Cape Canaveral (Florida): A planned launch of the US space shuttle Atlantis was scrubbed again early today after NASA engineers discovered that one of the sensors on the spacecraft's hydrogen fuel tank failed during morning tests.

The decision, taken by flight managers at 5:54 hrs IST (7:24 am), marks the fourth delay in the launch of the spacecraft that was to head for the International Space Station with a European laboratory on board. "The mission management team has officially scrubbed the launch for today," National Aeronautics and Space Agency TV commentator George Diller announced.

Under NASA rules, all four fuel sensors have to be working properly for the launch to proceed. There are only a few days left in which conditions will be right for the shuttle to launch from Earth to reach the space station. Shuttle programme manager Wayne Hale said a launch may be possible up until Friday.

Atlantis's launch, initially scheduled for Thursday, was initially postponed after fuel two of the sensors gave false readings during fueling, requiring engineers to investigate what NASA described as a very complex problem. The Atlantis crew of seven is preparing for an 11-day mission to fly the European Columbus laboratory to the space station, orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth.

Until now, only the United States and Russia have had their own laboratories at the ISS. "We have never had a permanent base in space before and I see that like a first step for Europe in the real spaceflight activities compared to what we had in the past," said Leopold Eyharts, a French astronaut who works for the European Space Agency.

Source : PTI