NASA has delayed Discovery's planned Monday launch at least one day while leaks of gasses used to pressurize propulsion systems are studied.
The earliest possible launch attempt now is at 4:17 p.m. Tuesday (Election Day).
Managers are meeting this morning and may know by the start of a 10 a.m. media briefing if the problem can be fixed in time to launch Tuesday. Click the NASA TV viewer at right to watch the briefing live.
The leaks occurred during work overnight to pressurize two-dozen spherical tanks holding helium and nitrogen used to push propellant through the shuttle's main propulsion system and orbital rockets and thrusters.
A leak was found in one of the two pods on either side of Discovery's tail fin that house an engine and thrusters used for maneuvers in orbit.
The leak in the right-hand pod is unrelated to the recent replacement of flange seals in a propellant line connected to the right-hand pod.
Repair of the leak "needs to be accomplished before we launch," said Mike Curie, a NASA spokesman.
The launch countdown will not begin at 3 p.m. today as previously planned. If a Tuesday launch is planned, the countdown would start at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Space news and analysis from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral 
11 comments:
This should do WONDERS for the election in Titusville!
LOL!
Like you guys in Titusville vote...who are you kidding?
Here we go again with the incompetent idiots at KSC missing another launch. MONTHS to prepare and they still cannot function! Are they REALLY that incompetent or just looking for some overtime pay? Good riddance to this Govt. boondoggle!
NASA Managers should pull their heads out of their butts and if they need to postpone until Tuesday, postpone until NET Wednesday. Give the voters of Brevard a break.
jaxdodger said...
"Here we go again with the incompetent idiots at KSC missing another launch. MONTHS to prepare and they still cannot function! Are they REALLY that incompetent or just looking for some overtime pay? Good riddance to this Govt. boondoggle!"
Well thank God we can count on the geniuses at SpaceX to carry on for all of us with our tax money....they never miss a launch date. Way to post an intellegent and well thought out comment jax, keep up the good work.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
SpaceX now targeting Nov. 18 for first COTS demo flight
"SpaceX has pushed back the target date for its first NASA demonstration flight by 10 days, to Nov. 18."
jaxdodger...get back to walmart job and gather up the carts in the parking lot....leave the shuttle processing to us, ok? god riddance to you and Antagonist. losers.
Me thinks the Orbiter will have to be returned to the VAB to repair the OMS. This is not a quick fix that can be done on the pad, and jury rigging is out of the question.
I do not want to hear about an Orbiter blowing up in space because of an internal fuel leak. I don't think the astronauts are too keen on the idea either.
I love these hicks who call the people working on the Shuttle "idiots". Hey Jethro, other than that still you have in your backyard, what technological advancement have you offered up to mankind ? The launch of the Shuttle is an amazing and highly technical achievement. I know, I've been around it many many times in the past 10 years and I still marvel at it. So, the next time you are cleaning the outhouse, stop for a minute and thank the Space Center for representing everything that is great about our country.
bravo 11:08 great post... im around the orbiters every day and live every minute of it!
love not live sorry!
Great post Anon 11:08...right on!
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