Nasa's next shuttle launch now targeted for April 5

Nasa is targeting Monday, April 5, for the launch of the next space shuttle from the agency's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Shuttle Discovery's seven crew members had planned to lift off on March 18 to begin the STS-131 mission to the International...

Nasa is targeting Monday, April 5, for the launch of the next space shuttle from the agency's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Shuttle Discovery's seven crew members had planned to lift off on March 18 to begin the STS-131 mission to the International Space Station.

However, cold weather in Florida has delayed Discovery's move to the Vehicle Assembly Building to complete the shuttle's processing, which has delayed the rollout to the launch pad. The Space Shuttle Programme has specific rules against transporting the shuttle when temperatures are below a certain level for extended periods.

The vehicle has thrusters with seals that could leak under cold temperatures. As a result of the new STS-131 target launch date, Nasa has extended the media accreditation deadlines.

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