NASA postponed the space shuttle Discovery

The plan to launch the space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station (ISS) was postponed at least until March 15 by NASA's Aerospace Agency (NASA) to detect gas leakage in the fuel pump system. for outer containers of ships.

NASA said the problem was discovered just hours before NASA implemented a plan to launch Discovery on schedule on March 11. According to NASA engineers, it is likely that the leak is located in the underground equipment, not the vessel's external fuel tank.

If the leak is quickly discovered and repaired, Space Shuttle Discovery may be launched to ISS between March 15-17.

If the launch plan is implemented on the "deadline" on March 17 (because Russia will launch the Union ship to ISS on March 26), Discovery's mission will shorten from 14 days to 9 days, with 1 walk out of the space instead of 4 as planned.

So since the first postponement on February 12, NASA has delayed up to four times the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on ISS.

Discovery ship is about to go to ISS with the number STS-119, with a crew of 7, under the command of astronaut Lee Archambault.

According to NASA, the main task of the STS-119 is to ship the fourth solar cell to the ISS, as well as the last solar cell for the plan to install the solar cell at the station.

The battery system will ensure adequate power supply for scientific research as well as plans to increase the number of members working on ISS by up to 6 people in May.