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Shuttle lifts off in night launch Shuttle lifts off in night launch
(about 2 hours later)
The space shuttle Discovery has lifted off from Cape Canaveral, the first night shuttle launch in four years. The space shuttle Discovery has lifted off from Cape Canaveral - the first night shuttle launch in four years.
Discovery launched at 2047 (0147 GMT on Sunday), two days after poor weather forced a lift-off to be cancelled.Discovery launched at 2047 (0147 GMT on Sunday), two days after poor weather forced a lift-off to be cancelled.
Rocket flares from the shuttle were visible in the night sky across much of the south-eastern United States.Rocket flares from the shuttle were visible in the night sky across much of the south-eastern United States.
The shuttle is heading to the International Space Station (ISS), which Nasa is racing to complete before the shuttle fleet is retired in 2010.The shuttle is heading to the International Space Station (ISS), which Nasa is racing to complete before the shuttle fleet is retired in 2010.
This is the third shuttle mission in six months and first night launch since the Columbia disaster in 2003.This is the third shuttle mission in six months and first night launch since the Columbia disaster in 2003.
While in orbit with the space station, Discovery astronauts will carry out three spacewalks and will rewire electrical systems inside the ISS.
Change of fortune
Cloudy skies earlier on Sunday cleared as night fell in Florida, allowing mission controllers to proceed with the launch.
There were no reported complications on launch as Discovery soared away from the Kennedy Space Center.
The curved ascent left a fiery trail in the Florida skyIt quickly reached a speed of 6,500 mph (10,500 km/h) as it headed through the Earth's atmosphere.
Acknowledging a message of congratulations from the ground, commander Mark Polansky replied: "There are a lot of happy, smiling faces up here".
"Forty-eight hours makes a tremendous difference," launch director Mike Leinbach told the crew.
"Everything just clicked. Everything felt good today," he said later.
Two days earlier 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.
RookiesRookies
Nasa controllers reported no complications on launch as Discovery soared away from the Kennedy Space Center.
It quickly reached a speed of 6,500 mph (10,500 km/h) as it headed through the Earth's atmosphere.
The mission may be one of the hardest yet for Nasa astronautsAcknowledging a message of congratulations from the ground, the Discovery replied: "There are a lot of happy, smiling faces up here".
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.
"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.
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. The mission may be one of the hardest yet for Nasa astronautsFive of the astronauts on the mission are going on their first shuttle flight.
One of the seven, US astronaut Sunita Williams, will stay on at the ISS when Discovery heads home, taking German Thomas Reiter back to Earth.
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 back at the Kennedy Space Center.Discovery's flight is scheduled to last 12 days, with a landing targeted for 19 December back at the Kennedy Space Center.
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.