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NASA delays shuttle launch after nearby lightning

by 158 | July 11, 2009 at 10:12 am

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The shuttle has five on-board computers

for data processing and flight control.

Computers control most systems on

launches and landings: Pilots fly the shuttle

through the computers. It takes training

and teamwork and quick reflexes. I wish

them luck and an enjoyable trip.

"We need to be 100 percent confident that we have a good system across the board ... [we're going to] spend 24 more hours to just make sure that we're good," said Mike Moses, the space shuttle program integration manager.

Moses, speaking to reporters in a morning briefing, said 11 strikes hit within a half-mile of the launch pad Friday night.

However, he said, "We've seen nothing so far that indicates anything was actually affected by the lightning strikes."

He added, "I fully expect this to be a positive story, but we have a lot of equipment that has to be checked." View behind-the-scenes images of Endeavour »

Endeavour had been scheduled to take off at 7:39 p.m. Saturday. The next attempt is set for 7:13 p.m. Sunday.