NASA Scrubs Space Shuttle Launch

NASA has postponed Friday’s launch of the space shuttle Discovery after a hydrogen leak was found in the craft’s external fuel tank.

In a statement, NASA said the leak was discovered as the shuttle’s external tanks were being filled in preparation for launch later in the day.

NASA managers have decided to postpone the launch until November 30 at the earliest.

A NASA team also discovered a crack in the foam on the shuttle’s external fuel tank. NASA officials say the crack did not develop until after the launch was called off.

Discovery was originally scheduled to lift off earlier this week. It has been delayed by technical problems and severe weather at the Florida launch site.

Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, speaking to reporters Friday, said the shuttle is like any machine and that machines occasionally break.

Discovery’s six-member crew will deliver a final module for the U.S. portion of the orbiting laboratory during the 11-day mission. The shuttle will also carry the world’s first humanoid robot, Robonaut 2, into space.

This will be Discovery’s 39th and final flight in its 26-year history. NASA’s shuttle fleet will be retired next year, bringing an end to the 30-year-old space shuttle program.

Some information in this story was provided by AP.