Thunderstorms delay space shuttle launch again

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Thunderstorms have forced NASA to delay Sunday evening's launch of space shuttle Endeavour.

The launch team came within minutes of sending Endeavour and seven astronauts to the international space station. But storms moving in from the west violated NASA's safety rules, and managers called everything off. They will try again Monday.

It was NASA's fourth launch attempt over the past month. Saturday's try was foiled by lightning. Hydrogen gas leaks caused two postponements in June.

NASA has until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday, to launch Endeavour with the final piece of Japan's space station lab. Otherwise, it will have to wait until the end of July because of a Russian supply ship that's awaiting liftoff.