WEBVTT

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Intro music.

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After two-and-a-half years, Space Shuttle Discovery roared into Earth orbit on NASA's long-awaited Return to Flight mission July 26, 2005.

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The twin Solid Rocket Boosters roared to life at 10:39 a.m. Eastern time,

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launching a seven-member astronaut crew aboard Discovery on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station.

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The liftoff capped nearly two weeks of round-the-clock troubleshooting

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to find and fix a problem with an engine fuel cut-off sensor that caused the first launch attempt, on July 13, to be cancelled.

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But the sensors performed perfectly and the weather improved,

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allowing the world to watch the orange-suited astronauts make their way to the launch pad.

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With the crew-module hatch closed and final preparations complete,

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Launch Director Mike Leinbach gave Discovery's crew, led by Commander Eileen Collins, the "go" for launch.

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"Ok Eileen our long wait may be over. On behalf of the many millions of people who believe so deeply in what we do,

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Good luck, Godspeed and have a little fun up there."

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"Our thanks to you, to the launch team and to everybody in the shuttle program. The crew is go for launch." "Copy that. Thank you."

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"Systems armed, T-10 seconds, go for main engines start 7, 6, 5 three engines up and burning! 3, 2, 1 and

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liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery beginning America's new journey to the Moon, Mars and beyond!

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And the vehicle has cleared the tower."

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The Discovery crew is embarking on an ambitious mission to test new in-flight safety procedures

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and carry much-needed supplies to the orbiting Space Station.

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The Return to Flight mission is set to conclude with a pre-dawn landing at Kennedy on August 7.

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Space Shuttle Program Deputy Manager Wayne Hale summed up the Agency's feelings after the liftoff.

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"To think that here we are today with Americans back in flight on an American vehicle,

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is just a tremendous step and it will be the first in many steps as we head out into the exploration of the solar system back to the Moon and on to Mars."

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