Rain and overcast skies prevented space shuttle Discovery from returning to Earth today, and Mission Control instructed the astronauts to spend a 15th day circling the world to await better weather.

SPACEWALKING astronauts had to pull out a hammer and pry bar while attaching a big, new tank full of ammonia coolant to the International Space Station yesterday, successfully driving in a stiff bolt after two frustrating hours.

Spacewalking astronauts had to pull out a hammer and pry bar while attaching a big, new tank full of ammonia coolant to the International Space Station today, successfully driving in a stiff bolt after two frustrating hours.

Space shuttle Discovery successfully docked at the International Space Station today after its astronauts overcame a rare antenna breakdown that knocked out radar tracking.

DISCOVERY and seven astronauts rocketed into orbit yesterday on one of Nasa’s final stockpiling missions to the International Space Station, its takeoff flames bringing an early dawn to the coast with this last scheduled shuttle launch in darkness.