Turns out it was a series of 'bad connectors' that were to blame for the gauge failures:
NASA on Tuesday traced fuel gauge failures in shuttle Atlantis' tank to a bad connector, and a top manager said he did not know how long it would take to replace the part or when the spaceship might fly.
art.shuttle.tank.ap.jpg
The erratic shuttle fuel gauges -- part of a critical safety system -- forced back-to-back launch delays this month. Until Tuesday's tanking test, NASA had been aiming for a January 10 liftoff of Atlantis with a European space station lab.
"We're going to follow this trail where it leads us and we're going to solve this problem, and then we'll go fly ... whether it's January 10 or February 10 or March 10," shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said.
So, no firm idea at all of when it will next launch. The current crew must feel pretty bummed. I wonder if it gets delayed too long if the existing crew would be scrapped in favour of a fresher crew?
Seanie.
Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
  