Bad Circuit Halts Countdown for Discovery Launch
NASA halted the countdown for the space shuttle Discovery less than an hour before scheduled liftoff Saturday because of a bad electrical circuit controlling a set of launch pad safety locks.
A second launch attempt was not expected until late this week.
Launch director Bob Sieck said that the prime suspect was a failed switch at the pad that will have to be replaced. Repairs will begin Monday.
“It’s always a disappointment when a smooth launch count is brought to a halt, particularly when it’s caused by heretofore very reliable hardware,” he said.
The five astronauts patted technicians on the back and shook hands after crawling out of the shuttle. They flew back to Johnson Space Center in Houston to get in some extra training for their satellite-delivery and spacewalking mission.
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