Space shuttle Discovery lifted off the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center Saturday, on it’s first night launch in four years. Mission STS-116 begins a 12 day mission to continue construction on the international space station or ISS.
Astronaut Robert Curbeam will lead all three spacewalks that are planned. It’s the 33rd mission for Discovery and the 117th space shuttle flight.
The picture shows Space Shuttle Discovery as it streaks through the clouds after liftoff from Launch Pad 39B at 8:47 pm EST Saturday night December 9th.