Lightning delays shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., July 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour's launch was delayed 24 hours after lightning struck near the Florida launch pad, NASA officials said Saturday.

None of Friday's 11 strikes hit the shuttle or its fuel rockets but the strikes did hit a nearby water tower and lightning mast, said Mike Moses, a NASA manager.

The launch pad has a protection system of wires intended to draw bolts of lightning away from the spacecraft, but Friday night's strikes were strong enough to trigger an evaluation of Endeavour's many sensitive systems, Moses said.

"We need to be 100 percent confident that we have a good system across the board," Moses said.

Pending the outcome of the evaluation, the launch was rescheduled for 7:13 p.m. EDT Sunday with weather forecasts showing acceptable conditions.