Cold front could thwart Friday's shuttle launch

[November 12, 2008]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- An approaching cold front could thwart NASA's plans to launch space shuttle Endeavour on Friday on a flight to the international space station.

The front was moving across the central part of the nation Tuesday and was expected to bring rain and thick clouds to the launch site by week's end.

Shuttle weather officer Kathy Winters said there was a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions at the 7:55 p.m. Friday liftoff time and only a 40 percent chance on Saturday.

"The timing of the front will be critical," she said.

Otherwise, everything was proceeding well for the start of the countdown.

Endeavour is loaded with equipment to expand the living quarters of the space station. NASA hopes to double the size of the crew, from three to six, by next June.

During the 15-day mission, Endeavour's seven astronauts will deliver a new bathroom, kitchenette, two bedrooms and exercise machine, as well as a water recycling system -- and a new resident for the space station. A new astronaut will replace one of the three space station residents.

This will be NASA's first shuttle launch since the end of May.

"We haven't had a launch for a while, so we're really excited to be back in the saddle again," said test director Jeff Spaulding.

NASA has a shuttle launch window until Nov. 25.

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On the Net:

NASA: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

[Associated Press]

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