Weather Forecast Worsens for Thursday Shuttle Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The countdown for NASA's planned night launch of the shuttle Discovery Thursday remains on schedule, though a deteriorating weather forecast continues to plague the space shot.

"We are tracking no real issues that would the affect the launch of the space shuttle Discovery tomorrow," said NASA test director Jeff Spaulding.

Launch engineers are investigating two technical issues that cropped up during routine shuttle inspections, but neither one is expected to delay launch. One involves a brief power surge in electrical circuits connecting power from the mobile launch platform to the orbiter and the other an anomalous test result from an adhesive used on the shuttle's reusable solid rocket motor.

Discovery is slated to lift off with seven astronauts at 9:35:47 p.m. EST (0235:47 Dec. 8 GMT) toward the International Space Station (ISS) for a 12-day construction mission. The STS-116 mission's launch window runs from Dec. 7 to 17, with the possibility that it could be extended further if NASA managers decide to allow the mission to run over the New Year.

"I'm pleased to announce that our vehicle, our team, and hopefully, our launch weather, will also be ready for tomorrow's launch," Spaulding said.

But weather here at Kennedy Space Center has been less cooperative. A cold front moving into Central Florida is expected to bring showers and low clouds that could affect launch. As a result, predictions for favorable weather on Thursday have gradually deteriorated and currently stand at 60 percent.

The outlook for Friday and Saturday are even bleaker.

"The forecast is trended towards the worst," NASA shuttle weather officer Kathy Winters said. "Right now, we're just mainly concerned about the [cloud] ceiling on launch day and the following two days we're going to really be concerned about the winds."

Weather conditions are expected to clear up on Sunday, however, and to remain clear until Tuesday.

"We still are going to be concerned about crosswinds, but we think Tuesday out of those three days is going to be the best day," Winters said.

Led by commander Mark Polanksy, the seven-member crew of STS-116 are tasked with delivering a new portside piece of the International Space Station (ISS) and rewiring the orbital laboratory's electrical grid. Mission specialists Sunita Williams will also relieve ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter who has been aboard the station since July.

Significant events planned for today include power up and checkout of ground and orbiter communications systems and the removal later tonight of the rotating servicing structure that protects the shuttle from the elements. In between an ISS systems brief and shuttle landing practice, the astronauts will also get to see and spend time with their families today.

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