The launch of space shuttle Discovery was cancelled because of a technical problem.

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that Wednesday's launch was delayed because of a low-level fuel cutoff sensor on board the Discovery. The sensor protected the spacecraft's main engines by getting them to shut down if the fuel supplies ran critically low, according to NASA [Images].

An international crew of six astronauts, led by Eileen Collins, was strapped in, prior to take-off when the problem was discovered. Discovery was set for a 12-day flight to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station [Images].

NASA has not sent a mission to the space station since the loss of the Columbia and its crew, including Indian American Kalpana Chawla [Images], in February 2003.