Exploring the Cosmos

Discovery’s launch has been rescheduled for Friday 28 August at 12.22am EDT (5.22am BST).  Wednesday’s launch was postponed after a valve in the shuttle’s main propulsion system failed to perform as expected during fueling of the shuttle’s external fuel tank.

Discovery’s 13-day STS-128 flight to the International Space Station will deliver storage racks; materials and fluids science racks; a freezer to store research samples; a new sleeping compartment; an air purification system; and a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

The space shuttle Discover is due to launch on Tuesday 25 August 2009 at 6.35am BST.  The fueling of the external tank has started and is a 3 hour process and will provide the fuel required for the 8½ minute journey to orbit.