America Returns to Human Space Flight
Credit:
NASA
NASA's launch of the massive
Space Shuttle Discovery yesterday
brought a nation known for its tremendous space program
back to human space flight.
Shuttle flights had been suspended for over
two years previously following the
tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia
crew on 2003 February 1.
The complex, powerful
Space Shuttle Discovery lifted a crew of
seven into an Earth orbit that will bring them to the
International Space Station (ISS).
The shuttle crew will deliver supplies to the
ISS, perform repairs,
and test new methods for inspecting and repairing the shuttle's thermal protection system.
Three space walks are planned.
This Return to Flight Mission STS-114 is
pictured above launching from
Pad 39B on Cape Canaveral,
Florida.