Online NewsHour: Space Shuttle: Return to Flight

Discovery prepared for launch. Photo Courtesy of NASA.


July 12, 2005 NASA Prepares for First Shuttle Launch Since Columbia Disaster Spencer Michels of the NewsHour's Science Unit looks at the safety improvements made to the space shuttle program since Columbia broke apart while trying to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 1, 2003.




	Interactive: Shuttle Upgrades When Discovery launches, it will incorporate numerous new safety features, including heaters on the external fuel tank meant to keep ice from forming and possibly falling onto the orbiter. See some of the main safety upgrades.
	Slide Show: Evolution of Spaceflight The beeping from Russia's Sputnik satellite launched a space race between the Soviet Union and United States that ended when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. See how manned spaceflight has evolved over the years.

Main: Return to Flight

Making the Shuttle Fit to Fly

Risks of Manned Spaceflight

Next Generation Space Vessel

Slide Show: Evolution of Spaceflight

Interactive: Shuttle Upgrades




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