The space shuttle is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on its final space flight Friday at 11:26 a.m. EDT. This won't just be the last mission for Atlantis. It also will be the , which is being retired after 30 years.

The problem may be the weather.

As of 2:45 p.m. Thursday, the space shuttle launch team was investigating a possible lightning strike that may hit within a third of a mile from the shuttle's launch pad. NASA said engineers are reviewing data to determine if the lightning affected Atlantis or any of the pad's ground support equipment.

However, a rolling band of thunderstorms moving through the area has kept crews from being able to conduct a thorough inspection of the pad area.

Today's tumultuous weather may continue into Friday, which could disrupt liftoff.