Can someone please give this shuttle launch a break? Forecasters are saying the storms that have spawned tornadoes across the U.S. south will hit Florida tomorrow, the day the Atlantis shuttle is finally supposed to take off.
Chances of rain, clouds or lightning delaying the launch were raised from 60 percent to 70 percent this morning, NASA said.
The shuttle was supposed to launch early last December, carrying the European Columbus science module to the International Space Station, but a series of faulty fuel gauges kept the craft on the ground.
Conditions look better later in the week, with a 60 percent chance of acceptable weather on Friday, and a 70 percent chance of launch-friendly skies on Saturday.
The good news, the agency says, is that the shuttle itself shows no technical issues this time around, and liftoff preparation is continuing as normal.
Launch Team Eyes Weather [NASA]
(Image: The shuttle Atlantis is moved to the launch pad. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett)
