CAPE CANVERAL, the United States, Aug. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Stormy weather forced NASA to give up hope to land the space shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida early Tuesday, and California's Edwards Air Force Base was chosen for the shuttle's delayed touchdown.

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2005 shows the US space shuttle Discovery after it undocked from the International Space Station.

    "Discovery has been waved off all landing opportunities to Kennedy Space Center and efforts have been refocused towards a landing at Edwards Air Force base." Mission Control said.

    The first landing opportunity for Edwards Air Force base, where forecast said weather conditions are better with clear sky and light winds, will be 8:12 a.m. (1212 GMT) on Tuesday.

    NASA Administrator Michael Griffin is scheduled to give a press briefing at 9:30 a.m. at the KSC.

    NASA made the decision to cancel all landing attempt at the KSCafter small pockets of thunderstorms popped up close to the landing site.

    "It's a small disappointment, but it's also expected. A safe landing is most important." astronaut Mark Polansky told Xinhua, adding that NASA had decided that no matter what happens, there isgoing to be a landing on Tuesday.

    The KSC was Discovery's launch site and the first choice for landing because it would save millions of dollars in costs of ferrying the spacecraft atop a jumbo jet back from the backup landing sites.

    Landing at the other sites would also cost NASA a week of preparation time that could be used to get Discovery ready for flight again.

    Of the 111 shuttle touchdowns since 1981, 49 came in at Edwards, 61 in Florida, and only one landed at New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range, which is also a distant third choice for Discovery's landing. Enditem