Shuttle Oxygen Leak Forces Launch Postponement for at Least a Week

(Updated November 11, 11:30 AM EST)

Due to a problem with the oxygen flow to the shuttle crew cabin, last nights
launch has been scrubbed and will not be rescheduled until at least the 18th. The leak is considered a small one and
managers indicated the shuttle could have flown but wanted to find out why this leak occured after the system in question had already passed inspection.

At this time launch managers see no need to remove the Port 1 (P1) truss which is intended for the international space station from the shuttle bay to check the mid-body leak. Should they need to remove the P1 truss from the shuttle bay the launch would be further delayed.

STS-113 will be the 16th assembly flight to the ISS. The primary mission will be to bring the Expedition 6 crew to the ISS and return the Expedition 5 crew to the Earth. In addition to the crew exchange, STS-113 will install P1 Integrated Truss Assembly to the
ISS.