NASA: All looking good for Thursday shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is just two days out from sending space shuttle Discovery on its final voyage after a nearly four-month delay.

Officials said today the countdown is going well. What’s more, there’s an 80 percent chance of good flying weather Thursday. Launch time is 4:50 p.m.

This will be the 39th flight for NASA’s oldest surviving shuttle. Discovery first rocketed into orbit in 1984. This time, Discovery is headed back to the International Space Station. It will drop off a humanoid robot as well as an oversize closet full of space station supplies.

Discovery should have been finished flying by now. Fuel tank cracks, however, caused the four-month delay. NASA test director Steve Payne says the repaired tank is stronger than ever.