Bad weather forces space shuttle to skip landing

With thunderstorms looming back home, shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven sidestepped a small piece of space junk Thursday then aimed for an evening touchdown that was in jeopardy because of the weather.

Mission Control said the forecast was deteriorating, with a growing chance of thunderstorms and stiff wind. Nevertheless, the astronauts were instructed to remain on track in hopes they might catch a break in the weather and end their 13-day space station delivery mission.