The sun rises behind the clouds as fishermen try their luck along the Indian River in Riverfront Park in Titusville, Fla., Thursday. Unsettled weather threatens to postpone the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis on Friday (By The Associated Press) |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—
NASA is checking for any damage to space shuttle Atlantis or the launch pad after a possible lightning strikerAtlantis is poised to blast off Friday on the very last shuttle flight. Thunderstorms, however, are threatening to keep Atlantis grounded.
On Thursday, heavy rain and storms pelted the Florida launch site. Early in the afternoon, NASA reported a possible lightning strike within one-third of a mile from the pad. Technicians are checking for damage to the electrical systems.
The shuttle has yet to be fueled for its historic mission. And the four astronauts won't board until Friday.
Launch time on Friday is 11:26 a.m.
