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Atlantis sits out poor weather Atlantis sits out poor weather
(41 minutes later)
The US space agency passed on its first opportunity to bring the Atlantis orbiter back to Earth on Friday.The US space agency passed on its first opportunity to bring the Atlantis orbiter back to Earth on Friday.
Nasa managers said the weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center were still too poor to land the ship. Nasa managers said conditions at the Kennedy Space Center were too poor to land the ship, adding they would now land it at a backup site in California. Rain and cloud around the Florida base have already delayed the shuttle's return from orbit by a day.
Rain and cloud around the Florida base have already delayed the shuttle's return from orbit by a day. Atlantis is now due to return to Earth at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave desert at 1549 local time (1949 GMT).
The agency has one more chance put Atlantis down at Kennedy on Friday or opt to land at a secondary site at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The shuttle has enough fuel and supplies to stay in space until Sunday.The shuttle has enough fuel and supplies to stay in space until Sunday.
The orbiter has been on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).The orbiter has been on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
How the shuttle returns During the trip, its crew installed a 17-tonne metal truss on the half-finished complex. The truss segment included solar panels to generate additional electricity.How the shuttle returns During the trip, its crew installed a 17-tonne metal truss on the half-finished complex. The truss segment included solar panels to generate additional electricity.
The construction work clears the way for Europe's Columbus module - and its Harmony connecting node - to be despatched to the station later this year.The construction work clears the way for Europe's Columbus module - and its Harmony connecting node - to be despatched to the station later this year.
Harmony is scheduled to fly aboard the Discovery shuttle in October; Columbus will be lofted in December on Atlantis.Harmony is scheduled to fly aboard the Discovery shuttle in October; Columbus will be lofted in December on Atlantis.
The laboratory is Europe's key contribution to the $100bn (£50bn) space station project.The laboratory is Europe's key contribution to the $100bn (£50bn) space station project.
Atlantis also dropped off a new ISS crew member - US astronaut Clay Anderson.Atlantis also dropped off a new ISS crew member - US astronaut Clay Anderson.
He replaces Sunita Williams, whose more than six months in space set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.He replaces Sunita Williams, whose more than six months in space set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.