Shuttle "Discovery" Makes Final Liftoff
The BBC reports:
The US shuttle Discovery has launched from the Kennedy Space Center for the last time.
The orbiter roared into a bright blue Florida sky, leaving the pad at 1653 local time (2153 GMT).
Its 11-day mission will see it deliver a new store room and a sophisticated humanoid robot to the International Space Station (ISS).
Only two further flights remain by Endeavour and Atlantis, which Nasa is trying to see concluded this year.
The orbiter fleet is then expected to retire to museums.
As usual, huge crowds had gathered on all the approach roads leading to the Nasa facility and on the beaches along Florida's Space Coast - everyone wanting to witness a piece of history.
They all had to wait a little longer than expected - the final countdown was delayed by three minutes as a problem was fixed with the computer system that tracks the shuttle to orbit.
As soon as the issue was resolved, ground controllers restarted the clock and called out to Discovery's crew: "Enjoy the ride". Shuttle Commander Steve Lindsey replied: "We appreciate all your work; and for those watching, get ready to witness the majesty and the power of Discovery as she lifts off one final time."
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