45th Space Wing supports shuttle launch

  • Published
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFPN) --  The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's launch of the space shuttle Discovery Tuesday. Discovery lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 2:38 p.m.

"Congratulations to the entire NASA, DOD and contractor launch team," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander and deputy DOD manager for manned spaceflight. "The 45th Space Wing is proud of its contributions to assuring this safe and successful launch of the space shuttle Discovery. We have a great partnership with NASA, and this mission validates the year of hard work we've all invested in getting the shuttle back into orbit. This is a great day not only for our space program, but for the nation."

The crew of the space shuttle Discovery will test new equipment and procedures that increase the safety of space shuttles during the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station. It also will perform maintenance on the space station and deliver supplies and cargo for future station expansion.