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July 26 next possible date for shuttle launch-NASA

Posted on: Monday, 18 July 2005, 18:39 CDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA has not found the cause of the sensor problem that forced last week's delay of the first space shuttle mission in 2-1/2 years and does not expect to attempt a launch before July 26, officials said on Monday.

NASA managers said they were still trying to send shuttle Discover aloft on the first flight since the 2003 Columbia disaster within the launch window open until July 31.

The first attempt was called off on Wednesday because of a glitch with a fuel sensor designed to shut off the shuttle's three main engines before fuel runs out to avoid damaging them. A premature shutdown could force a shuttle to make an emergency landing or prevent it from reaching orbit.

"It's difficult to find a glitch that won't stay glitched," NASA shuttle program manager Bill Parsons said of the intermittent problem with the sensor. "Right now I can tell you that we're still looking for the problem."

While shuttle launch delays are common, the glitch preventing Discovery from taking off is receiving heightened scrutiny because the shuttle would be the first to fly since NASA grounded the fleet for safety upgrades after Columbia broke up on its return to Earth on Feb. 1, 2003.

All seven astronauts on board died when the spacecraft disintegrated over Texas.

NASA deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale expressed confidence the agency would find the cause of the sensor problem.

But the timetable for a possible launch was set back again. The U.S. space agency had said on Friday that it would be at least late this week before it could attempt a launch.

"Tuesday (July 26) is probably the first day we would be looking for a launch," Hale said on Monday.

Discovery is scheduled for a 12-day mission during which its crew would test the safety upgrades and deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.

Source: REUTERS

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