NASA gives OK to Discovery takeoff

WASHINGTON (AFP) – NASA gave the go-ahead to begin fueling the space shuttle Discovery in preparation for a Monday morning launch to rendezvous with the International Space Station.

The Mission Management Team gave a "go" to begin loading Discovery's external fuel tank, NASA said.

The operation was scheduled to begin at 8:56 pm (0056 GMT) "but will be delayed slightly while the launch team investigates an anomaly with a fuel cell pump motor voltage spike," a statement from the space agency said.

The delay was not expected to alter the planned blastoff for 6:21 am (1021 GMT) at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

"There is a 80 percent chance of favorable weather for launch," NASA said.

"The primary concern is a slight chance for ceiling and visibility constraints."

Discovery was to carry a crew of seven.