Gas Leak Delays Shuttle Launch Nearly a Month

November 8, 2010 — NASA postponed space shuttle Discovery's launch to the International Space Station today due to a hydrogen gas leak detected while filling the external tank. The earliest the shuttle could now launch is 4:05 a.m. EST November 30. The leak, detected early Friday morning while the shuttle's external fuel tank was being loaded, was at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate, or GUCP, an attachment point between the external tank and a 17-inch pipe that carries gaseous hydrogen safely away from Discovery to the flare stack, where it is burned off. Shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach characterized the leak as “significant,” similar to what was seen on STS-119 and STS-127, although the rate was higher in magnitude and occurred earlier in the fueling process. The external tank is being drained and will be inerted for about 20 hours before it is safe for technicians to look at the GUCP on Saturday. The Space Shuttle Program Mission Management Team met Saturday after technicians have had the opportunity to troubleshoot the hardware. The next window for Discovery's liftoff is November 30 through December 5. Minor gas leaks, electrical glitches and weather had previously delayed the flight, which was originally scheduled to depart on November 1. The 11-day STS-133 mission will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module to the station. The PMM, which was converted from the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, will provide additional storage for the station crew and experiments may be conducted inside it, such as fluid physics, materials science, biology and biotechnology. The flight will also transport critical spare parts and the Express Logistics Carrier 4 to the station. ELC4 is an external platform that holds large equipment. Robonaut 2, or R2, will be the first human-like robot in space when it flies on Discovery inside the PMM to become a permanent resident of the station. The mission will also feature two spacewalks to do maintenance work and install new components. Commander Steve Lindsey leads the veteran crew, which includes Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Tim Kopra, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott. STS-133 is the final shuttle mission planned for 2010, Discovery's 39th flight and the 35th shuttle mission to the station.

Xenon lights illuminate space shuttle Discovery on Launch Pad 39A following the retraction of the rotating service structure. The structure provides weather protection and access to the shuttle while it awaits lift off on the pad. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder This image of space shuttle Discovery was taken as the craft began its nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Gray Robonaut2 – or R2 for short – will be a passenger on Discovery’s last flight to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA

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