Space shuttle set to fly tomorrow

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla, Dec 6 (Reuters) Space shuttle Discovery remained on track for tomorrow night liftoff though NASA was beginning to have some misgivings about an approaching cold front, officials said.

The launch is scheduled for 0936 Hrs (0806 hrs IST on Friday) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

''The teams are ready and we're looking forward to an incredible mission of space shuttle Discovery and a safe and successful landing,'' Steve Payne, a shuttle launch manager, said at a briefing.

The purpose of the flight, which will be NASA's third and final shuttle mission this year, is to rewire the International Space Station's power system and to deliver an external truss segment, supplies and a new resident crew member.

A cold front was expected to move through Central Florida over the next two days but should leave skies clear enough for the shuttle's liftoff Thursday night.

Meteorologists predicted a 70 per cent chance weather conditions will be suitable for launch.

But if the shuttle is grounded by bad weather or technical concerns, the outlook for the rest of the week is bleak, with high winds and possible rain expected in the area.

''The first day is the best weather-wise,'' said meteorologist Kathy Winters.

For now, NASA has ruled out launch attempts beyond December 17 to avoid having the shuttle in orbit during the transition to the new year. The shuttle's computers would need a time-consuming software patch installed if it were in orbit on January 1, in order to remain synchronized with ground-base navigation systems.

''This mission has got a lot on its plate,'' Payne said.

''We'd rather not give them all that extra work.'' REUTERS DKA BST0853