Houston: US space shuttle Atlantis arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, but the installation of its primary cargo, a European science laboratory, will be delayed for a day due to an astronaut health problem, NASA said.
Space agency officials would not disclose who was ill or what the problem was, but said German astronaut Hans Schlegel, 56, would not take part as planned in the spacewalk to attach the lab to the station. He will be replaced by crewmember Stan Love, said mission management team leader John Shannon. NASA rules prevent much disclosure, but Shannon said the illness “is not life-threatening.” The installation of the $1.9-billion Columbus lab, Europe’s contribution to the ISS, will take place on Monday instead of Sunday, he added. News of the delay followed Atlantis’ docking with the station 320 km above Earth on Saturday, ending a two-day orbital journey. After docking, the shuttle crew floated into the ISS to warm greetings from station commander Peggy Whitson and her two crewmates. NASA said the link-up went smoothly but it was studying a small tear in a thermal blanket on the shuttle. “We’re investigating whether it will present an issue for re-entry (into the atmosphere),” said Mike Sarafin, flight director. “It’s probably not that big an issue, but we’re looking into it.” Group Moderator for [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Connect your World with Us join Now - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Go to http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php
