Discovery enjoys successful launch

TITUSVILLE, Fla., May 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery successfully lifted off Saturday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., space agency officials say.

The Miami Herald said the shuttle enjoyed a flawless countdown before roaring into the sky as part of its mission to deliver a science laboratory to the International Space Station.

Before Saturday's launch, Japanese Astronaut Ahihiko Hoshide said delivering the Japanese science module for attachment to the orbital station would be a major accomplishment for his country.

"This is a big step for the Japanese community, the science community especially,'' Hoshide said, "because that means that they can start their own science.''

The seven Discovery crew members are expected to reach the station early next week and their cargo should help enhance the station's scientific research capabilities, the Herald said.

In addition to attaching the Kibo module, whose name means "hope" in Japanese, the Discovery crew will help work on a failed nitrogen tank and balky solar panel on the station.