First Landing Opportunity Waived Off Due To Clouds

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 03.26.08 2035 EDT: They make it look so easy. Moments ago, shuttle pilot Dominic Gorie brought Endeavour in for a by-the-numbers, on-the-numbers landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility adjacent to Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

The nighttime landing is the 16th of the space shuttle program, according to Fox News, and bookended Endeavour's nighttime launch March 11.

During the 16-day mission, the crew of STS-123 installed the first segment of the Japanese Kibo science lab on the International Space Station. Spacewalkers also assembled the Canadian Dextre robotic maintenance apparatus, and conducted new tests on repair methods for shuttle heat shield tiles.

Returning aboard Endeavour was French Air Force Gen. Leopold Eyharts, who spent 1 1/2 months aboard the space station.

Earlier Reports

1935 EDT: It's been a long mission... and it will be a little longer than planned. NASA waived off the first scheduled landing attempt for the shuttle Endeavour, due to less-than optimal weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center.

Endeavour will now return to KSC at 2039 EDT, by which time the low cloud cover that bumped the orbiter's first landing attempt should have dissipated.

The shuttle appears to be in excellent condition for reentry, with the only anomaly noted during a final inspection Wednesday a pea-sized impression in a cockpit window, likely due to a collision with orbital debris. It is not expected to be a factor during reentry.

The space shuttle Endeavour crew is expected to complete their 16-day flight to the International Space Station with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, March 26.

The STS-123 mission began March 11 and delivered the first segment of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre.

The flight also brought a new crew member to the station and will return an astronaut who has spent nearly seven weeks aboard the complex.

NASA managers will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Endeavour to return to Earth, although at this time weather isn't expected to be a problem.

Wednesday landing opportunities at Kennedy are at 1905 EDT and 2039 EDT. The shuttle's backup sites for landing, Edwards Air Force Base, CA and White Sands Space Harbor, NM will not be activated Wednesday.

Stay tuned to ANN for updated coverage of the return of STS-123.

FMI: www.nasa.gov