The shuttle itself was not hit by the lightning strikes
Posted on 07/11/2009 2:38:30 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
The launch of US shuttle Endeavour is to be further delayed after a thunderstorm around Cape Canaveral, Nasa officials say.
Blast-off has been postponed for 24 hours to allow technical teams to assess the effects of lightning strikes near the launch pad on Friday.
Two previous launch attempts in June were scrapped because of a potentially hazardous leak in a hydrogen vent line.
The craft is to take and install a last piece of Japan's space station lab.
Lift-off had been scheduled for 1939 local time (2339 GMT).
But on Friday evening, the area surrounding the launch pad was hit by 11 lightning strikes.
Forecasters earlier had predicted that stormy weather could delay the launch.
The launch pad is rigged with lightning protection system designed to attract bolts away from the shuttle.
But Nasa said that while none of the strikes hit the shuttle or its external tank and rocket boosters, there were strikes to the lightning mast and water tower.
Mike Moses, chairman of the pre-launch Mission Management Team, said checks were continuing but there was no indication so far of any damage to the shuttle's systems.
"We need to be 100% confident that we have a good system across the board," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
A guy I work with is down there for the launch. Hope he gets to see it.
God Speed Endeavour.
Looks like a 24 hour delay so he should be able get a view of it if he’s around
I would love to go to Cape Canaveral and see a launch oneday........IN nicer weather of course. I’m told it’s an awe-inspiring sight.....
I have never seen a launch either, heck of a racket ,, we’re almost done launching shuttles ,, too bad they couldn’t roll some ol’ Saturn Vs out for old times sake..
we were there yesterday and saw the shuttle on
the launch pad. Wish we were there for the
launch, but we are heading back home today.
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