Space shuttle leaking, NASA working up repair plan

Leak could delay planned November launch.

By

Marcia Dunn, AP

Mon, Oct 18 2010 at 3:34 PM

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Space Shuttle Discovery landing, November 2007

Photo: Red Huber/AP

Space shuttle Discovery is leaking on the launch pad.

If it isn't fixed soon, the small fuel leak could delay Discovery's planned launch on Nov. 1. The flight to the International Space Station will be Discovery's last.

Shuttle engineers met Monday afternoon to put together a repair plan. Later this week, technicians will tighten the bolts on the leaking fuel line. If that doesn't help, they may have to replace four seals or even part of the line.

Last week, NASA replaced a cap in the system, but it did not stop the leak.

The rocket fuel is used to maneuver the shuttle while it's in orbit.

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