Space Shuttle Discovery Blasts Into Orbit From Florida

by Rob Walker | March 16, 2009 at 05:42 am

369 views | 30 Recommendations | 5 comments

The shuttle Discovery launched Sunday night after mechanical problems set the launch by a month. NASA's space shuttle discovery was carrying the last set of solar panels that will bring the International Space Station to full power. As of now the station can only support 3 people, which will double after the new power systems are installed.

The television coverage was hilarious 'taking the space station to full power, for full science!'. For full science, indeed.

NASA's space shuttle Discovery successfully journeyed into space after its earlier attempts to launch last month were scuppered by mechanical problems.
A crew of seven astronauts will carry out works to deliver and install a set off solar arrays to the International Space Station, which will provide it with the power to expand its operations.

NowPublic member Cypresso had a great story covering this launch, you can check it out here:

This sounds like a wonderful photo opportunity, and an educational experience for adults and children alike. Night time launches are always spectacular and so visible.

This time with a Japanese on board.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A Japanese astronaut is ushering his country into the realm of endurance spaceflight as Japan's first long-term resident on the International Space Station after rocketing into space aboard NASA's space shuttle Discovery late Sunday.

Koichi Wakata, a veteran spaceflyer with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is riding toward his new orbital home for the next three months, where he will serve as an Expedition 18 flight engineer.

"This mission is a giant leap for the Japanese manned space activity program," JAXA vice president Yukihide Hayashi said through a translator at briefing here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after launch. "It will accumulate valuable knowledge and experience for the future Japanese space and aviation program."

Wakata was one of seven astronauts, led by commander Lee Archambault, to launch aboard Discovery's STS-119 mission tonight. The spacecraft lifted off in a purple twilight sky at 7:43 p.m. EDT (2343 GMT) from the seaside pad here.

"I've seen a lot of launches...this was the most visually beautiful launch I have ever seen," said NASA shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach. "It was just spectacular. When the orbiter and the tank and boosters got up into the sunlight, that had just set about 10 minutes prior, it was just gorgeous."

that why last year they sent Japanese hops to the ISS to make "space beer" for this visit.

The waters of Cape Canaveral captured the reflection of space shuttle Discovery as it lifted off on the STS-119 mission from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The STS-119 mission is the 28th to the International Space Station and the 125th space shuttle flight. Discovery will deliver the final pair of power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment.

Image Credit: NASA/Tony Gray, Tom Farrar

Somak Pal has contributed a photo to this story.

Houston woke them up to "Free Bird."

Why isn't this money being spent on something that matters like a decent Health Care Service, housing the poepulation and cleaning up New Orleans.Priorities People!!