Shuttle mission marks transition

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The shuttle Discovery's 37th mission marked the transition from assembling the International Space Station to using it for continuous research, NASA said.

Discovery, with seven astronauts aboard, launched from Cape Canaveral Friday at 11:59 p.m. EDT for a 13-day flight that includes installation of the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, a pressurized "moving van," NASA officials said Saturday.

The module contains storage racks for materials and fluids, a freezer, a sleeping compartment, an air purification system and a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert.

The additional facilities will let crew members increase the time devoted to research in the station, designed as an orbiting laboratory.

"Thanks to everyone who helped prepare for this mission. Let's go step up the science on the International Space Station," shuttle Commander Rick Sturckow said shortly before liftoff.