NASA is planning to make some changes to the target launch dates for the last two scheduled space shuttle flights. Scientists with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, or AMS, program recently decided to change out the current magnet in the particle physics experiment module that will be attached to the International Space Station to a longer lasting one.
This will take advantage of NASA's plan to extend station operations until at least 2020.
Because of the magnet change, space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission, which will carry the AMS experiment to the station and was targeted to launch July 29, now is expected to launch no earlier than mid-November 2010. An exact target launch date hasn't yet been determined.
The AMS is designed to help study the formation of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter and antimatter by measuring cosmic rays.
Space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission currently remains targeted for its Sept. 16 launch date, but managers will continue to assess its readiness for flight and make changes as appropriate.
Space Shuttle Program managers are meeting at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a Flight Readiness Review, or FRR, for space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming STS-132 mission.
The agency-level FRR is scheduled for May 5. During the 12-day mission, Atlantis and six astronauts will deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station.
At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the flight crew is taking part in an integrated ascent simulation.
Liftoff is targeted for May 14 at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
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