Atlantis' Final Launch Ever

Atlantis Final space shuttle launch threatened by storms

Cape Canaveral downpours could postpone shuttle's final mission by up to 10 days, warns Nasa weather expert

 



Space shuttle Atlantis appears ready to blast off as scheduled Friday morning on the final voyage of the 30-year shuttle program, though thunderstorms threaten to scrub the launch.


The event is expected to draw as many as one million spectators to the Cape Canaveral area, all angling to catch a glimpse of a historic moment. "The anticipation has been really high," said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

Yet "the weather is not looking good for launch," said shuttle weather officer Kathy Winters at a news briefing on Thursday morning. She put the chance of favorable conditions for the 11:26 a.m. launch time at only 30%. Among the concerns are heavy clouds, showers and lightning.

If the liftoff is delayed, officials at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration say they have until Sunday, or perhaps Monday, to try again. Otherwise, Atlantis will have to wait until the following weekend, due to a scheduled rocket launch at the space center. The likelihood of favorable weather is expected to improve through the weekend, reaching 60% on Sunday, said Ms. Winters.
Tourists were already pouring into the region on Thursday. Prime vantage points like Space View Park in Titusville were filling up with cars and mobile homes. Virtually every hotel within 25 miles was booked solid. At the visitor complex here, the entrance was choked with people.