Space Shuttle Discovery Blasts Off

May 31, 2008 -- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts are on their way to the International Space Station. They're delivering a giant Japanese lab addition, along with something more mundane -- a toilet pump.

The shuttle blasted off shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, right on time.

Discovery's crew will be unloading and installing the $1 billion lab, and hand-delivering a specially made pump for the space station's finicky toilet.

The shuttle should reach the space station on Monday.

Prior to launch, Commander Mark Kelly and his six crewmates waved and smiled broadly as they headed out to their fueled spaceship at the launch pad. "Good to be aboard," he told launch controllers.

Nearly 400 Japanese journalists, space program officials and other guests jammed NASA's launch site, their excitement growing with every passing minute of the countdown.

"This is a real milestone," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said.

The Japanese lab is 37 feet long and more than 32,000 pounds, and fills Discovery's entire payload bay. The first part of the lab flew up in March, and the third and final section will be launched next year.

The entire lab, with all its pieces, cost more than $2 billion.

A large political contingent was also on hand led by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who's newly married to Kelly, Discovery's commander. They invited numerous bigwigs from Arizona and Washington.

Also hitching a ride to the space station is Buzz Lightyear, who has long been yearning to soar "to infinity and beyond." The 12-inch action figure -- made famous in the 1995 Disney film "Toy Story" -- will be used as part of NASA's "toys in space" educational program for elementary students and their teachers.

Related Links:

Discovery News blog: Space Diary

NASA's 50th Anniversary

The International Space Station