spacetoday.net: NASA troubleshooting shuttle fuel leak

NASA troubleshooting shuttle fuel leak

Posted: Tue, Oct 19, 2010, 6:25 AM ET (1025 GMT)
NASA engineers are working on plans to fix a fuel leak on the space shuttle Discovery before its launch next month. Shuttle workers discovered a hydrazine leak in shuttle's right orbital maneuvering system pod during work on the launch pad preparing the shuttle for launch. Engineers are checking the a leaky flange fitting to see if simple tightening of the seal will stop the leak; otherwise, more extensive repairs would be needed later this week. Shuttle officials said they were optimistic the problem could be corrected in time to keep the November 1 launch of the STS-133 mission on schedule.