CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Space shuttle Discovery has blasted off on its final voyage. Six astronauts are on board the world's most traveled spaceship.
They're headed for the International Space Station after a four-month delay for fuel tank repairs. This is Discovery's 39th and final mission. It's the first of the three space shuttles to be retired this year.
It's a launch that was originally scheduled for November, before fuel leaks forced a nearly four-month delay.
No other spacecraft has been launched more times. Tens of thousands witnessed history in the making from the Florida launch site. Countless more watched from surrounding towns.
Roads leading into Kennedy Space Center were jammed. Discovery should reach the space station Saturday. It will deliver a compartment full of supplies as well as the first humanoid robot to fly in space.
More.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and KTRE, a Raycom Media Station.
