Test of Discovery Engines Delayed at Least 2 Days
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — A launch pad test-firing of space shuttle Discovery’s main engines next week will be delayed for at least two days, NASA officials announced Friday.
The decision to delay until at least next Saturday was made after shuttle managers reviewed documents that showed some elements were not ready, including a hazardous-gas detection system that has not been thoroughly checked out.
Firing Considered Critical
The 20-second firing of the three engines is considered critical to certify Discovery for the first shuttle launch since the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986. It will test modifications made in the engine and provide countdown experience for the launch team.
Officials at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said a delay in the test-firing would have only a minimal impact on the planned early-September shuttle launch. However, the status of the launch is in doubt while engineers decide how to fix a small leak in a steering engine system that is separate from the main engines.
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