Atlantic, Virginia:
A private company is planning a test launch on Wednesday of a rocket intended to be used on supply runs to the International Space Station, but officials warn weather could delay the effort.
Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Virginia, is set to launch its unmanned Antares rocket on Wednesday from Wallops Island, Virginia, and it could be visible in cities from Washington to New York.
But NASA said on Tuesday there's only a 45 per cent chance weather conditions would allow a launch on Wednesday. Orbital would try again on Thursday if need be.
If successful in sending a practice payload into orbit, Orbital aims to send its cargo ship to dock with the International Space Station this summer on a test run.
Orbital and California-based SpaceX have contracted to make space station supply runs with NASA, which ended its shuttle program in 2011.