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More insulating foam problems... but it's been decided that shedding from the area in question will not harm the orbiter, and this time they are docking with the ISS anyway, and they are prepared to abandon or repair the orbiter there. Launch is scheduled for 1437-ish Eastern US time; the crew is getting aboard now. Watch live coverage here:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

Prays and fingers crossed for a safe launch!!!!!

WOW...!

I don't envy them one little bit......!

I'd rather get a return ticket for a 'bus into town and back again... ...!

Paul..."Sainsbury's Supermarket, please..."... ...!

WOW...!

I don't envy them one little bit......!

I'd rather get a return ticket for a 'bus into town and back again... ...!

Paul..."Sainsbury's Supermarket, please..."... ...!

To each his own... I'd love to go, despite the risk (current odds of not coming home are about 100 to 1, I believe).
And  I'm not worried for them: the only other major failure on an Orbiter was the SRB thing that brought down Challenger, and they've got that under control. Even if a chunk of foam damages the orbiter in similar fashion to Columbia, they are planning an orbital inspection of the bird on this mission, and the astronauts will have the luxury of saying"no thanks; we'll hang out on the ISS for a couple months until you can get another orbiter up here". I'm pretty sure they even have a plan for trying out some repair on damaged tiles while in orbit... Bondo and duct tape, I think...

A long way from playing 3-D chess in the cafeteria under artificial gravity while hyper-lighting off to distant stars while protected from radiation, but it's a teeny step in the right direction. Prior to having ISS, crews with such a problem were just plain screwed.

If they do have to wait for another ship, and that one has a problem... well, I reckon the Russians can help out, or maybe Burt Rutan can put something together.


I'm pretty excited about this mission: even while being phased out after some tragic system failures, these machines are helping lay down some important stepping-stones. Can't wait to watch the EVAs on this mission; should be very interesting.

Just passed T-minus 60 minutes... nice footage of the NASA training G5 taking off.

T- 7 minutes and counting!

Orbiter arm is retracted!

Amazing takeoff!
A real blast!!!

Just love the roar from the two support rockets

Cheers Theis

Roll, boost sep, tank sep...all by the numbers; sweet and smooth. Now they'reset to refine orbit, last image showed Discovery abeam Rome, Italy...

Whew.  

I had to walk away and missed the first tank inspection...they're replaying launch footage right now. That's a kick-ass hot rod they got there. Eight minutes to orbit and Mach It- Don't- Matter- Anymore.

This is mission... 32(?) for Discovery. She's a sweetheart.

safe to say any firework display the spectators go to tonight will be a slight let down

safe to say any firework display the spectators go to tonight will be a slight let down

Ti's my thoughts as well my friend It would be the thrill of a lifetime to witness a launch in person

Good luck to the Discovery crew.  I watched the entire launch from five minutes before to twenty minutes after they were in orbit, and every minute was amazing.

I saw Atlantis launch at 4:30 in the morning (STS-81), but that was when I was 12, so I don't remember it all, but I do remember the tremendous roar that reached us a minute or so after launch, and how the whole surrounding area (for miles) was as bright as it was during the day almost.  One of the most amazing things I have ever seen and recommend it to anyone who is able.

I'd love to see a shuttle launch some day, but what I'd REALLY love to see is a Saturn V.  Too bad I wasn't born yet...

Saw a couple of those live on TV... hardly the same as being there, but...

Saw a couple of those (Saturn launches) live on TV... hardly the same as being there, but... being old has some advantages...

I missed the launch live

But I met the pilot of STS-114 in early june, you probably saw the picture (if you cared to look at my posts)

The shuttle is being retired in 2010 whether the ISS is complete or not.  Its reaching the point where it would have to undergo major inspection and major repairs, so much so that instead of spending the money to do so NASA is just going to retire it.  The CEV design will be decided on in August, and it should be ready to fly in the next couple of years.

As much as I dont want to see the shuttle be retired, its an important step forward in space exploration.  Im hoping to go see a launch in florida before the shuttle retires