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Shuttle Landing Rescheduled for Tomorrow; An Experienced Astronaut's View; Remembering Peter Jennings

Aired August 08, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Air Force Base weather depending.
Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got early morning coverage of that. Miles, of course, and Carol Costello as well.

We're out of time. Let's get right to Daryn Kagan. She's at the CNN Center. Going to take you though the next couple of hours on CNN LIVE TODAY.

Hey, Carol Daryn. Good morning.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: That's OK. To many fabulous women to keep track of us all.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN: It's so true.

KAGAN: There you go. You have a gate day, Soledad.

We'll got ahead and get started with a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

NASA wasn't comfort with the cloud cover in Florida. So the space shuttle Discovery's return home is delayed by at least a day. NASA will try again tomorrow morning to bring Discovery back to earth. The landing now scheduled for 5:07 Eastern. And if the low clouds are still there, alternate landing sites in California and New Mexico and are being prepared.

Peter Jennings is being remembered today as a respected and popular journalist. The ABC "World News Tonight" anchor has died at the age of 67 from lung cancer. Jennings announced just four months ago that he had the illness. He passed away last night surrounded by his family at his home in Manhattan.

In London, four suspects in last month's botched terror attacks on the city's transit system will remain in custody until a hearing in mid November. That decision by a British judge. Three other men charged in connection with the July 21st attempted bombings were ordered held until a hearing this Thursday.

Here in the U.S., President Bush is getting ready to sign a national energy plan into law. He's taking a break from his Texas vacation. He's flying to New Mexico to sign the bill. Mr. Bush says the measure will make the U.S. less reliant on foreign oil, but critics say the affects will be minimal.

Good morning to you on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan at CNN Center in Atlanta.

Thirteen days in space. One of those in limbo. NASA is hoping the space shuttle Discovery can land tomorrow after low clouds twice canceled this morning's schedule return. CNN's Sean Callebs is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He joins us now to explain the delay,

Sean, good morning.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

And look behind me, you can see just an absolutely wonderful day here in this Central Florida area, but you can also see some clouds. And really those clouds the culprit in the early morning hours. NASA, of course, has very rigid guidelines for bringing the space shuttle back into the atmosphere and, of course, landing here at Kennedy Space Center. And one of those guideline, low cloud cover. They had some mixed clouds, somewhere between 100 and 800 feet, simply couldn't run the risk of obscuring the runway. So Commander Eileen Collins got the word after the second waveoff that the team would indeed spend one more day in space.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just can't get comfortable with the stability of the situation for this particular opportunity. So we're going to officially waive you off for 24 hours.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: Now for those 24 hours, the seven team members will have a chance to actually look out the window and take in some of the spectacular views that, of course, they are getting. Up until now, they've pretty much been working almost all the time if they had been awake. But, quickly, let's run you through the times that could theoretically bring the orbiter back in tomorrow. Clearly they would like to land first here at Kennedy Space Center. Their second choice would be Edwards Air Force Base out in California. And thirdly, the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. That, of course, a very outside hot.

The first chance for landing would be at 5:08 Eastern Time here at Kennedy Space Center. Then at 6:39 at White Sands. And again, that is a very outside shot. Then at 6:43 at Kennedy Space Center as well. Now they also have some times carved out for Edwards beginning at 8:13 Eastern Time. Then White Sands at 8:14 Eastern Time and Edwards, finally, at 9:48. And NASA clearly wants to bring the orbiter back tomorrow. They basically have said they are going to find a way to do this. Of course, within their limits.

And, Daryn, this has been this shuttle has been looked at and has been examined more closely than any other (INAUDIBLE). One hundred cameras trained on the shuttle during liftoff and then, of course, all the inspections that they've gone through in space, beginning with that robotic arm, and the, of course, that historic space walk where Steve Robinson went on the underside of the craft. We know the tiles have some nicks on them but NASA feels that it's not going to jeopardize the crew. So they'll going to be going back to bed in just about two-and-a-half hours. So I'm sure they're going to enjoy the view until then.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, that sounds like a good option at this hour.

Thank you, Sean Callebs.

Let's get some perspective now from the inside. Our next guest spent 187 days in space as a crew member of the International Space Station. During that time, he conducted four space walks. Mike Fincke is at the Kennedy Space Center today. He is in Florida. He is going to here along and he's going to join us on his insights about what it's like to be onboard there.

But we'll get to him in a second. First, since we are talking weather, let's bring in our Jacqui Jeras who's taking a look at that.

Hey, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Talking more about the shuttle and the delay here, let's bring in Astronaut Mike Fincke who's joining us from Kennedy Space Center.

