Cabin leak threatens US space shuttle launch

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — NASA engineers have discovered a leak in space shuttle Endeavour's cabin and are rushing to find its source to prevent a delay in the mission's launch, a US space agency spokesman said Tuesday.

The engineers found a small leak over the weekend after they closed the shuttle's hatch to check that the cabin seals properly during a routine check for the August 7 launch, NASA spokesman Kyle Herring told AFP.

"You can't launch with a cabin leak," Herring said, adding, however, "At this point there is no delay of the launch."

Engineers are isolating valves that control cabin pressure to find the source of the leak and replace the defective item in time of the launch, he said.

The countdown for the launch is due to begin Saturday at 2302...