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Discovery Blasts Off Carrying 7 Astronauts

Mission heads to International Space Station

By the Associated Press

Posted Apr 5, 2010 6:16 AM CDT

(AP) – Discovery and seven astronauts rocketed into orbit today on one of NASA's final stockpiling missions to the International Space Station, its liftoff flames bringing an early dawn to the coast with this last scheduled shuttle launch in darkness. The pre-dawn launch helped clinch a record for the most women in space at the same time.

Three women are aboard Discovery, and another is already at the space station. The shuttle should arrive at the orbiting outpost Wednesday. In a rare treat, the space station passed over the launch site 15 minutes before Discovery blasted off and was easily visible, resembling a star in the morning sky with the moon as a dramatic backdrop.
From left, Mission Specialists Clayton Anderson, Naoko Yamazaki, Stephanie Wilson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, and Rick Mastracchio, Pilot James P. Dutton Jr., and Commander Alan G. Poindexter.
From left, Mission Specialists Clayton Anderson, Naoko Yamazaki, Stephanie Wilson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, and Rick Mastracchio, Pilot James P. Dutton Jr., and Commander Alan G. Poindexter.   (Wilfredo Lee)
Astronauts of space shuttle Discovery, Pilot James P. Dutton Jr., left, and Commander Alan G. Poindexter, at the Kennedy Space Center, Monday, April 5, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Astronauts of space shuttle Discovery, Pilot James P. Dutton Jr., left, and Commander Alan G. Poindexter, at the Kennedy Space Center, Monday, April 5, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.   (Wilfredo Lee)
Astronauts of the Discovery crew, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, mission specialist Stephanie Wilson and mission specialist Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, April 5, 2010.
Astronauts of the Discovery crew, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, mission specialist Stephanie Wilson and mission specialist Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, April 5, 2010.   (John Raoux)
Mission Specialist Naoko Yamazaki of Japan, waves as she and the rest of the crew walk out to be transported to launch pad 39a at the Kennedy Space Center, April 5, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Mission Specialist Naoko Yamazaki of Japan, waves as she and the rest of the crew walk out to be transported to launch pad 39a at the Kennedy Space Center, April 5, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.   (Wilfredo Lee)
Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Monday April 5, 2010.
Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Monday April 5, 2010.   (Marta Lavandier)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
JoeQ
Apr 5, 2010 4:21 PM CDT
Isn't that a record for chicks in space at one time?
Mad
Apr 5, 2010 2:52 PM CDT
"In a rare treat, the space station passed over the launch site" .... How thrilling! Made my nipples hard!
TessTalks
Apr 5, 2010 1:54 PM CDT
Cha ching, more of our money wasted. And, just wondering, what the hell are they still looking for?

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NASA • astronauts • International Space Station • Discovery space shuttle • space mission • space shuttle launch

 
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