14 DAY TRIAL // Officials at the American space agency say that there is a chance space shuttle Atlantis' final flight may be delayed due to bad weather in Florida. Forecasts indicate that thunderstorms and rain clouds may pass over the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) this Friday.
Atlantis is scheduled to fly its final mission – STS-135 – and the last Space Shuttle Program (SSP) flight ever, on July 8, at 11:26 am EDT (1526 GMT). However, the latest data from the KSC Weather Office indicate that the flight may have to be delayed a few days.
On Tuesday, June 5, NASA flight controllers initiated the launch countdown, which will conclude when the shuttle is due to launch. However, the clock may be stopped if Mother Nature does not cooperate, Space reports.
The announcement was made by KSC officials yesterday, during a news briefing. With this flight, NASA is getting ready to discontinue the SSP, which has been active for more than three decades.
“I wish I had better weather for you, a better weather briefing for you. Right now, we're going with a 60 percent chance of KSC weather prohibiting launch due to the potential for showers and isolated thunderstorms in the area,” said shuttle weather officer Kathy Winters.
Analysts say that it would be a pity for the weather to hamper the launch scheduled, for a number of reason. The most important is that no problems are apparent on the shuttle, its external fuel tank, and its twin solid rocket boosters at this time.
Then, there is the issue of KSC visitors. NASA estimates that between 500,000 and 750,000 people will be arriving in Florida to witness Atlantis soaring to orbit. If the launch is delayed, then all of these people will have traveled for nothing.
“All of our preparations for launch countdown have been completed or are in work, and we're working no issues at this time," explained NASA test director Jeremy Graeber. The past two launches, of shuttles Endeavour and Discovery, have been marred with glitches and delays.
During STS-135, Atlantis will be delivering tons of supplies, spare parts, scientific equipment, experiments and personal items to the astronauts of the Expedition 28 crew. There are no extravehicular activities planned for this mission.
After the shuttle concludes its 12-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), it will land at the KSC, and then enter a decommissioning phase. Discovery and Endeavour are already being prepared for permanent displays at museums in Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
Atlantis will remain in Florida, exhibited permanently at the KSC Visitor Complex.