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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - As if erupting from the earth and smoke, Space Shuttle Discovery vaults into the clear blue sky, trailing a fiery plume, on mission STS-121. The launch was the first ever made 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/Sandy Joseph & Robert Murray