NASA delays launch of space shuttle Discovery due to leaks
October 30th 2010
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday announced that the launch of the space shuttle Discovery's final mission will be delayed after leaks were found.
Last Monday, NASA said that on November 1, the space shuttle Discovery will depart for its last mission. However, helium and nitrogen leaks were discovered in the pressurization portion of space shuttle Discovery's right-hand Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod.
Managers are meeting to discuss plans for repairing the malfunctions. The helium and nitrogen leaks must be fixed before launch. The decision to delay the launch countdown was made in order to provide more time for the repairs.
NASA informed that the space shuttle Discovery will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) on November 2, one day after the originally planned launch date. It will be made from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Since the scheduled launch day fell close to election day, NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding said the launch team members were encouraged to take advantage of early voting or absentee ballot options so they could take part in the elections.
The 11-day mission, STS-133, will be Discovery's final scheduled flight. Its crew, consisting of six astronauts, will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the ISS. The PMM was converted from the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo and will provide additional storage for the station crew.
In the module, astronauts will be able to conduct experiments in fields such as fluid physics, materials science, biology and biotechnology. In addition, the PMM carries Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot in space, which will become a permanent resident of the space station.
The mission will also deliver critical spare parts and the Express Logistics Carrier 4, an external platform that holds large equipment. STS-133 is the fourth and final shuttle mission planned for 2010; it is also the 39th flight and 35th shuttle mission to the station of the Discovery shuttle.
By Eddy Gomez
