Hijjah 03, 1431, Nov 09, 2010, SPA -- The delay of space shuttle Discovery's launch to the end of the month should not impact the overall schedule for the final missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) three-orbiter fleet, agency officials said Monday. A gas leak and a crack on the space shuttle Discovery's external tank forced NASA officials to cancel the November 5 take off. The earliest Discovery could now lift off is November 30, NASA officials said. Once the space shuttle makes the next window that begins November 30, then the following planned mission of the space shuttle Endeavour should be able to launch on time in February, NASA said. The space shuttle is limited in when it can launch by “windows” that open up when conditions are optimum to reach the International Space Station. For Discovery, the current window closes November 8 because of unfavorable sun angles at the station that could cause some parts of the shuttle to overheat while it is docked at the orbital outpost. The next earliest favorable date to launch is November 30, though space agency officials have not yet decided if Discovery will attempt to take off that day.
