Shuttle launch date pushed back three days

The launch date of the first space shuttle since the Columbia disaster in 2003 has been pushed back three days, to 15 May 2005.

The reason for the push back is because cameras on the ground must have enough sunlight during the launch window to be able to see whether any foam insulation falls of the external fuel tank of the shuttle during launch, and this would not be the case if the space shuttle launch would take place on 12 May.

During Columbia's final launch on 16 January 2003, a piece of foam punched a hole in a protective panel on the orbiter's left wing, ultimately leading to the orbiter's destruction on re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

More info at Newscientist