First Discovery landing chance ditched

Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery were ready to put on the brakes today and begin descending from orbit when flight controllers ordered them to continue circling the planet while awaiting better weather.

The crew had hopes of returning Discovery to the ground before daybreak, but Mission Control passed on the day’s first landing opportunity at the Kennedy Space Centre because of rain and thunderstorms off the Florida coast.

“At this time, we’re going to ask you guys to watch the earth go by for one more rev (revolution)," Mission Control told the astronauts. “We do appreciate your patience and good humour with the situation.”

The agency had a second opportunity in Florida 90 minutes after the first.

If the weather did not improve for the second opportunity, flight controllers planned to consider landing the shuttle in California.