KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Moments after liftoff on mission STS-120, space shuttle Discovery's solid rocket boosters spew columns of fire, creating clouds of smoke and steam below on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. At right is the 300,000-gallon water tower that provides water for the sound suppression system during liftoff, which occurred on time at 11:38:19 a.m. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo courtesy of Nikon/Scott Andrews
Location Kennedy Space Center, FL
Date October 23, 2007