Gloomy weather could delay Friday shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL: Stormy weather could postpone the last-ever flight of the US shuttle program by delaying Atlantis's final mission to the International Space Station a day or two, NASA said Wednesday.

A tropical storm system moving north from the Caribbean is expected to bring rain, clouds and thunder to Florida right around the time of Atlantis's scheduled liftoff Friday at 11:26 am (1526 GMT).

"It is not looking favorable right now for launch," said NASA weather officer Kathy Winters, downgrading her forecast to just a 30 percent chance of good conditions for liftoff, compared to 40 percent a day earlier.

Other than the weather, there are no technical issues that would prevent Atlantis from embarking on its 12-day journey to the International Space Station, marking the final flight of the 30-year US space shuttle program.

Other launch opportunities open on Saturday and Sunday when the weather forecasts are clearer but still far from perfect in the southern United States where summer storms are frequent.

Nevertheless, the mission management team met early Wednesday and decided unanimously to go ahead with preparations for launch, NASA said. (AFP)