NASA engineers are trying to trace an apparent cabin leak aboard the shuttle Endeavour about a week before the scheduled Aug. 7 launch, media reported on Tuesday.
Engineers found signs of the leak over the weekend and initially attributed it to a loose bolt. But the problem persisted after the bolt was tightened, NASA spokeswoman Tracy Young was quoted as saying by Space.com, the professional space news website.
Engineers have yet to pinpoint the leak, and now they are forced to have once more scanning the crew cabin and cargo module, as well as the pressurized tunnel and hatches running between them.
Endeavour is scheduled to lift off on Aug. 7 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. When asked if the launch will be delayed because of the leak, Young said "it's still too early to tell."
In the meantime, another spacecraft, the Phoenix Mars Lander is postponed 24 hours to launch on Aug. 4, also from KSC. Given Phoenix's limited launch window, NASA space shuttle program managers have said the Mars mission is a high priority and could prompt a few days of delay for Endeavour's August liftoff.
Source: Xinhua
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