Back In The Saddle Again

[rpm]

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Discovery blasted off into orbit Tuesday, opening a new chapter in space history more than two years after the Columbia tragedy grounded NASA's shuttle fleet.

"Our long wait may be over," launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts just before liftoff, "so on behalf of the many millions of people who believe so deeply in what we do, good luck, Godspeed, and have a little fun up there."

Discovery commander Eileen Collins responded to the launch team's goodbyes simply: "Thank you very much," she said.

Then, right on time at 10:39 a.m. ET, fiery Discovery rose from its launch pad, its white plume blending in with the cottony clouds over NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Discovery's rise marked the first shuttle launch since Jan. 16, 2003, when Columbia lifted off at precisely the same time of day, 10:39 a.m. During Columbia's ascent, flying foam insulation from the external fuel tank hit the left wing, opening up a hole that doomed the shuttle when it returned from space 16 days later, on Feb. 1. The shuttle broke up over Texas, killing all seven crew members.

Discovery is now heading for the international space station to deliver tons of supplies, research equipment and replacement parts. En route, it will use a newly designed, 50-foot-long (15-meter-long) extension boom to inspect critical areas of the shuttle's skin with cameras and laser sensors.

When it arrives at the station on Thursday, the shuttle will get yet another once-over from the orbital outpost's crew. If any of the inspections turn up signs of serious damage to Discovery, the shuttle astronauts would most likely have to take refuge on the station and wait until next month for another shuttle, Atlantis, to come to the rescue.

Landing is due to occur before dawn on Aug. 7, at 5:46 a.m. ET.

[StarOfAfrica2]

Aint she pretty?  

[Skuzzy]

Watched it liftoff this morning.  Was a good feeling.

[Furball]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Watched it liftoff this morning.  Was a good feeling.

The vibrations on the ground when you were sitting on the floor make you smile?


























BOO!

[rshubert]

but it is outdated, and needs to be replaced.  I hope we can get a Congress with the pants to authorize the next generation shuttle system, or a heavy lift system, or SOMETHING.

I really think that our dependance on the single shuttle system is holding us back in the exploration of space.  I want MORE HARDWARE, BETTER HARDWARE, SAFER HARDWARE, and I want it NOW.

There, now I feel better.

 Space Shuttle!

[Skydancer]

Lets hope it comes back Ok. Saw bits falling off it again in the TV footage!

[LePaul]

The video from the camera mounted on the external tank was outstanding, especially upon seperation from Discovery.

[Ripsnort]

New safety systems on the Space shuttle: Concept, design, engineering  and implementation, by Boeing.

[rpm]

Agreed that we need a newer system. Glad that NASA took it's time to rethink their safety procedures on the shuttle, tho. The old girl still has legs.