The countdown for the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis began over the weekend, keeping it on track for launch Wednesday morning some time between 1800 and 2200 GMT. Weather forecasters are calling for a 60% chance of favourable weather; although, Hurricane Lili is heading towards the US coast. Atlantis will dock with the International Space Station, and the six-astronaut crew will perform three spacewalks to attach the S-1 Truss. This will also be an opportunity for NASA to test out how well they repaired the tiny cracks recently discovered in the shuttle fleet fuel lines.
Space and astronomy news