Storm delays Nasa Atlantis launch
Atlantis is going nowhere for now
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Monday, 28, Aug 2006 07:54
Nasa has confirmed that the encroaching tropical storm Ernesto has forced it to delay plans to launch the Atlantis space shuttle.
The STS-115 mission, which will see a team of six astronauts continue construction work on the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed and no new date set.
Atlantis has not yet been removed from its launch pad and afforded the safety of the vehicle assembly building, but officials at the Kennedy space centre have instructed ground preparations to be made for such an eventuality.
Further details regarding if and when the shuttle will be launched are expected tomorrow.
Weather offices have warned that Ernesto, currently travelling north to Florida from Cuba, has the potential to regain its hurricane status.
In the meantime the Atlantis crew is remaining at the Kennedy space station to study flight plans and spend time with their families, Nasa says.
The team's mission centres on the delivery and installation of a new segment onto the ISS, including solar arrays and batteries, which is capable of generating one quarter of the station's power.