Shuttle brought forward

From: Peter Bunclark <psb_at_ast.cam.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 16:19:02 +0000 (GMT)

NASA wants Discovery back on the ground by December 31 because of concerns
that shuttle computers aren't designed to make the change from the 365th
day of the old year to the first day of the new year while in flight.

"We've just never had the computers up and going when we've transitioned
from one year to another," said Discovery astronaut Joan Higginbotham.
"We're not really sure how they're going to operate."

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Presumably there will be a move to propose discontinuing New Year to avoid
this kind of thing in the future...

Pete.
Received on Thu Nov 09 2006 - 08:20:08 PST