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NASA Scrubs Space Shuttle Launch

   VOA News 05 November 2010
   This image of space shuttle Discovery was taken as the craft began its
   nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building
   to Launch Pad 39A.

Photo: NASA

   This image of space shuttle Discovery was taken as the craft began its
   nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building
   to Launch Pad 39A.

   NASA scrubbed Friday's scheduled launch of the space shuttle Discovery
   after a hydrogen leak was found in the craft's external fuel tank.
   In  a  statement,  NASA  said the leak was discovered as the shuttle's
   external  tanks  were  being filled in preparation for launch later in
   the day.
   NASA  officials  say  they are meeting to determine the next steps and
   will hold a news conference later in the day.
   Discovery  was originally scheduled to launch on Monday.  It has been
   delayed by technical problems and severe weather at the Florida launch
   site.
   Discovery's  six-member  crew will deliver a final module for the U.S.
   portion  of the orbiting laboratory during its 11-day mission.  It is
   also  carrying  the  world's  first  humanoid  robot, Robonaut 2, into
   space.
   This  will  be  Discovery's  39th  and  final  flight  in  its 26-year
   history.  NASA's shuttle fleet will be retired next year, bringing an
   end to the 30-year-old space shuttle program.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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