NASA Sets New Target Launch Date for Space Shuttle Discovery

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has targeted the next launch attempt for space shuttle Discovery for no earlier than 12:22 a.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 28, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wednesday’s launch attempt was postponed after an indication that a valve in the shuttle’s main propulsion system failed to perform as expected during fueling of the shuttle’s external fuel tank.

NASA managers officially postponed Wednesday’s launch attempt because of uncertainty about whether a valve that was commanded to be closed actually was closed. The valve is associated with the fill and drain plumbing of the main propulsion system within the shuttle’s aft compartment.

The space shuttle mission management team will meet at noon on Thursday, Aug. 27, to discuss the troubleshooting results and decide whether to continue with a launch attempt. The tanking weather briefing will follow at 2:15 p.m.

Discovery’s 13-day STS-128 flight to the International Space Station will deliver storage racks; materials and fluids science racks; a freezer to store research samples; a new sleeping compartment; an air purification system; and a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

For information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For the latest information about the STS-128 mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

NASA Television is providing coverage of Discovery’s mission. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv