Shuttle Discovery Blasts Off for International Space Station

The venerable shuttle Discovery blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center Thursday, carrying six astronauts to the International Space Station.

Beginning its final flight, the world's most traveled orbiter lifted off at 4:53 p.m. on a clear Florida afternoon.

Discovery's historic final launch was viewed by hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators who jammed roads and highways up and down the Space Coast.?

Discovery, which took its maiden voyage in 1984, has logged nearly 143 million miles, more than any other reusable spacecraft. It has flown 38 missions and docked with the International Space Station 12 times previously.

Among Discovery's key accomplishments over the years:

• Launching the Hubble telescope.
• Taking astronaut John Glenn back into space.
• Achieving the highest known altitude for shuttle flight.

Over its lifespan to date, Discovery logged 351 days in space, orbiting the Earth 5,628 times.