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Space shuttle Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on December 14, 2007. Engineers and technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continue preparations to evaluate the hydrogen fuel sensor system on space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank. NASA is targeting Jan. 10 as the next possible launch opportunity for Atlantis on mission STS-122. (UPI Photo/Cheryl Mansfield/NASA)

Problems with the fuel sensor system postponed planned launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, NASA said Thursday in a release.

The agency said testing and analysis indicate that false readings from the engine cutoff sensor system occur in a three part feed-through connector that passes electric signals from sensors in the external fuel tank to shuttle electronics outside the tank.

Technicians will remove portions of the connector and redesign the interface by soldering the pins to sockets at the external-to-feed-through side of the connector prior to installing the replacement into the external tank.

It is unknown how long it will take to complete the modifications and reapply foam to the shuttle's external tank, NASA said.