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Author
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Topic: Space Shuttle mission numbers
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Lunatiki Member Posts: 237 From: Amarillo, TX, USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 05-21-2007 01:33 PM
Could someone tell me why the Space Shuttle mission numbers, STS-107 for example, are not consecutive? Thanks.... Joel
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Ben Member Posts: 1896 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-21-2007 01:46 PM
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. | |
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