Why has the Shuttle Discovery been used twice now since Columbia's accident?

Question

I was just curious as to why Discovery is the only shuttle to be launched since Columbia's accident. Why has it been launched twice (this month and last year) when Atlantis and Endeavour have not been launched at all since the Columbia accident?

Answer 1

The shuttles are all over 20 years old. They always have one out of commission to try and upgrade it. Atlantis was retired (got to that age) so Discovery is the only one flight worthy at the moment.

Answer 2

I heard that NASA is planning to retire Atlantis soon, as the beginning of the end for the shuttle program. But I thought they would at least use Endeavor a few more times, since it is the newest, and possibly the safest for that reason.

It's surprising that they used Discovery again, because there was some concern the last time when more tiles fell off. It makes me think that NASA really should rotate the use of the shuttles for the remaining few years of the program, just as another level of precaution.

Answer 3

NASA always has at least one shuttle taken out of commission for upgrades, heavy maintenance, and repairs. This cycle usually takes about 1 year, therefore at any given time in the shuttle program, there will always be 1 grounded vehicle. Discovery and Atlantis were fitted with several upgrades during the Return to Flight efforts. However, because Discovery is slightly newer, hasn't flown for almost a year, and has all of the upgrades, NASA decided to fly it again. Atlantis is scheduled to fly in late August for STS-115.

Answer 4

because they purely have 3 orbiters left and one orbiter (project) has in basic terms had a significant modification progression to that is platforms and such. so for a even as after the Columbia coincidence, they have had the purely recommendations of creating use of Discovery or Atlantis, yet come STS-118 in August (which project will be flying), they could have the alternative of creating use of Discovery, Atlantis, or project. also, to the answerer above me, area go back and forth Atlantis' very last flight will be challenge STS-120 5 (one hundred and twenty fifth area go back and forth flight) to service the Hubble area Telescope a even as in 2008, then it will be retired and NASA could have 2 orbiters on that is record.

Answer 5

Well, they sure can't use Columbia again now can they?

Answer 6

i thought they retired Atlantis...

Answer 7

Money saved.