Lieutenant Colonel, good morning.

MIKE FINCKE, NASA ASTRONAUT: Good morning, Daryn. How are you?

KAGAN: I'm doing good because I'm my two feet are right firmly on the ground, so I know where I am.

Let's talk about this delay. Why are clouds such a big deal for the space shuttle when airplanes fly through clouds every single day?

FINCKE: That's a great question. Now, with the space shuttle, unlike an airplane, we only get one shot at landing. Now Eileen Collins is an experienced test pilot and she'd be able to land almost blindfolded, but there's no reason to take that risk. So this morning we thought there might be a cloud deck of about 500 feet and that would have obscured the runway and Eileen wouldn't have had a chance to really see the runway, even with all of her other navigational aids, to make that landing. This is a human in the loop landing and we only get one shot, so we wanted to make sure that we got everything just right and so we got the we're waiting for tomorrow for some better weather.

KAGAN: As we were saying about your experience, it puts you in a good seat to give us some perspective on this latest mission. First of all, space walking. There's so much attention focused on what Steve Robinson did to get that gap filler out. What kind of pressure do you think that felt like?

FINCKE: Well, we're trained for a long time and this crew especially had an extra two-and-a-half years to go train. And so they were ready for any contingency. And this was Steve's and Soichi's third space walk. So they've actually had the feel for it, how to do it really in space compared to all the simulations that we did on the ground. So I think they were feeling pretty comfortable.

By the time I got to my third space walk, I felt like I knew what I was actually doing. And I think Steve and Soichi felt the same way. So when Steve was under there and Jim "Vegas" Kelly was moving the arm, along with Wendy Lawrence, they got him to the right spot. I think Steve was able to get their expeditiously and pluck it just like plucking a flower.

KAGAN: All right. Are you telling me your first two space walks you were just kind of making it up as you go and by the third one you . . .

FINCKE: No. There's a period of just getting used to it. My first couple space walks I focus and doing the job and I didn't even have a chance to sneak a peek out my helmet to see the beautiful planet below or just to look and see the infinite cosmos. And I think on the third by the time I got to my third space walk I was able to look outside and stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

KAGAN: Whatever there is to smell up there.

As we mentioned, six months on the International Space Station for you. This was a different mission in that the folks from the space station stopped by. Nine people cramped inside there. Having spent six months in that little space, what do you think it was like to have all those people in there?

FINCKE: Oh, for John Phillips and Sergei Krikalev on exposition 11 aboard the space station, I think it was like the relatives that moved in. They had everything in their house nice and quiet and then there was chaos. But these relatives, they brought so many cool thing, all the new equipment that we'd been just dying to have, extra supplies of water and oxygen, and more importantly food.

KAGAN: And one more quick question for you. You know, good point, because NASA has announced a space shuttle is not going to be going up until they can figure out what's going on with these tile. That can't be good news for the space station. It needs that delivery not only of supplies but also to take the trash away like this shuttle's doing.

FINCKE: Yes, the space shuttle is very important to the finish to being able to finish the International Space Station and the commitment that we've made to our international partners. So we're looking forward, from the space station's perspective, to get the shuttle flying again as soon as we can. But the thing about NASA is, we're not going to even though we have this feel this little bit of pressure, we're not going to let it stop us from doing something that's safe. We really are going to wait until we're ready to fly the space shuttle again and we'll fix the foam problem and move on.

KAGAN: All right. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Fincke, and Astronaut Mike Fincke, thank you for your time.

On to other news now.

For a generation, he was the face of ABC News and now Anchorman Peter Jennings has died at the age of 67. Word came late last night from "Good Morning America" Co-Host Charles Gibson. Jennings passed away at his home in New York. His family issuing a statement saying that Jennings died knowing he had lived a good life.

He was born in Canada. He began anchoring the ABC "Evening News" at the age of 26, having never graduated from high school. Critics were brutal of that first gig and within a few years he left the desk for needed seasoning as a foreign correspondent. Jennings grew and Americans grew familiar with the correspondent as the brought world events into their living rooms.

Jennings reclaimed the anchor seat at "World News Tonight" more than 20 years ago. Two years ago, Jennings became an American citizen, something he said he did for his family. It was just four months ago that Jennings announced he was leaving "World News Tonight" to battle lung cancer and begin chemotherapy. He told viewers he was determined it fight the disease.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETER JENNINGS: Finally this evening, a brief note about change. Some of you have noticed in the last several days that I was not covering the pope. While of my colleagues at ABC did a superb job, I did think a few times I was missing out. However, as some of you now know, I have learned in the last couple of days that I have lung cancer. Yes, I was a smoker until about 20 years ago and I was weak and I smoked over 9/11. But whatever the reason, the news does slow you down a bit. I've been reminding my colleagues today, who've all been incredibly supportive, that almost 10 million Americans are already living with cancer and I have a lot to learn from them. And living is the key word.

Finally, I wonder if other men and women ask their doctors right away, OK, doc, when does the hair go? At any rate, that it for now on "World News Tonight." Have a good evening. I'm Peter Jennings. Thanks and good night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: That was just last April. Today, Peter Jennings' colleagues are paying tribute. A short while ago ABC News President David Westin had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID WESTIN, ABC NEWS PRESIDENT: People are very tender today. Are very sad. I'm sure you're understand that. Peter, in addition to being an outstanding journalist, an outstanding leader, was also a very warm and decent man and a great friend and colleague to so many of us. We all got to see how professional he was on the air, and sometimes his urbanity could be mistaken for a certain distance. But, in fact, he was a very sensitive, warm, decent man who cared passionately for what he did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Those comments coming from outside of ABC News headquarters in New York and that's where we find our Jason Carroll this morning.

Jason, good morning.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Daryn.

Just a short while ago, our Barbara Walters was also out there. She said a few comments about Peter Jennings as well. One of the comments that David Westin said that really struck me was the one where he said, his presence permeates every nook and cranny of this building. And that really speaks to what Peter Jennings was all about. He really was ABC News. This is a very big and very difficult day for the news business. It is also a very sad day for the Jennings' family.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER JENNINGS: And living is the key word. The National Cancer Institute says that we are survivors from the moment of diagnosis.

CARROLL, (voice over): Four months after telling the world he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, Peter Jennings, the longtime ABC News anchor, died Sunday at the age of 67. His ABC News colleague Charles Gibson made the announcement.

CHARLES GIBSON, ABC NEWS: It is with a profound sadness and true sorrow that I report to you Peter Jennings has died tonight of lung cancer.

CARROLL: Within minutes of his passing, friends and former longtime colleagues of Jennings shared their memories of a man who endlessly trotted the globe doing a job he loved and doing it with such panache right up to the very end.

TOM BROKAW, FMR. "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" ANCHOR: He cared so deeply about so many things and he had such curiosity about life, about politics, about this country, born a Canadian, became an American citizen.

BARBARA WALTERS, ABC NEWS: Part of it was skeptics. Was being skeptical. And a little part of it was insecurity. And that was something very vulnerable about Peter.

DIANE SAWYER, ABC NEWS: There were so many times that his heart and his emotions were there with us to comfort us and to connect to us in critical times. DAN RATHER, FMR. CBS NEWS ANCHOR: He had it in perspective. It was, don't take yourself so seriously. Peter took his work very seriously, but he did not take himself seriously. And he was a little uncomfortable with very uncomfortable with the word star and a little uncomfortable with the word anchor because he really did think of himself as a reporter.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Jennings really was the type of journalists that many of us aspire to be like, Daryn, as I'm sure you know. A report from Barbara Walters when she was out here just a few moments ago, she said, I never saw anyone who worked so hard. He made you work harder. He made you think harder. That really, really sums it up in terms of what many people here at ABC News thought of Peter Jennings.

Peter Jennings is survived by his wife and two children. He had a son and a daughter. Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Jason Carroll live from New York City. Thank you.

We're at 15 minutes past the hour. Stay with CNN LIVE TODAY. We'll have a lot more on the life and times of Peter Jennings and hear more from his colleagues who knew him well and who worked alongside him.

Also, a look at hour Jennings death and departure from network news, along with Tom Brokaw and CBS's Dan Rather, will affects the big three broadcast networks.

Plus, seven men charged in connection to the failed bombings in London face a judge today. A look at what happened in the court room.

And later, it's back-to-school time. Whether you're shopping for crayons, notebooks or a dorm room, we've got some tips on how you can save money.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A British judge has ordered that seven men held in the failed July 21st bombings in London remain in custody. Four of the suspects are accuses of carrying the bombs that failed to detonate. Our Robyn Curnow is in London and filed this report a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A busy day here at Belmarsh Prison where seven men linked to the July 21st bombings in London appeared before a magistrate, facing a variety of charges ranging from attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, as well as explosive charges. Other men also here charged with lesser counts of helping the suspects to evade arrest.

Also, additionally, one man, Haroon Rashid Aswat, was deported from Zambia on Sunday. He also appeared before a magistrate here at Belmarsh Prison. He was appeared on a U.S. extradition warrant. The Americans wanting him in connection with conspiracy to set up a terror training camp in Oregon in the United States.

