Schedule Pressure

NASA considers relaxing daylight rule if Atlantis misses September window, SpaceflightNow

“If the shuttle Atlantis fails to get off the ground before the Sept. 7 end of its current launch window – a scenario that could delay the flight to late October – NASA managers may reconsider an earlier decision to only launch in daylight to ensure photo documentation of the ship’s heat shield and external tank, officials said today.”

Editor’s note: In other words NASA is considering lessening requirements as a result of schedule pressure.