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Endeavour launch postponed again | Endeavour launch postponed again |
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The launch of the US space shuttle Endeavour has been postponed for a fourth time, because of thunder storms in the area. | The launch of the US space shuttle Endeavour has been postponed for a fourth time, because of thunder storms in the area. |
The decision was made only minutes before the shuttle was due to take off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. | The decision was made only minutes before the shuttle was due to take off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. |
An earlier launch was called off after Nasa investigated lightning strikes around the launch pad while two were scrapped in June over hydrogen leaks. | An earlier launch was called off after Nasa investigated lightning strikes around the launch pad while two were scrapped in June over hydrogen leaks. |
The launch has been rescheduled for 1851 local time (2251 GMT) on Monday. | The launch has been rescheduled for 1851 local time (2251 GMT) on Monday. |
"Looks like the team is ready but the weather is not. At this time we are no-go," said Nasa's launch director, Pete Nickolenko. | "Looks like the team is ready but the weather is not. At this time we are no-go," said Nasa's launch director, Pete Nickolenko. |
The lift-off had been scheduled for 1913 local time (2313 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, some 24 hours later than planned. | The lift-off had been scheduled for 1913 local time (2313 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, some 24 hours later than planned. |
Forecasters had said there was only a 30% chance of a weather-related delay. | Forecasters had said there was only a 30% chance of a weather-related delay. |
It came after engineers spent Saturday checking over the shuttle's critical systems to ensure that there was no damage. | It came after engineers spent Saturday checking over the shuttle's critical systems to ensure that there was no damage. |
Experts said they found no damage to the shuttle or electrical systems after lightning struck 11 times near the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on Friday. | Experts said they found no damage to the shuttle or electrical systems after lightning struck 11 times near the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on Friday. |
Two previous launch attempts in June were scrapped because of a potentially hazardous leak in a hydrogen vent line. | Two previous launch attempts in June were scrapped because of a potentially hazardous leak in a hydrogen vent line. |
The crew is set to install an external platform on Japan's space station lab. | The crew is set to install an external platform on Japan's space station lab. |
Nasa technicians have filled the ship with 500,000 gallons (1.9 million litres) of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for the eight-and-a-half-minute ride into orbit. | Nasa technicians have filled the ship with 500,000 gallons (1.9 million litres) of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for the eight-and-a-half-minute ride into orbit. |
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Nasa shuttle launch delayed again | |
New experiments | New experiments |
Endeavour is taking a seven-strong crew into space, made up of six Americans and one Canadian - Julie Payette - who will operate the shuttle's robotic arm during the mission. | Endeavour is taking a seven-strong crew into space, made up of six Americans and one Canadian - Julie Payette - who will operate the shuttle's robotic arm during the mission. |
Their arrival will bring the total crew on the outpost to 13 - a record for the ISS. | Their arrival will bring the total crew on the outpost to 13 - a record for the ISS. |
The shuttle itself was not hit by the lightning strikes | The shuttle itself was not hit by the lightning strikes |
During five spacewalks, a platform will be added to the Japanese lab complex, which can be used for experiments that require materials to be exposed to the harsh environment of space. | During five spacewalks, a platform will be added to the Japanese lab complex, which can be used for experiments that require materials to be exposed to the harsh environment of space. |
In addition, Endeavour will deliver a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and bring back Japan's Koichi Wakata, who has lived aboard the platform for more than three months. | In addition, Endeavour will deliver a new long-stay US crew member, Tim Kopra, to the ISS and bring back Japan's Koichi Wakata, who has lived aboard the platform for more than three months. |
The space station, now about the size of a four-bedroom house, has been under construction for more than a decade. | The space station, now about the size of a four-bedroom house, has been under construction for more than a decade. |
When it launches, Endeavour will make the 127th space shuttle flight, and the 29th to the station. | When it launches, Endeavour will make the 127th space shuttle flight, and the 29th to the station. |
Seven further flights to the station remain before the shuttles retire in 2010. | Seven further flights to the station remain before the shuttles retire in 2010. |