The space shuttle Discovery looks to be set for launch tonight at 7:43pm EDT.
The launch was originally scheduled to occur this past Wednesday, however, the launch was delayed due to a hydrogen leak that was spotted during fueling.
UPDATE: To watch the 2-24-2011 Discovery launch, click here
Hydrogen gas valves aboard Discovery have already caused a month-long delay.
NASA has until Tuesday to launch Discovery and her seven crew members to the international space station. The shuttle needs to deliver one last set of solar wings and some critical parts for the space station’s water-recycling system.
If the launch doesn’t take place by then, the shuttle will have to wait in line behind a Russian Soyuz rocket that’s set to blast off March 26 with a fresh space station crew. That would then push the shuttle launch into April.
Because of the four-day leak delay, NASA had to shorten Discovery’s flight by a day and cut out a spacewalk. Even more reductions will be needed if the launch slips to Monday or Tuesday, increasing the pressure for a Sunday departure.
You can watch the launch live in the player below…
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