If successful, today's launch will mark NASA's first flight of a shuttle since the "Columbia" exploded while returning to Earth on 1 February 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board.
The tragedy was blamed on a small piece of insulation that broke off just after liftoff and struck the orbiter's left wing, causing a crack that allowed hot gases to penetrate the structure as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
A crew of five men and two women are scheduled to fly on "Discovery" to the International Space Station for a 12-day mission primarily to test and evaluate new safety procedures.
(Reuters/AFP/NASA)
See also:
Space Shuttle Ready To Fly Again
The tragedy was blamed on a small piece of insulation that broke off just after liftoff and struck the orbiter's left wing, causing a crack that allowed hot gases to penetrate the structure as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
A crew of five men and two women are scheduled to fly on "Discovery" to the International Space Station for a 12-day mission primarily to test and evaluate new safety procedures.
(Reuters/AFP/NASA)
See also:
Space Shuttle Ready To Fly Again