NASA: No new launch before Sunday

Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

NASA’s space shuttles are dragging their tails toward retirement.

The high-profile voyage of Endeavour — the next-to-last space shuttle flight led by the husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — is off until at least next Sunday because of a technical problem. The latest culprit, believed to be a bad fuse box, illustrates just how complex these space machines are and why NASA’s goodbye to the 30-year shuttle program may be a long one.

Commander Mark Kelly and his five crewmates quickly headed back to Houston on Sunday morning, two days after their first launch attempt was foiled.

Giffords wasn’t far behind; she was in Houston by midafternoon, ready to resume rehab at the hospital where she’s been undergoing treatment since January, after being shot in the head in an assassination attempt.