Shuttle Discovery Launch Set for Wednesday

     The shuttle Discovery is on the launch pad, the astronauts have arrived at Kennedy Space Center and the countdown has begun for Wednesday's anticipated return to flight. Shuttles were grounded more than two years ago after the Columbia disaster. Columbia broke up over Texas upon re-entry.
     The STS-114 mission is a test flight. The astronauts will try out a host of new Space Shuttle safety enhancements. In addition, Discovery will carry 15 tons of supplies and replacement hardware to the International Space Station.
     Wednesday's 3:51 p.m. scheduled launch begins a "launch window" that runs through July 31.
     Please note that Playalinda Beach and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge closed at 6:00 p.m. Satuarday due to the planned launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. If given a successful launch on July 13, the areas will reopen the following day.
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