Prospects Good For Space Shuttle Launch

By: WKRG Staff | WKRG-TV
Published: December 06, 2007

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Near perfect weather is forecast
over central Florida for this afternoon's scheduled launch of space
shuttle Atlantis.
NASA says the orbiter also is in great shape, so everything is
looking good for the start of the fourth and final shuttle mission
of the year.
Atlantis and its multinational crew of seven are set to deliver
the first European science lab to the international space station.
The Columbus module has been almost a quarter-century in the
making. About 750 Europeans associated with the program are
expected at the Kennedy Space Center for the liftoff.
The shuttle's crew includes commander Steve Frick and former
professional football player Leland Melvin. He was drafted by the
Detroit Lions in 1986, and used his chemistry and engineering
degrees to launch a NASA career after hamstring injuries forced him
out of the NFL.
The launch of Atlantis is set for 4:31 p.m. Eastern Time.