Discovery takes off from Cape Canaveral
The Discovery Shuttle has taken off from Cape Canaveral this afternoon.
Discovery and a crew of seven blasted off for the international space station at 10.39am (3.39 Irish time).
Earlier today a fuel sensor system on Discovery’s external tank passed its first test as Nasa began fuelling the space shuttle for the first launch attempt since the doomed Columbia flight two-and-a-half years ago.
Discovery has only until the beginning of August to fly to the space station on a 12-day supply and repair mission; the next launch opportunity will not come until September 9.
The launch window is dictated by the space station’s position and Nasa’s insistence on a daylight lift-off to provide good views for the more than 100 cameras that will be checking for any Columbia-type launch damage.
While in orbit, Discovery’s crew will inspect the most vulnerable areas of the spacecraft, using a new 50ft, laser-tipped boom.
They also will practice repairing samples of deliberately damaged thermal tile and panels.
