Video Of The Week - Discovery Blasts Off To Space

After several delays, Space Shuttle Discovery, finally left for the International Space Station on Sunday evening at 7.43 pm, in what can only be described as a picture perfect launch.

The shuttle whose crew of seven, includes two former educators, is carrying with it the fourth and final set of solar arrays. Once operational, the additional energy generated from these will allow for more robust science experiments.

There will also be an astronaut swap during this mission. Japanese astronaut, Koichi Wakata, (http://www.dogonews.com/2009/03/11/is-he-the-next-aladdin) will remain behind for a three-month stint, while the rest of the crew will return on March 26th, with U.S. astronaut Sandra Magnus, who has been at the Station since December 2008.

Source: NASA.gov