Seven Endeavour astronauts are getting suited in orange launch-and-entry suits while rain showers douse parts of Kennedy Space Center. NASA hopes afternoon storms clear the area before a planned 6:03 p.m. launch, and believes there is no lightning concern that would keep the astronauts from heading out to launch pad 39A on time.
"We're expecting that our weather is going to improve," said NASA TV commentator Mike Curie. "The storms are beginning to dissipate."
The crew plans to leave their quarters at Kennedy Space Center's Operations and Checkout Building at 2:13 p.m. for a ride to the pad in the silver Astrovan.
A Phase 2 warning that lightning is likely near the pad is expected to expire shortly after 2 p.m.
Now, the astronauts are dressing in partial-pressure suits equipped with emergency supplies of oxygen and water that would allow them to survive for up to a day.
The suits weigh 91 pounds.
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