Launching of shuttle endeavour to international space station postponed for a week

Troubles which emerged on Monday just before the launching of the Endeavour shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS) led to its postponement at least for a week -- till November 18th, reported the Houston-based mission control (Texas). This decision was made after a meeting of experts just over in the American mission control. A NASA representative does not rule out that the postponement of the shuttle's launching may last for more than a week. According to him, everything will depend on how complex the problems which appeared on board the shuttle may be.

The launching of Endeavour was cancelled just two hours before it should have taken place because of the oxygen leakage on board the shuttle. Initially, the launching was scheduled for 8:59, Moscow time. The decision to cancel it was made when seven Endeavour crew members already began occupying their places in the cabin. According to the data available, the leakage was discovered in the system which supplies oxygen to the crew during the launching and landing. Experts believe that the leakage, small as it is, could have expanded and led to unpredictable consequences.

Within the framework of the flight the Endeavour should deliver to the ISS a new expedition crew consisting of two American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut as well as equipment necessary to build up the station.