The shuttle Discovery was launched on mission STS-120 to the space station

All the stages of the launch went successfully and at least at first glance it is not possible to see any faults. The shuttle is expected to dock at the space station on Thursday

Update 17:50

From the TV broadcasts, it can be seen that the launch went smoothly, all the first steps, including the separation of the solid fuel boosters and the disconnection from the external fuel tank, went successfully. The shuttle is now in orbit around Earth and will gradually align its orbit with that of the International Space Station, where it is scheduled to arrive on Thursday. Of course, as with every launch, all the photos and videos taken during the launch from all possible cameras will be carefully examined to determine if any damage was caused to the shuttle. The weather that was feared in recent days also brightened NASA's face and a single rain cloud that was observed over the ocean near the Kennedy Space Center ultimately did not enter the land.

Update 17:40

Space Shuttle Discovery before launch tonight

The space shuttle Discovery was launched into space two minutes ago. Details later on.

The main cargo carried by the space shuttle Discovery to the space station is a component that will increase the volume of living and working on the station, known as Harmoni, a name chosen in a poll among school students from all over the US (or by its official name Node 2). This component also includes four power conversion units and three storage units, an adapter for the robotic arm of the system and a power unit for the shuttle, as well as an air lock for astronauts to exit for a spacewalk.

The European unit Columbus and the Japanese research unit Kibo will be added to the harmonic component in the next flights. The harmonic assembly process will require most of the astronauts' time during the spacewalk. In addition to this mission, the P6 solar array will be detached, detached from the Z1 truss and re-located on the Unity unit at the end of the station.

Pamela A. Melroy is the second overall commander of a shuttle mission, she was preceded by Eileen Collins in 2005, but this time, by an even rarer coincidence, the space station is also commanded by a woman - Peggy Whitson, who arrived there less than two weeks ago on On top of a Soyuz spacecraft.

Two hours before the launch it was discovered A block of ice in the piping from the external fuel tank However, after discussions and tests, NASA decided to approve the launch