Discovery in Orbit

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 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.

During space shuttle Discovery's final spaceflight, the STS-133 crew members will take important spare parts to the International Space Station along with the Express Logistics Carrier-4.

Steve Bowen replaced Tim Kopra as Mission Specialist 2 following a bicycle injury on Jan. 15 that prohibited Kopra from supporting the launch window. Bowen last flew on Atlantis in May 2010 as part of the STS-132 crew. Flying on the STS-133 mission will make Bowen the first astronaut ever to fly on consecutive missions.

Source: NASA