Discovery, on 3rd Try, Blasts Off

Shuttle carries treadmill named for Stephen Colbert
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2009 11:11 PM CDT
Discovery, on 3rd Try, Blasts Off
The space shuttle Discovery sits on the launch pad Friday.   (AP Photo)

Space shuttle Discovery and seven astronauts blasted off seconds before midnight (EDT) from Florida, lighting up the sky for miles around. It was NASA's third launch attempt. Tuesday's try was called off by thunderstorms and Wednesday's by fuel valve trouble. Discovery is hauling a full load of space station supplies, including a treadmill named for Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert. (More space shuttle stories.)

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