Space Shuttle managers now say the launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle
Return to Flight mission, STS-114, will take place no earlier than
late next week. At 1 p.m. EDT today, managers officially stopped the
current launch countdown for Space Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space
Center, Fla. Space Shuttle managers are optimistic that Discovery can
lift off by July 31, the end of this launch window.
This weekend, managers and engineers will continue troubleshooting the
problem with a liquid hydrogen low-level fuel sensor inside the
External Tank. The sensor failed a routine prelaunch check during the
launch countdown Wednesday, causing mission managers to postpone
Discovery’s first launch attempt. A dozen teams, with hundreds of
engineers across the country, are working on the issue.
Once the problem is resolved and the countdown can be restarted, it
will take about four days to launch. A countdown from this point will
be a complete start over at T-43 (time minus 43) hours. Currently,
there are no plans to roll Discovery back from the launch pad.
For now, Commander Eileen Collins and her six Discovery crew mates
will stay at Kennedy Space Center while engineers work on the
solution.
The next media update from Space Shuttle managers is planned for
Monday. For any developments over the weekend, media can call for a
recorded message at 321/867-2525.
For the latest information about the STS-114 mission, visit:
