NASA to launch space shuttle "Discovery"

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-15-2009 19:34

NASA will try to launch the space shuttle "Discovery" on a construction mission to the International Space Station again on Sunday evening. The attempt comes after technicians fixed a fuel leak that triggered a delay last week.

L-R: Mike Moses, Chair Mission Management Team, Mike  Suffredini, International Space Station Program Manager and Mike Leinbach, Launch Director, speak to the media in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA will break with protocol and try to launch Discovery on Sunday even though it has  yet to uncover the cause of a hydrogen leak that delayed  its mission earlier in the week, officials said. AFP/Getty Images/Eliot J. Schechter)

Engineers have installed new seals in a fuel vent line. They hope that will solve the problem that postponed the first launch attempt on Wednesday. Technicians were unable to find the exact cause of the leak. "Discovery" is more than a month late for its scheduled trip to the I.S.S.

The shuttle and seven astronauts are set to carry the final solar power module for the space station. NASA says it has a good shot at sending "Discovery" into space on Sunday, but won't know for sure until the external fuel tank is filled again.

Editor:Xiong Qu