Space shuttle Discovery has reached orbit and is on its way to the International Space Station. "Good to be here," Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey radioed soon after the three main engines shut off and the external fuel tank was jettisoned. The official launch time was 4:53:24 p.m. EST.
The post-launch news conference is expected to begin at about 6 p.m. on NASA TV. The participants will be Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations; Mike Moses, launch integration manager and chairman of the Mission Management Team; and Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch director.