Discovery launches successfully
Tuesday, 04 Jul 2006 19:43
Discovery launches successfully
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Space shuttle Discovery has launched successfully on its trip to the International Space Station, despite a crack being found in the foam insulation yesterday.
The first ever space shuttle launch on the US' Independence Day took place at 19:38 BST under blue skies and in light winds.
The mission management team held an in-depth meeting last night to discuss whether or not the launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida could take place after the crack was discovered in the insulation near a bracket which holds the liquid oxygen feedline in place.
Following the meeting and an extensive analysis of the foam, the team decided that the area around the crack is intact and that there is no concern for heating as there is sufficient foam in place on the strut.
Today's launch had been delayed twice previously and was only permitted to blast off today in balmy conditions beneath blue sky. Sunday's planned take-off was grounded after showers and thunderstorms made it impossible.
Discovery's mission is to repair and refurbish the half-built International Space Station.
Its launch today was just the second since the 2003 Columbia disaster, in which seven crew members died after insulating foam fell off the fuel tank and damaged the spacecraft's wing.