Better Weather Favors Shuttle Launch

NASA headed with growing optimism Wednesday into the final hours of the space shuttle Atlantis’ countdown as meteorologists revised their forecasts in favor of the scheduled launch tonight.

“The countdown is going fine--no issues, no concerns,” NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone said.

Air Force forecasters predicted a 60% chance of favorable conditions between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. That is when Atlantis was scheduled to blast off with a satellite that sources have said will spy on Iraq.

Earlier forecasts had offered a 30% chance of good weather, but a high pressure system over the Carolinas proved to be weaker than expected. The main concern was crosswinds that might exceed the allowable limit of 14 m.p.h.

Atlantis’ five astronauts, who will deploy the satellite during the approximately four-day flight, spent Wednesday reviewing flight plans and attending briefings. They also flew their trainer jets over Kennedy Space Center.

The crew was supposed to go up in July, but the mission was delayed indefinitely when Atlantis was found to have dangerous hydrogen leaks. NASA workers replaced Atlantis’ external fuel tank, hydrogen lines between the orbiter and tank, and valve seals. The shuttle was cleared for flight during a fueling test last month.