The launch, which is due to deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS), has been repeatedly delayed since December 6 over problems with faulty fuel tank sensors.
"This work will take some time to properly accomplish and to certify the redesigned configuration before flight. While a launch on Jan. 10 is no longer achievable, no launch date has been discussed. The program will take time to assess progress of the work before setting a target launch date," the U.S. space agency said in a statement.
The Atlantis crew consists of seven astronauts - commander Stephen Frick, pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Rex Walheim, Leland Melvin and Stanley Love plus European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts, Hans Schlegel from Germany and French national Leopold Eyharts.
During the upcoming mission, the crew members will carry out three spacewalks, installing and activating the $2 billion Columbus space laboratory, which has taken some 10 years to construct and is Europe's main contribution to the ISS.
