NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS124-S-039 (31 May 2008) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-124 crew head toward Earth-orbit and a scheduled link-up with the International Space Station (ISS). Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A occurred at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the International Space Station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete JAXA's Kibo laboratory. During the mission, the shuttle crew will install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system. Onboard are astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Mike Fossum, Ron Garan, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, all mission specialists. Chamitoff will join Expedition 17 in progress to serve as a flight engineer aboard the station.

S124-E-005013 (31 May 2008) --- One of a series of photos taken by the umbilical well camera aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery shortly after the shuttle's external fuel tank (ET) separated from Discovery following launch.

S124-E-005030 (31 May 2008) --- Backdropped against a blanket of clouds, the STS-124 external fuel tank (ET) begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Discovery. An STS-124 crewmember recorded the scene with a digital still camera.

S124-E-005361 (31 May 2008) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day one activities.

S124-E-005363 (31 May 2008) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, takes a moment for a photo as he works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day one activities.

JSC2008-E-043273 (31 May 2008) --- NASA Shuttle Launch Director Michael Leinbach (left), STS-124 Assistant Launch Director Ed Mango (center), and Flow Director for Space Shuttle Discovery Stephanie Stilson clap in the Launch Control Center after the main engine cut off and successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) on May 31, 2008, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

JSC2008-E-043274 (31 May 2008) --- NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with JSC Director Michael Coats and other NASA managers in the Launch Control Center prior to the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) on May 31, 2008, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

JSC2008-E-043275 (31 May 2008) --- NASA Shuttle Launch Director Michael Leinbach talks on the phone in the Launch Control Center prior to the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) on May 31, 2008, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 5:02 p.m. (EDT). Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

S124-E-005043 (31 May 2008) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the STS-124 external fuel tank (ET) begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Discovery. An STS-124 crewmember recorded the scene with a digital still camera.

S124-E-005058 (31 May 2008) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the STS-124 external fuel tank (ET) begins its relative separation from the Space Shuttle Discovery. An STS-124 crewmember recorded the scene with a digital still camera.