Discovery Launches for the Final Time

Short and sweet tonight.  Today was the final liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery.  America's most-traveled orbiter enters LEO for the final time in its history, nearly 27 years after its inaugural flight in 1984.  Discovery was a pioneer in many ways.  It served as the return to flight vehicle following both the Challenger and Columbia accidents.  It also carried John Glenn, famous for becoming the first American to complete an orbit in 1962 as part of the Mercury Project.  Discovery has also served a critical role in both the servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope and the construction and servicing of the  International Space Station.  We would not be where we are today without this very important vehicle. 

It's current mission (STS-133) is designed to support the ISS by supplying important spare parts as well as experimental space by deploying the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM).  In addition, the shuttle will also carry astro-robot Robonaut 2.  Robonaut 2 will be a permanent resident of the station.  You can read more about Discovery's mission on the NASA website. 

The launch was almost postponed yet again due to a safety issue when the Eastern Range reported a no go.  The countdown was held at T-5 minutes, but the hold could be no longer than 2 minutes.  Otherwise the launch window would have been lost, and the entire mission would have been scrubbed for the day.  Fortunately, with about 30 seconds left in the window, the Eastern Range declared that they were go for launch and Discovery lifted off at 4:40 PM. 

In case you didn't get to see it this afternoon.  Here is a recap of the final seconds of the countdown and the first moments of the liftoff until just before SRB separation.  You can also watch the launch here on the NASA website.  This clip is from the AP.  Enjoy.  We'll only get to see this one more time when Endeavour is scheduled to lift off in April. 

UPDATE:  Apparently, the Shuttle won't go down without a fight.  This is by no means a sure thing (especially with all of the political wrangling in advance of a government shutdown), but STS-135 is slated to carry Atlantis to the ISS in June following Endeavour's final flight in April.  As of right now, the mission is authorized, but does not have funding and still might not get off the ground.  We shall see.