NASA to Launch Space Shuttle Atlantis No Earlier Than Sunday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is targeting the launch
of space shuttle Atlantis no earlier than Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST
from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the decision
after a meeting Friday to review data on a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor
system inside the shuttle and its external fuel tank.
Because of the length of the meeting, the managers agreed that targeting
Sunday would allow the launch and management teams appropriate time to rest
and prepare. The Mission Management Team will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. to
decide whether to make a Sunday attempt. A news conference will be held after
the meeting's conclusion.
Atlantis' scheduled launch Thursday was delayed after two ECO sensors gave
false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The
fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main
engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the
shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install and activate
the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new lab will expand the
station's scientific research capabilities.
For more information about the STS-122 mission and its crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
SOURCE NASA

Katherine Trinidad of NASA, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-4715,
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov; Candrea Thomas of Kennedy Space Center, Fla.,
+1-321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov