Live: NASA Monitoring Gas Pressure Issue

NASA is working an issue with a helium pressure component in the mobile launcher platform, but it is not expected to prevent launch.

The valve in question routes helium gas into the rear compartment of the orbiter. The purpose: keeping ice from building up on pipes that carry propellant from the tank to the space shuttle main engines. NASA is planning to send a red team out to the pad to "tweak" the valve to try to make it operate properly.

Instruments measured a slightly lower-than-allowed pressure reading in the rear compartment, but the reading later returned to normal. Still, NASA wants to try to adjust the pressure a bit to try to keep it within limits.

"This will not interfere with the launch attempt," said Steve Payne, NASA Test Director.

Otherwise, there are no major technical issues as the launch team works toward a 7:43 p.m. scheduled liftoff of Discovery and seven astronauts.

Our live simulcast of NASA TV has begun and our own live broadcast, with exclusive guests, will begin around 3:15 p.m. Click the window at the top of this post to start the video player and enjoy the show.

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