Face It, They Should Have Taken The Bus...

ANN Realtime Update, 07.13.09, 1849 EDT: NASA officials are now looking at a 48 hour scrub that puts a potential Shuttle launch on the sked at 1803 EDT, due to a doubtful meteorological picture for Tuesday.

Original Report: Here we go again... nearby lightning, anvil clouds and thunderstorms in the immediate area have caused NASA officials to call today's Monday launch, originally scheduled for 1651 EDT, a scrub. This was their fifth try.

NASA's official statement simplay says, "Liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission has been scrubbed once more due to weather within the launch area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Anvil clouds and storm cells containing lightning flared up toward the end of the countdown, violating stringent launch safety rules."

It's been a tough process. Over the weekend, a series of nearby lightning strikes screwed up the works and created a potential hazard that required investigation. None of the strikes hit the shuttle or its external tank and solid rocket boosters, but there were strikes to the lightning mast and water tower. The launch pad is equipped with a lightning protection system of wires that is intended to steer bolts away from the shuttle. At the time, Mike Moses, chairman of the pre-launch Mission Management Team, noted that, "We've seen nothing so far that shows anything affected any of the systems."

Two of the strikes were strong enough to trigger an evaluation by engineers just to make sure all of Endeavour's systems are ready for flight. Although early evaluations showed no problems, engineers wanted more time to make sure they have checked everything correctly. As a result, the analysts were given the night to work up a full check up of all systems and components before clearing the orbiter for launch early Sunday morning with tanking commencing at 0948 EDT -- only to be foiled by Mother nature once again. 

Currently, NASA says the next launch window will come tomorrow or possibly Wednesday... current weather estimates put tomorrow's chances at 40% of a successful weather picture and 60% on Wednesday -- we'll keep you informed as to any potential progress.

FMI: www.nasa.gov