June 13 News Items

NASA Checks Into Potential Hit on Shuttle (Source: MSNBC)
Sensors on the shuttle Atlantis have recorded hits on the leading edges of the wings, around the area where Columbia suffered fatal damage four years ago. However, NASA emphasized that the hits probably did no damage to Atlantis. Officials said the areas would be inspected to make certain that the wing will be safe. The sensor system was upgraded after the 2003 Columbia tragedy. The hits could have been caused by a collision with a small meteorite or a piece of space junk in orbit. However, an official said it was more likely that the detections were caused by "thermal settling" or deformation rather than an actual impact.

Apparent Software Glitch Causes False Fire Alarm (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
Fire alarms tripped inside the Russian section of the international space station today, triggering emergency procedures and concern on the ground until the astronauts reported it was an apparent false alarm. At 5:20 p.m. EDT, alarm tones could be heard on air-to-ground radio, prompting U.S. flight controllers to ask for a status report. No signs of a fire were found.

Northrop Grumman Expands Weightless Flights Program With ZERO-G (Source: NASA Watch)
The Northrop Grumman Foundation will sponsor the national Weightless Flights of Discovery, an innovative science and engineering education program that incorporates zero gravity flight experiences for teachers. This year's program will also include university students planning careers as teachers. The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery will operate out of eight cities across the U.S. from August through December 2007.

Flights will be conducted in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, Co., New Orleans, Newport News, VA, Dallas and Bethpage, NY. The program will include eight workshops and 16 flights in all, and will prepare teachers to lead students in topics that relate to 30 National Science Standards. Last year's program was co-sponsored by the Florida Space Research Institute and resulted in Florida's record for flying the greatest number of K-12 teachers.