sjb (01/30/83)
NASA engineers today located the source of the hydrogen leak that has plagued the Challenger's main engines and postponed the launch of STS-6 several times. The leak was pinpointed to a .75 inch long crack in a .125 inch thick combustion manifold on the number 1 engine. NASA officials decided to replace the engine with a spare that has just completed its qualifications tests at the National Space Technology Laboratories in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. No word was given on whether or not a third FRF (Flight Readiness Firing) will be conducted after the replacement, and NASA spokesman said a launch date, probably sometime in March, would be released after final analysis.