Pingie: HTTP:: Discovery Launches to the ISS

HTTP:: Discovery Launches to the ISS
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At 11:59 pm EDT (0359 August 29th GMT), the space shuttle Discovery took off from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), in Cape Canaveral, California, on its 13-day journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The midnight launch went without a hitch, despite earlier concerns over a hydrogen fuel valve failure, which prompted delays earlier this week. Seven astronauts are onboard the shuttle, which is scheduled to perform its first heat shield inspection today. “This time Mother Nature is cooperating so it looks like third time really is the charm,” Pete Nickolenkt, the NASA launch director, told the Discovery crew moments before take-off. “Thanks to everyone who helped prepare for this mission. Let's go step up the science on the International Space Station,” Rick Sturckow, the commander of the STS-128 mission, replied. The flight was already canceled two times this week, on Monday and on Wednesday, and the original Friday launch time was delayed!
to later on in the day. Discovery's departure took place during one of the last opened launch windows. If the shuttle hadn't launched by August 30th, then it would have had to wait until mid-October for another window. During September, two flights are scheduled to the ISS, one by a new Japanese unmanned cargo spacecraft, and the othe...
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