Discovery's launch delayed until December 3

Washington, Nov 19 (ANI): NASA has deferred a launch status meeting and news conference scheduled for Nov. 22.

The events have been rescheduled in the wake of a Space Shuttle Program meeting that determined more analysis is needed before proceeding toward the launch of space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission.

The Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) identified the analysis and repairs required to safely launch Discovery. This analysis will be done during the next five days and reviewed at a special PRCB onednesday, Nov. 24.

Pending a successful review of the flight rationale at that meeting, a launch status briefing will be held with senior NASA managers on Nov. 29.

Work has been under way to fix a leaking hydrogen system that caused the initial delay, and to repair cracks atop two 21-foot-long support beams, called stringers, on the exterior of the shuttle's external fuel tank.

The Kennedy Space Center will begin the launch countdown no earlier than Nov. 30. That would support a launch attempt for Discovery no earlier than Dec. 3. (ANI)