CAPE CANAVERAL - ShuttleDiscovery's flight home is delayed again, now set for takeoff from Californiaon Friday at earliest.
NASA says Discovery's precise departure time and arrival time here in Floridaremain in flux.
Efforts to install the tail cone that protects the shuttle's main enginesduring the ferry flight home slowed the preparation work.
It's impossible to predict what refueling and overnight stops or changes in theflight path will be made necessary by weather.
The cross-country flight could end here Saturday afternoon, at the earliest,with a planned fly-over of Brevard's beaches.
Earlier this week, the work on Discovery has been delayed by extreme weather inthe California desert.
Hail, winds and thunderstorms ravaged the area earlier this week, stopping workat one point.
The ship sits outside, exposed to the elements, while being prepped for matingto its modified 747 ferry.
NASA says water got inside a small part of the shuttle cargo bay, but thedamage is not serious.
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