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Shuttle launch delayed until July | |
(9 minutes later) | |
A new leak during fuelling has forced Nasa to postpone the launch from Florida of the space shuttle Endeavour until July at the earliest. | |
The shuttle was due to have blasted off early on Wednesday, but hydrogen gas leaked from a vent line on its external fuel tank, officials said. | The shuttle was due to have blasted off early on Wednesday, but hydrogen gas leaked from a vent line on its external fuel tank, officials said. |
A previous gas leak postponed the shuttle's launch on Saturday. | |
The shuttle had been due to deliver part of a Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS). | The shuttle had been due to deliver part of a Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS). |
"At 1.55am (05.55 GMT) launch managers called a scrub, cancelling today's planned launch of space shuttle Endeavour on its STS-127 mission," a Nasa statement said. | "At 1.55am (05.55 GMT) launch managers called a scrub, cancelling today's planned launch of space shuttle Endeavour on its STS-127 mission," a Nasa statement said. |
"Despite troubleshooting efforts, engineers were unable to achieve a decrease in the liquid hydrogen leak." | "Despite troubleshooting efforts, engineers were unable to achieve a decrease in the liquid hydrogen leak." |
Spacewalks | Spacewalks |
The next ISS construction mission will not now take place until 11 July. | The next ISS construction mission will not now take place until 11 July. |
Once it goes ahead, the astronauts will carry out five spacewalks to attach a permanent platform weighing 1.9 tonnes to the Japanese laboratory. | Once it goes ahead, the astronauts will carry out five spacewalks to attach a permanent platform weighing 1.9 tonnes to the Japanese laboratory. |
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service |
During the mission, the ISS will be a temporary home to 13 astronauts - the first time so many have stayed on the station at once. | During the mission, the ISS will be a temporary home to 13 astronauts - the first time so many have stayed on the station at once. |
Later on Wednesday a committee reviewing US plans for human space flight is holding a public hearing in Washington. | Later on Wednesday a committee reviewing US plans for human space flight is holding a public hearing in Washington. |
It is examining Nasa proposals to replace the shuttle fleet and the agency's plans for manned space flight. | It is examining Nasa proposals to replace the shuttle fleet and the agency's plans for manned space flight. |
President Obama has underlined the commitment of the US to return to the moon by the year 2020. | President Obama has underlined the commitment of the US to return to the moon by the year 2020. |