Shuttle Landing Delayed

Stormy weather on Friday forced NASA to postpone plans to end the shuttle Endeavour’s record-setting astronomy mission.

The landing was rescheduled for today at either John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida or at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after more than 16 1/2 days aloft.

There will be six landing opportunities today, the first at Kennedy at 12:18 p.m., PST and the last at Edwards at 5 p.m., PST.

Thunderstorms Friday in Florida, the shuttle’s primary landing site, forced ground control teams to wave off Endeavour three times. Skies began to clear at one point and a late opportunity appeared promising.

“The chance to get into KSC on our last opportunity has gone away,” said Curt Brown, the crew’s liaison in mission control.

“We sure appreciate you guys working hard trying to get us home today,” responded Steve Oswald, Endeavour’s commander. “We will try again tomorrow.”