Space Shuttle Discovery Watch: Discovery Goes Into Orbit

The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on mission STS-121 Tuesday, July 4, 2006.

AP: Space shuttle Discovery goes into orbit

In a majestic Independence Day liftoff, Discovery and its crew of seven blasted into orbit Tuesday on the first space shuttle launch in a year, flying over objections from those within NASA who argued for more fuel-tank repairs.

NASA’s first-ever Fourth of July launch came after two weather delays and last-minute foam trouble that conjured up worries that have dogged NASA since Columbia was brought down by a chunk of fuel tank insulation foam 3 1/2 years ago.

The foam problem resurfaced during last July’s flight of Discovery and again Monday, keeping the space agency debating safety all the way up to the eve of liftoff.

As Discovery thundered away from its seaside pad at 2:38 p.m. and into space Tuesday, video showed was no initial sign of significant foam loss. Engineers will spend the next few days poring over the video before the shuttle returns to Earth.

Commander Steven Lindsey, an Air Force fighter pilot, was at Discovery’s controls and aiming for a Thursday linkup with the international space station.

A magnificent launch on America’s birthday.

A slideshow of photos is here.

And watch the NASA TV feed here.

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