Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach applaud the launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120.

In the firing room at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (second from right) and Assistant Launch Director Doug Lyons (right) applaud the on-time launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120. Liftoff was at 11:38:19 am. EDT. Discovery carries the Italian-built U.S. Node 2, called Harmony. During the 14-day STS-120 mission, the crew will install Harmony and move the P6 solar arrays to their permanent position and deploy them. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls