Date: December 7th 2007

Dec 6, 2007

Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749 katherine trinidad@nasa gov

Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 candrea k thomas@nasa gov

RELEASE: 07-267

NASA RESCHEDULES SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla - The launch of NASA's space shuttle Atlantis will take place no earlier than Saturday, Dec 8, at 3:43 p m EST Thursday's scheduled liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla , was postponed because of a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle's external fuel tank

The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low Launch Commit Criteria require that three of the four sensor systems function properly before liftoff

Space Shuttle Program managers will hold a Mission Management Team meeting Friday at 2 p m to discuss the issue and determine the steps necessary to start a new launch countdown A news conference will be held at approximately 5 p m after the meeting's conclusion

On Thursday morning, two of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank failed a routine prelaunch check Following the launch postponement, the tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen were drained While the tank was being emptied, engineers monitored and collected data on the liquid hydrogen sensors that failed During that process, another sensor gave a false reading, indicating that the tank was "wet," when it was dry All ECO sensors are now indicating dry as they should be

During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory The new lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO sensor system, visit:

http://www nasa gov/shuttle

-end-

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