NASA launches first space shuttle mission since ’03

By Irene Klotz and Michael Christie

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) – The U.S. space shuttle
Discovery blasted off from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral in
Florida on Tuesday on NASA’s first shuttle mission since
Columbia broke up in 2003.

The shuttle, carrying seven crew members, soared into
slightly hazy skies, leaving behind a trail of smoke and
flames, while the roar of its solid booster rockets rattled
windows and shook the ground across the Cape.

It was NASA’s second attempt to launch the shuttle this
month. Problems with hydrogen fuel sensors that forced the
space agency to cancel the first liftoff attempt on July 13 did
not reoccur.

“On behalf of the many millions of people who believe so
deeply in what we do, good luck, God speed and have a little
fun up there,” NASA launch director Mike Leinbach told the crew
a few minutes before liftoff.

The booster rockets, pouring out 6.5 million pounds (3
million kg) of thrust and enough energy to light 87,000 homes
for a day, separated without problem just over 2 minutes into
flight, NASA’s launch commentator James Hartsfield said.

Nearly nine minutes after launch, the shuttle successfully
reached its planned preliminary orbit and cut off its three
main engines.

The shuttle’s mission, under veteran commander Eileen
Collins, is to test new safety and repair measures introduced
after sister ship Columbia disintegrated over Texas on Feb.1,
2003.

Falling foam had knocked a hole in Columbia’s wing on
liftoff 16 days earlier, and the superheated gases generated by
the spacecraft’s re-entry into the atmosphere tore into the
breach. All seven crew members were killed.

The U.S. space agency has spent more than $1 billion
designing new safety measures to reduce the threat of falling
debris, detect damage and repair the ship’s heat shield in
space.

Discovery also will deliver much-needed supplies and
equipment to the International Space Station, whose
construction has been on hold for the past 2-1/2 years because
the shuttle is the only vehicle capable of carrying large parts
to the station.