NASA today scrubbed the launch of space shuttle Endeavour for the fourth time, citing inclement weather at Kennedy Space Center.

The agency reports: "Cumulus clouds and lightning violated rules for launching Endeavour because of weather near the Shuttle Landing Facility. The runway would be needed in the unlikely event that Endeavour would have to make an emergency landing back at Kennedy."

NASA says the next launch opportunity is at 22:51 GMT tomorrow (Monday).

The abort follows three previous cancellations - twice due a dodgy gaseous hydrogen venting system, and yesterday due to lightning strike.

Endeavour's 16-day STS-127 mission to the international Space Station will eventually feature five space walks to fit the final components of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo lab. ®

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• Lightning strike grounds Endeavour (11 July 2009)
• NASA patches Endeavour's leaky plumbing (1 July 2009)
• Endeavour launch scrubbed again (17 June 2009)
• NASA scrubs Endeavour launch (13 June 2009)