NASA may be forced to change the launch schedule for the
space shuttle discovery because on-board computers cannot recognise
the year-end.
The space agency is worried that there could be a safety risk if
the shuttle is in orbit over new year’s eve because its computers
cannot synchronise dates with navigation systems on the ground over
the year end.
While the systems on the ground recognise that a new year begins
every 365 days, the shuttle computers keep counting, recording New
Year’s Day as day 366.
The shuttle is due for launch on 7 December on a 12-day mission
to support construction of the International Space Station.
But delays could leave the shuttle in orbit at the turn of the
year and NASA officials have confirmed that in this case they would
postpone the flight until next year, to avoid the danger
period.
Space shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said, “The shuttle
computers were never envisioned to fly through a year-end
changeover.”
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