Live at KSC: Weather OK for launch, for now

Weather conditions are currently "go" for a 6:51 p.m. launch of space shuttle Endeavour.

Storms so far have kept far enough away from Kennedy Space Center.

"Things are not forming in the immediate vicinity yet, and we'll keep our fingers crossed that they don't," said NASA TV commentator Mike Curie.

Launch director Pete Nickolenko will get a weather briefing around 5:15 p.m.

Endeavour's crew cabin hatch has been closed, and the cabin is being pressurized before the closeout crew departs launch pad 39A.

Check out this interactive graphic by Florida Today's Dennis Lowe for a primer on why the shuttle needs to avoid lightning at liftoff.