Discovery Undergoes 2-Day Check

A rigorous two-day examination of the space shuttle Discovery’s systems began Tuesday while more than 150 shuttle managers and engineers met to set a launch date for the first post-Challenger flight.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been considering a date from Sept. 26 to 29. An announcement is expected today.

The two-day session here, called a flight readiness review, includes reports on the condition of all shuttle systems and whether there are any open technical problems or concerns.

One open issue being discussed is a hydrogen leak detected during a pressure check of Discovery’s main engines last week. NASA said engineers are trying to determine the location and size of the leak, and said if the problem is not resolved by Thursday a helium pressure test of the engine planned that day would be postponed.

The space agency has made significant changes in the flight readiness review since the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986, that killed seven crew members and grounded the shuttle fleet.

The Rogers commission investigation of the accident found that flight readiness reviews for earlier shuttle missions had dismissed concerns over the potential for problems with joints in the solid fuel booster rockets. The Challenger explosion was blamed on a faulty booster rocket joint.

More Rigorous Look

The review now includes a more rigorous look at shuttle systems, there are clearer lines of responsibility and outside experts join in the discussion.