Digital News Report- The Space Shuttle Discovery launched today at 7:43pm EST after a leaky gas venting system that delayed its Wednesday launch was repaired. The line funnels flammable hydrogen away from the launch pad during take-off, but repairs went smoothly according to lead shuttle flight director Mike Moses.
The crew will be delivering supplies needed to expand the International Space Station’s crew to six people. The parts will be used for an expanded solar energy power system. They will also be dropping off Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and delivering a replacement for a failed unit in a system that converts urine to drinkable water.
The mission is scheduled to last for 13 days and have three space walks.
|
