Fuel Leak Complicates Shuttle Launch Preparations

By Irene Klotz

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Workers at Kennedy Space Center plan to drain the fuel from shuttle Discovery’s Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) tanks and lines to fix a suspected leak in the crossfeed flange area.

Technicians attempted to stem the slight vapor leak of monomethyl hydrazine by replacing a flight cap, but the work was unsuccessful. Managers on Oct. 18 ordered the ...

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