• VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
• LOCATION: Pad 39B
• TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: December 11 at 11:42 p.m. EST (under review)
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: December 21 at about 8:50 p.m. EST
• LAUNCH WINDOW: 42 minutes
• MISSION DURATION: about 9 days and 21 hours
• CREW: Brown, Kelly, Smith, Foale, Grunsfeld, Nicollier, Clervoy
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 317 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

Work in progress: Shuttle managers have decided to delay the start of the STS-103 launch countdown by at least 24 hours while engineers evaluate a dented main propulsion system hydrogen line found during closeout inspections of Discovery's engine compartment. A final decision on whether or not the line must be replaced is expected tomorrow. If the line requires replacement, it is anticipated that the work would postpone launch by a minimum of several days. The four-inch diameter line carries liquid hydrogen fuel for the Space Shuttle main engines.

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