NASA Delays Space Shuttle Discovery Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA managers
postponed Friday's 12:22 a.m. EDT launch of space shuttle Discovery to allow
engineers more time to develop plans for resolving an issue with a valve in
the shuttle's main propulsion system. Launch now is targeted for no earlier
than 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

During loading of the shuttle's external fuel tank for Wednesday's launch
attempt, a liquid hydrogen fill and drain valve located in Discovery's aft
compartment failed to provide the proper indication when it was commanded to
close. Engineers cycled the valve five times Wednesday evening to collect data
on the valve and its associated actuator and position indicator.

NASA managers decided Thursday that more time is needed to analyze the test
data and develop alternative procedures for confirming that the valve is
closed if the valve fails to provide the proper closed indication during
Discovery's next launch attempt.

Discovery's 13-day STS-128 flight to the International Space Station will
deliver storage racks; materials and fluids science racks; a freezer to store
research samples; a new sleeping compartment; an air purification system; and
a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

For information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For the latest information about the STS-128 mission and its crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

SOURCE NASA

John Yembrick, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1100,
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov; or Allard Beutel, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.,
+1-321-867-2468, allard.beutel@nasa.gov, both of NASA