NASA to Launch Space Shuttle Atlantis Sunday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Space shuttle
Atlantis is scheduled to launch Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST, from NASA's
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the liftoff decision
after three days of reviewing data on a problem with fuel sensors.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday was delayed after two of the four
engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors in the shuttle's external fuel tank gave false
readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The sensor
system is one of several that protect the shuttle's three main engines by
triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
During a Mission Management Team meeting Saturday, NASA leaders decided to
fuel the tank Sunday and monitor the status of the sensor system. If all four
ECO sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank perform as
expected, the countdown will proceed toward the planned liftoff. NASA
Television coverage of the tank loading will start Sunday at 6 a.m., with
launch coverage beginning at 10 a.m.
During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the
astronauts will install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus
laboratory, which will expand the station's scientific research capabilities.
Crew members for the STS-122 mission are Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan
Poindexter, mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and
European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel from Germany and Leopold
Eyharts from France.
For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:

www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew, visit:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

SOURCE NASA

Katherine Trinidad, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-3749,
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov, or Candrea Thomas, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.,
+1-321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov