Why was the launch of Space shuttle Discovery delayed?
The planned launch of Space Shuttle Discovery was delayed early Tuesday morning after thunderstorms in the area presented a danger to the flight. With lightning lighting up the sky, NASA officials said they would attempt the launch again early Wednesday morning. The crew of seven astronauts boarded Discovery on schedule Monday afternoon and mechanically all looked to be a go for launch. Shortly after 9:00pm EDT Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters warned the launch director that weather systems in the area had created a ‘no go’ condition. The countdown proceeded normally as NASA evaluated the deteriorating weather conditions. * Video: Stephen Colbert sends a message to the astronauts * Slideshow: Space Shuttle Discovery readies for launch * Related: Complete coverage with the Space News Examiner As the night and countdown proceeded, thunderstorms continued to encroach on Kennedy Space Center with lightning coming as close as within five miles of the shuttle. At 11:28pm Launch Director
Aug 25, 2009 — Thunderstorms forced NASA to call off shuttle Discovery’s launch to the International Space Station early Tuesday. Launch managers said they would try again Wednesday. The storms popped up unexpectedly late Monday all around the launch site, and lightning lit up the sky. A strike was reported just five miles from the pad, in fact, and then it started to pour. The storms finally eased, but not fast enough. Launch director Pete Nickolenko waited as long as he could before halting the countdown. The space shuttle had seven astronauts inside as well as thousands of pounds of space station supplies, including a new treadmill named for TV comedian Stephen Colbert. “The vehicle and the operations were cooperating, but the local weather unfortunately did not,” Nickolenko informed the astronauts. “When the weather is ready to cooperate, we’ll be ready to go,” replied commander Rick Sturckow. Another 30 minutes, and “I think we’d have a real good shot today,” said Mike Moses, cha
The launch of Space shuttle Discovery has been delayed by bad weather, according to NASA. Storms in the area of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida began to dissipate 30 minutes prior to the intended launch at 01:36 ET (05:36 GMT), however it was not enough for NASA officials to give an all clear. No major technical issues developed during the countdown but with lightning storms less than five miles from the launch pad and low cloud hanging overhead the mission will be postponed until Wednesday at 01:10 ET (05:10 GMT).
The planned launch of Space Shuttle Discovery was delayed early Tuesday morning after thunderstorms in the area presented a danger to the flight. With lightning lighting up the sky, NASA officials said they would attempt the launch again early Wednesday morning. The crew of seven astronauts boarded Discovery on schedule Monday afternoon and mechanically all looked to be a go for launch. Shortly after 9:00pm EDT Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters warned the launch director that weather systems in the area had created a ‘no go’ condition. The countdown proceeded normally as NASA evaluated the deteriorating weather conditions. * Video: Stephen Colbert sends a message to the astronauts * Slideshow: Space Shuttle Discovery readies for launch * Related: Complete coverage with the Space News Examiner As the night and countdown proceeded, thunderstorms continued to encroach on Kennedy Space Center with lightning coming as close as within five miles of the shuttle. At 11:28pm Launch Director
Aug 25, 2009 — Thunderstorms forced NASA to call off shuttle Discovery’s launch to the International Space Station early Tuesday. Launch managers said they would try again Wednesday. The storms popped up unexpectedly late Monday all around the launch site, and lightning lit up the sky. A strike was reported just five miles from the pad, in fact, and then it started to pour. The storms finally eased, but not fast enough. Launch director Pete Nickolenko waited as long as he could before halting the countdown. The space shuttle had seven astronauts inside as well as thousands of pounds of space station supplies, including a new treadmill named for TV comedian Stephen Colbert. “The vehicle and the operations were cooperating, but the local weather unfortunately did not,” Nickolenko informed the astronauts. “When the weather is ready to cooperate, we’ll be ready to go,” replied commander Rick Sturckow. Another 30 minutes, and “I think we’d have a real good shot today,” said Mike Moses, cha
