Shuttle Delayed Again, This Time for Weather

The hard-luck space shuttle Columbia failed to take off today for the fifth time--this time because of cloudy weather at emergency landing strips--and NASA rescheduled the ship for a sixth try on Thursday.

It was a frustrating disappointment for the shuttle’s seven astronauts, including Rep. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who have been on an emotional roller coaster with repeated last-minute delays. They now are 20 days late getting off the ground. Of the previous four delays, two were for mechanical problems and two for more time to ready Columbia and to train the crew.

“We’re certainly disappointed we’re not getting off on time,” said Jesse Moore, NASA’s associate administrator for space flight.

Columbia’s crew had been scheduled to take off on a five-day mission at 4:05 a.m. PST to launch a $50-million RCA Satcom television satellite and carry out a series of experiments.

“I tell you, we’ve got to stop meeting like this,” shuttle engineer Donald Weinberg told the crew as they left the shuttle’s crew cabin at 9:43 a.m.

“Yeah, I agree. We have a bad habit going,” replied shuttle skipper Robert (Hoot) Gibson.

Columbia was rescheduled for its sixth blastoff attempt at 4:05 a.m. Thursday and Air Force forecasters said conditions should be better than today at launch time after a front moves through the area.