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More delay for shuttle Atlantis Further delay for space shuttle
(10 minutes later)
Nasa has postponed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis due to a technical problem with the spacecraft's onboard power supply, officials say.Nasa has postponed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis due to a technical problem with the spacecraft's onboard power supply, officials say.
Atlantis had been scheduled for a 1229 EDT (1629 GMT) lift-off on Wednesday from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.Atlantis had been scheduled for a 1229 EDT (1629 GMT) lift-off on Wednesday from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
The space agency said it would now try to launch the shuttle on Thursday.The space agency said it would now try to launch the shuttle on Thursday.
Atlantis is on a mission to resume construction of the International Space Station, which was halted following the Columbia disaster in 2003. Officials said the launch had been scrubbed because one of the three fuel cells providing electricity to the shuttle did not function well.
"Nasa has scrubbed the launch for 24 hours," sais a spokesman for the US space agency."Nasa has scrubbed the launch for 24 hours," sais a spokesman for the US space agency.
Two previous launch attempts have been delayed because of a lightning strike and Tropical Storm Ernesto.Two previous launch attempts have been delayed because of a lightning strike and Tropical Storm Ernesto.
The six-strong crew of Atlantis will deliver and fit the P3/P4 truss, a 17-tonne segment of the space station's "backbone" that includes a huge set of solar arrays and a giant rotary joint to allow them to track the Sun. Atlantis is on a mission to resume construction of the International Space Station, which was halted following the Columbia disaster in 2003.
The shuttle's six-strong crew will deliver and fit the P3/P4 truss, a 17-tonne segment of the space station's "backbone" that includes a huge set of solar arrays and a giant rotary joint to allow them to track the Sun.
The arrays will be the second of four sets, and will span 73m (240ft) when fully extended.The arrays will be the second of four sets, and will span 73m (240ft) when fully extended.
They will provide power for three science laboratories, two living chambers and other systems onboard the ISS. They effectively double the station's current ability to generate power from sunlight.They will provide power for three science laboratories, two living chambers and other systems onboard the ISS. They effectively double the station's current ability to generate power from sunlight.
The half-built $100bn space station must be completed before 2010, when the shuttle fleet is due to be retired.The half-built $100bn space station must be completed before 2010, when the shuttle fleet is due to be retired.