Launch Scrubbed Due to Hydrogen Leak at Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate

Space shuttle managers have scrubbed Discovery’s launch attempt for today due to a hydrogen leak a the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate, or GUCP (pronounced GUP).

During the process of filling the external tank, the hydrogen leak was detected at the GUCP, an attachment point between the external tank and a 17-inch pipe that carries gaseous hydrogen safely away from Discovery to the flare stack, where it is burned off.

Managers will meet to determine the next steps and NASA Television will air a news conference later today.