Shuttle Off Early to Beat Storms
October 1, 2004
THE space shuttle Discovery blasted off yesterday on a mission to deliver a fresh crew to the international space station, leaving early to beat approaching storms.
The shuttle soared at 10.10pm UK time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying seven astronauts and cosmonauts, three of whom will spend the next four months in space.
Nasa launched the spaceship five minutes earlier than planned because of thunderstorms moving in from the south.
Launch managers worriedthunderstorms might force a postponement for the second day in a row but the rain and dark clouds stayed far enough away.