The space shuttle Discovery is set to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center tonight at 9:20pm EDT.
Bookmark this post because you can watch the live feed right here…
NASA scientists had delayed the launch by a month due to small cracks that had been found in the engine compartment’s hydrogen valves. Crews eventually replaced all of these valves as a safety measure.
Discovery’s mission includes four spacewalks. Astronauts hope to install a 31,000 pound addition to the International Space Station.
The truss features two solar array wings that will be able to help power the station via solar energy. Discovery will be carrying a replacement for that amazing (and slightly gross) system that transforms urine into drinkable water.
The shuttle’s crew consists of Commander Lee Archambault, Pilot Tony Antonelli, Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, Steve Swanson, Richard Arnold, and John Phillips, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata.
UPDATE: The launch has been postponed – see here for details.
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