Second STS-128 Scrub Called – Stuck Fuel Valve

A stuck liquid hydrogen fill and drain valve inside space shuttle Discovery has caused NASA to scrub tonight’s launch attempt. The loading of fuel into the external tank has been stopped.

UPDATE:

NASA mission managers will hold a standard post-scrub meeting at 7:15p.m. EDT regarding the launch attempt of Discovery that was called off earlier today after a problem developed with a liquid hydrogen fill-and-drain valve in the aft compartment of the shuttle. A news briefing will be held after that meeting concludes and will air on NASA TV.

Regarding the valve, when launch controllers commanded it to close, they did not receive the “closed” indication. There is a concern that the valve is either open or partially open, but that needs to be evaluated for confirmation.

A new launch date and time for Discovery’s STS-128 mission has not been set at this time.