Discovery Launch a Success

Third time lucky. The Space Shuttle Discovery has been successfully launched during the third launch attempt on Tuesday, 4th of July 2006. The previous two attempts on Saturday and Sunday were both cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions.

The third launch attempt also faced some challenges and the possibility of being called off when a crack in the protective foam layer on the fuel tank was discovered. NASA investigated the crack and decided to go ahead with the launch.

This succesful launch comes at a crucial time for the shuttle program. If this launch ended in failure it would have meant the end of the shuttle program. The ageing shuttles are going to be retired in 2010.

NASA Postpones Second Discovery Launch Attempt

NASA has just scrubbed the second launch attempt for space shuttle Discovery due to bad weather conditions. The launch director has stated that they will wait for a period of 48 hours and attempt to launch on Tuesday, 4th June. It is unclear at this stage if they will aim for a morning or afternoon launch. This will be established according to the prevailing weather conditions.

Update: NASA has just confirmed that the next attempt will take place on Tuesday, with liftoff scheduled to occur at 2:38 p.m., EDT

View the newest Discovery preperation/launch wallpapers