Update:
NASA is reporting 11 lighting strikes within .3 nautical miles of the the launch pad, including two at 110 volts. The shuttle is protected from direct strikes by lighting masts and catenary wires that divert currents to the ground, so while there's no concern that the shuttle was hit by lighting, engineers do need to comb through its hundreds of electrical systems to make sure nothing was affected by electromagnetic fields related to the strikes. Of particular concern are the pyrotechnic devices that separate the shuttle's twin solid rocket boosters from the external fuel tank two minutes into flight and the electrical systems on the orbiter.
NASA hopes to have the checkout complete in time to begin fueling the shuttle around 9 a.m. on Sunday for a launch attempt at 7:13 p.m.
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NASA has canceled today's planned launch attempt of space shuttle Endeavour to allow more time for engineers to assess any possible damage from lightning strikes at the launch pad Friday night. Next launch attempt is on Sunday at 7:13 p.m. EDT
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