Rain, wind keep space shuttle flying extra day

[September 11, 2009]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Space shuttle Discovery and its astronauts are headed toward a landing Friday evening. The question is where.

Rain and wind prevented Discovery from returning to its home port in Florida on Thursday. Mission Control ordered the seven astronauts to stay in orbit an extra day.

NASA hopes to end the space station delivery mission where it began 14 days ago. But the weather is expected to be even worse. If that's the case, flight director Richard Jones says he will send Discovery to Edwards Air Force Base, the backup site in southern California.

Florida landings are preferred because the cross-country ferry trip eats up $1.7 million and more than a week.

Shuttle commander Rick Sturckow says he's game for either coast.

[Associated Press; By MARCIA DUNN]

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