NASA engineers are trying to trace an apparent cabin leak aboard the shuttle Endeavour about a week before the scheduled Aug. 7 launch, media reported on Tuesday.
Engineers found signs of the leak over the weekend and initially attributed it to a loose bolt. But the problem persisted after the bolt was tightened, NASA spokeswoman Tracy Young was quoted as saying by Space.com, the professional space news website.
Engineers have yet to pinpoint the leak, and now they are forced to once more scan the crew cabin and cargo module, as well as the pressurized tunnel and hatches running between them.
Endeavour is scheduled to lift off on Aug. 7 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When asked if the launch will be delayed because of the leak, Young said "it's still too early to tell."
In the meantime, another spacecraft, the Phoenix Mars Lander is postponed 24 hours to launch on Aug. 4, also from KSC. Given Phoenix's limited launch window, NASA space shuttle program managers have said the Mars mission is a high priority and could prompt a few days of delay for Endeavour's August liftoff.
Inside news: NASA gives "go" for launch of shuttle Endeavour </b>The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour is ready to fly, NASA managers concluded Thursday after wrapping up the two-day flight readiness review at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Launch of Endeavour on the STS-118 mission is officially scheduled for Aug. 7. The exact launch time is set at 7:02 p.m. EDT (2302 GMT), according to NASA TV.
"On behalf of all the people that work on Endeavour, both here and really across the country, it's a great, great feeling to have Endeavour back on the pad," Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said at a news conference. "We're looking forward to a great launch."
NASA managers conduct the review two weeks prior to each space shuttle mission. The group thoroughly evaluates all activities and elements necessary for the safe and successful performance of shuttle mission operations -- from the prelaunch phase through post-landing -- including the readiness of the vehicle, flight crew and payloads.
The STS-118 will be NASA's second flight mission in 2007. As to Endeavour, this is the first flight in almost five years. The last time Endeavour was at the launch pad was in November 2002 on a construction mission to the International Space Station.
During the scheduled 11-day mission, Endeavour will carry into orbit a new truss segment, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3.
NASA hopes to complete the construction of ISS before the shuttle fleet is grounded in 2010.
Engineers found signs of the leak over the weekend and initially attributed it to a loose bolt. But the problem persisted after the bolt was tightened, NASA spokeswoman Tracy Young was quoted as saying by Space.com, the professional space news website.
Engineers have yet to pinpoint the leak, and now they are forced to once more scan the crew cabin and cargo module, as well as the pressurized tunnel and hatches running between them.
Endeavour is scheduled to lift off on Aug. 7 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When asked if the launch will be delayed because of the leak, Young said "it's still too early to tell."
In the meantime, another spacecraft, the Phoenix Mars Lander is postponed 24 hours to launch on Aug. 4, also from KSC. Given Phoenix's limited launch window, NASA space shuttle program managers have said the Mars mission is a high priority and could prompt a few days of delay for Endeavour's August liftoff.
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