NASA officials announced on Thursday that next week will mark a third attempt from the astronauts aboard the International Space Station to identify the malfunctions of the solar power panels outside the orbital station. The seven-hour mission will be performed by station commander Peggy Whitson and flight engineer Dan Tani.

Metal fragments have been discovered inside the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), which helps rotate the solar panels so that they constantly track the position of the Sun, during a routine spacewalk in late October 2007.

Approximately a week ago, Kirk Shireman, chairman of the NASA space station management team, also announced problems to the primary and backup power sources that slowed down on their activity, perhaps due to a meteoroid strike.

Weeks before the launch of Atlantis, whose main objective is to deliver, install and activate the European Space Agency’ Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists the ability to conduct a variety of experiments, NASA officials say that although they are confident the station provides enough power for the delivery to be completed, further assembly of Columbus might be compromised without the repairs.

Meanwhile, the liftoff date of the Atlantis from NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida, had to be postpones, after problems to the fuel sensor systems have been discovered. Apparently, the system that monitors the liquid hydrogen section of the tank recorded false readings. Consequently, the planned launches on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 had to be delayed until January 2008.

According to NASA official website, Space Shuttle Program manager Wayne Hale said: “The workforce has stepped up to and met every challenge this year. Moving the next launch attempt of Atlantis to Jan. 10 will allow as many people as possible to have time with family and friends at the of year when it means the most. A lot has been asked of them this year and a lot will be asked of them in 2008.”