News In Brief

Next shuttle launching put off 10 days, to Feb. 3

The National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) has delayed until Feb. 3 the launch of the next space shuttle, in order to allow more time to evaluate an equipment failure during the last shuttle flight. The launch date for the eight-day mission was originally set for Jan. 30.

NASA officials said computer problems that delayed the shuttle Columbia's landing two weeks ago were caused by tiny metal slivers that touched off short circuits. In addition to the computer problems, a rear compartment of the shuttle was on fire as the spacecraft landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California Dec. 8 after a 10-day fight.