Table of Contents

Launch and Landing Contingencies

Launch

As with all previous Space Shuttle launches, Discovery on STS-114 will have several modes available that could be used to abort the ascent if needed due to engine failures or other systems problems. Shuttle launch abort philosophy aims for safe recovery of the flight crew and intact recovery of the orbiter and its payload. Abort modes include:

Abort to Orbit (ATO)

Partial loss of main engine thrust late enough to permit reaching a minimal 105 by 85 nautical mile orbit with orbital manoeuvring system engines.

TransAtlantic Abort Landing (TAL)

Loss of one or more main engines midway through powered flight would force a landing at either Zaragoza, Spain; Moron, Spain; or Istres, France. For launch to proceed, weather conditions must be acceptable at one of these TAL sites.

Return to Launch Site (RTLS)

Early shutdown of one or more engines, and without enough energy to reach Zaragoza, would result in a pitch around and thrust back toward Kennedy Space Center (KSC) until within gliding distance of the Shuttle Landing Facility. For launch to proceed, weather conditions must be forecast to be acceptable for a possible RTLS landing at KSC about 20 minutes after liftoff.

Landing

The primary landing site for Discovery on STS-114 is the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Alternate landing sites that could be used if needed due to weather conditions or systems failures are at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.

Space Shuttle Discovery lands at the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida on August 22, 2001.
(Photo: NASA)

CSA has prepared this document from the overview of the mission in the NASA press kit.