LOS ANGELES, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Space Shuttle Atlantis could shift its landing site to the Edwards Air Force Base north of Los Angeles on Friday due to bad weather, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) officials said on Thursday.

    Atlantis was scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, but thick clouds blanketed the area and thunderstorms were in the forecast, prompting mission controllers to scrub the landing.

    If the shuttle is diverted, it could land at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards at either 12:49 p.m., 2:17 p.m. or 3:53 p.m. Friday, according to NASA officials.

    The shuttle would pass over the California coast near the Los Angeles area at about 75,000 feet. It will create a sonic boom, which would cone about 10 minutes prior to the landing, as it cruises toward the base, officials said.

    Atlantis could still land in Florida if conditions permit. The shuttle will have two possible landing windows of opportunity at Kennedy -- 11:18 a.m. and 12:54 p.m. on Friday.

    Atlantis has been in orbit since June 8, with crew members helping to install new equipment on the International Space Station.

NASA skips Thursday's landing opportunities

    WASHINGTON, June 21 (Xinhua) -- NASA managers decided to skip Thursday's two landing opportunities for shuttle Atlantis. Now hopes turn to Friday's opportunities, said NASA TV.

    Rain showers and a low cloud ceilings in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center in Florida forced flight controllers to wave off both opportunities on Thursday. Full story 

Atlantis undocks from ISS

In this image from NASA TV, the shuttle Atlantis is seen from a camera aboard the International Space Station as the orbiter departs the station June 19, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 10:42 a.m. EDT (1442 GMT) Tuesday, wrapping up a 10-day joint operation, according to NASA TV.

    "Houston (Mission Control Center) and ISS, Atlantis, confirmed physical separation," shuttle commander Frederick Sturckow reported.  Full story