NASA is finalising repairs to the space shuttle Endeavour before its launch tomorrow.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing space shuttle Endeavour for a launch tomorrow (17 June), after a leak delayed its planned lift off.

Repairs are currently being made to the space shuttle to prepare it in time for tomorrow’s launch date.

Endeavour was due to take off on Saturday (13 June) but the STS-127 mission had to be postponed because of a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system, which was noticed just a few hours before the launch. The system carries excess hydrogen safely away from the launch pad.

The 16-day mission will include five spacewalks lasting 32.5 hours and will complete the construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. It will be the 32nd mission to the International Space Station, which orbits 350 kilometres above the Earth.

NASA stated that it was on course to complete all the repair work by 3pm today.

Steve Payne, NASA Test Director, said: “Our teams have been working very hard over the last couple of days to get this piece of equipment fixed.

“Endeavour is in good shape and the teams are excited to be back to working toward a launch on Wednesday morning.”

Weather conditions are expected to be favourable for the launch tomorrow at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

For more information about the Endeavour STS-127 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle