Shuttle Landing Opportunity

1 PM UPDATE: Discovery just given go for de-orbit burn…

Weather at the Kennedy Space Center prevented the Shuttle from landing during its first opportunity this afternoon. An overcast ceiling was the problem. Winds are borderline.

The final opportunity for bringing Discovery safely home today will be just after 2:30 p.m. CDT. The de-orbit burn will occur just after 1 p.m.

There still is a high ceiling at the Shuttle Landing Facility.
KXMR 281655Z 16016KT 7SM FEW035 OVC350 27/21 A2987 RMK AO2A

But clouds appear to be breaking up as you can see on this College of DuPage high resolution satellite image.

Winds are gusty, with the latest ob 160 degrees (SSE) at 16 knots or 18 mph.

No rain showers near the Cape and none expected.

The latest from the Spaceflight Meteorology Group is that the seabreeze effect is kicking in. This will help to thin the clouds at the landing facility. Winds are a little bit high, but have shifted to more southerly with the seabreeze, which helps to reduce the crosswind. Things are looking good for landing. The crew is beginning preparations

Here are the landing criteria:
Cloud ceiling height >= 8,000 ft
Visibility >= 5 statute miles
Crosswind <= 15 knots Headwind <= 25 knots Tailwind <= 15 knots (peak) <= 10 knots (2 minute average) Precipitation and thunderstorms Not allowed within 30 nautical miles of the landing runway. Turbulence <= Moderate Watch the Shuttle Live on NASA TV.

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