At Cape Canaveral
LUCAS SEES LAUNCH: Shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven thundered into orbit Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., setting off on a 14-day International Space Station construction mission that will pave the way for the arrival of two science labs in a few months.
NASA pulled off the launch at 10:38 a.m. CDT after determining that a small patch of ice on fuel tank plumbing posed no danger. Indeed, most if not all of the ice harmlessly shook loose when the booster rockets and engines ignited.
Among the thousands of spectators viewing the launch was George Lucas, creator of the “Star Wars” movies. A light saber used in the first “Star Wars” film is on board Discovery to mark the movie’s 30th anniversary.
On the space station
CREWMAN DOES BACK FLIP: Biochemist Peggy Whitson, the first female skipper of the International Space Station, watched the launch live via computer, as did as flight engineer Clay Anderson, who will return to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month expedition. When the shuttle reached orbit, Anderson celebrated by shaking a white towel and doing a complete back flip.
At Dominican University
CHEERS FOR FAMOUS FRIEND: About seven years ago, Rev. Richard Woods, a theology professor at Dominican University in west suburban River Forest, met retired Air Force Col. Pamela Melroy through a mutual friend and was impressed by her dedication.
“She’s an achiever,” Woods said. “She just had her sights on this goal and let nothing stand in her way.”
On Tuesday, Melroy, 46, became only the second woman to lead a shuttle mission as the commander of Discovery.
Woods suggested to university officials that Melroy’s story would be an inspiration to students at Dominican, and in 2005 she gave the commencement speech and received an honorary doctorate.
Last week, Woods created a display in the university’s science building honoring his astronaut friend. “It’s to remind our students of the possibilities,” he said. “That you don’t have to be rich or a famous person to make a real contribution to the world.”
In Lombard
PRIDE OVER FAVORITE SON IN SPACE: Some of the most interested shuttle spectators were in west suburban Lombard, the hometown of crew member Daniel Tani. The Village Board proclaimed it Daniel Tani Day in honor of the 1979 Glenbard East High School graduate.
Tani’s first shuttle mission lasted 11 days in 2001, but this second trip will be a lot longer. Tani, 46, is replacing astronaut Anderson on the space station and will return on the next shuttle in December.
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“I don’t think the length of the time he will be in space makes us any more nervous,” said Christine Tani, Daniel’s sister. “The nervousness is always greatest during the launch and re-entry.”
Tani’s mother, Rose, 90, traveled to Florida with Christine and other family members to watch the launch.
Lombard Village President William Mueller gave Rose Tani a lapel pin and patch with Lombard’s logo for her son to carry on his voyage. The items will be donated to the Lombard Historical Society upon his return.