Mike Leinbach applauds with other NASA officials the successful second launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116.

In the firing room at the Launch Control Center, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach applauds with other NASA officials the successful second launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. Standing left to right are NASA Flow Director for Discovery Stephanie Stilson, Leinbach, NASA KSC News Chief Bruce Buckingham, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, Mrs. Griffin, and Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett