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Fuel leak forces another launch delay for space shuttle Discovery; next try at end of month

The launch of space shuttle Discovery is off until the end of the month.
Advocate Staff
Space Shuttle
Space shuttle Discovery is seen on launch pad 39a after todays' launch was scrubbed because of rain in the area

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The launch of space shuttle Discovery is off until the end of the month.

A leak cropped up during fueling for Friday’s planned liftoff. NASA initially delayed the launch until at least Monday. But by early afternoon, it was clear that more time was needed to fix the problem.

NASA is now targeting Nov. 30 for Discovery’s final liftoff. The space agency has to wait until then because of unacceptable solar angles for most of November. Those sun angles would cause the shuttle to overheat while docked to the station.

This is the fourth delay in a week for Discovery’s mission to the International Space Station. Three of the four were for technical problems, and one was for stormy weather.