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Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 22:07 GMT

Atlantis launch set for next week

Atlantis (Nasa) US space agency managers have given the go-ahead for the space shuttle to launch on Thursday of next week.

Atlantis has been dogged by an errant fuel sensor system, but Nasa is sure this is now fixed and has confirmed lift-off for 1945 GMT on 7 February.

One slight concern is a radiator hose that refuses to retract properly into its storage box when the orbiter's payload bay doors are closed.

However, engineers believe this to be a minor issue that can be easily solved.

Atlantis' mission is to deliver the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS).

The 12.8-tonne, 1.3bn euro ($1.8bn; £0.9bn) module is Europe's major contribution to the science endeavours of the outpost.

The lab will be used to carry out studies that would be impossible in the gravity experienced at the Earth's surface.

The laboratory will be installed by a joint US-European crew on Atlantis.

Infographic, BBC



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Related to this story:
Space cargo ship near completion (30 Jan 08 |  Science/Nature )
Shuttle launch moved to February (11 Jan 08 |  Science/Nature )
Ariane rocket ends 2007 on high (22 Dec 07 |  Science/Nature )
Shuttle launch delayed until 2008 (09 Dec 07 |  Science/Nature )
Columbus: Europe's orbital outpost (06 Dec 07 |  Science/Nature )

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