Atlantis' return today unlikely

Live: Refresh this page for periodic updates and the latest still image of the weather monitoring at the Kennedy Space Center, which will determine whether Atlantis comes home today or not.

Atlantis is now waiting at Fort Campbell, Ky., for a break in the weather to allow it to return to Kennedy Space Center. A predicted 80 percent chance of rain in Brevard County this afternoon, and unstable weather in the Southeast, make it unlikely the shuttle can fly to KSC this afternoon.

The 747 carrying the shuttle must carefully avoid bad weather that could damage the shuttle's delicate thermal tiles. Additionally, the shuttle also must not stay overnight in a place where severe weather could strike, possibly damaging the top heavy shuttle mounted on the 747.

"It's probably aviation's most weather-sensitive mission," said John Madura, manager of the KSC weather office. "It's very unlikely they would try to boogie down here late this afternoon."

Madura said a team of meteorologists is weighing several options:
1. Return to KSC this afternoon.
2. Fly to North Carolina tonight and fly to KSC over the ocean Tuesday morning.
3. Fly from Fort Campbell, Ky., to KSC on Tuesday morning.

"There are some indications the weather here (at KSC) in the morning might not be acceptable," said Madura. "We have a number of options, but none of them is clear-cut."

Follow Atlantis' journey in The Flame Trench.

You can also track the flight here: Track NASA 905