spacetoday.net: Discovery launched to ISS

Posted: Sat, Aug 29, 2009, 9:09 AM ET (1309 GMT)
STS-128: launch (NASA/KSC)

Overcoming technical glitches and poor weather, the space shuttle Discovery lifted off Friday night on a mission to the International Space Station. Discovery launched at 11:59 pm EDT Friday (0359 GMT Saturday) after a countdown free of technical or weather issues. Both had caused scrubs of previous launch attempts earlier in the week, with a thundershower scrubbing a launch attempt in the early morning hours Tuesday and a valve issue then postponing the launch until Friday night. The 13-day STS-128 mission will deliver cargo to the ISS ranging from scientific equipment to a treadmill and also features three spacewalks to perform work outside the station. The shuttle's seven-person crew includes one astronaut, Nicole Stott, who will remain on the station; current ISS crewmember Tim Kopra will return to Earth on the shuttle. Discovery is scheduled to dock with the ISS on Sunday evening.