spacetoday.net: Fuel sensor problem delays shuttle launch to Saturday

Posted: Thu, Dec 6, 2007, 11:54 PM ET (0454 GMT)

NASA postponed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis after encountering problems with fuel sensors, pushing the launch back to no sooner than Saturday. Atlantis was scheduled to lift off Thursday afternoon on mission STS-122, but the launch was scrubbed in the morning because of erroneous readings from hydrogen fuel sensors in the shuttle's external tanks. Two of the four sensors provided incorrect data during a routine pre-flight test; a third sensor also provided incorrect data when the external tank was emptied after the scrub. The launch is now scheduled for Saturday at 3:43 pm EST (2043 GMT), although that is dependent on engineers resolving the sensor problem on Friday. Atlantis is carrying the Columbus laboratory module for the station, provided by ESA. The shuttle launch must take place by December 13 or NASA will have to wait until January to try again.