Space Shuttle Discovery successfully lifts off on mission STS-128

August 29, 2009 Space Shuttle Discovery has successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on mission STS-128. Discovery took off at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The shuttle's payload consists of a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module or 'Leonardo' and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier. The treadmill named for comedian Stephen Colbert also is aboard Discovery. Colbert had previously won a contest to have one of the modules named after him, but officials at NASA decided on the name Tranquility.

"Space Shuttle Discovery completed a flawless ascent into orbit Friday night to begin a two-day chase of the International Space Station," said NASA in a statement on their website.

After flying up on Discovery, astronaut Nicole Stott will trade places with station resident Tim Kopra, who went into space last month aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour.