KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Space Shuttle Discovery appears to leap from the midst of palms as it rockets into the blue sky from Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-121, kicking off the fiery festivities of Independence Day. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. During the 12-day mission, the STS-121 crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for July 16 or 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Sandy Joseph & Robert Murray
Location Kennedy Space Center, FL
Date July 4, 2006