white, and blue, and not the horrified screams and gasps of onlookers as flaming shards of plastic and metal rain down from the sky."
Weather reports for Tuesday indicate a clearing of the bad weather that has so far hampered launch operations and promise a beautiful, sunny day that should contribute to a happy and eventful 4th of July celebration. After the shuttle launch, celebrations will likely last into the night as the astronauts deliver leftovers from the picnic to their international counterparts aboard the international space station.
Artist's rendition of possible 4th of July Festivities
Original Story Here.
