Article Posted on : - Nov 08, 2010

A file photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): A minor leak in the ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) of the Space Shuttle has delayed the final launch till November 30.

Discovery will carry six veteran astronauts and the first humanoid robot to the International Space Station.

Mission managers also will look at a crack in the external tank foam that developed as supercold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen were being drained from the tank -- although the crack did not develop until after the launch attempt was called off.

Discovery has already faced three launch delays due to some technical glitches and bad weather conditions.

NASA has scheduled the next possible launch of the Space Shuttle by November 30 at 09:05 am GMT.

During space shuttle Discovery's final spaceflight, the STS-133 crew members will take important spare parts to the International Space Station along with the Express Logistics Carrier-4.