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Main page: Space Shuttle Launch

This page will be updated as the launch process progresses.
Launch is planned at 10:39 EDT / 15:39 BST / 17:39 Latvia time.

14:24 BST - Countdown at T-20 minutes and holding. The countdown clock will stop for 10 minutes and resume at 14:34 BST.

During this countdown hold the crew members verify that they have the right software for the launch and the orbiter's onboard computers are transitioned to a launch configuration. More details on countdown on NASA Countdown 101.

T-20 minutes crew briefing complete.

14:34 BST - Countdown at T-20 and counting.

14:45 BST - Countdown at T-9 and holding for 45 minutes.

14:47 BST - All three Transatlantic Abort Landing (TAL) sites are green on weather. The TAL sites are located at Zaragoza, Spain; Moron, Spain; and Istres, France.

NASA TV now showing WB-57 shuttle chase planes getting ready for takeoff. These jets will carry innovative, on-board video imaging systems, dubbed the WB-57 Ascent Video Experiment, or WAVE project. The system will capture detailed images of how the Space Shuttle behaves as it climbs toward orbit.

14:55 BST - Takeoff of WB-57.

15:24 BST - Shuttle final ecosystem check complete.

Discovery launch is OK to proceed.

15:39 BST - 3..2..1.. Liftoff... of space shuttle Discovery successful !!!
During liftoff it achieves the speed of more than 17'000 mph.

Like 3-2-1, orbiter Discovery has successfully shed its Solid Rocket Boosters and External Tank, and shut down the main engines after reaching space.

Ufff, at last - a safe and successful liftoff!

T+39:30 : The twin Orbital Maneuvering System engines on the tail of Discovery have been fired successfully to propel the shuttle the rest of the way to orbit. The new orbit is 142 by 98 statute miles. The next maneuvering burn is coming up around 4 p.m. EDT to raise the orbit to 191 by 141 miles as the rendezvous continues to reach the station.

See STS-114 mission update thread