http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/28/tech/main1761799.shtml
Clouds And Lightning Could Prevent Discovery Launch On Saturday CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla, June 28, 2006Air Force Sgt. Sophia Hess works at her console at the weather forecast facility at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, June 28, 2006. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP) Clouds in the forecast raised doubts Wednesday about whether Discovery would get off the launch pad this weekend for the first space shuttle flight in nearly a year. There was a 60 percent chance that clouds capable of producing lightning would prevent a launch during the 10-minute window Saturday afternoon, said Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer. The forecast remained the same for Sunday and Monday and was expected to worsen later in the week. NASA test director Jeff Spaulding said the shuttle had no technical problems that would prevent a launch. The space agency said it will make up to four launch attempts over five days, if needed. The launch window extends until July 19. The countdown was set to begin late Wednesday afternoon. Saturday's launch would be just the second shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster in 2003, which killed seven astronauts, and the first since the liftoff of Discovery last July. "Obviously these forecasts, while they sound a little bit gloomy, we've certainly launched with higher predictions of no-go," Spaulding said. During the 12-day mission, Discovery's seven-member crew will test shuttle inspection and repair techniques, bring supplies and equipment to the international space station and deliver the European Space Agency's Thomas Reiter for a six-month stay aboard the orbiting outpost. Astronauts Piers Sellers and Mike Fossum will make two spacewalks and possibly a third, which would add a day to the mission. The Kennedy Space Center also will test out new techniques for keeping birds away from the launch pad during liftoff. A vulture struck Discovery's fuel tank during last summer's launch but did not cause major damage. Gregory S. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
