spacetoday.net: Glitches, weather could delay shuttle launch

Glitches, weather could delay shuttle launch

Posted: Wed, Dec 6, 2006, 8:34 AM ET (1334 GMT)

Two technical issues and a worsening weather forecast could spell trouble for NASA's plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on Thursday night. Shuttle managers said late Tuesday that engineers are working two minor issues with the shuttle: a transient surge in the shuttle's electrical systems when they were tested on the pad Tuesday morning, and possible problem with adhesive used on insulation in the joints of the solid rocket boosters. NASA is also keeping an eye on a worsening weather forecast, which now calls for a 60-percent chance of acceptable weather Thursday night, down from 80 percent earlier in the week, because of low clouds. Discovery is still scheduled to launch on mission STS-116 at 9:36 pm EST Thursday night (0236 GMT Friday).