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Discovery Set to Blast Off

Lightning could still delay launch

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 2:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – NASA has cleared the Space Shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven to launch tomorrow, as long as a slight chance of lightning doesn't delay fueling efforts, reports Space.com. NASA won't fuel the spacecraft—preparing for a 13-day resupplying mission—if there is a 20% or greater chance of lightning within five miles. So far, skies are expected to be clear.

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Space Shuttle Discovery is prepared for takeoff at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. It's scheduled to lift off tomorrow morning on a mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Space shuttle Discovery moves along its path at sunrise to pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

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We are go for launch. - Mike Moses, head of Discovery's mission management team.

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Discovery Set to Blast Off