NASA sets third Discovery launch date

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- NASA has set another launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission after two failed attempts due to weather and technical problems.

U.S. space agency managers said the next attempt is scheduled for 12:22 a.m. Friday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wednesday's early morning launch attempt was postponed after an indication a valve in the shuttle's main propulsion system failed to perform as expected during fueling.

Space shuttle mission managers are to meet at noon Thursday, to discuss the problems and decide whether to continue with a launch attempt.

Discovery's 13-day flight to the International Space Station will deliver storage racks, materials and fluids, science racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment, an air purification system and a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.