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NASA delays space shuttle launch a 4th time

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-21 12:59

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has delayed the launch of space shuttle Discovery for a fourth time amid valve concerns.

The space shuttle Discovery lands ending Mission STS-124 to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida June 14, 2008. [Agencies]

After meeting all Friday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, shuttle managers decided against launching in a week. The launch had been targeted for no sooner than Feb 27; it was not immediately known late Friday when it might be rescheduled.

NASA originally hoped to send Discovery to the international space station on February 12th. But extra tests were ordered for the valves that control the flow of hydrogen gas into the external fuel tank during liftoff. One of those valves broke during the last shuttle launch in November.

Managers want to make sure if that happens again, the ship and its seven-man crew will be safe.