The 'Champion of the Fleet' faces a final hurdle before its last flight

Space · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Space Shuttle Discovery, the most experienced vessel in NASA's fleet, is facing a series of technical setbacks on the eve of its final voyage. From gas leaks to electrical glitches, the aging workhorse is proving that even the most reliable machines can be temperamental when it counts.

Discovery's status as a 'Champion of the Fleet' is rooted in its unparalleled endurance. Between 1984 and 2011, it completed a record 39 missions, traveling nearly 150 million miles and spending a total of 365 days in space. It served as a primary vehicle for both 'Return to Flight' missions following the Challenger and Columbia disasters, making it a singular example of 1970s technology that was repeatedly refurbished to remain operational. The current delays highlight the complexities of maintaining such a massive 172,000-pound spacecraft. Engineers are currently troubleshooting a 'significant' hydrogen gas leak at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP)—the connection point between the external tank and a 17-inch vent pipe. Additionally, the crew must address helium and nitrogen leaks in the right-hand Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod, as well as electrical glitches in a backup computer controller for one of the main engines. These issues are compounded by physical wear, including a crack in the external tank foam discovered during the draining of supercold liquid hydrogen and oxygen. If the shuttle cannot launch by the November 30 window, it will be pushed to February, potentially delaying the final mission of the entire fleet. Despite these 'troubles,' the final 11-day mission (STS-133) remains packed with critical tasks, including two six-hour spacewalks to install the final U.S. module for the International Space Station, Leonardo.

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claims-["Discovery is targeted for a launch on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 4:17 p.m.

canvas-type-data canvas-data-title-"Discovery Flight Statistics" canvas-data-points-["39 missions", "150 million miles", "365 days in space"] canvas-data-insight-"Discovery's high mission count and mileage establish it as the most experienced shuttle in the fleet."

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