WASHINGTON, September 11 (RIA Novosti) - NASA has postponed the shuttle Discovery landing for a second time in 24 hours because of the threat of rain and thunderstorms near the Kennedy space center in Florida.
"With the weather not cooperating Thursday for a second landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery will stay in orbit another day [until late Friday]," NASA said in a statement on its website.
NASA said "Edwards Air Force Base in California also will be activated for possible landing possibilities."
The shuttle with seven astronauts is returning from a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Discovery docked with the ISS late on August 31, delivering more than seven tons of cargo, including the Leonardo supply module, and a new crew member. Three spacewalks were performed during the mission.
The shuttle undocked from the ISS in preparation for the journey back to Earth on Tuesday at 19:26 GMT.
