--UPDATE--
The hydrogen vent line is currently being re-attached to the ET. The hydrogen leak problem seems to have been caused by the GUCP not being properly aligned with the ET. The left and right pivot seat was not fully connecting to the external tank's pin receptacle sleeve at the bottom of the GUCP. Crews are now in the process of checking alignments and making adjustments to get a proper fit. Leak checks will be performed following the adjustments.
In simplified terms: The problem may not be with the connection between the hydrogen vent line and the GUCP as originally thought, instead, problem looks like it is with the connection between the GUCP & the ET.
A pre-launch news conference will be live on NASA TV @ 6.30pm GMT Saturday.
So far, STS-119 is looking good for a launch attempt tomorrow
---------- Post added at 18:57 ---------- Previous post was at 18:19 ----------
Prelaunch news conference now saying that the GUCP misalignment with the ET is
NOT related to hydrogen leak, so quick disconnect may indeed still be the cause of the hydrogen leak.
---------- Post added at 19:24 ---------- Previous post was at 18:57 ----------
Prelaunch news conference now concluded. They said that no "smoking gun" was found, meaning that the root cause of the hydrogen leak has not yet been identified. So far, all hardware that could have been responsible for the leak has been replaced, even though no fault was found with the original hardware. It is hoped this will have fixed the leak, wherever or whatever it was.
The leak is considered a ground-based problem, so an understanding of the cause of the problem is not required for STS-119 to fly. As long as no hydrogen leaks during ET fuelling tomorrow, STS-119 can fly. A cause can be figured out at the pad once STS-119 has launched.
Also, in rubber seal is apparently misaligned inside the ET near the GUCP.
---------- Post added at 13:08 ---------- Previous post was Yesterday at 19:24 ----------
Some useful sites for STS-119 launch:
www.nasa.gov/ntv - NASA TV
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts119/status.html - spaceflightnow.com's live updates + live webcast of STS-119 launch with ISS Ex.10 commander Leroy Chiao
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/launch_blog.html - NASA's STS-119 launch blog
----------
Other:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/countdown101.html - explains a bit about the countdown process
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html - STS-119 NASA TV schedule for whole of mission
----------
TO MODS: Would it be possible to have the STS-126 thread removed from the space flight news sticky list, and have the STS-119 thread made a sticky instead? Thanks.
