NASA sets date for shuttle's final repair trip to Hubble

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Space shuttle Atlantis will embark on the final repair and maintenance mission to the Hubble Space Telescope on October 8, instead of the end of August as planned, NASA announced Thursday.

The US space agency also fixed November 10 as the date for the launch of the shuttle Endeavour for a supply trip to the International Space Station. Its original launch date was October 16.

Atlantis' flight was put back following a delay in the delivery of components, including external fuel tanks.

NASA also wanted to prepare Endeavour for a possible rescue mission should anything go wrong with Atlantis and its seven astronauts.

If everything goes as planned, NASA will have carried out five shuttle launches in 2008, and it has several more...