Atlantis is scheduled to blast off into space Friday for the final mission of NASA’s 30-year shuttle program.
The launch is set for 11:26 a.m. ET.
Early data shows the space shuttle escaped damage from two lightning strikes Thursday afternoon, NASA said.
One bolt emanating from a severe thunderstorm struck a water tower 515 feet from the pad; the second struck the beach nearby, the space agency said in a statement.
The launch time remains unchanged, despite only a 30% chance of favorable weather, according to NASA. The agency decided early Friday to proceed with fueling Atlantis.
Onboard will be a four-person, veteran crew of astronauts, headed to the international space station with a load of supplies.
article courtesy of CNN.com
