Discovery cleared for Tuesday launch

by Rich Bowden - Aug 23 2009, 23:59

NASA officials have cleared the space shuttle Discovery for a Tuesday launch adding that there is only a small chance that weather could delay liftoff.

Over the weekend, the launch management team reviewed some technical issues, in particular the state of the shuttle's fuel tank, and declared Discovery ready for a Tuesday 1:36 a.m. EDT launch.

"I'm really pleased to report that launch countdown activities are proceeding nominally and we working no issues," said Launch Director Pete Nickolenko.

Initial fears that thunderstorms may again delay the a space shuttle appear to have evaporated with Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters advising in a NASA press release that there is an 80 percent chance for favorable weather at time of liftoff early Tuesday.

"Overall the weather is looking good for launch, we've just got to get there," said Winters. "And so the tanking weather is what we'll be watching very closely. But by the time we get to launch, there is just a 20 percent chance of KSC weather prohibiting launch."

Discovery will  deliver 7.5 tons of equipment and supplies to the International Space Station during its 13-day mission. Astronauts will also perform three-spacewalk during their stay.

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