NASA Sets New Target Launch Date for Space Shuttle Discovery

August 25, 2009

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100


Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468


RELEASE: 09-197

NASA SETS NEW TARGET LAUNCH DATE FOR SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has targeted the next launch attempt for
space shuttle Discovery for no earlier than 12:22 a.m. EDT Friday,
Aug. 28, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wednesday's
launch attempt was postponed after an indication that a valve in the
shuttle's main propulsion system failed to perform as expected during
fueling of the shuttle's external fuel tank.

NASA managers officially postponed Wednesday's launch attempt because
of uncertainty about whether a valve that was commanded to be closed
actually was closed. The valve is associated with the fill and drain
plumbing of the main propulsion system within the shuttle's aft
compartment.

The space shuttle mission management team will meet at noon on
Thursday, Aug. 27, to discuss the troubleshooting results and decide
whether to continue with a launch attempt. The tanking weather
briefing will follow at 2:15 p.m.

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

NASA Television is providing coverage of Discovery's mission. For
NASA
TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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