Range safety systems armed. T minus 10 seconds
go for main engine start 7.. 6.. 5..
Three engines up and burning 3.. 2.. 1..
and lift off of Space Shuttle Discovery beginning America's new journey to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
And the vehicle has cleared the tower.
Houston's now controlling
Commander Eileen Collins confirming Discovery's rolling on to the course for a rendezvous with the International Space Station
Discovery is traveling at 400 miles per hour
altitude, 12000 feet
This is the view from camera mounted on Discovery's External Fuel Tank
Three engines of Discovery are now throttling down to two thirds throttle to prepare the spacecraft to pass through the area of maximum air pressure and go super sonic.