Why Launch From Florida? Weather Keeps Grounding Space Shuttles

If the space shuttle Endeavour lifts off in the early hours of Feb. 7, it will be the first shuttle launch in more than half a year to leave on time.

With its fickle weather, hurricanes and downpours, why pick Florida for shuttle launches?

(BRUCE WEAVER/Getty Images)

Each of the last three missions has been delayed for days or weeks — with one held back by a scheduling conflict and two by stormy weather.

Despite its “Sunshine State” moniker, Florida has postponed shuttles due to five hurricanes, two hailstorms, a tropical storm, lightning damage, countless cloudy days, and meddlesome woodpeckers stabbing a fuel tank.

And if the temperature goes below 36 degrees F., as it did earlier this month, Cape Canaveral’s fickle weather will thwart yet another scheduled blastoff.

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