NASA decided to delay space shuttle Discovery's move to the assembly building until Thursday so workers can inspect it for cracks on the landing gear. (AFP file Photo)

    BEIJING, May 25 -- NASA has decided to delay space shuttle Discovery's move to the assembly building until Thursday so workers can inspect it for cracks on the landing gear.

    Last week, a small crack was found on the right main landing gear of the shuttle Atlantis and NASA wants to make sure Discovery doesn't have the same problem.

    Officials decided to delay Discovery's return to the assembly building until Thursday so workers could take advantage of the easier access at the launch pad and determine if there are any problems with the shuttle's landing gear door, said Kennedy Space Center spokeswoman Jessica Rye.

    Officials also wanted to make sure the landing gear of the fleet's two other shuttles are free of cracks before July, when Discovery is scheduled to become the first shuttle to launch since the fatal Columbia disaster in 2003.

    NASA spokeswoman Jessica Rye said the landing gear inspection shouldn't have any effect on Discovery's scheduled launch date.

    The Columbia exploded in 2003 during reentry into the earth's atmosphere when a hole in the wing caused the shuttle to disintegrate. All seven astronauts on board were killed. Enditem

(Agencies)