CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Discovery thundered into orbit for the final time Thursday, heading toward the international space station on a journey that marks the beginning of the end of the shuttle era.
The six astronauts onboard, all experienced space fliers, were thrilled to be on their way after a delay of nearly four months for fueltank repairs.
But it puts Discovery, the world’s most-traveled spaceship, on the cusp of retirement when it returns in 11 days and eventually heads to a museum.
Discovery is the oldest of NASA’s three surviving space shuttles and the first set to be decommissioned this year. Two missions remain, first by Atlantis and then Endeavour, to end the 30-year program.
It was Discovery’s 39th launch and the 133rd shuttle mission overall.
“Enjoy the ride,” the test conductor radioed just before liftoff. Cmdr. Steven Lindsey thanked everyone for the work in getting Discovery ready to go: “And for those watching, get ready to witness the majesty and the power of Discovery as she lifts off one final time.”
Discovery rocketed off its seaside pad into a late afternoon clear-blue sky, and arced out over the Atlantic on its farewell flight.
There were a tense few minutes before liftoff when an Air Force computer problem popped up. The issue was resolved and Discovery took off about three minutes late, with just a few seconds remaining in the countdown.
Discovery will reach the space station Saturday, delivering a small chamber full of supplies and an experimental humanoid robot. “Look forward to having company here on ISS in a couple days,” station commander Scott Kelly said in a Twitter message.
The orbiting lab was soaring over the South Pacific when Discovery blasted off.
“Discovery now making one last reach for the stars,” the Mission Control commentator said once the shuttle cleared the launch tower.
Onboard TV cameras showed some pieces of foam insulation breaking off the external fuel tank four minutes into the flight, but it shouldn’t pose any safety concerns because it was late enough after liftoff.
NASA is under presidential directive to retire the shuttle fleet this summer, let private companies take over trips to orbit and focus on getting astronauts to asteroids and Mars.
An estimated 40,000 guests gathered at Kennedy Space Center, including a small delegation from Congress and Florida’s new governor, Rick Scott.
Roads leading to the launch site were jammed with cars parked two and three deep; recreational vehicles snagged prime viewing spots along the Banana River well before dawn. Businesses and governments joined in, their signs offering words of encouragement.
“The heavens await Discovery,” a Cocoa Beach church’s sign proclaimed. Groceries stocked up on extra red, white and blue cakes with shuttle pictures.
Stores ran out of camera batteries.
The launch team also got into the act. A competition was held to craft the departing salutation from Launch Control: “The final liftoff of Discovery, a tribute to the dedication, hard work and pride of America’s space shuttle team.” Kennedy’s public-affairs office normally comes up with the parting line. Souvenir photos of Discovery were set aside for controllers in the firing room. Many posed for group shots.
Lindsey and his crew paused to take in the significance of it all, beforeboarding Discovery. They embraced in a group hug at the base of the launchpad.
Unlike the first try back in November, no hydrogen gas leaked during Thursday’s fueling.
Packed aboard Discovery is Robonaut 2, or R2, set to become the first humanoid robot in space.
The experimental machine - looking human from the waist up - will remain boxed until after Discovery departs. Its twin was at the launch site, perched atop a rover, waving goodbye.
“I’m in space! Hello universe!!!” R2 announced in a tweet sent by a human still on Earth.
Meanwhile, NASA said the launch of an Earth-observing satellite from California has been postponed because of a problem with ground equipment.
A Taurus XL rocket carrying the Glory satellite was scheduled to lift off early Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
But the launch was called off when a control console in a launch-support van gave a false indication about the rocket’s status. NASA saidthe console indicated a command had been sent when there had been no such command.
Engineers have not resolved the error, and further launch attempts this week were called off.
NASA is weighing launch possibilities in March.
The $434 million mission will study how airborne particles known as aerosols affect climate.
The mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 02/25/2011