NASA TV has reported this morning that the loading of propellants into the External Tank (ET) has been delayed due to a heater problem relating to the ET. However, at 7:11am EDT the issue was resolved.
The heater is part of the ground support equipment used during launch, and heats the ET Intertank purge. Whilst the main heater has failed, a backup was used. The Shuttle could still have launched, but NASA managers noted they would prefer a redundant heater ready to go when tanking begins. United Space Alliance’s “Red Team” was sent to the launch pad to change out a firing package in the failed heater. That process was a success and c
Tanking needed to start before 9am EDT to avoid any impact on the 3:51pm EDT launch time.
(Story updated from previous heater failure article).