NASA set to try 6th launch attempt of shuttle

[July 15, 2009]  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- NASA is hoping the weather finally cooperates for its sixth launch attempt for space shuttle Endeavour.

Endeavour is poised to take off for the international space station early Wednesday evening, along with seven astronauts. Forecasters put the odds of good weather at 60 percent.

Thunderstorms have delayed the mission three times and hydrogen gas leaks have caused two delays. Endeavour holds the final piece of Japan's space lab, which should have flown last month.

NASA must launch Endeavour by Wednesday -- possibly Thursday if managers agree to shorten the flight. Otherwise, the shuttle will have to step aside for a Russian supply run to the space station. That would bump the shuttle launch to July 26.

___

On the Net:

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/

[Associated Press; By MARCIA DUNN]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.