Hydrogen leak delays Endeavour launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., June 13 (UPI) -- A leaking hydrogen gas line has scrubbed Saturday's launch of the shuttle Endeavour, NASA officials said.

"Hydrogen is a commodity you just don't mess with," NASA Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said.

The leak, discovered during fuel-loading operations, is similar to one that caused a four-day delay of the shuttle Discovery's launch last month, Florida Today reported.

The leak occurred near a plate that serves as a link between pipes from ground equipment and the external tank. Endeavour's external tank was drained early Saturday and must be cleansed of all hazardous gasses, which will take at least 24 hours, NASA said.

Repairs could delay the shuttle's launch until next month, NASA said. Trying to launch in the coming week would conflict with Wednesday's launch of an Atlas V rocket and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter from Cape Canaveral, NASA said.