Tomorrow Atlantis will be launched for mission STS-117

The launch that was postponed for three months is expected on the night between Friday and Saturday Israel time (02:38)

In a briefing on the status of the shuttle that took place on Thursday morning, the director of the shuttle inspections Steve Payne (Payne) announced that after months of hard work, Atlantis is ready for launch. The process of checking the external fuel tank continued until the last minute, but no evidence of any malfunctions was found.

After the tests are completed, all surfaces used by the testers will be removed. The xenon lights will be lit to illuminate the shuttle and it will be visible from a distance. "We are ready for the flight tomorrow" said Payne.

Ron Worthy, responsible for the external fuel tank and solid fuel boosters, described the wide range of repairs that had been made to the fuel tank and thanked the hundreds of workers who worked hard to complete the task.

The shuttle's cargo manager, Robbie Ashley, also reported that the cargo - mainly new systems for the International Space Station, was loaded onto the shuttle this week and is secured for launch.

Kathy Winters, the Kennedy Space Center's weather officer, says the chances of the weather affecting the launch are only around 20 percent. A ridge of high pressure has entered the area and although typical Florida afternoon storms may form, they will affect more west of the space tender and not pose a problem during launch. The forecast for tomorrow is light winds.

Shuttle Commander Rick Strukow and pilot Lee Archambault practiced landings at the training center and the rest of the crew continued preparations for the launch.