NASA launches first space shuttle mission since '03
Posted on: Tuesday, 26 July 2005, 10:12 CDT
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.
Source: REUTERS
Related Articles
- ATK Supports NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch and Plays Critical Role in Hubble Servicing Mission
- ATK's 100th Flight Set of Solid Rocket Motors Launches NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery
- SpaceX Breaks Ground at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40
- Space Shuttle Discovery Launches
- NASA decides to return shuttle to launch pad
- Cape Breton Space Launch Doesn't Hinge on NASA Contract, Company Says
- NASA Shuttle to Launch Despite Worries
- NASA Crew Goes Underwater To Study Outer Space
- Panel Recommends Reducing NASA Role in Space Launches
- NASA Awards $135 million for Space Launch Initiative
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds