spacetoday.net: Shuttle launch delayed until Monday

Updated: Fri, May 31, 2002, 4:40 PM ET (2040 GMT)
Originally Posted: Fri, May 31, 2002, 1:16 PM ET (1716 GMT)
STS-111 patch (NASA)

NASA decided Friday morning to postpone plans to launch the shuttle Endeavour Friday night, deciding later in the day to wait until Monday before making another launch attempt. NASA had planned to make a second launch attempt Friday night at 7:22 pm EDT (2322 GMT), one day after weather scrubbed the first attempt, but a poor forecast for tonight led shuttle managers to delay the launch Friday morning. The decision was made before fueling of the shuttle's external tank began, saving NASA the estimated $600,000 expense of loading liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the giant tank. NASA had scheduled a meeting for 7:30 pm EDT (2330 GMT) Friday night to discuss launch plans, but moved up the meeting to Friday afternoon given poor weather conditions at the Cape that are expected to remain unacceptable for launch through the weekend. The launch has been rescheduled for between 4 and 8 pm EDT (2000 and 0000 GMT) Monday; an exact launch time will be announced 24 hours prior to liftoff.