Nasa Shuttle Launch

Nasa Shuttle Launch, 

All systems are go for the NASA space shuttle Discovery launch due at 6:21 a.m. ET today. The Easter Monday launch is apparently progressing smoothly after the external fuel tanks were filled yesterday in preparation. The weather forecast appears to be good so far although there are some reports of fog due.

The lift-off will be from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the Discovery crew will be made up of 7 astronauts taking supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. There are 3 planned spacewalks for the 13-day mission, when the shuttle eventually arrives at the I.S.S. scheduled for Wednesday.

The return to Earth is scheduled for April 18 at 8:35 a.m. ET., after which there are only 3 more shuttle missions remaining. This mission is the first time that 4 women have been in space together with 3 on the shuttle crew, and one already at the I.S.S.

The space station is around nine tenths complete and is due to be finished in the next year. Will you be watching the launch? Will you be sad to see the end of the shuttle missions? Let us know your thoughts on this.

Source

Discovery Reaches Space

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:30:58 PM GMT+0300

With main engine cutoff confirmed and external fuel tank separation, space shuttle Discovery has reached orbit. The shuttle and crew lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as planned at 6:21 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft now begins a two-day pursuit of the International Space Station.

 Source