Discovery streaks toward California landing

Discovery and its crew of seven streaked toward a California landing today on the first shuttle re-entry since Coumbia’s tragic return, after thunderstorms in Florida prevented the spacecraft from returning to its home base.

The instability of the weather at Cape Canaveral, and storms popping up near the landing strip there prompted Nasa to turn to its back-up site in the Mojave Desert. Yesterday, low clouds prevented a return to the cape.