spacetoday.net: Shuttle launch delayed further

Posted: Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 6:52 AM ET (1152 GMT)

NASA announced late Thursday that it has pushed back the launch of the space shuttle Discovery to no earlier than December 3 as it continues repairs on a leaking hydrogen line and cracks on the external tank. The launch, which had previously been planned for the early morning of November 30, is now scheduled for no earlier than 2:52 am EST (0752 GMT) December 3. That launch window extends though December 6, although NASA is looking at other launch options later in December as well. The launch was originally scheduled for early November but delayed for several reasons, ultimately by a leaking hydrogen vent line; cracked foam on the external tank was also found, and during work to repair that technicians found several cracks in metal "stringers" on the tank itself. NASA said the latest delay is to given workers more time to complete repairs.