NASA fuels shuttle for 6th launch try

Endeavour is poised to take off for the space station Wednesday evening, along with seven astronauts. Forecasters put the odds of good weather at 60 percent.

In this July 11 photo, clouds form behind the space shuttle Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Stan Honda/AFP photo

By The Associated Press

July 15, 2009

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has finished fueling the space shuttle for a sixth attempt to launch Endeavour on a mission to the international space station. Endeavour is poised to take off for the space station Wednesday evening, along with seven astronauts. Forecasters put the odds of good weather at 60 percent.

Thunderstorms have delayed the mission three times and hydrogen gas leaks have caused two delays. Endeavour holds the final piece of Japan's space lab, which should have flown last month.

NASA could also launch Endeavour on Thursday, if managers agree to shorten the flight. Otherwise, the shuttle will have to step aside for a Russian supply run to the space station. That would bump the shuttle launch to July 26.

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