Look For Another Fuel Tank Test Between Now And Then

The space shuttle Discovery won't be flying this week. That word comes from NASA, where a spokesman told reporters the massive orange fuel tank may have to be tested again before the orbiter is cleared for liftoff.

"We've been dealing with launch vehicles" for some time, said Wayne Hale, deputy shuttle program manager. "A few days' delay to figure out what is going on is always the right answer. This is a business where you have to have patience." Hale was quoted by the Washington Post.

As ANN reported last week, Discovery's launch was scrubbed less than three hours before liftoff on Wednesday because of a malfunctioning fuel tank sensor. The space agency quickly put 12 teams of engineers on the problem, but so far hasn't come up with any answers.

"Right now we're still looking for the problem. We're going to continue down this path, trying to make this opening window," said  shuttle project manager Bill Parsons.

It could be that the sensor in question just won't get fixed. NASA now requires four functioning sensors in the fuel tank, a rule that was instituted after the Challenger disaster. But if the problem persists without a definable solution, Parsons said, the rule might be changed back to allowing a launch with only three sensors.

FMI: www.nasa.gov