Visitors at the Kennedy Space Center's Banana River viewing site stay focused on the historic ride of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 as it rockets into the blue sky for an historic launch -- the first ever on Independence Day. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. During the 12-day mission, the STS-121 crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for July 16 or 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Louie Roguevert
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