Official notification

Our message from NASA:

NASA managers met yesterday at the Kennedy Space Center to continue the Flight Readiness Review for STS-119. In the end, managers decided to postpone the 27 February launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-119 without yet setting another potential launch date. Managers still desire to launch prior to the 13 March launch window cutout for the upcoming Soyuz launch. Space Shuttle Program manager John Shannon will lay out a plan on Wednesday, 25 February to outline whether or not such a plan is feasible.

The crew was in quarantine at the Johnson Space Center crew quarters when the announcement was made last night. We have since returned home and will remain here in Houston pending further announcements. This week, we will continue a moderate level of training on several critical tasks that we will perform during the mission.

Delays can be the nature of the business when it comes to manned space flight. STS-119 is by no means unique with the several delays we have already had. Some missions go off like clockwork on the first attempt; others have had numerous delays. We can rest assured that we have the finest team of engineers and spaceflight managers in the world supporting us here at NASA. All decisions are made, first and foremost, in the interest of safety of flight.

Below, I’ve attached a couple of key points made by the NASA Public Affairs Office on yesterday’s Flight Readiness Review. .

During a thorough review of space shuttle Discovery's readiness for flight, NASA managers decided Friday more data and possible testing are required before proceeding to launch. Engineering teams have been working to identify what caused damage to a flow control valve on shuttle Endeavour during its November 2008 flight.
Managers said that they needed to do more work to have a better understanding of the issue before flying.
The shuttle has three flow control valves that channel gaseous hydrogen from the main engines to the external fuel tank. Teams also have tried to determine the consequences if a valve piece were to break off and strike part of the shuttle and external fuel tank.
The Space Shuttle Program has been asked to develop a plan to inspect additional valves similar to those installed on Discovery. This plan will be reviewed during a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Afterward, the setting of a new target launch date may be considered.