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		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/discoverys-last-mission-under-way.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="Space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (AP)" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/min-discoverys-last-mission-under-way.jpg" alt="Space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (AP)"/></a></p>
<p>Discovery, the world&#8217;s most travelled spaceship, has thundered into orbit for the final time, heading towards the International Space Station on a journey that marks the beginning of the end of the shuttle era.</p>
<p>The six astronauts on board, all experienced space fliers, were thrilled to be on their way after a delay of nearly four months for fuel tank repairs.</p>
<p>But it puts Discovery on the cusp of retirement when it returns in 11 days and eventually heads to a museum.</p>
<p>&#8220;Discovery now making one last reach for the stars,&#8221; the Mission Control commentator said once the shuttle cleared the launch tower.</p>
<p>Discovery is the oldest of Nasa&#8217;s three surviving space shuttles and the first to be decommissioned this year. Two missions remain, first by Atlantis and then Endeavour, to end the 30-year programme. It was Discovery&#8217;s 39th launch and the 133rd shuttle mission overall.</p>
<p>There were several tense minutes just before lift-off when an Air Force computer problem popped up and threatened to halt everything.</p>
<p>The issue was resolved and Discovery blasted off three minutes late at Cape Canaveral, with just two seconds to spare.</p>
<p>&#8220;Great way to go out,&#8221; said launch director Mike Leinbach. Launching late in the window like that &#8220;probably makes it a little bit more sweet.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I would say we scripted it that way,&#8221; added Mike Moses, chairman of the mission management team, &#8220;but I could use a little less heart palpitations in the final couple seconds of the countdown&#8221;.</p>
<p>As the final minutes ticked away, commander Steven Lindsey thanked everyone for the work in getting Discovery ready. &#8220;And for those watching,&#8221; he called out, &#8220;get ready to witness the majesty and the power of Discovery as she lifts off one final time.&#8221;</p>
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