Clouds prevent shuttle launch

CLOUDS prevented the space shuttle Endeavour from blasting off yesterday on the last planned nighttime shuttle launch, delaying its trip with a final few building blocks for the International Space Station.

The band of low clouds started moving in from the north late on Saturday. NASA counted down to the nine-minute mark, but the sky remained overcast, offering little hope of a lucky break.

NASA managers said they would try again today, when slightly better conditions were expected.