Shuttle lifts off
Posted: Sun, Mar 15, 2009, 9:00 PM ET (0100 GMT)
The space shuttle Discovery launched Sunday evening on a mission to the International Space Station. Discovery lifted off on schedule at 7:43 pm EDT (2343 GMT), after a trouble-free countdown. The previous launch attempt on Wednesday was scrubbed by a hydrogen leak while the external tank was fueled; no leaks were detected during the fueling process today. The main purpose of the 13-day STS-119 mission is to install the final solar panel truss segment to the station. The shuttle is also bringing to the station Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will remain on the station for four months, while current ISS crew member Sandra Magnus will return home on the shuttle.
The space shuttle Discovery launched Sunday evening on a mission to the International Space Station. Discovery lifted off on schedule at 7:43 pm EDT (2343 GMT), after a trouble-free countdown. The previous launch attempt on Wednesday was scrubbed by a hydrogen leak while the external tank was fueled; no leaks were detected during the fueling process today. The main purpose of the 13-day STS-119 mission is to install the final solar panel truss segment to the station. The shuttle is also bringing to the station Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will remain on the station for four months, while current ISS crew member Sandra Magnus will return home on the shuttle.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, March 16
SpaceX Rocket to Carry Loral Satellite
Wall Street Journal — 5:29 am ET (0929 GMT) Kids design out-of-this-world postcards for initiative organized by CU-Boulder grad students
Boulder Daily Camera — 5:28 am ET (0928 GMT) Female astronauts: single women need not apply
Global Times — 5:24 am ET (0924 GMT) New Mexico spaceport clears legislative hurdle
AP — 5:24 am ET (0924 GMT) Gunfire near Indian space office
BBC — 5:21 am ET (0921 GMT) |