More glitches plague space shuttle fleet
| August 26, 2009 | 2:01 PM
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NASA is delaying another space shuttle launch because of a mechanical problem, calling attention once again to the agency’s aging fleet.
This time, the problem is a faulty hydrogen valve. NASA hopes to get it resolved before a possible Discovery launch on Friday, but if extensive repairs are needed, the liftoff could be pushed back to October.
The valve issue is just the latest in a string of technical problems among the shuttles, which are slated for retirement next year.
In February, a Discovery launch was delayed for additional testing of a flow control valve and then delayed again in March because of a hydrogen leak.
In June, hydrogen leaks in space shuttle Endeavour’s external tanks forced delays in its planned launch.
An Atlantis mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope launched as scheduled in May; however, Atlantis’ planned November mission may be derailed by a knob that got stuck against a cockpit window and nicked its pressure pane.
atlantis, discovery, endeavour, nasa, space shuttle
