http://en.rian.ru/world/20080221/99772277.html
NASA postpones Discovery shuttle launch until May 25
WASHINGTON, February 21 (RIA Novosti) - NASA has postponed the Discovery
shuttle launch until May 25 to finalize the preparation of the external fuel
tank and due to unfavorable launch conditions before that date, the space
agency said on its website.
During Discovery's S-124 mission to the International Space Station (ISS),
originally scheduled to launch on April 24, the shuttle and its seven-member
crew will deliver the pressurized module and the robotic arm of the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.
NASA said fuel sensor repair work on two previous missions delayed final
preparations of Discovery's external fuel tank.
"Also, the shuttle cannot launch to the International Space Station between May
7 and 25 because the angle of the sun with respect to the plane of the
station's orbit is too high to generate sufficient solar power for the
mission," NASA said in a press release.
However, the postponement of the Discovery's launch will not affect the
remainder of the shuttle launch schedule for 2008, the agency said.
STS-124 is the 26th shuttle mission to the ISS.
NASA plans to carry out up to six space shuttle launches in 2008, including a
flight to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
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