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STS-116 Launch Day Image Gallery

 

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In the firing room at the Launch Control Center, Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy (with microphone) congratulates the team for the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116. Others in the room are (left to right), Deputy Director Bill Parsons, External Relations Director Lisa Malone, NASA Flow Director for Discovery Stephanie Stilson, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin. Landing is slated for Dec. 21 at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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NASA Administrator Michael Griffin watches the solid rocket booster separation from firing room four during the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
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Michael D. Leinbach, Shuttle Launch Director celebrates the successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
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Like a shooting star flooding the night sky with its blazing light, Space Shuttle Discovery leaps toward the sky from Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
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A large bird appears to chase Space Shuttle Discovery as it roars into space and emblazons the night sky. Photo credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph, Robert Murray, Chris Lynch
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From amid the smoke and steam, Space Shuttle Discovery leaps toward the sky past the lightning mast on Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116. The orbiter launched at 8:47:35 p.m. EST. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Larry Rubenstein and Peter Jones
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The Discovery crew members greet well-wishers as they head to the specially designed silver NASA Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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The STS-116 crew members show their eagerness for the second launch attempt as they exit the Operations and Checkout Building waving to the cheering Kennedy Space Center employees. Commander Mark Polansky (front at right) leads the way. Behind him are Pilot William Oefelein and Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. On the left side, front to back are Mission Specialists Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams, and Robert Curbeam. Williams will replace Expedition 14 crew member Thomas Reiter, who will return to Earth aboard Discovery in her place. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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Mission Specialist Joan Higgenbotham who will be making her first flight into space, is helped into her boot and orange flight suit in the Operations and Checkout Building. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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The crew members of mission STS-116 gather around the table for their traditional pre-launch meal before suiting up for a second liftoff attempt aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. From left are Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick, Pilot William Oefelein, Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham, Commander Mark Polansky, and Mission Specialists Sunita Williams, Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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On the morning of the second launch attempt, Space Shuttle Discovery is revealed after the rotating service structure is rolled back. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley

 

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