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Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – July 5, 2006 – It wasn’t fireworks that kept people’s eyes glued to the sky in Florida on the Fourth of July. After almost a year since its last launch, the space shuttle Discovery rocketed into orbit as the first spacecraft to launch on Independence Day.
Discovery and its crew of seven — Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly and Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, Piers Sellers and Thomas Reiter, a European Space Agency astronaut — lifted off at 1:39 p.m. CDT and began a 15,000-mph chase so they could rendezvous with the International Space Station about 10 a.m. CDT Thursday.
As Discovery lifted off, ISS was 220 miles above the southern Pacific Ocean, south of Tasmania in Australia.
During the next 12 days, the STS-121 crew will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as make repairs to the station. Reiter will remain with the Expedition 13 crew on the station, restoring the station to a three-person crew for the first time since May 2003.
A system of new and upgraded ground-based cameras, radar and airborne cameras aboard high altitude aircraft documented Discovery's launch. That imagery, along with data to be gathered from in-flight inspections, will be used to ensure Discovery's heat shield is in good condition.
"We're absolutely thrilled to be safely back in space again and are looking forward to evaluating shuttle system ascent performance as soon as possible," said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin in a press release.
Tuesday’s launch came on the third try after the first two attempts to launch were dashed by poor weather. But weather wasn’t the only problems facing the shuttle recently.
On Monday, NASA inspectors found a five-inch long crack in the insulating foam covering a liquid oxygen line aboard the space shuttle's external fuel tank. However, NASA decided it did not cause significant danger to postpone the launch.
Then last week, Chief Engineer Charles Camarda was removed from his post as head of the mission management team because of his objections to launching in spite of safety concerns.
However, at an evening press conference Tuesday, NASA’s Wayne Hale reported that the external tank's performance was greatly improved during Discovery’s launch.
"We don't see any concern for the orbiter," Hale reported, adding that in the coming days, the crew will take a closer look at Discovery using the orbiter boom sensor system as well a slow back flip that will allow further photography of the orbiter from the space station.
Did you know?
- Discovery is named for two famous sailing ships; one sailed by Henry Hudson in 1610-11 to search for a northwest passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the other by James Cook on a voyage during which he discovered the Hawaiian Islands.
- Two 6 1/2 hour space walks are scheduled for crewmembers Piers Sellers and Michael Fossum on the fifth and seventh days of the mission.
- Three of the astronauts on STS-121 are taking their first flight, but this will be the fourth trip to the ISS for the Multi-purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, which was built by the Italian Space Agency.
- NASA has two ships called Freedom Star and Liberty Star that head to sea the day before launch to be in position to retrieve the solid rocket boosters that power the shuttle's ascent.
- The Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard Shuttle Discovery on STS-21 in April 1990.
- Thomas Reiter is the first ESA long-duration space station crewmember and will remain on board the ISS for six to seven months to work with the Expedition 13 and 14 crews.
- There are thermal blankets and over 25,000 tiles that protect the aluminum structure of Discovery.
- Discovery was the third space shuttle orbiter to join the fleet, arriving at Kennedy Space Center in November 1983.
Source: NASA
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Like a roman candle shooting through the blue sky, the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 kicks off the fireworks for the U.S. holiday. Liftoff was on time at 1:38 p.m. CDT. The 12-day mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to end with landing set for July 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/George Sheltons
Satellite antennas from media vehicles dominate this view of the lift off of space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday. The shuttle and its seven-member crew are in orbit after the first-ever Independence Day liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley
The STS-121 crew displays the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday with their flags and their eagerness to launch as they stride out of the Operations and Checkout Building. Leading the way are Pilot Mark Kelly (left) and Commander Steven Lindsey (right). Behind them are Mission Specialists (second row) Lisa Nowak and Michael Fossum; (third row) Stephanie Wilson and Piers Sellers; and (at the rear) Thomas Reiter, who represents the European Space Agency. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Discovery lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA
For More Information
Space Shuttle Discovery
European Space Agency
International Space Station
Tasmania
STS-121 crew
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