A fuel sensor system on Discovery's external tank passed its first test early Tuesday as NASA began fueling the space shuttle for the first launch attempt since the doomed Columbia flight 2½ years ago. NASA officials monitored the fuel sensor system on the gigantic external tank throughout the three-hour fueling process and planned to conduct two other tests to make sure the sensors functioned properly. A faulty reading of a sensor caused a scrub on July 13 as astronauts were boarding the spacecraft. "All the sensors are performing as expected," NASA commentator Jessica Rye said after the first test. Discovery and a crew of seven were set to blast off for the international space station at 10:39 a.m. EDT (1439GMT). The forecast improved early Tuesday to odds of good launch weather at 80 percent, compared to 60 percent the day before, The Associated Press reported.
