The cargo bay of the space shuttle Discovery is visible after undocking from the international space station, Oct. 20. Four days later, the crew is still waiting to land.
Weather looks promising for a landing tonight.
After two days of weather delays, the space shuttle Discovery is finally facing better chances for a landing today in California. Winds, rain and clouds continue to loom at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and have dashed hopes for a landing there, but good weather is predicted for NASA's second-choice landing site, Edwards Air Force Base in California. Discovery has two chances to land today in California and both appear to be good, Cain said. Like Landing a 'Flying Brick' It may seem surprising that clouds, wind and rain can prevent an advanced vehicle like the space shuttle from touching down, but Laura Rochon, a NASA spokesperson explains the shuttle has less flexibility when it comes to landing conditions. It can't circle around an airport and wait for better conditions.