Nasa's administrator Mike Griffin has said the agency may lift the restrictions and allow launches at night if the Atlantis flight goes well.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Atlantis is locked down for storm

Nasa administrator Dr Mike Griffin said on Friday that he was optimistic Nasa could launch another shuttle this year "by being smart and working hard".

BBC: The two astronauts spent nearly seven hours on the outside

Griffin reinjured his knee at least twice in Sunday's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, prompting a national debate over whether coach Mike Shanahan endangered Griffin's career by not taking the team's franchise player out of the game sooner.

WSJ: Robert Griffin III: Surgery Reveals Damage to Washington Redskins Quarterback's ACL

This time, with the season on the line, Griffin and Mike Shanahan, Washington's coach, engaged in a halftime conversation.

CNN: Redskins should have stopped RGIII

And as kid-skewing shows such as "The Mickey Mouse Club" were supplanted in late-afternoon TV schedules by syndicated chat-shows featuring Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin.

CNN: Annette Funicello was my dream crush

Washington coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that Griffin will travel to Pensacola, Fla.

FORBES: Pensacola FL

Mike Lafavore, who was editorial director of Meredith Corp. when Griffin was CEO there, says he was puzzled by a story in The New York Times that described Griffin offending employees with his condescension and hyper-religiosity.

FORBES: How Much Severance Does Axed Time Inc. CEO Have Coming?