Clear blue skies over the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Sunday signalled good conditions one day ahead of the scheduled launch of space shuttle Atlantis, , according to dpa. Atlantis towered over the launch pad in preparation for Monday"s afternoon launch on a supply mission to the International Space Station. NASA weather officials said there was a 90-per-cent chance of clear weather for the launch. Launch director Steve Payne also said there were no problems to report with the spacecraft. The mission is part of the US space agency"s efforts to stock up the ISS reserves ahead of plans to end the shuttle programme by the end of next year. After this week"s mission there are just five more flights scheduled. Atlantis" six-member crew will deliver two platforms with 12,360 kilogrammes of spare parts, which will be installed on the outside of the station. The so-called Express Logistics Carriers contain a variety of crucial parts, such as: gyroscopes that help keep the ISS at the proper altitude in space; an extra hand for the station"s robotic arm; a gas tank for providing oxygen to the airlock during spacewalks; and parts for the station"s cooling system. The first of several flights devoted largely to spare parts, this mission is carrying the highest-priority items. Astronauts will also bring along assorted colourful personal items for the ride, including a scarf worn by aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. The scarf has a personal connection for astronaut Randolph Bresnick, whose father served as a photographer to Earhart before her plane was lost over the Pacific during a round-the-world flight in 1937.
