Shuttle Discovery races skyward

[OXO]

The Discovery orbiter has blasted away from the Kennedy Space Center - on a hot and sunny US Independence Day.

The shuttle left its Florida launch pad right on schedule at 1438 EDT (1838 GMT) and roared skywards to the cheers of spectators.

The vehicle's mission will take it to the International Space Station (ISS).

The shuttle flight is the first of 2006 and only the second since the catastrophic loss of the Columbia orbiter three years ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5146866.stm

Good to see!

James

[OXO]

In connection with the above News,

Pride for 'UK astronaut' family.

The family of astronaut Piers Sellers expressed their awe and relief at seeing the "British spaceman" make it safely into orbit on Tuesday.

Dr Sellers, who hails originally from East Sussex, blasted off aboard the Discovery shuttle on a mission to the International Space Station.

The eight-and-a-half-minute-ride high into the sky appeared flawless.

"It looked brilliant," Sellers' father-in-law, Philip Lomas, said after seeing the launch on TV in England.

Mr Lomas, 74, speaking from his home in the village of Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, said he and wife Sandra were feeling relieved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5148758.stm

James

[FLO]

Good news indeed