NASA Delays Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Over Leaky Valves

By: Jennifer Hong
Staff Writer
Published: Feb 4, 2009

NASA has postponed the launch of space shuttle Discovery after finding probable valve leaks . The STS-119 mission has been rescheduled for February 19. The crew will spend 14 days in space and will deliver new solar panels to the International Space Station.

NASA has postponed the launch of space shuttle Discovery after finding probable valve leaks . The STS-119 mission has been rescheduled for February 19. The crew will spend 14 days in orbit and will deliver new solar panels to the International Space Station.

"During a review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight, NASA managers decided Tuesday to plan a launch no earlier than Feb. 19," NASA said in a statement.

Space shuttle Discovery was originally scheduled for February 12 prior to locating the recent problem. The vehicle is also enduring particle impact tests linked with one of the valve's leading to its main engines. NASA will decide an official launch date when tests are concluded.

"The Space Shuttle Program will convene a meeting on Feb. 10 to assess the analysis. On Feb. 12, NASA managers and contractors will finalize the flight readiness review, which began Tuesday, to address the flow control valve issue and to select an official launch date," NASA said.

The NASA STS-119 crew includes Pilot Tony Antonelli, Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, Richard Arnold, John Phillips, Steve Swanson and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata. The exploration will last for 14 days and will be the fourth and final mission to deliver new solar panels for the International Space Station (IIS). With the new solar arrays installed, the IIS can generate as much as 120 kilowatts of power, equivalent to fourty-two homes with electricity.

In addition, the mission has an appealing crew which includes two former science teachers. Joseph Acaba and Richard Arnold serve as Mission Specialists onboard the space shuttle Discovery. They will also be part of a spacewalk during the mission which is remarkable.