All in all, an important day for the investigation. First part of the legal process into the bombings here in London on July the 7th and July the 21st.

Robyn Curnow, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: In response to security threats, the U.S. has closed its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia. The State Department says the move comes after specific and credible threats. The diplomatic missions will be shut down both today and tomorrow. Saudi officials say they've received no solid information of an imminent terror attack in the kingdom.

He dedicated to life to television journalism and he is being remembered as the man who made his mark on the business. Still to come, more on the life of Peter Jennings and how his death might impact television news.

But first, Gerri Willis joins us live with a few back-to-school shopping tips.

Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you.

Back-to-school, it doesn't have to send you back to the bank. Five tips is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's check out the markets on this Monday morning. They seem to be happy with the beginning of the work and trading week. The Dow is up 17 points. Nasdaq also up just a little bit. It is up over a point.

Talk about getting back. A lot of folks and kids getting back to school. And for many that means a major trip to the mall. The National Retail Federation estimates that families will spend nearly $14 billion just getting ready for the new school year. Our Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top Five Tips" that just might save you one or two of those $14 billion.

WILLIS: Right. Let's not pay that this year. I say, no!

KAGAN: Let's not. Good math lesson.

WILLIS: First of all, you can escape the taxes, Daryn. Those sales taxes, occasionally, there are holidays from those in four states right now, Massachusetts, Connecticut, the District of Columbia and New York. There's a holiday on taxes on those purchases up to $4,000 if you're buying a computer. So keep that in mind. Go to taxadmin.org for more details about how you can save on taxes.

KAGAN: (INAUDIBLE) by buying in bulk.

WILLIS: Well, you're used to going to Costco and Sams to buy paper towels and detergent, things like that. But why not get the neighborhood together, or maybe even the PTA, to buy in bulk for the kids. Remember, you can save up to 15 percent and it's an easy way to pick up everything at one time.

KAGAN: One thing that can just kill you, if you're on a college budget, are textbooks.

WILLIS: They're terrible. Hundreds of dollars, thousands of dollars kids are paying for college texts. Let's show you a little shortcut here. eBay has a greats page called half.ebay.com. You can by, look at this Freakonomics available there for just a little over $9. You go to Borders, you're going to pay $26. Barnes & Noble and Amazon, a little over $15. Now you should know that at the eBay Web site, it's used. That just means that maybe the good parts are already highlighted for you.

KAGAN: Yes. Maybe think of it as Cliff notes.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: Oh, no, we'd never use that.

WILLIS: See, your secret's out, Daryn.

KAGAN: Now people know.

But one thing a lot of kids need are different kind of electronic items. And, boy, can that ever add up.

WILLIS: Well, it's all about the laptop, right? I mean, kids all need laptops these days. And you can buy them almost everywhere, it's amazing. Everybody carries electronics. Not everybody offers discounts. You really want to get on the web, check out a couple of Web sites to compare prices. They are buydig.com, as you can see he, and mysimon.com, and Freakonomics making another appearance here. One thing to note, I think, which is interesting, retailers like Best Buy offer less expensive items on their Web site rather than in stores, so you'll definitely want to compare those two prices.

KAGAN: Now somehow you and I made it through school without a cell phone and apparently that's not an option today for many kids.

WILLIS: Apparently you can't make it through elementary school without a cell phone.

KAGAN: Why? Oh, my God!

WILLIS: Well, now there's new cell phones and I'm going to show you one right here. I don't know if you can see it squeeze back.

KAGAN: Just move it. There you go. Now I do. WILLIS: This is called Tictalk. It's from Leapfrog and it's for tweeners. Let's face it, parents, they really want to be able to talk to their kids at any time. And this new generation of cell phones that I'm showing here, they limit the kinds of callers that can come in. You can plug in the phone numbers that you want to be able to access this telephone and it is limited. So if you have a major emergency, you can always get a hold of your child. They are not inexpensive. This is a buy tip, not a saving money tip.

KAGAN: OK.

WILLIS: It cost $99 and then on top of that you pay every month for minutes. If your kids are older, you may be better off just plugging them into the family plan. That may be cheaper. But for little hands, these new cell phones are really a step up because they're easier to use and they're simple and really cute.

KAGAN: It is a new world indeed. Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome, Daryn.

KAGAN: Talking energy ahead. It overhauls the nation's energy policies. President Bush preparing to sign the bill into law today. Still to come, how this new energy bill could affect your pocketbook.

And more on the life of ABC Anchor Peter Jennings and how this legacy may impact broadcast news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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