Shuttle Endeavour prior to its last launch (Source: NASA)
NASA successfully launched its second manned mission of 2007
NASA's shuttle Endeavour today launched towards the International Space Station (ISS) on an assembly mission that is scheduled to take from 11 to 14 days. The shuttle launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center after a 24-hour delay.
"Good luck, godspeed and have some fun up there," said Michael Leinbach, Endeavour shuttle launch director.
Summer thunderstorms in the state of Florida are not uncommon, forcing NASA to give an 80 percent chance of launch late last evening. The weather proved safe enough to attempt the shuttle launch.
The Endeavour launch is the second of four manned shuttle launches the U.S. space agency has planned for 2007. NASA hopes to be able to finish construction on the ISS before the fleet of shuttles are retired in three years. Specifically, Endeavour has a new truss which will be installed to help extend the overall length of the ISS.
Endeavour also has almost three tons of food and supplies for the crew working aboard the ISS.
This is the first time Endeavour has been used in five years – its last mission took place prior to the shuttle Columbia disaster. NASA and flight engineers gave the shuttle a major overhaul, with the agency saying the shuttle is “virtually new.”
The five-man, two-woman flight team has drawn quite a bit of attention, especially with Barbara Morgan, a former elementary school teacher.
The launch occurred under a cloud of suspicion due to several recent NASA controversies. Along with NASA pilots who allegedly flew while under the influence during previous missions, the shuttle is carrying computer hardware that was the target of sabotage.
"I modded down, down, down, and the flames went higher." -- Sven Olsen
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