spacetoday.net: Atlantis launch to slip further

Posted: Fri, Dec 28, 2007, 11:10 AM ET (1610 GMT)

Shuttle managers said Thursday that the launch of the shuttle Atlantis would likely slip at least a few days past its planned January 10 date as they continued to work on a problem with faulty electrical connectors on the external tank. Managers said they are proceeding with plans to remove the faulty connector, which caused malfunctions with fuel cutoff sensors in the external tank during two launch attempts in early December. The work required to repair and replace the connectors will push back the launch of STS-122 anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks from the previous date of January 10. A better estimate of when the launch can take place is expected after the first of the year. The mission, which was to launch on December 6, will deliver the European lab module Columbus to the ISS.