Image: STS-128 launch clouds

Description: CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery trails a column of smoke as it punches a hole through the fabric of clouds racing through the night sky on the STS-128 mission. Liftoff from Launch Pad 39A was on time at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The first launch attempt on Aug. 24 was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The second attempt on Aug. 25 also was postponed due to an issue with a valve in space shuttle Discovery's main propulsion system. The STS-128 mission is the 30th International Space Station assembly flight and the 128th space shuttle flight. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill.
Title: STS-128 launch clouds
Credit: http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=43074
Author: NASA/Jim Grossmann
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No