The so-called "windows" were delayed many times before. For instance, this spring the first launch of Discovery, following the Columbia catastrophe, has been postponed from May 15 to 22 within the first ballistic window, which closes on July 3. Now, launch of the American spaceship, crucial for the further ISS development, may be delayed to an even later date: the second window will permit launch until July 31 inclusively.
It has become known recently that launch of the Russian space truck Progress M-53 will also be put off from June 10 to 17.
"As supposed earlier, another Progress with food, water, fuel and research equipment for the ISS eleventh crew will be orbited from Baikonur on June 10 by a Soyuz launch vehicle. Most probably, the launch will be moved by a week", the interviewee told RIA Novosti.
He did not specify the reason for the space truck launch delay and only said that "it is not the Russian technical reason".
Correspondingly, the new launch date of the Progress M-53 will tell on the time of dumping the Progress M-52 laden with garbage, human waste and used-up equipment. "The space truck's undocking from the ISS is scheduled for June 16", the source said.
Simultaneously, the ISS planned orbit-elevation operation has been set for May 11, RIA Novosti learnt from the spokesman for the Russian Mission Control Center.
"The altitude of the orbital cluster will be made 800 meters higher", the MCC spokesman said.
