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Shuttle cleared for night launch Shuttle lifts off in night launch
(about 1 hour later)
Nasa has cleared the space shuttle Discovery for a rare night launch after bad weather forced it to abandon an attempt early on Saturday. The space shuttle Discovery has lifted off from Cape Canaveral, the first night shuttle launch in four years.
An improved weather forecast gave a 70% chance of favourable conditions for an evening launch at 2047 local time in Florida (0147 GMT on Sunday). Discovery launched at 2047 local time in Florida (0147 GMT on Sunday), two days after poor weather forced the cancellation of a planned lift-off.
"We'll try to launch tonight," said Nasa spokesman Bruce Buckingham. The flares from the shuttle were visible in the night sky across much of the south-eastern United States.
It will be the third shuttle mission in six months and first night launch since the Columbia accident in 2003. This is the third shuttle mission in six months and first night launch since the Columbia disaster in 2003.
Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Mr Buckingham said fuelling would start shortly.
On Friday the crew of two women and five men were seated inside the shuttle at the scheduled launch time of 2135 (0235 GMT) but low clouds prevented lift-off.On Friday the crew of two women and five men were seated inside the shuttle at the scheduled launch time of 2135 (0235 GMT) but low clouds prevented lift-off.
Nicholas Patrick, now a US citizen, is a robotics expertNicholas Patrick, now a US citizen, is a robotics expert
"We gave it the best shot and didn't get clear and convincing evidence that the cloud ceiling had cleared for us," launch director Mike Leinbach told the crew."We gave it the best shot and didn't get clear and convincing evidence that the cloud ceiling had cleared for us," launch director Mike Leinbach told the crew.
Nasa is racing to finish work on the International Space Station (ISS) before the fleet is retired in 2010.Nasa is racing to finish work on the International Space Station (ISS) before the fleet is retired in 2010.
A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew.A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew.
Five of the astronauts on the mission are going on their first shuttle flight.Five of the astronauts on the mission are going on their first shuttle flight.
Nasa has described the construction mission as one of the most complex to date.Nasa has described the construction mission as one of the most complex to date.
At least 14 more missions are needed to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station.At least 14 more missions are needed to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station.
Discovery's flight is scheduled to last 12 days, with a landing targeted for 19 December at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Discovery's flight is scheduled to last 12 days, with a landing targeted for 19 December at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.