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Author Topic:   Space Shuttle mission numbers
Lunatiki
Member

Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 05-21-2007 01:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lunatiki     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Could someone tell me why the Space Shuttle mission numbers, STS-107 for example, are not consecutive? Thanks....


Joel

Ben
Member

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 05-21-2007 01:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's very simple. The missions are planned in order initially, but they are frequently shuffled around, delayed, or planned to occur in between missions.

STS-107 had been planned to occur in 2000 originally but multiple delays bumped it in back of ISS construction missions and a Hubble servicing flight. By the time it got off the ground it was after STS-113 and was the 113th mission itself.

As an example of the latter, STS-121 did not exist until after the disaster. The original order after 107 was 114, 115, 116, 117, etc (which would have put them back "in order" for some time). But NASA decided to insert another flight after 114 (the Return to Flight) to have two missions to test and prove repair techniques.

The next mission not yet planned out on the manifest in detail was STS-121, so that became the new flight; it was placed between 114 and 115.

All times are CT (US)

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