Atlantis Shuttle Launch Could Face Weather Delay
NASA says that the mission launch set for Thursday is facing a 70 percent chance of being rained out.

Atlantis Shuttle Launch Could Face Weather Delay

Posted Feb 5, 2008, 5:51 PM ET

NASA says that the mission launch set for Thursday is facing a 70 percent chance of being rained out.


NASA said that with a cold front moving across the U.S. this week, the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis is facing about a 70 percent chance of being delayed. NASA said that it expects to make a final decision on the launch at about 3:30 AM EST on Thursday.

If the launch is scrubbed for Thursday, then NASA will shoot for another launch window at 2:19 PM EST on Friday though lingering rain showers are making that schedule appear unlikely as well.

Even though the weather looks unlikely that the mission will go forward as planned, technicians are continuing preparing the vehicle for its launch. The seven astronauts of the mission STS-122 have also been busy preparing for the space shot. The 11-day mission will be led by Navy captain Stephen Frick.

The mission is set to deliver the European Space Agency's 10.3-ton Columbus laboratory to the ISS - International Space Station.



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