"Precisely timing how electrical pulses moved back and forth through suspect engine cutoff sensor wiring during a fueling test today indicates intermittent open circuits that grounded the shuttle Atlantis on Dec. 6 and 9 were caused by problems in a critical-three part "feed-through" connector. The connector carries sensor data through the wall of the ship's external fuel tank.

While engineers do not yet know what will be required to fix the problem - or whether Atlantis can meet a no-earlier-than Jan. 10 launch date - shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said he was relieved today's tanking test exonerated the sensors themselves and isolated the problem to an area that is accessible at the launch pad.

"Exactly what we've got to do and where in this three-part connector we have to do it is a little bit of work ahead of us," he said. "I'm just pleased as punch we know it's in the connector and not some other place in this 100 feet or so of wiring and sensors and electronic boxes (that were in question) so we know what area to concentrate our efforts."

Spaceflight Now

Still hoping for a 01/10/2008 launch.
Regards, Vince